The LHAC enters a year in turnover, mainstay coaches, Kem Salem and Ken Buzzard leave their respective schools and welcome new coaches as do Bishop Guilfoyle and Cambria Heights. The league loses the class of 2011, and I would like to wish them the best in their future endeavors. But another exciting year of Football will get under way. Last year showed to be different than year's past. Bishop Carroll was back, Bishop McCort was down, Johnstown was dominant, and Cambria Heights was competitive. Will this year have surprises like BC and Johnstown? Time will tell. But the league is very talented and has some prospective Division 1 caliber players are on hand. Johnstown possesses Alkwan Williams, a Linebacker that already holds an offer, including one from Pitt. Gervon Simon is a Dual Threat QB with good blood lines, he too will see some looks whether it be from the FBS or FCS. Zach Rugg of Bishop McCort will also see looks. He is 6-5 in the 270 range, that size alone will get him offers. His Scout profile has a Temple offer listed. Jon Rizzo of Richland will see looks from both Football schools, but also wrestling schools. He will have an option at what he does. Many others should see Division II and D3 looks. Talent is up from last season. The league is always strong, but like many years can possibly have three District Champions resting in the league. Interesting story lines have developed and have yet to develop. The season is about 70 days way, but some things can't wait. So for my current readers, and my "old" readers at Bleachercoaches. Hope you enjoy the fact that I was on vacation this week, and had some time at nights to put this together.
Section I
1. Forest Hills (13-2) Key Players- Gdula (1613 yds 27 TDs) Unger (527 8TDs).Levi Ohler. Burkey. Shope.
The Rangers come off a solid run to the Western Final, and come into this season still poised for another solid run. Gdula will be counted on to make more plays, as he does not have Dudukovich to rely on anymore. He has a good core of receivers and athletes. The line will be missing 3 faces, but return 2 solid players. The D is this team's identity, and return 6 starters from a Defense that was dominant at times last season. Throw in an 8-0 group of freshmen, the Rangers have the tools to win another D6 Championship. 2.Bishop Carroll (11-3) Key Players- Barzdo (471 3 TDs, 1077 RuYards 20 TDs) Maruca Smith Strong Mock
Well I don't think the re-emergence of BC will be a 1 year stint. The Huskies return as dangerous a player in the league as anyone in, Josh Barzdo. He runs extremely well for a QB, and makes big play after big play. And with 4 offensive linemen, plus their TE back. He will have plenty of room to roam. Losing Woo hurts big time, but Sponsky should have this team in a position for success without him. Defensively, leading tackler, Nicholas Maruca returns. Provide it they find some complimentary skilled players, theres no reason why they can't defend their District title.3. Central Cambria (6-5) Key Players- O'Saben McBreen Bracken Bellock
The Red Devils will be without some key players from last year including Coach Buzzard. They had an up and down year and banged out a playoff berth. A familiar name will be called upon to be the top playmaker, Stephen O'Saben. He is a dangerous big play threat and will be relied on heavily. Papuga will also see carries. Scott Bellock will be counted on to be the new QB. The Red Devils have talent, and always have the size and physicality to compete. I think Central Cambria can put together a nice season.4. Penn Cambria (6-5) Key Players- Buck (625 yards 4 TD’s) Fuller (673 yds 9Tds) Lawhead(9 Tackles/PG)
Penn Cambria had a hot start and a dismal end to last season. The Panther’s attack relied heavily upon the ground game of Buck and Fuller and both are back and are poised for big seasons. The Panthers lose a lot of size from last year and will be thin up front, but if they can find enough blocking, the ground game will be the carrying force. On Defense, Devin Lawhead led the unit as a sophomore and will be counted on to do the same this season. If Penn Cambria can keep games, “slow and ugly” they should be able to compete in a lot of games.
5. Bishop Guilfoyle (2-7) Key Players-Pat Irwin. Tai Irwin.
Hard to preview a team that was not well regarded, and well did not enter stats on Maxpreps. So that is that. But BG does have two brothers who are young and athletic. Expect the Irwin brothers to assume responsibility of the offense. BG has some size up front, so they will need to find a back to replace Art Darr. If they can do that, maybe the Marauders will find a way to squeak out a few wins, but until then new Coach Justin Wheeler will be in rebuilding mode.
6. Cambria Heights(1-9) Key Players-Nathan Myers(535 RUyds 3 Tds 22 catches 402yds 5Td’s)
Well life after Caleb Vescovi begins. Heights played at a very high level despite the 1-9 record. It cost Coach Justin Myers his job even though people believed he was the right guy for the job. He turned the attitude around, the wins were on the way. It is tough for a good team to lose a Quarterback that was capable of playing in the PSAC, it will be really hard for the Highlanders. Coach Jarrod Lewis has that daunting task. Baerer Nathan seems to be the kid up for the job. He will have a very dynamic player to toss the ball around to in Ben Myers. He played a factor in both the rushing and receiving game and is the leader back in both categories. Tyler Crawford will also be counted on to help the offense. Definitely one of the tougher jobs in the state, the team has some very solid athletes and may be able to pick a few games off. They were heading in the right direction with the last coach, Lewis shouldn’t change too much.
SECTION II
1. Johnstown (10-2) Key players-Simon(2338 Passyds 30 Tds, 659 RuYards 11Tds)Williams(25-516-8)
The Trojans simply put are loaded. They come off their most successful season in the LHAC, and look to have the same type of success. Not losing much, the Trojans boast one of the most lethal offenses in the district. Quaterback Gervon Simon will be followed by college recruiters closely after his spectacular junior season. He can run and pass, and he is helped out generously by a very dangerous receiving core. D1 recruit Alkwan Williams proved his offensive worth last season by putting up big numbers. Watson, Minter, and Andrews are also nice threats. Andrews could play in college with his size. The line is big, that’s for sure with four kids listed at over 300 pounds. Defensively, Williams is the most talented player this league has to offer, and he’s been showing at this side of the ball for three years now. Minter and Watson form a solid secondary. Johnstown will be tough to beat this year.1. 2. Bishop McCort(8-5) Key Players-Cooper(1406 PassYds 12TDs) Leech (33 Catches 639-9Td’s)
The Crushers enter 2011 with a new coach for the first time in 15 seasons. The Crimson Crushers had an uncharacteristic “down” season, but showed improvement throughout the year and that should continue into this season. Jesse Cooper should only get better at the Quarterback position, and will have a host of receivers to throw to. Leech returns off a solid Junior season, and Jordan Spangler, Jerqual Wilson, and sophomore Nemo Trexler will all be factors. Varga and another sophomore Tyler Rugg will man the backfield. Older brother Zach will anchor the line and has received D1 interest. The Crushers got valuable experience and added a talented sophomore class. The coaching transition will be the easiest in the league, and if the Crushers grow up quickly they can challenge their rivals from down the street. 3.Richland(6-4) Key players-Jon Rizzo(957 yds 9 Td’s) Kyle Flick (18 catches 417yds 6 Td’s)
Richland had a strange offseason to say the least, but through it all Brandon Bailey remains the Head Coach. He returns one of the more dynamic players in the recent Richland football revival in Jonny Rizzo. He has seen some interest in football recruiting, but wrestling seems to be his calling. Either way a 1,000 yard season is not out of the question. Kyle Flick was a surprise at receiver as a freshman last year, and he may be the best athlete on the team. Finding a Quarterback is the key. The Defense has size to stop the run, but may lack the athletes to slow down the two teams ahead of them In-section. But the Rams should be making their way back to the playoffs on the back of Rizzo.
Bedford was able to play 4-5 ball within the league and beat only the lower tier teams, and out of nowhere went on to destroy their rival Chestnut Ridge to end the year on a high note. Ridge was really good, and a playoff team might I add. Marcus Shippey is back for his last go round and is still in the upper echelon of the league. After the magical run he put on his sophomore season, he has the tools to put it together again. The Hess’s will be his main offensive help. And Shippey will anchor the sizable Bedford Defense at Linebacker(He isn’t your ordinary QB) Bedford should win games, and overall they should be better. They aren’t experiencing the type of success they are used to. But it will be hard for them to unseat the teams rated ahead of them.5. Westmont(3-7) Key players-Burnheimer(677 4Tds) Intihar (328 1) Duplin(8.7 T/G 2 sacks)
The Hilltoppers remained a mediocre team last season after another summer of hope. The class that people believed may turn this thing around, are now seniors. And they do have talent. Josh Duplin is as talented as they come on both sides of the line. He will play college ball at some level. The offense will be centered behind the running game of Burnheimer and Intihar. There may also be a QB battle on the Hilltop as Joe Glennon the incumbent, looks to fight off sophomore Liam Moran. If they can settle on a QB, align the athletes they have where they need to be they may be alright. They lack size outside of Duplin though, and that can hurt.
6.Somerset(0-10) Key Players-Brenden Urbain Michael Flyte
Somerset is coming off a forgettable 2010. They lose most of the playmakers off that team which can be a good thing. The incoming sophomore class has plenty of athletes and potential, thus making this year a rebuilding year. It was not so long ago the Golden Eagles were playing playoff football. If they can settle on a Qb between Urbain or Flyte or the sophomore they can use the other two in other facets of the offense. Somerset is always a question mark, being a AAA school for so long, and now a big AA and they have not produced a solid football team. Its coming, but this is not the year.
Might want to update your great work...
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