It’s now or never time for the football programs at Chambersburg and Carlisle, if they have any hopes of making a run at the postseason.
Both squads possess just one win in the ruthless Mid-Penn Commonwealth Division, but it’s thanks to the strength of that division that both the Trojans and Thundering Herd are within striking distance of a spot in the playoffs.
With four games remaining in the regular season, there is still time for both squads to make a move for the 12-team District 3-6A field. This week, only one thing stands in the way of Chambersburg and Carlisle pursuing their postseason dreams: each other.
The Thundering Herd will trot into Franklin County on Friday to take on the Trojans in a Homecoming contest that we’ve deemed as our Game of the Week.
Don’t let the losing records fool you. Chambersburg has been competitive on a weekly basis and possesses the top passing offense in the LocalNews1.org coverage area, while Carlisle has shown multiple times that it can be a tough out in the division.
Expect a hard-fought battle between two teams in urgent need of a victory.
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 contests we should know about? Send suggestions to Andy Sandrik via email at [email protected].
Carlisle at Chambersburg
Kickoff: Friday, 7 p.m., at Chambersburg
Records: Both squads come in at 1-5 overall and 1-4 in the Commonwealth Division.
Last game: The Herd fell 70-0 to Harrisburg, while the Trojans are coming off a 19-14 loss to Altoona.
Last meeting: Chambersburg squeezed past Carlisle 6-0 last season.
Meet the Thundering Herd: First order of business for Carlisle will be forgetting last week’s 70-point loss to Harrisburg, the top-ranked team in District 3-6A … If Coach Brandon Cook’s Herd, who check in at No. 18 in the latest district power rankings, can recalibrate from the defeat, they have the athletes to match up with Chambersburg … Isaiah Robinson is a 6-foot-3, 180-pound playmaker who needs to be accounted for at all times. The sophomore is capable of making big-time catches from QB Carter Wilson, and will sometimes take snaps himself to run on set plays … The man snapping the ball is a 6-foot-2, 240-pound freshman in Reece Trego, who teams up in the trenches with Canton Washington (5-11, 280) and Michael Hoover (5-11, 235) to pave the way for an offense putting up 11.83 points per game … Trego and Co. will be working to open up holes for the RB tandem of Daveion Baker (5-9, 175) and Jayce Jones 6-1, 230) … Trey Harris (5-10, 155) is a strong safety who loves to make big hits on defense, and can also impact the game as a receiver … Harris is joined in the secondary by defensive back Tae’Shaun Dave (5-11, 155), and together they will challenge Chambersburg’s high-flying passing game … RJ Stephenson, a 5-foot-11, 200-pound middle linebacker, will be counted on to plug holes for a Carlisle defense that is allowing 35 points per game … The Herd own a Week 3 win over Central Dauphin (22-14), but have been saddled with losses from South Western (35-9), Cumberland Valley (35-6), Altoona (28-13), CD East (28-21), and Harrisburg (70-0) … Carlisle will be seeking its first win over Chambersburg since 2022, when it toppled the Trojans by an 18-7 score.
Meet the Trojans: It’s been a next-man-up mindset at Chambersburg, where coach Gary Carter’s boys — ranked No. 20 in the District 3-6A power rankings — have overcome injuries to stay competitive in the rugged Commonwealth Division … The primary example of this mindset is at the QB position, where Justin Deneen has filled in for the injured Cam Green … Deneen has gone above and beyond the expectations for a backup, completing 50 of 87 passes for an area-best 618 yards and five TDs … It is unclear if and when Green will return. He’s completed 34 of 59 passes for 532 yards and four TDs … Whoever starts behind center will be working with a superior corps of receivers led by Jashaun Palmer and Lucas Ocker … Palmer has caught 20 passes for 363 yards and two TDs, while Ocker has hauled in 15 catches for 281 yards and four TDs … Throw in a few more capable pass catchers in Isaiah Ferguson (12 catches, 192 yards, 2 TDs), Seth Gilliam (12-90-1), and Malachi Tasker (10-106), and it’s easy to understand why Chambersburg’s QB room has been so prolific … Tasker is the top running back for Chambersburg. He’s carried the ball 85 times for 278 yards and a TD … The Trojans, who are scoring 12 points per game and allowing 22.83, own a Week 5 win over Central Dauphin (19-14), but have losses to Manheim Central (24-19), State College (38-0), Cedar Cliff (21-20), Cumberland Valley (21-0), and Altoona (19-14) … On the defensive side of the ball, the Trojans will need a hustling effort to keep up with a talented group of Carlisle skill players … Deakon Snavely leads all Chambersburg defenders with 70 tackles, including five tackles for loss … Snavely is joined on the defense by Gilliam (48 tackles, 3 sacks), Horst (45 tackles), and Devon Nalewak (36 tackles, 3 tackles for loss).
Sandrik’s pick: Chambersburg by 9.
