If the District 3-4A boys soccer postseason played out even close to the way it was seeded, the No. 10 Chambersburg Trojans would have been eliminated in every single round they played.
But Corey Grove’s Chambersburg side has slayed dragon after dragon in the district playoffs, knocking off the No. 7, 2 and 3 seeds en route to its first district championship appearance in program history. For the Trojans, winners of five of their last six, only one team now stands in their way of claiming an improbable district crown: The No. 1-seeded Warwick Warriors.
We’ve chosen this David vs. Goliath matchup, set to be held at Central Dauphin Middle School’s Landis Field, as our Game of the Week.
Warwick has made short work of its postseason competition, outscoring district opponents 8-0, on its path to the championship game. Don’t expect the Warriors — still stinging from last year’s 2-1 loss to Cumberland Valley in the district title tilt — to hold back against the underdog Trojans.
Get your popcorn ready.
In the weeks and months to come throughout the high school sports season, we plan on spotlighting multiple teams and sports with our Game of the Week. Any big upcoming games we should know about? Send suggestions to Andy Sandrik via email at [email protected].
Chambersburg at Warwick
Kickoff: Saturday, 5 p.m., at Landis Field, Central Dauphin MS
Records: Chambersburg is 12-3-4, while Warwick checks in at 17-2-1
Last game: The No. 10-seeded Trojans advanced through the District 3-4A semifinals with a 3-2 victory over No. 3 Central York, while the No. 1 Warriors punched their ticket to the title game with a 3-0 win over No. 4 Manheim Township.
What’s at stake: The winner will open the PIAA Tournament against the fifth-place team from District 1, while the loser will have to face the runner-up from that same district.
Meet the Trojans: Chambersburg is in the district title game for the first time in program history … Coach Corey Grove’s Trojans, seeded No. 10 in the district tourney, have gotten to this point by springing upset victories over No. 7 Dallastown (3-2, OT), No. 2 Conestoga Valley (1-0), and No. 3 Central York (3-2) … Chambersburg has continued to stun the competition, despite losing top midfielder Edwin Ramirez to injury for the season in the quarterfinal round … The Trojans have rallied behind senior goalkeeper Tyson Shanholtz, who has recorded a program-record 10 shutouts this season … Jason Lopez, Noah Mulewich, Will Smith, Anton Winter, and Nate Folk have all scored key postseason goals for Chambersburg … Defenders Smith, Winter, Adan Barrientos, Adrian Olvera, and Noah Brena have provided key play for a Trojans squad that has allowed just four goals this postseason … Chambersburg is in the district postseason for the 22nd time in program history, and for the first time since 2022.
Meet the Warriors: After falling to Cumberland Valley in last year’s district title game, Coach Matt Wagner’s Warwick squad has climbed its way back to the championship tilt … The Warriors will be gunning for their second district title in program history. Warwick earned its first district crown in 2005 … The Warriors are anchored by goalkeeper Isaac Yerger (10 goals allowed, 80 saves) and their back line of Nico Martinez, Rowan Bergman, Landon Beck, and Carson Kramer. Collectively, the group has yet to allow a goal in the district tournament … Gavin Kochel (8 goals, 9 assists), Riley Bills (7, 8), Nolan Sauder (7, 3), and Levi Hoover (5, 2) are all proven scorers for Warwick, but the team’s not-so-secret weapon is Kason Mentzer, who has totaled a team-high 14 goals coming off the bench for the Warriors … Warwick, which has been without the services of injured captain Toby Ricalde, has marched to the championship round with wins over No. 16 Red Lion (4-0), No. 8 Central Dauphin (1-0, 2OT), and No. 4 Manheim Township (3-0).
Sandrik’s pick: Warriors by 1.
