District 3 football quarterfinals: Breaking down the YAIAA championship rematch and more

If you think you just read this story ... you're not crazy.

Central York and York High really did play just two weeks ago for the YAIAA Division I title. And they haven't played anyone since. But the two teams will face off again in the District 3 Class 6A quarterfinals since Central York grabbed the No. 2 seed and York High finished seventh. That entire classification had a bye this year.

It's the second time the two teams have met in the postseason. Central York defeated the Bearcats, 48-21, in the 2020 District 3 Class 6A title game, after a COVID forfeit by Harrisburg allowed York High to advance in the shortened, four-team bracket. That was the first time two York County teams played in the 6A playoffs since the PIAA expanded from four classifications to six in 2016.

Historically, York High is 1-1 against YAIAA opponents in the postseason after beating Dallastown in the Class 4A first round in 2007. Central York is 3-0 against local opponents in the playoffs with first-round wins over Dallastown (2009) and Red Lion (2011).

But those two teams aren't the only YAIAA schools playing this week. New Oxford might be favored to advance to the District 3 Class 5A semifinals after having a bye last week. And Dover and York Suburban will try to upset District 3 heavyweights to continue their playoff runs. It could also be a wet night with heavy rain in the forecast.

Here's a breakdown of all four District 3 playoff football games involving YAIAA teams.

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Class 4A quarterfinals: No. 7 York Suburban at No. 2 Manheim Central, 7 p.m. Friday

York Suburban: 7-4 | Last District 3 appearance before this year: 2019 | Last District 3 playoff win before this year: 1986 | District 3 titles: One (1986)

Manheim Central: 9-1 | Last District 3 appearance: 2021 | Last District 3 playoff win: 2019 | District 3 titles: 18

The breakdown: York Suburban won its first playoff game in 36 years last week with a resounding 41-6 win over Donegal ― a 4-6 team it had beaten 41-18 in the regular season. This week presents a different type of challenge. Manheim Central has won more District 3 titles than any program, and the Barons have been just as dominant this year as they've been historically. Their only loss came in Week 10 to an undefeated Exeter Township team that is the No. 2seed in District 3 Class 5A ― more on them in a bit ― and by a score of 21-17. Prior to that, Manheim Central won eight games against Pennsylvania opponents by an average score of 57-8. Their ninth win was a 44-43 double-overtime victory over Immaculata, a private school in New Jersey. Junior quarterback Zac Hahn has thrown for nearly 1,900 yards along with 25 touchdowns and just four picks. Junior running back Brycen Armold has rushed for over 1,700 yards and scored 26 touchdowns.

The key for Manheim Central's defense will be clear: Slow down Mikey Bentivegna. What else can be said about the 5-foot-9 Suburban superstar? He rushed for 382 yards and six touchdowns on just 12 carries against Donegal last week and now has over 3,100 all-purpose yards and 37 touchdowns in 11 games this season. Still, Bentivegna averaged 152 rushing yards, 257 all-purpose yards and two touchdowns in Suburban's four losses this season. He won't be able to win this one without some help. Suburban had just 47 passing yards last week, so it will need a Herculean effort from talented sophomore quarterback Rylan Bratton or its defense to pull off this upset.

YAIAA football: Follow live scoring updates, summaries from the District 3 playoffs

Class 5A quarterfinals: No. 7 Dover at No. 1 Exeter Township, 7 p.m. Friday

Dover: 9-2 | Last District 3 appearance before this year: 2013 | Last District 3 playoff win before this year: 2013 | District 3 titles: zero

Exeter Township: 10-0 | Last District 3 appearance: 2021 | Last District 3 playoff win: 2021 | District 3 titles: One (2021)

The breakdown: Following Dover's monumental playoff win over Garden Spot last week, head coach Wayne Snelbaker said he didn't know much about Exeter except "they're big upfront."  That's certainly true. The Berks County Eagles feature 6-foot-6, 280-pound Delaware commit Anthony Caccese on the offensive and defensive lines. But Exeter has plenty of talent surrounding that size. A year after they won the District 3 Class 5A title with a stunning upset of state favorite Governor Mifflin, these Eagles might be the favorite this time around. They've won all 10 games this year by an average score of 40-11. The only close contest was a 21-17 victory over Manheim Central last week. And they beat Hempfield, the top seed in District 3 Class 6A, by 22 points in Week 8. Penn State tight end commit Joey Schlaffer is 6-foot-6 and can beat teams in a variety of ways. He's caught 31 passes for 695 yards and nine scores this year but has also rushed for 246 yards and three touchdowns on just 11 carries. Senior running back Richie Karstien is 6-foot-1, 220 pounds and has rushed for over 1,100 yards and 17 touchdowns on 157 carries. Senior quarterback Mason Rotelli has passed for over 1,200 yards, rushed for over 400 and scored a combined 23 touchdowns in his first season as the starter.

Dover has a high-powered offense of its own with the trio of quarterback Aric Campbell (2,227 yards, 20 touchdowns, 10 picks), running back Gavin Mullins (1,607 all-purpose yards, 13 touchdowns) and receiver Thomas Smyser (54 catches, 1,037 yards, 10 total touchdowns). And the Eagles scored 40 points and forced five turnovers last week against Garden Spot. But that will be tough to do against an Eagles team with this much size and strength on both sides of the ball. The York County Eagles have already exceeded expectations by winning a playoff game a year after going 1-9. As Snelbaker said last Friday: "Everything now is just a bonus to us. But these kids don't want to quit."

District 3 Class 5A quarterfinals: No. 11 Northern York at No. 3 New Oxford, 7 p.m. Friday

Northern York: 7-4 | Last District 3 appearance before this year: 2021 | Last District 3 playoff win before this year: 2021 | District 3 titles: zero

New Oxford: 8-2 | Last District 3 appearance: 2021 | Last District 3 playoff win: 2019 | District 3 titles: zero

The breakdown: In 2018, New Oxford celebrated winning a game for the first time in more than two seasons. Since then, the Colonials have made the playoffs four straight times. Prior to this season, head coach Jason Warner pointed out his seniors were disappointed with a 6-4 season and first-round loss a year ago. Well, the expectations are certainly higher now. New Oxford is coming off a first-round bye and has a legitimate chance to reach the semifinals for the second time in the past four seasons.

Still, beating 11th-seeded Northern York won't be easy. The Polar Bears have played every opponent closely this season with the exception of a blowout win over Red Land in Week 1. They held off South Western, 21-20, last week by blocking a late extra point. And New Oxford lost to South Western, 24-7, earlier this season. Still, that was perhaps New Oxford's worst game and one that could've been closer if not for a few back-breaking Colonial mistakes. Both New Oxford and Northern York earned impressive wins over Gettysburg ― the No. 4 seed in this bracket ― this season, but the Colonials won by 14 while Northern won by one.

Expect this game to be a grind-it-out defensive matchup just like Northern's win over South Western. Both teams have strong defenses giving up just under 20 points per game (19 for Northern, 17 for New Oxford). The Polar Bears feature a workhorse running back in Cole Bartrum (1,14 yards, 15 scores) while the Colonials have a committee approach led by Riley Killen (444 yards, four scores).

Still, the Colonials might be more dynamic with star senior quarterback Jett Moore (1,555 yards, 19 scores, four picks) throwing to targets like Brennan Holmes (691 yards, 11 scores) and senior Evan Schriver (474 yards, five scores). Defensively, junior Idriz Ahmetovic has had a stunning season with seven interceptions. Northern won't back down, but the Colonials have the talent to win if they play their best. The winner of this matchup will face the winner of Exeter Township and Dover.

District 3 Class 6A quarterfinals: No. 7 York High vs. No. 2 Central York, 7 p.m. Friday

York High: 6-3 | Last District 3 appearance: 2021 | Last District 3 playoff win: 2018 | District 3 titles: zero

Central York: 9-1 | Last District 3 appearance: 2021 | Last District 3 playoff win: 2021 | District 3 titles: One (2020)

The breakdown: Following his team's 43-38 loss to Central York in Week 10, York High coach Russ Stoner said he thought his squad "outplayed" the Panthers. Now the Bearcats have another chance for payback after losing their last four matchups with their crosstown rivals. Central York led by 20 points at halftime before York High stormed back in the second half to make it close. The key for the Bearcats this time will be limiting some of the big plays that put them in that early hole.

That will mean limiting the Central York rushing attack and star tailback Juelz Goff. In Week 10, Central York didn't have quarterback Nasir Still for reasons coach Gerry Yonchiuk declined to comment on, but racked up 325 rushing yards and six touchdowns while using a Wildcat offense. Following that game, Yonchiuk said the Panthers expected to have Still back for the postseason. Still, don't be surprised if the Panthers continue to lean on its ground game with its experienced offensive line getting closer to full strength the past few weeks. After all, Goff rushed for 232 yards on 34 carries against York High and gained 65 of those on a clinching fourth-quarter drive when everyone in the stadium knew he was getting the ball every play.

It will be interesting to see how York High defends Central and runs its own offense this time around. YAIAA Division I Player of the Year Jahiem White registered 157 total offensive yards and three touchdowns on 23 touches in Week 10, but York High spread the ball around with quarterback Sam Stoner going 14-of-26 for 131 yards through the air. That approach didn't stop the Bearcats from scoring 38 points, but they could always lean on White ‒ who also plays linebacker ‒ harder if the game becomes a battle between two Division I recruit running backs. The winner of this game will face the winner of No. 3 Harrisburg and No. 6 Wilson, two longtime powerhouses.

Matt Allibone is a sports reporter for GameTimePA. He can be reached at 717-881-8221, mallibone@ydr.com or on Twitter at @bad2theallibone. 

This article originally appeared on York Daily Record: District 3 football: Central York faces York High in title rematch