LHAC Football Forecast Week 1.

   Bedford at Cambria Heights. Friday 9/2. 

Heights enters the year without Vescovi under Center, but still have some offensive punch left. Ben Myers and Tyler Crawford should be able to provide an attack on the ground, until the new Quarterback gets his feet wet. Jarrod Lewis will be making his debut for the Highlanders as the new Head Coach, and he has a winnable game at hand.  Bedford's Kevin Steele enter his second year looking to improve on last year's 5-5 mark.  Marcus Shippey is easily one of the league's top players, but often finds himself doing a lot of the work.   If the supporting cast can help him out, it will make his job a lot easier and the wins should be more frequent.   I think Bedford will be better prepared with their coach already in place, and Shippey is good enough to win the game alone, and get Bedford off to a good start.
Bisons 31  Highlanders 16

Somerset at Penn Cambria. Friday 9/2

Somserset has a new coach, and a new attitude.  But will it translate into wins?  The Eagles will rely on junior play caller, Matt Flyte to make plays and lead the team.  A talented sophomore class will be coming up as well.  The Eagles should be turning the corner soon, and a win or two this year is not too much to ask.  Penn Cambria will have a powerful rushing attack, and will look to build off of last year's playoff berth.  Buck and Fuller will should be able to assert their experience and dominate the ground game.  Somerset will be better in years to come, but things have not changed in one season. Fetzer will have the Panthers ready to go, and their experience will outmatch Somerset.
Panthers 30 Golden Eagles 14

Westmont at Bishop Carroll  Friday 9/2

Bishop Carroll comes into this season with a lot of promise.  The past few offseasons, not much was expected of the Huskies. After a State semi final appearance, the bar of expectations has risen. Josh Barzdo will be back to lead the Husky offensive attack. He will need to provide more of passing threat, but he is dangerous on the ground.  A new back will need to emerge to replace Woo, and if that happens in game one, the Hilltoppers will be in trouble.  Westy has struggled over the years, and they are looking to turn the corner this year.  The hopes rely upon the running game.  Burnheimer and Intihar return to carry the team.  It remains to be seen if Glennon or Moran takes hold of the quarterback spot, so getting the running game going early will be key.  I think Carroll's playoff experience, and the fact that they should hold an advantage up front will carry this team to victory.  

Huskies 35 Hilltoppers 13

Johnstown at Bishop Guilfoyle  Saturday 9/3

Bishop Guilfoyle enters this year with a new coach, and a hope for optimism.  Johnstown enters this season with a load of talent, and all the reason in the world to believe they are the best team in the conference.  Gervon Simon has a host of solid receivers to throw to, including the conference's best player, Alkwan Williams.  Williams will wreck havoc on the Marauders offensive hopes as well.  Johnstown is loaded, and poised for a big run this year.  BG has a new coach, and some good athletes, but I do not think the can hang with the Trojans.   This one will be a humbling experience for the host team here.

Trojans 45 Marauders 12

Bishop McCort at Central Cambria Friday 9/2

Both mainstay powers atop the league will begin the year without their usual head coaches, but the same expectations will be there.  Central Cambria will have some good skilled players to go with some pretty good size. Scott Bellock will be making his first start at QB, but Long, O'Saben and McBreen are all capable playmakers that will make this an easy transition into starter.   McCort is coming off a very pedestrian season by their standards, but have a lot of depth returning on both sides of the ball.  Zach Rugg and Gap Barbin will be forces on both sides of the line, while Quarterback, Jesse Cooper will lead a balanced McCort offensive attack.  Christian Leech,Jordan Spangler, and Jerqual Wilson will be great threats on the outside, and Zach Varga should stabilize things with the run. This game will be about who can make big plays. The lines are both solid. I think it comes down to two things, McCort does not play well at Red Devil Stadium, but Jesse Cooper is the more experienced quarterback in the game.  I think Cooper is the difference and McCort will earn a hard fought victory. 

Crimson Crushers 34 Red Devils 27

GAME OF THE WEEK.

Richland at Forest Hills Friday 9/2

Well another year, and another Bailey Bowl.  Coach Brandon Bailey, has yet to be his Dad, Don in the six previous matchups in the "Bailey Bowl."  And it usually is not that close.  Forest Hills comes back into this season with a 36-4 record over the past three seasons, not many runs better than that in the entire state I wouldn't think.  Richland comes off a disappointing 6-4 campaign in which a numbers game left them out of the District 6 playoffs.  Through all the turmoil in the offseason, Bailey is still around.  Being a former QB, its been hard for him to move to a running team, but with Johnny Rizzo around, you almost have to.  The big, powerful back will be running behind a big line, and will look to have a huge year.  Forest Hills will center their offense around a Quarterback that can really sling it around.  Gdula is coming off a 27 Touchdown season, and will be doing more of the same.  The Rangers are often balanced and Anthony Unger will look to keep up with the recent string of good backs in Sidman.  The game will come down to a few key points.  How dedicated will Richland be to the pass?  They do not have a proven QB, but they have a back that can really run the ball.  Rizzo may be their most effective source of offense. Will Forest Hills be able to impose their will on the line.  This is usually where Forest Hills beats Richland, but the size is down a bit and Richland has some big kids with experience this year. I think if Rizzo gets enough touches, the Rams will be able to put some points on the board, but I also feel Forest Hills has the advantage with a proven passer and ground game.  I like the elder Bailey to take this matchup again.  Forest Hills is primed for a big season, and Richland should make a push for a playoff berth.
Rangers 28 Rams 17