With District 4 football playoffs opening this week, and complete brackets for every other district in the state available (courtesy of Eastern Pa. Football.com), it's interesting to take a look to see what might await area teams further on down the line if they win titles.
In Class AAA, Shamokin (3-7), if it can beat Shikellamy (4-6) a second time in three weeks and then beat a resurgent Milton (5-5), a likely winner over Columbia-Montour Vo-Tech in the other semifinal, would face either District 6 champion Johnstown (9-1) or the winner of this week's District 9 title game between Clearfield (9-1) and St. Mary's (5-4) at a site in either District 9 or 6. Johnstown was named District 6 champion when Bellefonte (1-9) declined to participate.
In Class AA, Mount Carmel (9-1), should it win the title in what is one of the better top-to-bottom District 4 fields in some time, would meet the District 3 champion in the state quarterfinals. Lancaster Catholic (10-0) is the top seed in that field, with Delone (9-1), Trinity (8-2), Bermudian Springs (10-0) and Wyomissing (9-0) among the other top teams.
Unbeaten North Schuylkill (10-0), if it can overcome injuries and the District 11 hump, would play the District 2 champion. Wilkes-Barre GAR (9-1) is the favorite in that tournament.
Southern Columbia (9-1) and Line Mountain (9-1) are likely headed for another District 4 Class A title showdown and the winner will get a District 4 site to play the District 2 champion, Dunmore (10-0) is the overwhelming favorite in that tournament over Riverside (6-4), Lackawanna Trail (8-2) and Old Forge (8-2).