LHAC Football Forecast Week 4.

Forest Hills 3-0 at Bishop Guilfoyle 0-3 Friday 7:00 Mansion Park

Well Bishop Guilfoyle played well against Cambria Heights, but not well enough to win the game.  I think it starts with a very unstable rushing game, and that of course, stems from injuries.  Pat Irwin is now the team's leading rusher and passer.  He had his best game in the air against Cambria Heights, but the fact he has no threat of a run to aid his cause is not ideal going against Forest Hills.  The Rangers historically have been the league's best defense, and the past few weeks they have gotten back on track.  The Rangers offense is clicking once again, and that is due in fact that Anthony Unger is back on offense.  He was the team's leading returning rusher coming into the year, and has seen some limited carries after not playing offense in the Richland game.  Unger along with Shawn Dell will continue to provide the Rangers with a good ground game.  Gdula is coming off some very efficient games, and Shope and Burkey are making plays.  This doesn't bode well for the Marauders. Forest Hills is gearing up for another run at the AA Crown, and still play a big factor in their own destiny for the the LHAC Crown. The Rangers are rolling right now, and BG just happens to be in the way.  Rangers keep on, keeping on.

Rangers 49 Marauders 6

Penn Cambria 2-1 at Bishop Carroll 0-3 Friday 7:00 Saint Francis

Bishop Carroll pushed forward quite a few steps last season with a trip to the State "Final 4", and well now they are taking a few back....to say the least.  BC is being outscored 112-7 through three games. Coach Sponsky is looking for answers, and finding very little. In three games, the Huskies have had three different Quarterbacks, and nobody is sticking out.  Running wise, Barzdo has been moved around and he is not having the same success at Running Back as he did at Quarterback.  The Huskies have given Cody and Caleb Kephart chances to run the ball, along with Daniel Lesney,  yet they still can't find a combination that works.  The defense isn't exactly doing the offense any favors either, they can't get off the field, and the offense can't stay on the field.  Tough way to win games.  Penn Cambria took care of business against their rival, Central Cambria last week, and they are looking to keep pace with Forest Hills in the Section I chase.  The offense has been showing more balance than anticipated, as Andrew Buck passed for over 100 yards against the Red Devils last week. The tough running, Jordan Fuller has already racked up 317 yards through three games. The Panthers will continue to pound the opposition with him. The defense is playing well, and overall they are playing like a typical Fetzer team.  PC should be a playoff team if they stick with the success they've been having with Buck and Fuller. No reason why PC shouldn't win this game.

Panthers 27 Huskies 7

Cambria Heights 1-2 at Central Cambria 0-3 Friday 7:00

Could it really be that Cambria Heights comes into Red Devil Stadium as the favorites? It just may be true. This is quite lopsided rivalry, but recent scores have shown the Highlanders have been playing the Devils tougher, and tougher each season.  Maybe this is the year they finally break through? The offense seems like it has enough play makers. Quarterback, Nathan Bearer went 0-3 passing last week, but still the offense was able to put up 34 points, and that can be attributed to the rushing game. Tyler Crawford is the workhorse, he has 55 carries for 263 yards and no touchdowns, but complimentary backs Donnie Contorchick and Ben Myers have combined for 258 yards and 5 touchdowns themselves.  Andrew Brawley and Myers have been the biggest threats through the air as well. These guys are young, and can play. Central Cambria needs to account for all of these guys. And that may be a problem. The Red Devils defense has surrendered 100 points  in three games so far. The Red Devils have not made the transition smooth for new head man, Sam Shutty.  The offense is struggling to find consistency as well. Scott Bellock provided his best game at Quarterback yet, but it was enough to overcome the Panthers of Penn Cambria. The host of Running Backs between McBreen, Paduga, and O'Saben have yet to come up with an individual 100 yard rushing game yet. There just isn't consistency and fluidity to their offense right now, and they need to find it quick if they want to preserve the season. I don't ever recall Central Cambria starting the year 0-3, let alone 0-4. But this is a distinct possibility.  Heights can play.  They have some backs and receivers, and may hold an athletic edge over the Devils.  I'm going with the Highlanders, but I do know the Red Devils will be revved up ready for a win.

Highlanders 20 Red Devils 14

Westmont 1-2 at Somerset 1-2 Friday 7:00

Westmont has played well this year actually. They have stood tall against Forest Hills and Johnstown. If you combine that with a win against Carroll to start the year, this means they started the season with three defending District 6 Champions.  That is a brutal way to start the year.  Also, take away the punt return and kick return, the Westy defense held the vaunted Johnstown offense to only three scores, and forced 6 turnovers, not that bad when you look into it. Ryan Burnheimer may be the unsung player of the whole league. He more less is the Westmont offense. He has to touch the ball at least 25 times a game, and he has responded with 390 yards to his credit. 130 yards a game and the other team knows he is getting the ball, pretty good in my opinion. Somerset had a rough week last week, but they still have some talent on the offensive side of the ball. Tanner Stull is a good looking player, along with Matt Boyer.  The Eagles can score on the ground and the air, but they need to be more consistent.  I have been preaching all along, they have talent in the sophomore class, they just need to patient with this bunch, It will help turn Somerset football around. But in this game, I look for Westmont's big and physical line to control the line of scrimmage.  The Eagles will see a heavy does of Burnheimer, and I am not sure they will stop him.  Look for another big game out of the kid, and maybe a few touchdowns this week.

Hilltoppers 28 Golden Eagles 13

Bishop McCort 3-0 at Bedford 2-1 Friday 7:00

Bedford may have surprised a few people last week.  They proved that they can score, and play in some shootouts.  Marcus Shippey was never known as a big time passer, either. And all he did was put up 248 yards and 4 Touchdowns against Richland. Luke Campbell and Dakota Hess have emerged as the top playmakers for the offense, and at the very least Bedford can score with some teams. They did give up 40 to Richland, but one advantage they will have over the Crushers this week, is the home field and natural grass field advantage. McCort isn't quite Johnstown fast, but they aren't very slow either. Wilson and Leech are fast, and this rainy weather will not help the quick strike ability McCort has shown, although the offense should still find room to move. Jesse Cooper is up to 459 yards through the air with 5 scores. The McCort rushing game has 4 kids that have made big impacts. I expect to see Varga,Belskey, and Wilson remain to see the majority of the carries, and maybe a guy like Trexler steps in and sees some more touches. They are dangerous on offense, but the defense has been the talk about this team. They have yet to allow a point through 3 games, but I think the Bedford offense is better than their first three opponents, and I think that streak will end. Bedford played well last week against a good Richland team, and that makes this game all the more intriguing,  I think McCort still wins, but I don't think Bedford makes it easy on them.

Crimson Crushers 31 Bisons 16

GAME OF THE WEEK

Richland (3-0) at Johnstown (3-0) Friday 7:00 Trojan Stadium

Two high powered offenses. Two undefeated teams. Two teams that are shooting for District Championships. It needs no more explanation. Richland either got caught looking ahead, or Bedford is better than we thought. We will find out Friday. Richland brings in a passing game led by two sophomores, and it has been working out surprisingly well. Matt Shaffer played considerably more last week than Nico Pecora, but through three weeks the two have combined for 682 yards and 9 Touchdowns.  Kyle Flick leads a good group of Richland receivers, and will be seeing a good amount of double teams Friday night. The kid is really athletic, and opens things up for the other receivers, Solarczyk and Hanley.  But the offense is centered around one guy, and that is John Rizzo. He is averaging 9 yards a carry and has racked up 523 yards and 5 touchdowns already.  He's a tough runner, and the Johnstown defense will have to step up and meet him in the hole. He is aggressive and will push forward for extra yards when he can.  He also leads the Richland defense, as he already has 5 sacks on the young season.  The Richland pass defense was exposed by Bedford a bit last week, off of screens and what not, but you do not want to show you are struggling in the secondary the week you are about to play the league's best passing attack.  And the Trojans have just that.  Gervon Simon had a forgettable game last week, committing 5 turnovers, but he still managed 255 yards and 2 TD's.  It wasn't a horrible day.  He leads the conference with 760 yards and 9 TD's through the air.  He will be looking to cut up the Richland secondary.  Tim Odum showed last week, that the Trojans running game is still existent. He is just another play maker you have to account for.  And of course the four receivers are as good as you will find. Watson and Andrews are already up over 200 yards, and Minter and Williams have made some big plays also. Both teams like to pass, Richland has a better running game, but their Coach is a passing guy. This game will be fun to watch, with athletes all over the field. Rizzo and Williams are arguably the two best players the LHAC has to offer.  You will be seeing some collisions both sides of the ball. I think you will see a lot of points. I think you will see some spectacular plays, and I think you will see a Johnstown victory.  Johnstown can score at will, and Richland is still coming off of giving up 36 points to Bedford.  This isn't the team you want to play after a tough defensive game.  I think this will be a shoot out, but Johnstown has a few more weapons in their arsenal. 

Trojans 42 Rams 31