It's playoff time

The District Three football playoffs begin tomorrow night across Central Pennsylvania.
There are a number of interesting first round match-ups as 13 teams from the Lancaster-Lebanon League begin their quest for district gold.
Many will see their seasons end tomorrow night, while a few could extend their seasons into December.
One of those teams looking to extend their season into at least next week is Columbia.
But they have a tall order in the defending state Class A champions, the Rollers from Steel-High.
Folks, the Rollers are as good as last year, if not better. Yes, Columbia has an up hill climb.
But folks, this is also the playoffs were the pressure increases as the favorites don’t  want to stumble and see their seasons end early.
While it will take an almost perfect game and some luck for the Tide to win, there’s always that chance of a major upset.
Let’s see, the Rollers are coming off a highly emotional win over rival Camp Hill. The are a little banged up as franchise player Jeremiah Young missed last week’s game with an ankle injury. I understand there are also a couple of other Rollers nicked.
Yes, they have a number of D-I recruits, but there’s always a chance  the Rollers might be overlooking the Tide just a tad.
They probably are thinking Columbia should be a push over given their 3-7 record. They could be right.
But I see tomorrow’s game as a chance to the Tide to let it all hang out, play one of their best games of the season and possibly record the upset.
As I’ve said previously for those of who that have jumped off the bandwagon, Columbia has gotten better over the last few weeks. They’ve played better defense and chopped more than 100 yards off their defensive average and moved the ball effectively.
One thing Columbia will have to overcome if a hostile environment, something they really haven’t faced this year. The Roller crowd is much like a Columbia crowd, they want to win and want to see their kids have some success.
They will also get to play on turf for the first time this season and probably better turf than Pequea Valley in the L-L League.
If Columbia comes out and plays their best and gives 100 percent, if should be a good game.
If the Tide comes out and plays like they want the season over, it will be a long night.
One will be able to tell that part of the game early on.

Odds and ends...

• Since I didn’t get to the concession stand on Friday night, and boy, was I hungry, I have to rule Donegal out of the “Concession Stand of the Year” award.
That honor, at least hot dog wise goes to Annville-Cleona.
The honor for the honor for the worst soup goes to Northern Lebanon, which also in my mind what honors for the best kept field.
• Good luck to the Columbia marching band on Sunday as they compete in the state Cavalcade of Bands in Hershey.