Here are the top matchups and meets this week in Cumbelrand County high school sports (Sept. 23-28)
On the other side of the autumn equinox, the high school fall sports season heads into the heart of its schedule. Here are some of the marquee events in Cumberland County with division title and District 3 postseason implications.
CROSS COUNTRY
Carlisle Invitational (Saturday, 11 a.m.): Big Spring, Carlisle Christian, Cedar Cliff, Cumberland Valley, East Pennsboro, Northern, Shippensburg, Trinity and West Perry are among the teams joining the host Thundering Herd in one of the biggest invitationals of the regular season.
FIELD HOCKEY
Boiling Springs at Camp Hill (Monday, 7 p.m.): Mid-Penn Capital play starts to hit its second loop, and the Bubblers and Lions are set to meet for the second time Monday at Siebert Park. Boiling Springs outlasted Camp Hill 3-1 Aug. 28, the Lions' only loss this season.
Lower Dauphin at Mechanicsburg (Thursday, 5:30 p.m.): A repeat matchup on the Commonwealth circuit, the Wildcats welcome the Falcons to John H. Frederick Field Thursday. Despite besting LD in nearly every statistical category Sept. 3, the Falcons prevailed, 1-0, against Mechanicsburg.
Big Spring at Boiling Springs (Friday, 7 p.m.): While the Bulldogs and Bubblers are 1-4 at the regular season's midpoint, it doesn't take away the importance of the "Battle of the Springs." Big Spring garnered its first win Friday, rallying for a 20-16 triumph over Greencastle-Antrim. Meanwhile, Boiling Springs suffered its fourth straight loss, a 49-13 setback to East Pennsboro.
Lower Dauphin at Shippensburg (Friday, 7 p.m.): The race for the Keystone title has become a two-team duel between Shippensburg and Mechanicsburg. The undefeated Greyhounds face Lower Dauphin Friday, coming off a 42-13 win at Mifflin County. Elsewhere, the Falcons dropped a 13-3 decision to Hershey.
East Pennsboro at West Perry (Friday, 7 p.m.): The Colonial chase heated up Friday with West Perry's 14-9 loss to Middletown. Eyeing a rebound, the Mustangs host surging East Pennsboro in Week 6. The Panthers picked up their third consecutive victory with their blasting of Boiling Springs.
Mid-Penn Qualifier at Manada Golf Course (Wednesday): Some of the conference's best golfers attempt to master Manada Wednesday in the Mid-Penn qualifier. The top 41-90 boys averages and the 39-43 girls golfers take to the links. Ten spots in the Mid-Penn championships are up for grabs.
BOYS SOCCER
Cumberland Valley at Northeastern (Tuesday, 5 p.m.): Two of the top teams in the District 3 Class 4A power rankings test each other in a quality mid-season nonleague matchup. The Eagles (8-1) have won seven games in a row while the Bobcats (9-2) have rattled off six straight wins and have won nine of their last 10.
Chambersburg at Cedar Cliff (Thursday, 8 p.m.): With the District 3 playoff race heating up, the Trojans (3-7-1, 1-5-1 Commonwealth) and Colts (3-4-3, 0-4-3) look to stay in Class 4A contention under the lights at West Shore Stadium. The clubs played to a 1-1 draw in their first matchup Sept. 4.
GIRLS SOCCER
Boiling Springs at Greencastle-Antrim (Tuesday, 5:30 p.m.): The Mid-Penn Colonial and District 3 Class 2A-leading Bubblers (9-1, 8-0 Colonial) have won nine consecutive games, including Thursday's 2-1 decision over Greencastle. The Blue Devils (7-2-1, 6-1-1) look to return the favor on the back end of a rare back-to-back, home-and-home scenario.
Camp Hill at East Pennsboro (Thursday, 7:30 p.m.): After an 0-4 start, the Lions (5-4, 4-2 Capital) have righted the proverbial ship with five consecutive victories. They look to maintain that momentum against the Panthers (7-1,
GIRLS TENNIS
Hershey at Cumberland Valley (Monday, 4 p.m.): The Mid-Penn Commonwealth-leading Eagles (11-0, 4-0 Commonwealth), coming off a key 3-2 win over State College Friday, look to maintain sole possession of first place in the division when the Trojans (11-2, 4-1) invade.
Mechanicsburg at Lower Dauphin (Thursday, 4 p.m.): Two teams that enter the week undefeated in Mid-Penn Keystone matches face off. Mechanicsburg (11-4, 4-0 Keystone) won six consecutive matches before a 4-1 nonleague loss to New Oxford Friday. Meanwhile, the Falcons (9-3, 4-0) have won four of their last five heading into the week.
GIRLS VOLLEYBALL
Palmyra at Trinity (Tuesday, 6:15 p.m.): The Shamrocks put their perfect record to the test Tuesday in a Keystone rematch against the Cougars. Trinity topped Palmyra in a season opener, winning 3-1.
Waynesboro at Big Spring (Wednesday, 6:30 p.m.): The Maidens march into Newville Wednesday for a Colonial clash. The Bulldogs, looking to gain some ground in the division race, angle to avenge a 3-1 setback against Waynesboro Sept. 3.
