“Roberts Rankings”-Football

The Final Four. Berks County teams went (4-3) in the District 3 playoffs last week. Wilson, Exeter, Wyomissing, and Twin Valley are still standing. There are no changes in my rankings this time around.

The Bulldogs are riding an 8-game winning streak. They’ve allowed 20 points or less in every game since a Week 3 loss at Nazareth. Cedar Crest managed just a field goal last Friday in West Lawn. Wilson hosts third-seeded Central York this week in the District 3-6A semifinals. The (9-2) Panthers blew out CD East 47-14 in the quarterfinals. Brooklyn Nace, a 6’2 junior, has thrown for more than 2,000 yards this season. His top target is junior Brendyn Smith (5’10, 150). If you’re into comparing scores, Central York fell to Manheim Township 28-10 in Week 2. The Bulldogs defeated the Blue Streaks 34-16 in their regular season finale.

Exeter travels to #4 seed Conestoga Valley on Friday in the District 3-5A semifinals. These squads are very familiar with each other. The (11-0) Buckskins knocked off the Eagles 28-27 one month ago at Don Thomas Stadium. Jayden Zandier was ruled short of the goal line on a two-point conversion with eight seconds remaining. Exeter received some good news this week. Starting quarterback Riley Martinez was cleared to play after suffering a fracture in his right leg against Muhlenberg. Conestoga Valley junior QB Sawyer Esbenshade has passed for 1,934 yards and 24 touchdowns this fall.

Twin Valley also gets a shot at redemption this Friday. The fifth-seeded Raiders visit top-seeded Lampeter-Strasburg in the District 3-4A semifinals. The (11-0) Pioneers blasted Twin Valley 62-14 in Week 9. Caileb Howse has accounted for 31 offensive touchdowns this season. He has 1,312 yards through the air and another 1,183 on the ground. The Raiders got speedy running back Drew Engle back last week. He ran for 122 yards on 18 carries in a 47-19 victory at Susquehanna Township. Engle provided three scores. He had been out since suffering an injury in the season opener at Berks Catholic. Engle has 2,000 career rushing yards.

Wyomissing meets third-seeded West York on Saturday in the other District 3-4A semifinal. That’s a 1pm kickoff at Bob Wolfrum Field. The Spartans are (21-0) all-time in home playoff games! They dismantled East Pennsboro 31-0 last week. West York got past Eastern York 5-3 in the quarterfinals. Yes, that was the final score. The (9-2) Bulldogs dropped back-to-back contests in early October. They lost to South Western by 20 points and then got tripped up by New Oxford 41-14.

Without further ado, here is my Berks County high school football poll. Remember that no matter where your favorite team is ranked, the sun will come out tomorrow!

“The Great 8”

1.Wilson (10-1)

2.Exeter (11-1)

3.Wyomissing (9-2)

4.Conrad Weiser (10-1)

5.Twin Valley (9-2)

6.Schuylkill Valley (9-3)

7.Berks Catholic (7-5)

8.Gov. Mifflin (5-6)