Key division games and postseason meets to watch this week in Cumberland County high school sports (Oct. 7-12)

As postseason play continues in some sports and draws near for others, here are some of the key games, matches and meets to watch this week in Cumberland County high school sports.

CROSS COUNTRY

Mid-Penn Championships (Saturday, 10 a.m. at Big Spring): The conference's top runners tackle the Big Spring course with conference hardware and District 3 berths up for grabs. The boys and girls will both crown new champions.

FIELD HOCKEY

Mechanicsburg at Cumberland Valley (Monday, 6 p.m.): The No. 4 and 5 teams in the District 3 Class 3A power rankings, the Wildcats and Eagles meet for their second Mid-Penn Commonwealth clash this season. Mechanicsburg blanked CV 2-0 Sept. 11 and looks to compete the series sweep on the Eagles' home turf.

Camp Hill at Annville-Cleona (Monday, 7 p.m.): The Lions are dealt a tough nonleague test when they travel to Lebanon County. Camp Hill brings a 12-2 record to the matchup, its two losses against Capital foe Boiling Springs. Meanwhile, the Dutchmen have surged to a 14-2 mark and sit as the No. 3 team in the District 3 Class A field.

Carlisle at Cedar Cliff (Friday, 7 p.m.): Two programs mired in a slump, the Thundering Herd and Colts aim to change their fortune in Friday's Commonwealth collision. Carlisle is stuck in a 16-game spell that stretches back to last fall. After a 2-0 start, Cedar Cliff has lost its last five.

Trinity at West Perry (Friday, 7 p.m.): The Shamrock-Mustang rivalry has flowered over the last few falls, and the matchup is renewed in Elliottsburg. Trinity rides into the Colonial skirmish on a high note, winning its last six games. Meanwhile, West Perry angles to right the ship after dropping its last three.

Big Spring at Susquehanna Township (Friday, 7 p.m.): How three games can change the outlook of a matchup. After opening the season 0-4, Big Spring has ripped off three straight wins and is upset hungry as it visits the Indians Friday. Township is a force in its own right, sporting a 6-1 record.

District 3 Championships (Thursday-Saturday at Honey Run Golf Club): The golf postseason turns to the District 3 circuit and Honey Run Golf Club in York. The 3A contingent tees off its first round Thursday, followed by 2A Friday, both in shotgun start format. The golfers to advance through first-round play will complete their 36-hole quest Saturday with tee-time scheduling.

BOYS SOCCER

Shippensburg at Boiling Springs (Wednesday, 4 p.m.): Two teams that enter the week just one game behind first-place Gettysburg in the Colonial Division face off in a game that has both Mid-Penn and Class 3A implications. The Bubblers (11-4, 10-2 Colonial) won the first round 5-0 when the teams first squared off Sept. 16 in Shippensburg. The Greyhounds (12-2, 10-2) have five wins in five games since, including a 3-2 victory over Gettysburg.

GIRLS SOCCER

Cumberland Valley at Mechanicsburg (Tuesday, 6:30 p.m.): The crosstown rivals clash in their second of two Mid-Penn Commonwealth meetings this season. The Eagles (10-4, 8-2 Commonwealth), entering the week at No. 6 in the District 3 power rankings, won the first matchup 1-0 Sept. 12. It was the only loss to date for the No. 5 Wildcats (10-1-2, 7-1-2), who have won their six games six, including a 1-0 decision over division leader Central Dauphin (12-1-1, 9-1-0) Wednesday.

Northern at Lower Dauphin (Thursday, 7 p.m.): In their first Mid-Penn Keystone matchup of the season Sept. 17, the Polar Bears (11-0-1, 10-0 Keystone) pounced on the visiting Lower Dauphin for a 5-0 win. The Falcons (13-2, 9-1) look to even the series in a key late-season division battle.

GIRLS TENNIS

District 3 singles championships (Friday-Saturday in Hershey): The individual postseason continues with the district singles tournament. Last year, Camp Hill's Mia Schreader won her opening-round match before getting bounced in the Class 2A quarterfinals, and Cumberland Valley's Pragnya Joshi finished fourth overall in Class 3A.

WATER POLO

Cumberland Valley at Reading (Tuesday – girls, 5 p.m.; boys, 6 p.m.): The Eagle boys (5-2 conference, 7-8 overall) and girls (5-5, 7-9) look to pick up victories when they travel to face the Red Knights (5-4, 7-7; 1-7, 1-10) in a late-season matchup.

GIRLS VOLLEYBALL

Greencastle-Antrim at Big Spring (Wednesday, 6:30 p.m.): The Bulldogs celebrate Senior Night when they host Colonial power Greencastle-Antrim. Big Spring is line for home-court advantage during the District 3 Class 3A postseason, and an upset of the Blue Devils would surely support that cause.

Mechanicsburg at Cumberland Valley (Wednesday, 7:15 p.m.): Still in the thick of the District 3 4A playoff hunt, the Wildcats and Eagles would receive a big boost with a win. Mechanicsburg and CV put on a show-stopping performance Sept. 17 with the 'Cats clawing to a 3-2 thriller. The Eagles sit 17th in the District 3 power rankings — 16 teams qualify for the postseason — while the Wildcats own the 20th spot.