After going nearly three weeks without playing a football game, the Central Penn Piranha (10-0) are anxious to begin their playoff run. Their first opponent will be a divisional foe in the York Razorbacks (9-4).

Last week in the opening round, the first-year Razorbacks edged another PA Division team (Chambersburg Cardinals) with a 16-14 victory. Bill Shoemaker kicked a 34 yard field goal with only four seconds left in the game. Will York be able to carry that momentum over to this week’s game against the well-rested Piranha? That question will be answered on Saturday night.

Aside from playing a divisional opponent this week in the Atlantic Region Semi-Final Game, most of the buzz in the capital city will revolve around the site for this game. The “Fish Tank” at Harrisburg City Island is currently undergoing renovations, including the removal of the baseball field in the west end zone area and re-sodding of the field. Because of these developments, the Piranha have resorted to using their back-up facility for the entire 2008 NAFL Playoffs. That facility is Susquehanna Township High School in Harrisburg.

The Piranha have only ever played two games at Roscoe Warner Field. The most recent game was a 31-0 win as a visitor against the South Central Yard Dawgs earlier this season. The other game was perhaps the most notable one in Piranha history. It was a 21-32 home loss to the Kane County (IL) Eagles in the 2007 NAFL Final 4 game. It is the only home loss (132-1) in the history of Piranha football.

The “Men in Black” will be looking to start a new home winning streak at Susquehanna Township High School when they return to the scene of the crime. It will also be a good opportunity for the Piranha to exercise some demons by having the opportunity to possibly win four playoff games on a field that is associated with their most devastating loss in franchise history.

Leading off against the Piranha will be the feisty York Razorbacks. The Piranha may have swept the season series (35-12 home, 21-7 away), but the Razorbacks were competitive in both games. Not only were they the toughest opponent for Central Penn this season, but York was the only Piranha opponent this season to have a lead during the game. It took place during the August 23^rd game in Harrisburg. The Razorbacks scored on the third play of the game with a 70 yard touchdown pass from Shamar Mosley to Terrill Barnes. That lead lasted about eight minutes until Emne’ko Sweeney scored on a 5 yard run to give the Piranha a 7-6 lead.

Notable players from that game:
Piranha
RB Emne’ko Sweeney (Kutztown University) 12 carries - 74 yards, 3 TD (16, 5, 3)
LB Melik Brown (University of North Carolina) 6 tackles, 1 INT – 100 yards, TD

Razorbacks
WR Terrill Barnes (Gettysburg H.S.) 2 receptions – 93 yards, TD (70)
DE Tim Lookingbill (Littlestown H.S.) 7 tackles, sack
LB Eric Day (Clarion University) 8 tackles

Linebacker Melik Brown (Piranha) and wide receiver Terrill Barnes (Razorbacks) have been unstoppable in the two previous games this season. Brown’s 2-game composite stats consist of 12 tackles, 1 sack, fumble recovery, INT – 100 yards, TD. Meanwhile, Barnes has torched the Piranha secondary for 200 yards on only 6 catches, and scored 2 touchdowns.

The Piranha have been off for a long time, and are well-rested. "We had one of our best practices of the season this week, and are ready to get back to playing football, " states head coach Ron Kerr. Let the games begin.