LHAC Football Forecast Week 11. Playoffs.

Last week I went 4-2(46-14).  Johnstown made a big statement in their biggest game of the regular season, and they finished again with an impressive 9-1 regular season mark. They will sit out this week in preparation for State Playoffs against a District 9 foe. While six teams have their seasons completed, that means six teams that have reached the playoffs in some way.   The District 6 AA playoffs features four members of the LHAC, 1 representative for A, and the Trojans have qualified for inter district play already.  Should be some interesting match ups   The LHAC is going for the third consecutive season that they have swept the District Six Championships.

5. Marion Center (7-3) at 4. Bishop McCort (6-3) Saturday 7:00 Point Stadium

Marion Center is coming off a convincing opening round victory over conference foe, Saltsburg.  The Stingers come into this game upset minded, because they have a daunting task ahead of themselves.  The Stingers have been somewhat overlooked, but they have held their own this season.  They hold a very impressive victory over #2 seed in AA, Philipsburg-Osceola, on route to a 7-3 record.  Their offensive game is centered around the run, and they have three backs that have amassed at least 400 rushing yards on the year. Nick Lamatia (629), Brodey Thompson (606), and quarterback Mike Cavazza(460) lead the solid ground game.  Cavazza can pass when need be, but he only has 672 yards on the season, so the Stingers will plan on running this week. The Stinger's defense has been impressive of late, and have held their ground.  They will need to play good swarming defense, because McCort will likely be the fastest team they have seen on the season. The Crushers have struggled with injuries this year, but got a week off to get healthy.  The injury bug has seemingly stayed clear of the skilled position players. Jesse Cooper heads the passing game, as he has thrown for 1000 yards and 11 scores. His top target is Christian Leech who has caught 25 balls, with 7 going for scores.  The passing game has been out of sync of late, which could be some good news for Marion Center. Seniors, Zach Varga and Jerqual Wilson lead a solid rushing game.  The Crusher's line has been having trouble lately on both sides of the ball, and that will be a key this week. If the Crushers can play OK up front, their speed on the second level should win them the game, but if Marion Center can control up front, it could be a close game.  I will take McCort, and here's why.  The Crushers have been down, but they have only played one other "A" team this year, their schedule prepares them for this.  McCort has speed that should take them through this game. 

Crimson Crushers 35 Stingers 14

8. Bedford (6-4) at 1. Tyrone (9-1) Friday 7:00

Bedford enters the playoffs riding high after handling their arch rivals, Chestnut Ridge.  The Bisons exploded for the most points on the season with 41. The offense has been good all year and it has been behind the solid play of Marcus Shippey. He has 936 yards and 14 touchdowns on the year. He is a big tough guy that will create some problems for Tyrone, he has the "Roethlisberger" style and appearance.  He can make plays and keep plays alive, and runs very well for a big guy.  His top playmakers are Dakota Hess and Luke Campbell. Hess runs the ball and can make some plays in the passing game, and Luke Campbell has been a top deep threat in the area with 624 yards and 11 scores.  The Bison defense has been off and on this season but have done well the past two weeks. They will have their hands full with Tyrone.  The Golden Eagles are finally looking to break through on a District 6 crown for the first time since 2004, and in that span they have had their season ended by an LHAC team every year. The Eagles seem to always have a good team with plenty of weapons, and this year is no different. The Coach's son and Akron recruit, Steve Franco is the field general for the offense. He has completed 60% of his passes while tossing  19 touchdowns. His favorite target is the speedster Nick Patton, who has caught 7 touchdowns.  Senior Running Back, Christian Getz leads the team in rushing with 1219 yards and 14 touchdowns.  This team is very well balanced, and they are the clear favorites in AA.  I will take Tyrone.  Here's why...Tyrone has a fantastic home field advantage, maybe the best setting in District 6.  They are good, and they are on a mission.  Franco is a really good quarterback, but this game features another good quarterback, Marcus Shippey will do his best to keep them hanging around.  The Bisons have done well against quality teams, but they just haven't finished. But in the end, Tyrone has too many play makers.
Golden Eagles 31 Bisons 12

6. Ligonier Valley (8-2) at 3. Richland (8-2) Saturday 7:00 Herlinger Field

Maybe a future LHAC game in the future, but for now it should be an entertaining playoff game.  Richland lost a key game to Penn Cambria a few weeks back, but in the end it did affect their standing much. I think the Richland Rams got a good draw. Richland has a powerful offense that averages over 400 yards and 35 points per game.  They have great balance, and a great player in John Rizzo. He has only had one 100 yard game in the past 5 weeks, but he is being productive in other ways, and other guys are taking away from his carries. Rozich, Solarczyk, and Shaffer have been effective as well.  Shaffer has proven to be a real solid sophomore quarterback that has led the Ram's offense all season long.  His production has been key for this team. The Richland Rams have struggled at times on defense, but they have been playing better of late, but they do have the tendency to get into some shootouts.  The Ligonier Valley Rams are a powerful rushing team that has been putting up impressive numbers all season long. This team will not pass much as they have only attempted 52 passes all season long. This team can run it, though.  They are lead by two 1,000 yard backs, Ryan Torrance and Russell Markosky. Anthony Tutino has chipped in 400 yards himself.  They can run, and its hard to say how good they really are.  The LV Rams  are 8-0 against "A" teams and they are 0-2 against schools their own size or bigger.  It should be interesting to see if they can play with Richland.  Ligonier has speed and these guys will be fine if they are in space, but I will be looking to see if they can play up front.  I think this game can be either a shootout, or a blowout in favor of Richland.  I think Ligonier can make a few plays, but in the end I like Richland's athletic ability and physicality.
Richland Rams 38 LV Rams 21

GAME OF THE WEEK

5. Forest Hills (8-2) at 4. Penn Cambria (8-2) Saturday 7:00

Well we have seen this already. Forest Hills visiting Penn  Cambria on a game of the week, and back on October 14th the Rangers shut down Penn Cambria 24-0.  From that point on, Penn Cambria reeled off three straight, including a shocker at Richland on the way to a first round bye.  The Panthers need no further motivation as they would love nothing more to revenge the earlier loss, and these seniors have never beat the Rangers.  Penn Cambria simple, yet bruising attack starts with Jordan Fuller.  The senior back has rushed for 1155 yards this year for 9 scores. He is a consistent and reliable back.  Andrew Buck is an experienced quarterback with an improved passing skill set this year, and it has opened things up a bit for Fuller.  PC is hot right now and playing with a lot of confidence.  Not many even gave them a chance against Richland and they played their style of game and won.  These guys are battle tested and have the ability to make a run here. Forest Hills is coming off a hard fought loss to Johnstown, but they are still defending a championship. That means they will have to have a short memory. Forest Hills has a battle tested offense led by a veteran senior quarterback.  Justin Gdula has been steady and has thrown for 1586 yards and 17 touchdowns. Jared Shope has come on very strong as he has accounted for 13 touchdowns and has caught 42 passes.  He is a big time play maker.  The running game has dealt with injuries, but Shawn Dell and Anthony Unger have done a very nice job in providing yardage.  The Ranger defense is always a force, and this year is no different.  They have pitched three shutouts, including one of those on Penn Cambria. This game has two good coaches, really intriguing story lines, and most importantly, two quality football teams.  I must lean in favor with the defending champs.  They have the ability to run it, or throw it very well.  Penn Cambria does not do anything wild, they are going to come right at you.  Forest Hills stopped it once, I say they stop it again.  BUT  much closer this time.
Rangers 21 Panthers 12