D6 Sports Network: 2012 Districts Five & Six Football Outlook.

D6 A

The Front-runners 

Danny Ferens

-Penns Manor-The Penns Manor Comets are the defending champions and certainly will be players again in 2012. The team starts with one guy and that is Danny Ferens. The Quarterback will be going into his fourth season as the starter. Last year, Ferens rushed for 2,129 and 27 touchdowns, and still threw for 629 yards and an additional 11 touchdowns.  He is the focal point and will carry Penns Manor as he possibly can.   The Comets must be able to find a replacement for Joey Vodopevic as he helped take on a good portion of the rushing load. Chris Henderson and Corey Brown will be the primary receiving targets for Ferens. The Comets do not have a ton of size, but the athletic play of Danny Ferens will give the offense plenty of time to let plays develop.  The 2012 trophy is Penns Manor's to lose. They have the district's best player, and will be a tough out for anyone. Penns Manor will be the key player in the Heritage Conference as well. 

KEY GAME- Ligoneir Valley 10/12

Casey Gray

-Bellwood-Antis-Bellwood-Antis is always just one of those teams. They can lose plenty of stars from a previous year and still be in the thick of the race. Bellwood loses their Quarterback, Running Back, and some key defensive standouts. New stars are about to emerge. Casey Gray is a junior and is threat as a running back or receiver. He will be the team's star back this season and will not disappoint. Seth Worthing will be looking to take on the Quarterback position. Cameron Worthing and Ian O'Shea are top targets for whoever will be the Quarterback.  The Blue Devils are always a factor come playoff time. Coach John Hayes is one of the more revered coaches in this area, and it is for the way his teams compete year after year.  Bellwood always seems to be the top dog in the ICC, and they should be the front runners for that crown again. 

KEY GAME-Tyrone 8/31

Jordan Spangler

-Bishop McCort-Bishop McCort will once again be a key factor in the District Six "A" Championship race.  The Crimson Crushers lose many of their key play makers from 2011, but they won't be short on offensive firepower.  Dustin Belskey and Wyatt Jackson will be the main backs in the offense. Jordan Spangler and Luke DiFrancesco will find themselves being the top receiving targets for whoever wins the Quarterback battle. The defense must replace some size and speed, but again some young players are ready to step up.  The Crushers will play a factor in the tough LHAC, and have a chance to win the league. The Crushers have won plenty District Titles of late, and will look to get back in top in 2012.

KEY GAME-@ Richland 9/28

Teams to Watch

Glendale-The Vikings return Gary Witherow at QB and Damon Braniff at RB and they could make a splash in the ICC.  Depth will be the biggest issue, but they can certainly make some noise.

Northern Cambria-The Colts have Jeff Hogan at QB and Nate Zachesky will takeover the Running Back duties. They will be a tough out in the Heritage and should make an improvement on last year's 5-6 record. 

Portage-The Mustangs will look to rebound from an uncharacteristic below .500 season in 2011. Evan Price will be the name to watch as he will be the featured back.  Portage can be a player in the WestPac. 

D6 AA

The Front-runners

Matt Shaffer

-Richland-Richland went to the title game last season and came up empty. The 2012 campaign looks like it could be Richland's year. They have the chance to have a potent offense led by Matt Shaffer. The offense has weapons all over the field. Kyle Flick will be back and could be the most talented receiver in the district. The offense should have a good running attack with Tanner Solarczyk. The line is in place on both sides of the ball. This team has all the makings of being the front runner for the District. They will go in as the favorite in the LHAC as well. They need to prove they can without John Rizzo, but I believe they can.
KEY GAME-@ Penn Cambria 10/19

Mac Behe

-Penn Cambria-The Penn Cambria Panthers will look to build on a solid 2011 campaign. The Panthers are led by a strong and experienced senior class. The offense will run on the running game of Mac Behe and Devin Lawhead.  Nathan Keagy and James Mardula are solid offensive threats in the passing game and will help out a new starting quarterback. Penn Cambria does not have a huge team, but they are physical.  Behe was an all state pick last year on defense and will set the tone this season for the Panther defense.  This team is hungry for some playoff success and it could be their year to make it to Mansion Park.
KEY GAME-@ Forest Hills 10/12 

Shawn Dell

-Forest Hills-The Forest Hills Rangers are always in contention, and 2012 should be no different.  Jared Shope is one of the most dangerous players in the district and is poised for a big season.  The offense has Shawn Dell to carry the work load, and a young sophomore Shareef Blough to spread the field.  They have yet to find a Quarterback, but the rest of the offense should make it a seemless transition. There is a large fallout from 2011, but they have a good group of kids that will rise to the occassion. Don Bailey is a great coach, and his teams always respond to losing star players. 
KEY GAME-Penn Cambria 10/12

Teams to Watch

-Tyrone-Tyrone must replace a lot of key players from last year's state runner up team. They do, but it may take them a while to reach their stride. Look for Charles Wilson to have a big year.

-Ligonier-Ryan Torrance will be big at Running Back and could have a monster season. LV will be in a grudge match with Penns Manor for the Heritage Title.

-Cambria Heights-This team could be for real. They return all of their skilled players and they may make a playoff push.

D5 A

The Front-runners

Tony Straiser

-North Star-The North Star Cougars are about as consistent as anyone in District Five these days, and they will be the favorites as they look to defend their title. Tony Straiser is perhaps the best athlete and player in the entire district.  He will play a huge factor in North Star's success.  Thomas Miller turned out to be a reliable back last season as a sophomore, and he will be counted on to do the same this year.  Brantley Rice will get the tough job of replacing Max Straiser at QB. The Cougars have the talent to win the WestPac and District Five, and they are the favorites in both.

KEY GAME-@ Conemaugh Township 11/2

-Berlin-Berlin could be the team that will go toe to toe with North Star for the WestPac and District Championships.  They have the experience and depth to make a good postseason run. Drew Glotfelty will be the featured back, and he could be the best back in the district. He will have a big year and could lead the Mounties to a lot of wins. His versatility makes him a threat as a receiver as well.  Berlin must solidify the Quarterback position. Assuming they do, Berlin can really challenge North Star for supremacy in the District.
KEY GAME-North Star 9/28

Teams to Watch

-Windber-The Ramblers lose a ton from last season, but they always find a way. There will be a new crop of kids ready to carry the tradition.

-Conemaugh Township-The will have a young group, but they could have a solid defense. They may need a week or two to get rolling.

D5 AA

Only a three team race, but all three teams have a chance. The top two teams will battle it out after the regular season to move on to the State playoffs.

-Bedford-The Bisons may have the best team in the group, but also play the toughest schedule. Bedford plays in the difficult LHAC and will face Penn Cambria,Richland,Bishop McCort, and Johnstown throughout the season.  Aaron Henry is a good back, and they have some unproven pieces. Bedford could string together a 5-5 regular season if everything falls in place right. 

-Chestnut Ridge-Chestnut Ridge has a difficult schedule in terms of travel. The strength of that schedule is mostly unknown.  Ridge will play teams from Maryland,Pittsburgh,and Harrisburg to complete their ten game schedule. Ridge must replace their superstar player, Brad Hengst. They have good size and that will be a team strength.  

-Everett-The Warriors of Everett may play the easiest schedule of the three teams, but will they take advantage? Everett posted a disappointing 1-9 season in 2011, and they will look to rebound. The Maxpreps for Everett is not maintained, so it is difficult to predict how they will do. Everett lost some close games last season, and they could maybe steal a few in the ICC.

D5/6 AAA

Dsitrict Six was unable to play a District Championship game last year with Bellefonte opting not to play Johnstown in the Title.  Somerset rejoins the AAA ranks after a brief hiatus and they at least give the area three AAA teams. The local representative will form a Sub region with the City League and District 9.

-Johnstown-The Trojans will likely be the most talented team, despite losing so much. The strength of the Trojans will be their size. The offensive line of Michael Brooks and Nick Subich will pave the wave for some skilled, yet unproven skilled players. Johnstown lost so much, but the talent is there for them to compete for the LHAC and the sub-region's titles.

-Somerset-Somerset is certainly a team on the rise. Tanner Stull is a mobile QB with plenty of upside. They need to replace some size up front, but Stull should win them some games.  Somerset can contend for an above .500 season. They competed last year, but fell short on some tight games. Somerset should be able to finish some more games this year.

-Bellefonte-The Raiders are looking to bounce back from a 1-9 season in 2011. It will be tough to break through in the ultra competitive MAC league. They do not maintain a Maxpreps, but they suffered plenty of lopsided loses. The offense must improve to give them a chance in 2012.