Cocalico at Mechanicsburg: District 3 5A football quarterfinal preview

Mechanicsburg is back in the District 3 playoffs for the first since 2020, when current Penn State running back Nick Singleton and Governor Mifflin made for a short visit. Now, the Wildcats earned a No. 2 seed in the District 3 5A tournament and will host a successful Cocalico side at 7 p.m. Friday at John H. Frederick Field. Below is a closer look at the quarterfinal tilt.

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THE EAGLES (8-3): Trying to find an edge against the two-time D3 5A champions can be difficult. Yes, the Eagles may appear limited with most of their offensive chops rooted in the run game. But can you really overlook the results?

The Eagles are seeking a ninth-straight victory inside the bracket, which includes last week's surge past Hershey. QB Josh Myers and Dane Horning make the run game go. Both have breached the 1,000-yard plateau, with Horning's 1,173 yards and 10 scores carrying the lead in Cocalico's flexbone scheme.

Myers will throw if desperate, but the QB is a meager 7 of 36 for 143 yards on the season. Horning doubles as one of Cocalico's leading defenders with 105 stops.

THE WILDCATS (10-0): All the energy burned and courage displayed through 10 glorious weeks of the regular season, not to mention that outright Keystone Division title, was preparation for this moment.

The Wildcats are seeking the program's first District 3 win since 2008, so this is another big moment in a season filled with them. You know the kind of skill sets that playmakers Josh Smith (16 combined TDs), QB Eli Reider (29 TD passes) and RB Isaac Dollman (911 rush, 11 TDs) bring to the table.

However, the action from leading defenders Drake Dawson, Collin Stare, Justin Bardo and more hold the secret here. Dave Heckard's defense has been undervalued all year because of Mechanicsburg's 38.2 scoring average. Slowing down Cocalico's preferred method of travel, though, is paramount to reach 11-0.

AT STAKE: Friday's winner earns a semifinal date next with 3-seed Conrad Weiser (10-0) or No. 6 Bishop McDevitt (9-2). A Wildcats' victory would keep Mechanicsburg at home next Friday.

X-FACTOR: First down. No down is more important with one side flaunting a triple option offense. Winning first down will go a long way in determining which side advances to the semifinals.

THE PICK: Mechanicsburg 33, Cocalico 24