YAIAA football power rankings: Races for playoffs and division titles hitting final stretch

Last week, we got one matchup that likely decided a division title. 

We will get likely get another one next week. 

This week? There's not a single game with that kind of importance on both sides, but Delone Catholic will put itself on the cusp of a Division III title with a victory over rival York Catholic. 

The playoff seedings are becoming clearer, but there's still plenty that can change. At the moment, 10 York-Adams teams are lined up to make the playoffs. 

Here's where our rankings stand with two weeks left in the regular season. 

More:'Now it's your chance:' Years of adversity prepared York Suburban for season-defining win

More:PIAA District 3 football: Week 8 highlights

More:Updated: YAIAA high school football standings

Small-school rankings 

5. Littlestown (5-3)

The Bolts have taken care of business since a disappointing Week 4 loss to Delone Catholic, but they haven't faced top competition the past three weeks. They won by single digits (20-12) against Biglerville last week after a late Canner touchdown. Still, Littlestown is currently slated in the sixth and final playoff spot in Class 3A heading into its rivalry game with Bermudian Springs — a team with the same record and one spot ahead in playoff rankings. There seems to be a drop-off in Class 3A after the top six teams, so the Bolts should be in solid position to make the playoffs even with a loss to the Eagles. Still, they still have the opportunity to split for the division title with a win and a Delone loss this week. 

4. Bermudian Springs (5-3)

The Eagles cruised past York County Tech as expected last week, but they just can't seem to avoid the injury bug. Two weeks after quarterback Jay Martinez went down with an ankle injury, Bermudian had a starting lineman and linebacker leave Friday's game with injuries. That's been a familiar issue for coach Jon DeFoe this season. This Eagles team has been resilient all season, but every team has its limit. If Bermudian can get healthy enough to get past Littlestown, it should be set for the playoffs with a Week 10 matchup against Biglerville. 

3. Delone Catholic (5-3) 

There's no reason the Squires shouldn't win their first Division III title since 2009. They are favored and at home against York Catholic this Friday before playing an extremely young and rebuilding Hanover team in Week 10. They just need to take care of business. And you can believe this team will be motivated to face the Irish after two crushing defeats to them last year prevented an outstanding Squires team from bringing home YAIAA Division III and District 3 titles. 

2. Gettysburg (6-2) 

The message from coach Matt Heiser after last week's loss to Suburban: 

"We'll be back and ready to go." There's no need for the Warriors to panic. They didn't have the services of superstar linebacker Austin Heiser last week due to a high ankle sprain — not exactly great timing when you're facing arguably the best running back in the league. And yet, they just missed taking a lead in the fourth quarter when Charles Warren wasn't able to haul in what would have been an incredible catch on a tipped pass on fourth down. Gettysburg fell from No. 5 to No. 8 in the District 3 Class 4A rankings after the defeat, but they should beat Dover and Greencastle-Antrim to finish 8-2 for the second straight year. They could conceivably face Suburban again in the playoffs. They also expect to have Heiser back this week. 

1. York Suburban (8-0) 

No longer do I have to waver between who to rank No. 1 and No. 2 here. The Trojans are on the cusp of an undefeated season with games against West York (1-7) and Susquehannock (4-4) remaining. They still need to figure out the passing game (just 1-of-5 for 3 yards last week), but Suburban is excellent on both lines and has one of York County's best playmakers in Savion Harrison. Things are going well for the Trojans right now. 

Big-school rankings 

5. Red Lion (4-4) 

There's no shame in losing to a much-improved New Oxford team. But getting shutout two weeks in a row? The Lions were without star receiver Randy Fizer Friday, but they still need to get something going on offense. The bad news is that Red Lion now finds itself one spot outside the eight-team playoff picture in Class 6A. The good news is that the Lions will be favored to beat Spring Grove and Dallastown and finish with a winning record. Still, there's a chance 6-4 won't be good enough for the Lions to make the postseason this year in the big-school classification. All they can do is win out and hope for the best. 

4. New Oxford (5-3) 

Head coach Jason Warner has done such an outstanding job with this program, and his players deserve plenty of credit for their resilience. Many teams — especially those without a recent history of winning — would have folded after a three-game losing streak stopped a hot start to the season. But the Colonials have responded with three straight wins, including beating Dallastown for the first time since 2006 and Red Lion for the first time since 2009. The 27-0 win over the Lions has definitely been a signature victory, even if Red Lion clearly isn't as strong as its been the past few years. The Colonials are now No. 8 in District 3 Class 5A and are on the cusp of their first winning season and playoff appearance since 2013. With a winnable game against South Western this week, New Oxford can keep its win streak going before an intriguing Week 10 matchup with Northeastern. 

3. Northeastern (6-2) 

Again, no shame in losing to a Central York team that looks like a juggernaut. And maybe no shame in not keeping it close, seeing as nobody in York County has kept things close with the Panthers this fall. Still, falling behind by 43 points in the first half and losing by 50 is certainly disheartening for a team some considered to be the preseason favorite for the Division I title. The Bobcats are now No. 7 in District 3 Class 5A and are still looking for a signature win. They don't get a break against a fast and physical York High team going for its third straight division title, and the season finale against New Oxford should also be a battle. The Bobcats have an experienced team, and those veteran players will need to respond to adversity these next two weeks. 

2. York High (6-2) 

The Bearcats won ugly last week in a 28-17 victory over South Western. But getting a W is all that matters as York prepares for a tough home game against Northeastern this Friday. The Bearcats have jumped to No. 2 in the District 3 Class 5A rankings, though that could obviously change depending how the next two weeks go. York High continues to force turnovers and rack up sacks defensively and has plenty of capable running backs on the other side of the ball. They just need to keep putting everything together as they chase a third straight YAIAA title. 

1. Central York (7-1) 

Does this Panthers team have any weaknesses? They've spent the entire season running all over teams with three or four different running backs. Quarterback Beau Pribula has made a successful return to the lineup the past two weeks, going 11-for-15 for 238 yards and two touchdowns Friday against Northeastern. Judah Tomb has joined Taylor Wright-Rawls as an electric deep threat. Oh, and its defense hasn't allowed more than seven points to a divisional opponent this season. The Panthers should cruise past Dallastown this week before an anticipated matchup with York High — a team that has been a thorn in the Panthers side the last two years. And currently ranked No. 4 in Class 6A, Central is putting itself in position to host a playoff game this year.