6:25 Greetings! We're here live from Lancaster Catholic's Rossmere Stadium. It's cloudy and murky, but the rain has mercifully stopped. The teams are warming up, and we're just under a half-hour away from kickoff.
6:32 Oops. Forgot to introduce myself. Keith Schweigert here for L-L Insider at LancSports.com. If you're here, you've obviously had a chance to visit our new website. Hope you like what you've seen so far.
6:34 Some pre-game notes: Catholic has had this game marked on the calendar since...well, since this time last year, when they let Trinity escape with a 15-14 win. Crusader fans will remember that during last year's district playoffs, Catholic was hoping to set up a rematch with Trinity in the finals...until the Crusaders got knocked off by Delone Catholic. Ironically, the very next week Delone turned the trick again and surprised Trinity, handing the Shamrocks their first -- and last -- loss of the season.
6:36 Trinity has five starters back on offense and eight back on defense -- and they had a VERY good defense last year. They'll be a test for Catholic quarterback Kyle Smith and the Crusader offense, which brings back a good number of starters itself. We're now 19:50 away from game-time. Weather still holding...which is good news for Catholic, which is going to want to pass the ball.
6:37 By the way, if you want to comment or have a question for me, look at the bottom of your page. Just type in your name and comment there.
6:42 Just about 14 minutes until game time. The teams are in the locker room. Stands are fairly full on the home side, though it looks like a lot of people in Camp Hill decided to stay home.
6:44 [Comment From larryjohnson] Keith,
6:45 I'm here, Larry. What's your comment?
6:45 [Comment From larryjohnson] It looks like the Lancaster papers have overlooked Christian Kuntz for Trinity as a recent PSU commit! Add him to Nick Kindler and that is some major star power on a small AA team!
6:46 You're right, Larry. That is an omission on our part. For a Double-A team to have two major-college stars on it is quite a feather in the cap. Although, I'll point out that Catholic has some star power, too, with Kyle Smith and Nick Schmalhofer.
6:47 [Comment From larryjohnson] Although, LCHS boasts their own talent- soph Kyle Smith could be the next big time QB out of the LL League, while senior OL/DL Nick Schmalhofer is maybe the best lineman in the league. Also, senior WR Freddy Jankowski is one of the best dual sport athletes in the mid-state- baseball and football.
6:47 Sorry to steal your thunder there, Larry. I was watching Janikowski warm up before the game, and he's got some good size and speed on him. Smith will have a lot of targets to throw to. I'm sure Coach Harbach is glad the rain has stopped.
6:49 Although, I must say, the skies around Lancaster are looking a bit...ominous.
6:52 [Comment From MidPenn] Any injuries to report?
6:53 I walked both sidelines during warmups, and didn't see anything on either side. Of course, that was pretty early, and anyone who wasn't dressing for the game would have probably still been in the locker room.
6:53 By the way, about a two minutes ago, the skies opened up. It's pouring. Thanks a bunch, Tropical Storm Fay.
6:55 [Comment From MidPenn] Just FYI for those who don't know: Boston College will feature a starter from each of the teams tonight: LCHS Ryan Purvis will start at TE for the second year, last season he was 1st team All-ACC, while Trinity Chris Crane will be Matt Ryan's heir.
6:56 Thanks, MidPenn. Both teams are out on the field now, Catholic having come on through the cloud of fire extinguisher smoke, ala the Miami Hurricanes. We're just about to kick off!
7:02 Catholic will kick off to start the game. More updates to come. Stay tuned!
7:03 [Comment From litizpa] you have a point mid penn catholic is a double a team with superstars on it . they hide behind the guidelines on the districts a's and always come up with wins until they have to play the big squads
7:04 They are what their enrollment says they are, Lititz. Not sure that comment is fair, but everyone's entitled to their opinion.
7:08 First possession for Trinity goes to the Catholic 41, where the Crusaders stop them on fourth and two. First down Catholic.
7:09 [Comment From MidPenn] I don't know if I would call it hiding- they simply follow the rules- they didn't make 'em, they can't change 'em.
7:09 [Comment From Guest] they make sure their enrollment stays within the guidelines of the double a
7:09 [Comment From Guest] they certainly have the room for expansion just say they cheat their way to the top
7:10 ...and the typical private/public conspiracy theorists raise their heads again. Sigh.
7:10 [Comment From LarryJohnson] Who came up with the big stop?
7:10 The whole Catholic line did, Larry.
7:11 First turnover of the game. Catholic's Quinn Houser coughs it up at the Trinity 40 after an 8-yard run. 7:50 left, we're still scoreless.
7:13 Trinity goes three and out, then tries to punt. Catholic stops the punter short of the marker. First down Catholic at the Trinity 44, 5:49 left in the first.
7:14 [Comment From Guest] it has nothing to do with the private/public theory i graduated froma catholic school and the deceit starts in the bingo halls and continues up to all competition levels
7:14 I'll take your word for that, Guest. Let's just agree to disagree and move on.
7:17 Catholic goes three and out, Smith throwing two incompletions (one was a throwaway under pressure). Punt goes for a touchback. First down, Trinity, 4:51 left.
7:19 [Comment From LarryJohnson] To all sane folks at home: remember that graduating "froma catholic school" is no qualification to judge the entirety of a school, staff, students, parents, teachers, coaches, etc.
7:19 [Comment From MidPenn] WOW- sounds like tons of defense! Another close game in this intense rivalry!
7:20 Trinity is showing off a lot of different running backs as they try to get something going in this rain.
7:21 Trin
7:21 Oops. Trinity junior Jimmy Heikel is finding the most room so far. He runs hard. Trinity is up to about midfield, using the ground game exclusively.
7:24 We have a player shaken up here...Catholic's Kevin Cotchen. He left the field under his own power and is getting worked on by the trainers on the bench. Doesn't look too serious. Could be a hand injury of some sort, but it's hard to tell.
7:32 Catholic's defense has shown up big so far. Trinity's QB, Ted Spinelli, is making lots of new friends in the backfield. Catholic had a nice stand on Trinity's last drive, hitting Spinelli on three consecutive plays, forcing two incompletions and a fumble (Trinity recovered, and punted)
7:33 [Comment From Jeff at Cocalico] L-S 7, Cocalico 7 (early 2nd); E-town 14, McCaskey 7 (late 1st); CV 0, Hempfield 9 (late 1st); Township 6, Ephrata 0 (end 1st).
7:33 Some other scores for you: Solanco 7, Penn Manor 0 (end 1st); Manheim Central 6, Susquehannock 0 (1st).
7:34 Catholic junior Andrew Heise had the biggest hit on him; he's the one that forced the fumble last time.
7:36 Catholic WAS moving the ball, but penalties have taken their toll. They're facing 2nd and 21 from the Trinity 45...and KYLE SMITH is intercepted! Trinity's Jack Miller steps in front of his pass and returns it to the Catholic15, but a celebration penalty pushes the Shamrocks back to the Catholic 30.
7:36 [Comment From Jeff at Cocalico] Cocalico jumps ahead 14-7 with 8:54 to go in the half on a 5-yard TD run by Kyle Fisher
7:36 [Comment From Jeff at Cocalico] SCORE ALERT: Hempfield 14, CV 0, 2nd quarter
7:36 Thanks, Jeff. Isn't technology wonderful?
7:37 Trinity first down at the Catholic 18.
7:37 Two turnovers for Catholic so far -- a fumble and Smith's interception. Smith's intended receiver (didn't catch the number) was double-covered.
7:39 Catholic's Travis Janikowski stops Trinity's Christian Kuntz for a 3-yard loss on second down...3rd and 7 from the LC 16.
7:40 TOUCHDOWN! Trinity's Ted Spinelli on a keeper from 16 yards out. Kick is ugly, but good. Trinity 7, Catholic 0, 8:01 left in the half.
7:41 [Comment From Jeff at Cocalico] TOUCHDOWN L-S! Freshman QB Nate Shank tosses a 14-yard TD pass to Chad Frey. PAT is good, and with 7:30 to go in the half, we're knotted at 14-all in Denver.
7:42 Catholic gets the ball back on the kickoff. First down from their own 25, 7:56 left.
7:42 We're trying to keep the scores updated on the ticker as fast as we're getting them. I've given up on trying to keep stats at this point. I'll try to get them for you at halftime.
7:45 ANOTHER Catholic penalty, and the last two shotgun snaps to Smith have dribbled back there. The last one sets up a 4th and about 25 from deep in Catholic territory. Punt is downed at the Trinity 46, with 5:33 left.
7:45 Catholic's offense appears to be imploding at this point. They've got to get it together fast.
7:45 [Comment From Jeff at Cocalico] It's the Kyle Fisher Show in Denver ... Cocalico's speedy senior just busted one 72 yards, giving the Eagles a 21-14 lead with 7:08 to go in the half. He's already over 100 yards rushing in the first half, and he threw a TD pass on a trick play. Nice.
7:46 Catholic's defense, however, looks fantastic. Sean Reed and Nick Schmalhofer, in particular, are dealing out some thudding hits.
7:47 [Comment From Go Crusaders!] Who's bringing the most heat on Spinelli?
7:47 Trinity's sticking to the ground game. I think they're a little gun-shy about passing right now, between the rain and Catholic's pass rush.
7:48 [Comment From Jeff at Cocalico] Hempfield 21, CV 0, late second quarter
7:50 If John Madden has a fantasy dream sequence running through his head, this game is it. Mud, bit hits, a steady downpour...all we need is some Turducken.
7:52 Trinity just had a possible TD called back...Catholic had a Trinity kid stopped, but he passed/intentionally fumbled it to a teammate, who took it about 60 yards for a score. But -- much to the dismay of Trinity's coaching staff in the pressbox (my ears still hurt), the refs -- eventually -- ruled it an illegal forward pass.
7:52 It was the correct call, in my opinion. (Not to sound too homer-y or anything).
7:54 Trinity punts, so Catholic has the ball. 2nd and 2 from their 38, 2:25 left.
7:54 [Comment From Jeff at Cocalico] Hits just keep on coming for Cocalico -- QB Matt Carty races 87 yards for a TD on a keeper, giving the Eagles a 28-14 edge with 4:39 to go in the half. Incredible.
7:55 ...And let's welcome Catholic's offense to the game. Sophomore Jordan Stewart has broken off two nice-looking runs in a row, giving the Crusaders a first down at their own 49 with 1:33 left in the half.
7:59 25 seconds left. Catholic just had a screen pass blown up by a pair of Trinity defenders. Fourth and 4 from the Trinity 44.
8:00 Smith is sacked by Trinity's Billy Phillipy. First down, Trinity at the Catholic 47, 20 seconds left.
8:02 14 seconds left. First down, Trinity, at the Catholic 33. Shamrocks spike the ball to stop the clock.
8:03 Spinelli scrambles to the 30, gets out of bounds with 4.2 seconds left. Third and about 5.
8:03 Fittingly, I think we'll be seeing a "Hail Mary."
8:05 Nope. No Hail Mary. (Although Catholic sure seemed to be expecting one). Instead with get Trinity's Christian Kuntz -- who had done nothing of note to this point -- take a handoff on a sweep and go 30 yards for a score on the final play of the half. Things are starting to look pretty grim for the Crusaders. At the break, it's 14-0 Trinity.
8:16 Halftime stats, compliments of the Carlisle Sentinel's Eric Thomas (avert your eyes, Catholic fans): Rushing yards: Trinity 106, Catholic 28. Passing yards: Trinity 36, Catholic 57. Total yards: Trinity 106, Catholic 43.
8:16 Catholic has one more total yard (43) than it has penalty yards (42, on five flags). Trinity has also been penalized five times for 36 yards.
8:17 Edit to correct my faulty math: Total yards -- Trinity 142, Catholic 43.
8:18 [Comment From Jeff at Cocalico] Halftime in Denver ... Cocalico 28, L-S 14
8:18 [Comment From Jeff at Cocalico] Kyle Fisher has 101 rushing yards at the half for Cocalico, which leads 28-14.
8:19 [Comment From Jeff at Cocalico] Who are the thinktanks who picked Catholic over Trinity on their Week 1 football preview video?
8:20 "I thought the Generals were due!" -- Krusty the Clown
8:20 [Comment From Jeff at Cocalico] HALFTIME: Columbia 14, Eastern York 7
8:21 No band show at halftime. Catholic's fans entertained themselves by getting even wetter...and shaking their heads over the sloppy play in the first half.
8:22 [Comment From Jeff at Cocalico] HALFTIME: Hempfield 28, CV 6
8:22 [Comment From Jeff at Cocalico] HALFTIME: Township 39, Ephrata 0; E-town 35, McCaskey 7
8:22 [Comment From Jeff at Cocalico] INJURY UPDATE: McCaskey's Rob Dixon (the track star) has been carried from the field with an apparent leg injury, and I was told it didn't look good.
8:24 What must Catholic do to turn things around? It's simple. They've got to cut down on the drive-killing penalties and stop turning the ball over. They had two promising drives ended by turnovers -- one of which set up Trinity's first touchdown. Their defense, with the exception of that crushing final play before halftime, had been playing well.
8:24 Just about to kick off the second half here. Stay tuned.
8:25 Catholic gets a good return on the kickoff, then gets 15 more yards on a Trinity personal foul (facemask) call. First down at the Shamrock 49. Good break to start the half.
8:26 Catholic's Quinn Houser is acquitting himself well on the ground. He hits the hole hard and doesn't go down on first contact.
8:27 Fumbled snap (again). Catholic recovers, but it's 3rd and 6.
8:27 And ANOTHER fumble. But Catholic gets a break on the quick whistle and gets a first down.
8:27 Oops. Timeout for measurement. Jumped the gun.
8:28 OK. NOW it's a first down, from Trinity's 39.
8:29 Houser breaks one to the Trinity 9-yard line. Signs of life for the Crusaders.
8:29 First down: Busted play. Kyle Smith keeps it and gains 3.
8:30 Second down: Houser gains two yards. Third and goal from the 4.
8:31 IT'S A FUMBLE!!! Houser loses the pitch, Trinity's Colt Kostelac recovers and returns it 15 yards to the 18. Ouch.
8:34 [Comment From Go Crusaders!] Houser and Stewart (from Ohio) should be a great running back pair for several years.
8:34 [Comment From Guest] looks like to much pre-season hype
8:35 It's Week One, but you could be right, Guest. Catholic is killing itself with self-inflicted wounds.
8:36 ...And it gets worse. Trinity's Spinelli scrambles 50 yards to the Crusader 18. First down. If Trinity scores here, you can probably put this one in the books.
8:36 [Comment From deppen76] mc 25-0
8:36 [Comment From Jeff at Cocalico] Kyle Ueberroth 1-yard TD dive for Cocalico, gives the Eagles a commanding 35-14 lead with 7:57 to go in the third ... and it's raining cats and dogs in Denver FYI.
8:36 [Comment From deppen76] gateway 31, penn hills 0
8:37 For the updated scores (as we get them), check out the live ticker at the top of the L-L Insider main page.
8:37 [Comment From Jeff at Cocalico] Think I wrote in one of my season previews that there was a legit shot Catholic would be 1-2 coming out of non-league slate, so don't get all bent out of shape. Catholic will only get better.
8:37 Keep in mind, Catholic lost this game last year...although the score was closer, and Catholic looked much better.
8:38 Spinelli avoids a Nick Schmalhofer rush and scrambles to the 10. Catholic is having trouble containing him when he takes off on his own like that.
8:39 Spinelli option keeper for a 10-yard TD run. And the Crusaders' wheels are flying off the axles.
8:39 Well, something's going Catholic's way. Trinity misses the PAT kick. But the Shamrocks lead 20-0 with 4:36 left.
8:40 [Comment From deppen76] hey jeff, ueberoth should start, big boy
8:42 [Comment From Guest] you might be right jeff...but if you want to be the team...you need to beat the good teams...
8:42 [Comment From Jeff at Cocalico] Matt Carty was the second-ranked passer in the L-L League last season, and tonight he already has an 87-yard keeper TD tonight. Carty is heady and he makes great decisions and reads. I like Ueberroth, too. Man, he's got big shoulders. He looks nothing like his big bro, who was a stringbean in his Cocalico days. Carty is the guy - but I do like Ueberroth. Big boy? C'mon, I dropped 47 pounds this summer :-)
8:46 Guest, if you're comment is directed at me (I'm Keith, by the way -- nice to meet you!), you're right. You do have to beat good teams to win a title. But I think the suggestion that Catholic hides from anyone is unfair. They're playing Trinity and Manheim Central in their non-league schedule. And, last time I checked, L-S won the district AAA title last year -- after losing to Catholic. It's not like Catholic has a bunch of patsies on its schedule every year.
8:47 1:48 left in the third, and Trinity is at midfield. Not a lot of emotion on Catholic's side -- in the stands or on the field. If they're going to turn it around, they'd better do it fast.
8:50 It gets worse. Catholic's Nick Schmalhofer is shaken up, though he leaves the field under his own power and appears to be OK on the sideline. Must have just got the wind knocked out of him.
8:50 END of 3rd QUARTER: Trinity 20, Catholic 0.
8:51 It is POURING here right now. Just a miserable night -- unless you're standing on Trinity's side of the field (or are sitting here warm and dry in the press box).
8:52 [Comment From Jeff at Cocalico] TOUCHDOWN L-S ... Nate Shank tosses a 14-yard TD strike to John Carlson. PAT makes it 35-21 with 33.3 seconds to go in the third.
8:52 [Comment From Guest] hi keith...i was responding to jeff's comment on them coming out 1-2...and yes i think they play a good schedule...but beating trinity and mc is much more important then donegal or lets say elco
8:53 I agree with that, Guest. And not to make excuses for Catholic or anything, but they can't be as bad as they've looked so far tonight. I think the rain has a bit to do with it -- both teams are having trouble holding onto the ball, though Trinity's doing a much better job of it.
8:53 However, if they don't improve, I think 1-2 is a distinct possibility.
8:55 [Comment From Jeff at Cocalico] End 3: Cocalico 35, L-S 21
8:58 Bright spot for Catholic: I think they've got a good RB in Houser. We have him a 79 rush yards on nine carries, though he has fumbled a lot.
8:59 Kyle Smith makes a nice play, spinning out of a Trinity sack attempt and finding Tyler Purvis for a big gain. Houser follows it up with a nice run to the Shamrock 19.
9:00 ...um, or not. Another Catholic turnover, this one a Kyle Smith fumble after he gets drilled at the end of a scramble.
9:00 [Comment From Guest] and oh-by-the-way...this is real nice website guys....it is nice to follow a game and watch scores in the comfort of your own home
9:00 Glad you're enjoying it, Guest. For the first night, I think things are going well. Keep checking in with us!
9:00 [Comment From Jeff at Cocalico] Hempfield 35, CV 6 end of 3rd.
9:01 Just got a call from one of my cohorts at the Garden Spot-Warwick game. Spartans are up 17-14 at the end of the third.
9:01 Penn Manor's also beating Solanco 14-7 at the end of three.
9:01 ...as my first week's picks go circling down the drain.
9:02 [Comment From Jeff at Cocalico] Break up the Spartans and the Comets. Who knew?
9:02 Not me. Just look at my picks.
9:03 And yes, I've just discovered the emoticon function on this live blog software.
9:04 We've got 5:36 left, and I think you can officially stick a fork in this one. Trinity's facing 4th and 1 from its own 14, but the Shams are firmly in control. Catholic gets the ball on a punt at their own 43, but they've got a lot of scoring to do in a small amount of time.
9:05 Barring one of those Matt Sarazan-type miracle comebacks from the Friday Night Lights TV show, I think Catholic is finished.
9:05 [Comment From Jeff at Cocalico] FIRST FINAL OF THE NIGHT: Manheim Township 53, Ephrata 0. One word: Razorback!
9:06 [Comment From Jeff at Cocalico] Hempfield 41, CV 6 late 4th.
9:06 Kyle Smith's stats: 8-of-14, 102 yards, 1 INT.
9:07 He's looking good on this drive. Two completions in a row, one to Tyler Purvis, the other to Andrew Millay. Threaded the needle on both of them.
9:08 3:30 left. Catholic's running the ball for some reason.
9:09 Oh, that's why. Fumbled shotgun snap. Smith recovers, five yard loss.
9:09 [Comment From deppen76] great job keith and jeff! i'm "outta here"
9:09 Thanks, deppen. Check back for more hilarity next week.
9:09 [Comment From Jeff at Cocalico] Not a great opener for Mr. Smith, eh? Must say, I didn't see that coming. Yeah, yeah, I picked Catholic. Not shocked they lost ... but a shutout? Trinity must be loaded for beat. ... 2:30 to go over here in Denver. Still 35-21 Eagles. Fisher 139 yards and 2 scores, plus a TD pass.
9:09 [Comment From deppen76] ha-ha
9:10 The PA announcer here just asked the fans to give themselves a round of applause for sticking it out in the rain. They sure didn't have much to cheer about.
9:10 Two minute warning. This one's OV-AH.
9:11 Smith: 10-of-17, 128, 1 INT
9:11 Shams are running out the clock.
9:11 [Comment From Jeff at Cocalico] E-town 53, McCaskey 7 ... late 4th ... yeah, da Bears are back.
9:12 What freaking moron picked McCaskey to win that one? ...Oh, wait.
9:12 [Comment From LL-Fan] No offense to Jeff personally, but his preseason previews reveal his lack of real football knowledge. TOO much focus on what players have "D-1 looks", TOO quick to jump on story lines. I know he went to Northwestern so we can excuse him for not recognizing legit football :-)
9:12 ZING!
9:13 Speaking in Jeff's defense, preseason predictions are about as reliable as News 8's Storm Team forecast. We examine every team, judge the talent they have coming back and do our best to stack them up. It's an inexact science.
9:13 [Comment From Jeff at Cocalico] Northeastern grad, actually. But that's OK. Lack of football knowledge? Sorry, have to disagree with you there, LL-fan. How about next time you do three sections worth of previews? Hey, it's all good. Thanks for tuning in, LL-fan!!
9:14 And we're a FINAL. Trinity 20, Catholic 0. Better luck next week, Crusaders.
9:14 [Comment From Michael] What's the score of MC Game
9:14 Last time I heard, it was Central 25-0.
9:15 [Comment From Michael] what quarter
9:15 Late third. Bear with me a sec and I'll call for an update.
9:16 Update from Central: Baron s are up 32-3 with seconds left in the third quarter.
9:16 [Comment From LarryJohnson] WOW- I was not expecting this result! LCHS has a TON of work to do. Ephrata looks like a win, but maybe not as easy with LC playing down. Better fix it quick in time for the MC show down
9:18 Larry...I think they've got some work to do, but they are not as bad as they looked tonight. I think they'll be fine against Ephrata, which just got shellacked by Township (53-0). Their mistakes tonight are fixable -- just hold onto the freaking ball. Way too many turnovers -- every time they threatened to score, they put the ball on the ground. Penalties hurt in the first half, too.
9:18 Defensively, they looked OK. I think they just got worn down.
9:18 [Comment From MidPenn] I am always curious to know what actually qualifies our local sports writers to cover sports. Have any of them actually played the sports they cover?
9:20 For what it's worth, I did play -- although the last time I wore shoulder pads, George Bush (The First) was president and Def Leppard was the unquestioned ruler of the rock
9:20 [Comment From MidPenn] Not suggesting anything! Just curious!
9:20 [Comment From Guest] i guess c.v. wishing they didn't run most of there starting senior's away from the program
9:21 No offense taken, Mid-Penn. I've covered this sport for 15 years, but I don't consider myself to be an expert. I'm just a guy with a really, really fun job.
9:22 [Comment From LarryJohnson]
What are future plans for live blogs?? I think it could really take off, but the key would be availability and dependability- I want to be able to follow my team (LCHS) EVERY week!! MAKE IT HAPPEN FOR ME!
9:22 [Comment From Michael] Any Update for MC
9:23 Larry, we'll be blogging live from one or two of the top games every week. I'm sure you can pencil in the LCHS-Central game (I know I'll be at that one).
9:24 We're also doing the Central-Wilson game next week, with another one TBA.
9:24 [Comment From Michael] Final Score Etown 53 McCaskey 7
9:25 Michael, MC was up 32-3 at the end of the third quarter. That's the latest I've got. I'll update it later.
9:25 Well, folks, I'm heading back to the office. I'll be updating the final scores as we get them. Keep checking the site for more updates (it will save you the long wait for the TV stations to get theirs posted). Thanks for checking in, and have a good night!
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