Who's winning this Friday? Here are GameTimePA's YAIAA football predictions for Week 5

These picks have gotten harden to make each week. 

Not because it's too difficult to make a prediction on which team will win. But because it's hard to know which teams will play in a given week. 

Three games were canceled due to COVID-19 or other "health issues" last week — with the news for all three coming Thursday or Friday.

And now one more game scheduled for this week has been knocked off the schedule. York Catholic's homecoming game against Biglerville won't be played due to the same COVID issue at Biglerville that canceled the Canners game against Fairfield last week. 

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The game is currently listed as a postponement, but no makeup date has been found, according to York Catholic communications director Lori Keith.

Keith said Wednesday the Irish football team looked for another opponent this weekend but "hasn't found any openings." 

There have now been seven YAIAA games canceled or postponed through four weeks of high school football. 

Will that number grow before Friday? Hopefully not. 

I went 9-0 with my picks last week — bringing my season total to 48-15. 

There are 11 games currently scheduled for this week. 

Friday's schedule 

(All games at 7 p.m.) 

Dover (1-3) at Central York (3-0) 

At a glance: The Panthers missed out on playing last week when its game against Red Lion was canceled shortly before 9 p.m. Thursday evening and they couldn't find an opponent to play last minute. Dover lost by 40 points to York High last week, and the Eagles likely don't have the experience or talent to keep up with a hungry Central team for four quarters. 

The pick: Central York 

Season stats: Dover Eagles | Central York Panthers 

Littlestown (0-4) at Delone Catholic (0-3) 

At a glance: A strangely winless matchup between two teams usually competing for Division III titles and District 3 playoff spots. Littlestown has lost three of four games by more than 20 points. The Bolts are simply having a down season. Delone's winless start is even more surprising, but the Squires faced three strong non-conference teams (Trinity, Lancaster Catholic, Greencastle-Antrim) and likely would have won last week against York Tech if the Spartans didn't enter "COVID protocol." Time will tell if the Squires can run the rest of the league slate like they did two years ago after an 0-3 start. 

The pick: Delone Catholic 

Season stats: Littlestown Thunderbolts | Delone Catholic Squires

Bermudian Springs (2-2) at Fairfield (1-1)

At a glance: Fairfield hasn't played a game in two weeks due to COVID — the first a cancelation on their part and the second from Biglerville. The Green Knights looked impressive the first two weeks of the season, but they face an Eagles squad on a two-game winning streak after a tough start against two quality opponents. Fairfield will have to shake off its rust and handle a rushing attack averaging 257 yards per game. History is also on the Eagles side. Fairfield has never beaten Bermudian since launching its varsity program as a YAIAA member in 2004. 

The pick: Bermudian Springs 

Season stats: Bermudian Springs Eagles | Fairfield Knights 

Susquehannock (2-2) at Gettysburg (2-2) 

At a glance: Kudos to Susquehannock for competing with a very good New Oxford team last week in a 22-16 loss. The York County Warriors have come back down to earth after opening the season with wins against Division III opponents Hanover and Littlestown, but they're tough enough defensively to play with most teams. Gettysburg snapped a two-game losing streak with a 38-21 win over West York. The Adams County Warriors have played unevenly at times but remain a few overtimes plays against Waynesboro from being 3-1. They're also breaking in a freshman quarterback in Brady Heiser but have topped 30 points in three of four games. 

The pick: Gettysburg 

Season stats: Susquehannock Warriors | Gettysburg Warriors

York County Tech 0-3) at Hanover (1-3) 

At a glance: York County Tech earned its only win last season over Hanover and expected make some improvements this year. But the Spartans have lost their first three games by more than 20 points before missing last week's contest against Delone due to "COVID protocol." Hanover has some offensive firepower with quarterback Chase Roberts and receivers Breyden Parry and Mitchell Brown that should be able to shine with solid protection up front. 

The pick: Hanover 

Season stats:York County Tech Spartans | Hanover Nighthawks

Eastern York (0-4) at New Oxford (3-1) 

At a glance: New Oxford's defense has given up just 7.5 points per game this season and hasn't allowed more than 16. Eastern has the league's second-leading passer in junior Austin Billet (just under 1,000 yards), but is averaging 23 points per game — a number boosted by last week's 35-33 loss to York Suburban. New Oxford is scoring just 14 points per game but now faces an Eastern team giving up an average of 41 per game. New Oxford is likely still the favorite for the Division II title even if there's room for improvement on offense. 

The pick: New Oxford 

Season stats: Eastern York Golden Knights | New Oxford Colonials 

Dallastown (3-1) at Northeastern (1-3) 

At a glance: Northeastern was overwhelmed by Spring Grove's rushing attack in a 60-14 loss to the Rockets last week. Dallastown doesn't have a running back like Zyree Brooks, but the Wildcats do have an enormous offensive line and playmakers all over the field. 

The pick: Dallastown 

Season stats:Dallastown Wildcats | Northeastern Bobcats

Red Lion (0-3) at South Western (3-1) 

At a glance: Red Lion hasn't started 0-3 since head coach Jesse Shay's first season in 2013. And the Lions faced an uphill challenge in earning a win last week against Central York before that contest was canceled due to "health issues" at Red Lion. And things don't get easier for the Lions this week. South Western didn't have the size to keep up with Dallastown last week in a 47-14 loss, but the Mustangs are significantly improved from recent years and have speed throughout its offense. 

The pick: South Western 

Season stats: Red Lion Lions | South Western Mustangs

Spring Grove (4-0) at York High (3-1) 

At a glance: The biggest game of this week's slate. Spring Grove has lived up to its high expectations so far but faces quite a challenge against this Bearcats team. Expect York High to commit to slowing down star running back Zyree Brooks and daring sophomore quarterback Cowan Ruhland to throw on them. And while Spring Grove's defense has given up an average of 12 points per game, it hasn't faced an offense like York High's yet. 

The pick: York High 

Season stats:Spring Grove Rockets | York High Bearcats

Kennard-Dale (3-1) at York Suburban (1-3) 

At a glance: It was a bit of a surprise when Kennard-Dale beat York Suburban last year. That won't necessarily be the case if the same result happens this year. Credit to a young Trojans squad for battling past Eastern York to earn its first win last week, but Kennard-Dale has experience and size on its side this year. The Rams have won their last three games by a combined score of 131-22. 

The pick: Kennard-Dale 

Season stats: Kennard-Dale Rams | York Suburban Trojans

Saturday schedule 

Exeter Township (2-2) at West York (0-4). 6 p.m. 

At a glance: West York has lost three straight by double digits since a one-point loss to Dover on opening night. Exeter has lost two close games to very good Class 6A teams (Central York, Hempfield) and might be one of the best 5A teams in District 3 behind Governor Mifflin. 

The pick: Exeter Township 

Season stats: West York Bulldogs 

Matt Allibone is a sports reporter for GameTimePA. He can be reached at 717-881-8221, mallibone@ydr.com or on Twitter at @bad2theallibone.