District Five Boys AA Rankings January 1.

           The High School Basketball season in under way, and here is a list of the top competitors in District 5  AA Boys Basketball. The AA field appears set with about three or four legitimate championship contenders.


1. Chestnut Ridge (7-1) Key Win- Ligonier Valley 52-50
The Proof-The record speaks for itself. The Lions have a solid team this year, and they think they can win  a title this year. Ridge has some good size, and good shooting team. Ben Pick is a reliable post player, as is Beau Bosch. Adam Wiley is a steady senior guard, and Tyler Wiley has been the team's sharp shooter with 16 3's on the season. Ridge is the top team now, but there a number of teams on their heels.

2. Northern Bedford (6-1) Key Win- Conemaugh Township 61-53
The Proof-The Panthers have size. Northern Bedford starts all five players 6-2 or taller. And all five of those players average double figures. It is a rare instance, not seen a lot in high school basketball. It can be a blessing and a curse, because some quicker teams may give them problems, but the rebounding edge should be there every game. Blake Over is the team's best shooting threat. Northern Bedford could very well be the best team in the district, we will have to see it play out.

3. Conemaugh Township (5-2) Key Win- Central Cambria 49-33
The Proof-The Indians are the defending champions, and they will not give up their title without a fight. They already have two losses, but at the hands of quality teams like Penn Cambria and Northern Bedford. Township does not have the great size like the other competitors, but guard play will be key. Dillon Boyer, Jeremy Sotosky, and Jeff Fisher are all good scoring threats. The Indians should be in the race for the WestPac and the District.


4. Tussey Mountain (4-3) Key Win- Southern Fulton 76-75
The Proof-Tussey is one of the more consistent teams around the area. Dave Bailey is the main reason why, as he is one of the best coaches in the area. He is entertaining to watch, and so are his teams. Eric Husick and Luke Zelanko are both 20 point scorers, and Mike Runk and Michael Mitchell  are also threats to make shots. Tussey Mountain always plays a strong brand of basketball highlighted by good defense. I expect this team to grow into a solid foe for the top three teams. They may not win the district, but don't count out coach Bailey just yet.

The Rest.......

5. Southern Fulton
6. Everett
7. Windber
8. North Star

District Six Boys AAA&AAAA Rankings Janurary 1

        The High School Basketball season is in full force. December gets everyone ready for the serious stuff in January and February. The holiday tournaments are over, and now the meat of the schedule can begin. This is a look at the big schools on the boys side of things from Districts 5 & 6.

AAA

1. Somerset (5-3) Key Win- Bishop Carroll 79-64

The Proof- The Somerset Golden Eagles may be finally ready to take their program to the next level. AAA appears to be down in D5/6, and Somerset has a veteran team. They are coming off a tough road trip to Virginia where they went 1-2, but the experience there should help. Jake Close is a senior leader at the guard spot, and Brett Barron is a versatile wing. Somerset also has good size, and should compete for a LHAC title. 

2. Johnstown (5-3) Key Win- Cambria Heights 66-51

The Proof-Johnstown is a completely different team than it has been of late. The Trojans still aren't ready to give up the conference and district crown just yet. Johnstown has been taking some beatings as they stepped outside the area and challenged themselves this season. They likely won't see any teams like Mt. Lebanon or Susquehanna Township around here, and that will only help the Trojans. Johnstown is very tough to beat, when senior point guard, Phillip Madison is healthy. There is a big test with Somerset this week that may help identify who the better team is.  

3. Huntingdon (4-3) Key Win- Juniata Valley 59-55

The Proof- The Bearcats have not played an overly tough schedule just yet, but they have lost their hardest games. They still could be the one team that could spoil an all LHAC AAA Final. Huntington will go as far as 6-3 sophomore, Nate Gearhart takes them. He has been the leading scorer so far, and is one of the better younger players on the area. 

The Rest......

4. Bellefonte

5. Forest Hills

6. Bedford

AAAA

1.  State College (8-1) Key Win- LaSalle College 78-73

The Proof-State College has already raced out to a 8-1 record and hold wins over some solid opponents.The Little Lions start three seniors who are all double figure scorers, headed by sharp shooter Bryan Sekunda.  Jason Costa and Kyle Kanaskie are also good scorers. The Little Lions will be a tough out for the other AAAA teams, because they play pretty good ball in the Mid Penn. 

2. Altoona (5-3) Key Win- West Mifflin 59-46 

The Proof- Altoona is enjoying a nice bounce back after some rough seasons. The Lions had a successful month, and really want to take that into the new year. They have a balances roster that can match up with a lot of teams. They get to play a mix of teams from the WPIAL, District Six, and District Three, which is always beneficial come playoff time. 

The Rest.....

3. Mifflin County

4. Hollidaysburg

5. Central Mountain. 

District Six Boys A January 1 Rankings

The High School Basketball season is under way, and Decemder gets everyone's feet wet. The serious stuff begins in January, so who are the top teams heading into the new year? The D6SN is here to give you an idea who are the top teams in District Six A right now.

1. Blacklick Valley (7-0) Key Win-  Northern Cambria 48-46. 
The Proof-Blacklick Valley has made a big statement early on this season. The Vikings are a convincing 7-0, and appear to be one of the title contenders in the WestPac, and the odds on favorite in District Six. They are led by one of the best scorers in the entire state in Dalton Cesarz. Cesarz has scored 30+ points in four of their seven games. Johnny Sheesley is another prolific scorer for the Vikings, making it tough for defenses to lock down both players. Blacklick Valley is really good, and a win over Shade or Conemaugh Township before the playoffs would erase any doubts out there.

2. Bishop Carroll (4-2) Key Win- Blairsville 71-43
The Proof- Bishop Carroll is always a consistent player in the Class A title race. Cosie Aliquo always has his teams in the hunt, and it should be no different this season. The Huskies have an experienced, yet young group. Many players were thrust into prominent roles as freshmen and sophomores. Brandon Martinazzi is coming on as one of the better guards around as a sophomore, and Marcus Lee is a steady big man. This team will be a factor in the playoffs, there is no doubt about it.

3. Homer Center (7-1) Key Win- Ligonier 62-60
The Proof- The Hard Core fans will have plenty to cheer about this season. The Wildcats are 7-1 early on, and appear to be one of the best teams in the Heritage. After an 8-14 campaign last year, the Wildcats will pass that win total very soon. Homer is a deep team, and will challenge Blacklick and Carroll for a title berth.

4. Bishop Guilfoyle (4-1) Key Win- Fairview 66-60
The Proof- Bishop Guilfoyle has an experienced team, and they could be one of the better teams around, they just need to prove it. The Marauders do not have a signature win just yet, and they play in a difficult section of the LHAC. Two games apiece with Bishop Carroll, Penn Cambria, and Cambria Heights are still out there, as well as games with Altoona, Bishop McCort, and Central. Guilfoyle may not have an impressive record come playoff time, but they will be battle tested.

5. Ferndale (3-3) Key Win- Windber 69-61
The Proof- Most people would be skeptical with putting Ferndale here, but a clear improvement is happening. Ferndale has some athletes this season, and a coach in Ryan Durham that gets the most from his players. Chad Eisenhuth and Carlos Mason been playing very well, and Rakwon Hinton has been very impressive for a freshman. The Yellow Jackets have a long way to go, but they already have tied last season's win total.

6. Juniata Valley (4-4) Key Win- Southern Huntingdon 75-44
The Proof-Juniata Valley is a deep team this season, and their depth will be helpful come playoff time. They have eight guys that average at least three points per game, and go nine deep usually. Caleb Taylor is the main man leading the team in scoring, rebounding, and assists. The Hornets have a manageable schedule ahead, so they should be there come playoff time.

7. Williamsburg (4-3) Key Win- Penns Valley 44-34
The Proof- The Blue Pirates are one of the smallest schools in the district, but they have a nice basketball team this season. Cody Palmer is an undersized Center, but is playing very well early on. Williamsburg is coming off of a win against Conemaugh Valley in their own tournament, and could take some of that energy into 2013.

8. Glendale (3-3) Key Win- United 58-41
The Proof- Glendale features a nice combination of youth and experience. Damon Braniff is a solid senior point guard. Anthony Barnhart is a sophomore and plays alongside the senior, and compliments him nicely. The big man in the middle is Shea O'Donnell, who is also just a sophomore. This team may take time to grow together, but could be dangerous once that happens.


The Rest.......


9. Saltsburg
10. Conemaugh Valley
11. Harmony
12. Portage
13. Claysburg Kimmel
14. Penns Manor
15. Moshannon Valley
16. Belleville Mennonite

District Six Boys AA January 1 Rankings

              The High School basketball season is under way, and December gets everyone's feet wet. The real stuff starts in January and stretches the whole way to March. Still, it is nice to know where everyone stands so far in the standings. Here is a look at the AA Boys Basketball Power Rankings heading into the new year.


1. Bishop McCort (3-2) Key Win- Bishop Carroll 67-64.
The Proof-Yes, Bishop McCort has two losses, but they have been at the hands of two AAAA teams in Hollidaysburg and Erie McDowell.  The Crushers are out  to a hot start in  the LHAC with a 3-0 record. They are the defending champions, and still have perhaps the best player around in Nemo Trexler, who is averaging 22 points and 8 rebound a game. The Crushers still have a tough road ahead, but should be battle tested by playoff time.

2. Bellwood-Antis (6-0) Key Win- Penn Cambria 54-53.
The Proof-After a great season last year, some thought Bellwood would take a step back. The Blue Devils were losing just about everyone, but star player Noah Davis. Well that was a good start. The younger brother of Davis, Nathan, has played very well for a freshman. The duo has led Bellwood to a 6-0 start, highlighted by two impressive wins over Tyrone and Penn Cambria.

3. Penn Cambria (6-1) Key Win-Somerset 59-45. 
The Proof-Penn Cambria has a solid core that has been starting for a number of seasons now. AJ Leahey could very well be the most dynamic player in the district. He is a 6-7 Forward, with guard qualities. That alone makes the Panthers tough to beat. PC made a statement by knocking off a good Somerset team by 15 in the second week of the season. The Panthers have yet to have playoff success, but this could be the year they break through to the championship round.

4. Bald Eagle (8-0) Key Win- Central 45-35.
The Proof-Bald Eagle is well on their way to overcoming a poor 11-12 campaign last season. The Bald Eagles are the only undefeated team in AA and they seem to be legit. They are led by a big man in the middle in Dennis Fisher. He is averaging 18 points per game. There is also a triplet of small, but solid guards. Bryce and Bryan Greene both average ten points per contest, and sophomore Brandon Getting averages nine. The schedule will get a bit more difficult as the season progresses, but it is looking like Bald Eagle will be back in the postseason, and they can make some noise.

5. Tyrone (5-1) Key Win- Central 60-42.
The Proof-Tyrone has lost plenty of talent from last year's 22-4 squad. Still, the Golden Eagles have the athletes to make a run this season. Brandon Gripp has stepped up his scoring, and he is now the focal point for the Tyrone attack. Gripp is one of the best shooters in the AA field, and he has been showing it lately. Tyrone played Bellwood extremely tough, and lost a classic by three points. The Golden Eagles should have an up and down campaign, but could be dangerous with Gripp's shooting abilities in the playoffs.

6. Penns Valley (6-1) Key Win-Huntingdon 49-35
The Proof-The Rams are typically one of the more stable programs in district six, and this year appears to be no different. Penns Valley has raced out to a 6-1 start, and they are holding a six game winning streak. Penns Valley is a young group, and they may be a year away. There is not a senior listed on the roster. Terrence Glunt is a good coach, and he will have his team improving all year long.

7. Cambria Heights (5-3) Key Win- Northern Cambria 69-67
The Proof-Cambria Heights has an experienced team that is hoping to get better as the season goes along. Isaac Vescovi and Nathan Bearer form a formidable 1-2 punch for coach Eric Nagel. They are coming off of an emotional win against rival, Northern Cambria, and look to take the momentum into the new year. The LHAC section I is pretty tough this season with Penn Cambria and Bishop Carroll, and Heights hopes to find itself in that mix.

8. Ligonier Valley (3-3) Key Win-Northern Cambria 52-49
The Proof-Ligonier is not playing like a top team right now, but they should be down the stretch. Alec Bloom is another athletic big man in the mold of an AJ Leahey and Isaac Vescovi, and he is just a junior. He is a dynamic player that will help Ligonier compete for a Heritage conference championship. The Rams may not have the guard play to be a top level team, but Bloom can win them a lot of games, and possibly spring some upsets.

9. Northern Cambria (5-3) Key Win- Blairsville 73-68
The Proof-Northern Cambria is not all that far away from being undefeated. They have three losses by a total of seven points. The Colts are the defending A champions, but find themselves AA for this cycle. Northern Cambira has size and athleiticism, and they are defending champions. They will not be intimidated by playing up this season. This ranking could be considerably higher towards the end of the season.

10. Central (6-3) Key Win- Conemaugh Valley 60-41
The Proof- There has been much fanfare about Reggie Nevins taking the Central job. He has the Dragons playing well so far. Central is 6-3, and they are going to get better. This is a young team, with only two seniors on the roster. This is the type of team that will grind out victories, so don't expect them scoring in the 60's and 70's too often.

The Rest......

11. Mt. Union

12. Richland

13. Blairsville

14. Central Cambria

15. Westmont

16. Marion Center

17. West Branch

18. Southern Huntingdon

19. Philipsburg-Osceola

20. Purchase Line

21. Juniata

22. United

Christmas Eve Thoughts

Merry Christmas, everyone!  A lot has been happening in the sports world of late, so its time for me to run my mouth on some topics. 

--Francisco, That's fun to say-  The Pirates agreed to terms with Francisco Liriano for two years. All in all, it is not exactly a thrilling deal. Liriano has had an up and down career. As a young guy in 2006, Liriano took the AL by storm with a 12-3 record. As recently as 2010, Liriano won 14 games. The past two seasons have not been as kind to Liriano as both seasons saw his ERA in the 5's. He can still be a productive pitcher provide it that he stays healthy and keeps his velocity up. The Pirates will have AJ Burnett, James McDonald, Wandy Rodriguez, and Liriano. There is one more spot to fill, and the Pirates will have prized prospect, Gerrit Cole, ready to go by mid summer. It is hard to project how this rotation will be for the upcoming season, but they have some promising pieces. 

--The Hammer has left the building- It is all but certain that Joel Hanrahan will be pitching for the Boston Red Sox next season. The Pirates are supposed to get four players in return for the Hammer. Jerry Sands is a name that is looking likely. He is another corner outfielder/first basemen (something the Bucs don't particularly need). He would be battling Travis Snider, Gaby Sanchez, and Garrett Jones for playing time. So another move may be on the way. Stolmy Pimentel is a AA pitcher that does not have a high ceiling, and he is likely to be in the trade as well. After that is anyone's guess, and that is what is holding up the trade. I think everyone needs to see the trade before being critical. Joel Hanrahan is a pretty good pitcher, and his value is not at its highest at the moment. The Pirates need some middle infield depth, and some young relief pitchers in my opinion. Sands and Pimentel do not fill that void. 

--Bowl Mania-We are already moving along in the bowl season, and we get to watch the exciting Sheraton Hawaii Bowl tonight. Hey SMU-Fresno State is not for everyone, but it is still football. I like watching the bowl games, even if they are called something ridiculous, involving two teams I could care less about. The system does need to change. A 6-6 season really should not be rewarded in my opinion. Even if it was cut from 35 to 25 games, I think it would help a little. But, if you forgot....college football is driven by money, more games=more money. It is simple logistics. I'll watch, but there are too many bowls. Idaho Potato Bowl? Belk Bowl? Beef O' Brady's Bowl?  Yoi. 

--Panther Basketball-Pitt Basketball escaped one of the worst non conference schedules in history with a 12-1 mark. The season will now shift to the Big East slate, and the difficulty goes way up. Pitt has a really nice team, that is ten deep easily. They have good guard play, solid wing players, and an ever improving group of big men. This team has it all, and I could really see being ranked fairly high. The voters have Pitt on the outside looking in, mostly because of the poor schedule. Pitt will find out right away if they are for real. They will play top ten, Cincinnati on New Year's Eve at the Pete. 

--Woeful Steelers-The Steelers season is essentially over, and they will miss the playoffs. Injuries and inconsistency cost this team any chance at being a good football team. The Todd Haley experiment may not be lasting too much longer. Roethlisberger has won a lot of football games and has earned the respect to voice his opinions. If a coach isn't being effective, he is more than qualified to speak up. The Steelers will be drafting in the 14-18 range, and they need a game changer. They have some good young running backs and receivers. Cortez Allen and Keenan Lewis look to be the corners of the future, putting the corner debate away for another season. A young core of linemen with Pouncey, DeCastro,Adams, Gilbert, and Beachum could be a really nice crew down the line. I think a bigger receiver or a safety is the answer. This draft is key for the Steelers, they aren't all that far away from being a good team. 

D6SN: Sweet 16 Players

            Hey guys, we wanted to do an all area team, and this will serve as just that. It is not a traditional all area team with all 22 positions covered, but rather 16 guys that really stood out to us. It takes into consideration the value of each player to their respective teams. It also takes into light how good the numbers and overall ability they had. It is not a downplay to offensive linemen, because we know their worth, but it is hard to put that out without having seen everyone play. These are mainly offensive skill positions players, and dominant defensive players.   Fortunately, we have seen over 20 local teams this season, and it makes things much easier. We have read the papers, watched the highlights, and heard the hype as well. We have a good understanding of how to make this list, and it is to recognize the best of the best. We did our best to spread it around all the different leagues throughout the region.  So without further adieu, here is the 2012 D6SN Sweet 16 of the high school football season.

Alex Atkins Senior LB Northern Cambria 

STATS-148 Tackles (81 solo) 3 sacks 1 blocked FG

Alex Atkins may have had the best knack for the ball of anyone in the district. Atkins' tackling ability was evident as soon as you watched the first play of a Northern Cambria game. You hear the phrase "always around the ball" and it is so true when watching Atkins play, he literally is always around the ball. His play making instincts should be a valuable commodity at the next level. He is 6-2 240, and that is not an exaggeration either. Atkins played with a great passion, and was clearly the leader of that Northern Cambria team.

Beau Bosch Junior QB Chestnut Ridge

STATS-640 Passing Yards. 7 Touchdowns. 1,302 Rushing Yards. 19 Touchdowns.

Chestnut Ridge has a huge hole heading into this season with Brad Hengst graduating, but Beau Bosch proved that loss wouldn't be impossible to overcome. In fact, Bosch put up similar rushing stats. At 6-5, Bosch is an athletic play maker that glides across the field. Ridge came on late, and played tough in the state playoffs. The Lions play a very challenging and taxing schedule, but Bosch should have the Lions in contention in most of the games. If you can get a chance to see him play, take advantage. 

Austin Cunningham Junior QB Central

STATS-1,406 Passing Yards 14 Touchdowns. 809 Rushing Yards 10 Touchdowns. 3 Receiving Touchdowns. 

Austin Cunningham was one of the more electric players in the whole region. He is one of those players that can take it the distance on any given play. They lined him up at receiver at times, and he scored three long touchdowns. Cunningham was able to keep make plays alive, and make runs down field. Cunningham is only a junior, and will be back to make a huge impact on the 2013 season. Central was believed to be the District Six front runner by many, and they will be in the thick of the race next season thanks in large part to Austin Cunningham. 

 Danny Ferens Senior QB Senior Penns Manor

STATS-595 Passing Yards 9 TDs. 1818 Rushing Yards 31 TDs. 2 Int's 1 PR TD. 

Danny Ferens may be the only player on this list that can qualify as a legend. Ferens finishes his career 40-7 in four years as the starting quarterback for Penns Manor, and leaves as Indiana County's leading rusher of all time. The kid had an unreal knack for making big plays, and dropping jaws in the whole stadium. He may not have the prototypical passing numbers most successful quarterbacks would have, but may have been the best running quarterback in the whole state for the past two seasons. Ferens also had a fine season playing outside linebacker/safety. He hits as hard and can fill a gap like no other.  His worth to Penns Manor exceeded that of any one player to their respective team in the area. 

Drew Glotfelty RB Senior Berlin Borthersvalley

STATS- 2012 Rushing yards 24 Touchdowns. 24 Catches, 327 Yards 6 Touchdowns. 4 Interceptions.

Drew Glotfelty was the main cog for the Berlin Mountaineers District 5 championship run. His versatility allowed him to be lined up in a variety of different ways ranging from the wildcat to slot receiver. Glotfelty may have been the fastest player in all of district five, and his breakaway speed allowed Berlin to be a dangerous team all year long. Glotfelty played a major role on defense and special teams as also. He carried Berlin to a championship, and the Berlin faithful will not soon forget that.

Casey Gray Junior RB/DB Bellwood-Antis

STATS-1,954 Rushing Yards 29 TDs. 10 catches 173 yards 1 TD. 4 Interceptions.

Casey Gray played a solid role in his sophomore season, setting himself for a big junior campaign. He did not disappoint. Gray led Bellwood-Antis to another great season capped by a district championship and a state playoff appearance. Gray played a huge role in leading a strong Blue Devil rushing attack,a nd doubled up as one of the premier corner backs in the region. Gray still may have made the best interception of the year against Northern Bedford. The kid knows how to make big plays, and he is one of those can't miss players for the 2013 season if you are a local football fan. 

Brock Medva Senior RB Shade

STATS-1,778 Rushing Yards. 13 Touchdowns. 108 Tackles (55 solo) 3 Interceptions.

Shade is never noted for having a strong football team, but 2012 saw some moderate success. The Panthers found their way into the playoffs, and Brock Medva was the main reason why. If you want to talk about a workhorse, look no further than Medva. He was the team's leading rusher, and second leading tackler. Medva saw plenty of the touches for the Panthers and rarely disappointed. Most people did not get to see him play, but you sure missed out. Medva was quietly one of the best players in the region.

Brett Grissinger Senior RB Juniata Valley

STATS-1397 Rushing Yards 16 Touchdowns. 29 Catches 563 Receiving Yards 7 Touchdowns. 54 Tackles 3 Interceptions.

Brett Grissinger may have had one of the best statistical seasons in the whole area. He was a 1,000 yard rusher, and managed to get 500+ receiving yards on just 29 catches. That is over 10 yards every time he touches the ball, including 19 yards when it is a pass play.  Grissinger was one of the true home run threats the ICC had to offer, and he was a big part of the Hornets' 9-2 campaign.Grissinger played a big role on defense and special teams as well, making him one of the best all around players in the region. 

 James Oliver Junior RB Tyrone

STATS-1893 Rushing Yards 27 Touchdowns

James Oliver burst onto the scene this season in a big way. His first year as the starting running back for Tyrone was a memorable one. Oliver used his ability of speed and vision to churn out eight 100+ yard games this season for the Golden Eagles. He will likely be a marked man next season, and will be Tyrone's focal point offensively. Oliver finished 15th in the state in rushing despite only playing in 12 games. Oliver is one of 

the top junior in the region, and is a must see player for the 2013 season. 

Matt Shaffer Junior QB Richland

STATS-2,238 Passing Yards. 22 Touchdowns. 631 Rushing Yards. 11 Touchdowns. 

Matt Shaffer's ability is really the key to it all for Richland. He was just a junior, but his experience going into next year could mean big things for Richland. His running skills opened up the whole offense, and made defenses focus on all aspects, which proved to be too much to handle for most. Shaffer had some talented receivers, but he spread the wealth around and managed this high powered offense. Coach Brandon Bailey demands a lot from his quarterbacks, and Shaffer accounted for close to 3,000 yards of total offense. 

Tanner Solarczyk Junior RB Richland

STATS-2,034 Rushing Yards 27 Touchdowns. 16 Catches 176 Yards 2 Touchdowns.

Richland had a banner season for their football program, and Tanner Solarczyk was a big reason why. Many thought the loss of Johnny Rizzo would be too much to overcome for Richland, but Solarczyk erased any doubts. Solarczyk bulked up to over 200 pounds, and became a bruising tailback that was a key component of Richland's high powered offense. Solarczyk will be back next season to fuel another big Richland season, definitely worth seeing him play if you get the chance.

Jordan Spangler Senior WR Bishop McCort

STATS-56 Catches 791 Yards 8 Touchdowns. 4 Interceptions. 9 Field Goals. 34 YPP. 

Jordan Spangler was one of the busiest players in the whole area this season. He started at receiver and corner, but also handled all the kicking and punting duties, on top of being the kickoff returner for Bishop McCort. Spangler was a deep threat connection on one of the best passing offenses around the area, and became Bishop McCort's all time leading receptions leader in the process. He also played a good defensive back. Spangler is being sought after to be a college punter after a very successful campaign in that department.

Chad Speigle Senior RB West Branch

STATS-1,504 Rushing yards 24 Touchdowns. 105 Tackles (76 solo) 5 Sacks.

Chad Speigle could very well be the best player you never heard of from District Six. He plays for tiny West Branch, but has been making an impact in the ICC for a few seasons now. West Branch only had 19 kids on the roster this season, yet Speigle still led them to 5 wins. He is a man among boys out on the field, and has a powerful running style. He is also a ball hawk at middle linebacker. You have to appreciate tough hard nosed players like Speigle. 

Tanner Stull Junior QB Somerset

STATS-1,441 Passing Yards 15 Touchdowns. 567 Rushing Yards 7 Touchdowns. 

Somerset had a bit of a football revival in 2012, and Tanner Stull was directly behind it. Stull is one of the premier dual threat quarterbacks in the area, and put up some gaudy numbers despite some injuries. Stull accounted for close to 200 yards per game and made some eye opening plays all year long. His career game may have been against Bishop McCort, when he led the Golden Eagles for their first win ever the Crushers. Stull also had an outstanding game against University Prep in the state playoffs. Stull should be injury free next season, and will be one of the more exciting players to watch.

Ryan Torrance Senior RB Ligonier Valley

STATS-1,481 Rushing Yards 27 Touchdowns.

Ligonier had another big regular season, and finally saw some postseason success. The Rams offense was led by the running of Ryan Torrance. This was Torrance's second consecutive 1,000 season, and this marked the most rushing yards for a Ligonier kid in a single season ever. Torrance had good vision and excellent speed. He was one of the premier players out of the Heitage conference, and the district. He finishes out as one of Ligonier's most prolific running backs ever. 

 Dalvin Williams Senior LB Johnstown

STATS- 146 Tackles (59 solo) 5 sacks 2 fumble recoveries

This may not have been the ideal season for Johnstown, but Dalvin Williams turned in a great individual effort all year long. Dalvin was obviously overshadowed by Alkwan Williams last season, but handled being the lead linebacker just fine. It was hard to watch a Johnstown game without hearing Williams called over the loudspeaker seemingly every play. At 6-2 200, Williams had the size and athletic ability to play sideline to sideline. He quietly had a fine career for the Johnstown Trojans, and may be one of the more underrated players in the region.

Honorable Mention

1. Johnny Sheesley RB Blacklick Valley

2. Jared Shope WR Forest Hills

3. Gap Barbin NT Bishop McCort

4. Kyle Flick WR Richland

5. Stuart Urch DE Ligonier Valley

6. Devin Lawhead LB Penn Cambria

7. Nick Ceschini DE Bishop Guilfoyle

8. Caleb Kephart RB Portage

9. Tony Straiser WR North Star

10. Tayler Pressel TE/DE Northern Bedford

2013 State Championship Contenders.

                          The 2012 PIAA Football championships wrapped up this weekend, and it is never too early to look to next season. The 2012 title weekend did not feature a local team, but could we see a local team in 2013? Here is a look at some of the possibilities....

D6 AA

Richland- Brandon Bailey's squad may be in for another big run in the 2013 season. Richland's 14-1 team was a very junior oriented group, and plenty of familiar faces will be back next season. Richland will only graduate eight seniors from the 2012 team. Tanner Solarczyk will be back to lead a very formidable rushing attack. Solarczyk rushed for over 2,000 yards and 27 touchdowns in 2012. Matt Shaffer will be back in his third season as the starting quarterback. Shaffer is a dual threat quarterback that accounted for over 30 touchdowns last season. Kyle Flick will lead a strong unit of receivers as well. The core of the Richland defense is back with Ben Verhovsek and Jacob Urban leading the way. They must find replacements for the offensive and defensive lines, but the skill positions should be able to carry the weight until that unit gels. Richland made it to the state playoffs for the first time, and took a pretty good shot at a very good Aliquippa team in the state semifinals. Aliquippa is also a junior laden team, so a potential rematch could be in order.


Central-The Dragons of Central could be poised for a big run next season. They have a solid defense, and two outstanding offensive playmakers. Austin Cunningham is one of the more unique talents in the area. He is a more than formidable passing quarterback, but a dynamic running threat as well. Bradi Moore is his running mate, and he is a very good one. Moore is a threat out of the backfield as a receiver on top of being a good runner. Austin Conrath is an unsung hero from his Fullback position. The defense will be led by Jared Ponder, who is coming off of an 8.5 sack season. Central finished 8-3 in 2012, with an upset loss in the playoffs. The core of that team will be back, and ready to take the next step. Aliquippa appears to be the big hurdle, but they can obviously be beaten as Wyomissing proved this weekend.


Tyrone and Forest Hills are always threats to contend for a AA championship, but they would be long shots to do much more in the state playoffs. Tyrone's James Oliver is as good as a running back as you will find in the state, and Forest Hills' Joe Donoughe is a master of keeping plays alive. They are both fantastic athletes, and they should not be counted out ever.

D6 A

Bellwood-Antis- Bellwood-Antis is one of the premier programs in the district, and despite losing a lot, they can still find a way to win district six. They return one the better players in the area in Casey Gray. Gray is a standout running back, and is a great receiver as well. He is lockdown defensive back, and dynamic as a return man. If Bellwood were to make a run to Hershey, it would be on Gray's back. Tanner Snyder will be the next best play maker. He was buried behind some good players in 2012, but will have an elevated role in 2013. The quarterback situation will be passed down to another Worthing, as Owen Worthing will step in for Seth. The defense must replace some valuable pieces, but Bellwood always seems to find a way. The East bracket will feature good Dunmore and Southern Columbia teams, but they will also lose a lot too. If Bellwood can develop a quarterback, and replenish the line, they will be tough for anyone to stop. 

Bishop Guilfoyle- Bishop Guilfoyle is coming off of a very successful campaign in 2012, and they are ready to take it to another level. Brandon Chadbourn battled injuries this season, but he is very good when he is healthy. He is an excellent runner poised for a big season. DJ Kitt and Sam McCloskey will lead the running game, and Damon Rickens will be the top receiving threat. The Marauders had a big physical defense last season, and they will graduate some of the key guys. Nick Little will be back, and is one of the best linebackers around the district. BG will have to unseat Bellwood-Antis, but they have the best chance of anyone. 

Portage returns plenty, but they need to prove they can play with the big boys of the district. They are still relatively young and could still be a year away. Bishop McCort has a lot of linebackers and linemen coming back, but need to develop some athletes to make plays. 

 D5 A

Windber-Could a District 5 team do it?  Obviously the odds are stacked against them, but Clairton is losing quite a bit. They still have some great athletes, but it is no guarantee they will be the same juggernaut they have been. Windber has a real nice core coming back, and they should be the odds on favorite to win District Five. Dustin Blough will be the team's workhorse at running back. Dan and Devon Tomlinson are two dynamic athletes that can be placed anywhere on the field. Matt Barkley is a solid receiver as well. They have the offensive firepower to make a nice run.  It will not be easy task against any WPIAL team, but the opponent will not be nearly as good as the 2012 Clairton Bears, and that is a bonus.

  

PIAA Class "AA" championship outlook: Aliquippa vs. Wyomissing.

Who- Aliquippa (15-0, District 7 Champions) vs. Wyomissing (15-0, District 3 Champions)


When-Saturday 12:00 HersheyPark Stadium


How they got here-Aliquippa defated Richland 37-21, Wyomissing beat Imhotep Charter 35-13.

Details- The D6SN will be live from Hershey to bring you highlights, interviews, and live updates. Dan will be on the field to get up close action, I will be in the stands watching the game. You can follow me for live twitter updates, and a live blog with detailed action. Follow us on Twitter @D6SN, also follow us on Instagram for exclusive pictures from Chocolate town. Also, @D6SN.


The Scoop-Aliquippa will be playing for their first state championship since 2003. The Quips are one of the mainstay powers on the Western half of the state. Aliquippa has 15 WPIAL championships to their resume, and often produce some of the best talent in the whole country. The Quips are loaded once again, and many think this team could potentially be better than the 2003 squad led by all pro defensive back, Darrelle Revis. These Quips are led by standout junior, Dravon Henry. Henry leads the team with 1,796 yards and 29 touchdowns. He is already pegged as a top 100 type recruit with offers from Ohio State, Pitt, and West Virginia among others. His running mate in the backfield is ultra talented sophomore, Terry Swanson. Swanson has rushed for 1,420 yards and 21 touchdowns. Malik Shegog is a talented dual threat quarterback that expands the offense. Aliquippa also has a stout defense that has only surrendered double digit point totals three time all year. The Quips were only truly challenged one time, and that was last week against Richland. For the most part, Aliquippa has rolled over most of the opposition. This team is good and it epitomizes everything the Quips stand for. This looks every bit of a state championship team.

        Wyomissing will enter this game as underdogs, but they have a very talented group that will be expecting to win this game. The Spartans have an outstanding defense that is led by a pretty exciting talent. Alex Anzalone is rated as the best player in Pennsylvania. He is a running back/linebacker that will be playing for Notre Dame next season, and had offers from the likes of USC, Ohio State, and Alabama. Anzalone could have named a college to play for, that is how good he is. He helps lead the offense with fellow back, Justin Causa. Joe Cacchione is the teams' quarterback, and he has athlete Gerald Burns to make plays in the open field. The defense has plenty of athletes outside of Anzalone. Jeriko Reyes and Will Kroppe are also big time defensive talents. The Spartans do not have the fan fare of Aliquippa, but this is an extremely good team. They have the accolades to go with it. They have played speedy teams like the Quips before, as they are coming off a big win over Imhotep Charter.

              This may be the best game of the weekend. There are talented players all across the board, and it is the only game of the weekend featuring two undefeated teams. Most people are picking the Quips, but Wyomissing did not get here on accident. I like the Quips as well, but I could see this one going either way. It will be a fun game, and be sure to follow our updates from Twitter @D6SN.

PIAA Class A State Championship Outlook.

Who - Clairton (15-0, District 7 Champions) vs. Dunmore (14-1, District 2 Champions)

When - Friday 1:00 HersheyPark Stadium

How they got here - Clairton defeated Port Allegheny 44-12, Dunmore downed Bellwood-Antis 40-19.

Details- The D6SN will be live from Hershey to bring you highlights, interviews, and live updates. Dan will be on the field to get up close action, I will be in the stands watching the game. You can follow me for live twitter updates, and a live blog with detailed action. Follow us on Twitter @D6SN, also follow us on Instagram for exclusive pictures from Chocolate town. Also, @D6SN.

The Scoop- The Clairton Bears will be playing in the state championship for the fifth consecutive season. They will going for a fourth title in a row. That is quite an impressive streak, but that is not the one gaining the attention. The 62 game winning streak is a Pennsylvania all time best, and may be one that could stand for some time. The Bears have played in one close game all season. Tom Nola's squad has a speedy and electric offense, but a lights out defense as well. The headliner is Tyler Boyd. Boyd is ranked as the 60th best player in the whole country by Rivals.com. His college offer sheet is as good as they come highlighted by Michigan State, Notre Dame, Ohio State, and Virginia Tech. He may end up at one of the local schools Pitt or Penn State. He is a fast running back, that can do just about anything. Terrish Webb is another division one recruit from the class A program. He is committed to Kent State, but is now a holder of a Pitt scholarship offer. Clairton's other division one prospect, Titus Howard, sustained an injury in the quarterfinals. He is off to Pitt next year. Capri Thompson is the team's quarterback, and often gets overlooked because of the other stars on the team, but he is a solid player.  This Clairton team is one of those teams for the ages. They have size, speed, and they are just flat out good. Clairton plays with a great confidence, and they are fun to watch. The quest for 63 is a special occasion

                           Dunmore is far more than the Washington Generals going up against the Globetrotters, they are to win a state championship. The Bucks are a hard nosed, physical running team. Dunmore has been clicking lately, and they have run through some very talented teams, including Old Forge, Southern Columbia, and Bellwood-Antis to get to this point. Daiqwon Buckley and Austin Seamon are each 1,000 yard rushers. Buckley is coming off of a 200 yard four touchdown game in the state semifinals. Dunmore has been putting up the offensive numbers to make this game interesting. There is no way to get around the fact that Dunmore is the underdog. They could use that to their advantage. The "us against the world" mentality tends to work in these kind of games.

                      This should be an interesting game. Clairton has won three straight state championships and all of the championship games have been competitive. Dunmore is right on par with Clairton's previous opponents in the state title game. This Clairton team will be remembered for years to come. They have all the talent in the world, and the history to go with it. I like Clairton to continue their run through the history books.  I am going to predict Clairton to win their fourth straight championship. But be sure to follow us on Twitter throughout Friday for updates.

D6SN 2012-13 LHAC Basketball Preview.

                  The D6SN was excited to bring you quality coverage for the 2012 Football season, and we are hoping to add some more High School basketball coverage throughout the 2012-13 season. We will not cover games each week, but hope to do a few games here and there. Also, Podcasts and special features will be in the works. We will expand our coverage when the postseason rolls around. This is part one of a series of previews that will include WestPac, ICC, Sideling Hill, Mountain, and Heritage. The LHAC is the league I am most comfortable discussing, so they are up first.

Section I 

1. Penn Cambria (18-7)

 Key Players- AJ Leahey(SF)     Mack Behe (G)   Devin Lawhead (G)

AJ Leahey

 Penn Cambria is ready to take the 2012-13 season by storm. They have a strong senior class, and a goal to win the league and the district. AJ Leahey is back to lead the team. He is a 6-7 matchup nightmare with his long range shooting abilities, and versatilt all around game. Leahey averaged 20 points per game, and made 69 three pointers in 2012. He led the team in rebounding (11.2) and assists (2.8) last season as well. Leahey is the best all around scoring threat in the league, and perhaps the district. The Panthers run this year will certainly center around him. Nathan Keagy is another 6-5 threat that should help boost the inside game. His rebounding numbers need to improve, but his defensive presence gives Penn Cambria the best size around. Devin Lawhead and Mack Behe are two hard nosed defenders that can also score the ball as well. They are the glue to the team. The lack of a true point guard could hurt Penn Cambria at times, but James Mardula and Jake Schwaderer will get the chance to handle the ball. Leahey's ability handling the ball helps relieve the pressure. Penn Cambria is loaded up, and they are deep and experienced. They ahve all the tools to win the league, and will compete for the district crown as well. 

2. Bishop Carroll (14-13)

Key Players- Marcus Lee (C)  Scott Ranck (PF)   Brandon Martinazzi (SG) 
Bishop Carroll battled through tons of youth and inexperience to make the Class A District Six final last season. This season the Huskies could very well be the most talented team in the district, and they should compete for the section in the conference. Bishop Carroll remains a very young group as they will start four underclassmen, but they still bring back four starters.  David Maruca will now handle the point guard duties. He is the only new starter, but he led the team in assists last season. He will be joined by Brandon Martinazzi and Mitchell Madonna in the back court. Martinazzi is a good shooter, and could be the team's top scoring threat as sophomore. Marcus Lee is a 6-4 junior post player that has improved over the years, and will be a force inside this season. He averaged close to a double double last season, and should post good numbers yet again. Scott Ranck is the glue guy on this roster. He is an undersized Forward, but averaged ten points a game last season. Cosie Aliquo always has his teams ready to play, and this could be one of his best groups yet. Bishop Carroll will not sneak up on anyone this year, as they should have a very good season.

3. Cambria Heights (11-12)

Key Players- Issac Vescovi (C) Nathan Bearer (F) Andrew Brawley (G)
Cambria Heights is coming off of a playoff appearance, but they should be much improved this season. The Highlanders bring back plenty of experience, and they could make a good run this season. It all starts with senior post player, Isaac Vescovi. Vescovi averaged 19 points per game with 8 rebounds a game. Vescovi stands at 6-4 and possesses versatility in his game as he can step out and make a three and handle the ball as well. Nathan Bearer averaged 14 points last season, including 93 three pointers. Dom Milanesi and Andrew Brawley represent the starting backcourt. Brawley is a very quick guard, and a good defender. Both players need to improve their scoring abilities, at least so the defense has to worry about them. Brad Hoppel does plenty of the dirty work, and should be a versatile guy on the defensive end of things. Eric Nagel has an experienced team, and they should finish above .500 this season. This is a playoff caliber team with the ability to make a run in the district.

4. Bishop Guilfoyle (14-12) 

Key Players- Brandon Drenning (G) Zach Patterson (F) Pat Irwin (G)
Bishop Guilfoyle will be welcoming a new coach into the program with Chris Drenning. He has some experience, and some intriguing young talent on the squad this season. The Marauders success will start with the coach's son, Brandon Drenning. Drenning led the team in scoring last season, and is one of the better three point shooters in the league. Zach Patterson is the team's tallest player at 6-4, and will need to be a solid rebounder this year. Pat Irwin is a smart guard that will see plenty of time at point guard. Irwin can use his quickness to his advantage. The Maruaders have solid sophomores in Bradon Chadbourn and Sam McCloskey. BG has some talent, but it is a matter of it coming together. They will have trouble contending for the league, but should be a threat in the Class A playoffs.

5. Central Cambria (6-16)

Key Players- Scott Holsinger (C) Will Seymour (F) Tanner Ambrisco (G)
Times have been rough for Central Cambria basketball for the past few seasons. After being one of the premier programs for so long, the Red Devils are coming off a 6-16 season. Adam Stephen took over for longtime coach, Steve Traino last season. Stephen is still building up his program. They bring back some experience, and they have great size. Will Seymour is the team's top returnee in rebounds, and will need to take his scoring ability to the next level. Danny Bowman is a big 6-3 Forward that also has great rebounding ability. Scott Holsinger is a 6-8 sophomore that did not play last season, but the name should sound familiar. He has talent, and should help the Red Devils immediately. Guard play is the biggest question.  Tanner Ambrisco is a solid shooter, but will have to handle most of the ball handling duties. Central Cambria should be better than 6-16 this season, and if everyone develops quickly, they could contend for a playoff spot.

6. Forest Hills (6-16)

Key Players-Ryan Wysocki (F) Cody Fessler (F) Gavin Oswalt (G)
Forest Hills loses all eight of their top scorers from last season. Jared Shope will be out with a lingering knee injury from football season. That will put coach Lance Mcgough in a very tough spot. Forest Hills will have a good group of sophomores coming into the program, but a lot of uncertainty beyond that. Ryan Wysocki saw time last season, and he will be one of the better players on the team at forward. A point guard will need to be developed if the Rangers wish to contend this season.

Secton II

1. Bishop McCort (17-8)

Key Players- Nemo Trexler (F) Billy Hipp (G) Jordan Spangler (G)

Nemo Trexler

Bishop McCort is the two time defending Class AA champions, and they are looking for a three peat. The Crushers return a solid junior class, that can match up with anyone in the area. The 6-4 Center, Nemo Trexler averaged 14 and 9 last season, and will be a focal point for the Crushers again. Billy Hipp is a 6-3 guard that averaged 13 point a game last season, and will be the team's lead guard. Jordan Spangler should start after serving as the team's 6th man last season. The Crimson Crushers have plenty of depth, but developing a point guard will be key. Bishop McCort plays a difficult schedule, and should be well prepared to make a run at a third consecutive district championship.

2. Somerset (14-11)

Key Players-Jake Close (G) Brett Baron (F) Bryce Mostellor (C)
Somerset is coming off a state playoff appearance, and they are looking to win a District Six AAA crown. The Golden Eagles will return sharp shooter, Jake Close. He led the team in scoring and assists last season, and should do the same this season. Brett Barron is a versatile 6-4 player that averaged 11 points a game last season. Bryce Mostellor should step in for Eddie Buck at Center. The 6-3 sophomore earned significant minutes a freshman. Jordan Wilkow is a 6-6 athletic senior that will see minutes in the post as well. Somerset has built up a nice little program recently, but they are looking to take things to the next level. They should have some entertaining battles with Bishop McCort this season to decide the section II crown. 

3. Johnstown (23-3)

Key Players-Phillip Madison (PG) Roshon Fields (C) Dalvin Williams (F) 
Johnstown will have to replace a group that won three LHAC and District championships during their career.  It will be a tough task, but it will start with senior guard Phillip Madison. Madison averaged 13 points, 5 assists, and 4 rebounds per game last season. Roshon Fields is another returning starter for the Trojans. Fields started plenty of games, but did not see the minutes down the stretch. He will need to be stronger inside, and provide scoring. At 6-6, he is an imposing defensive presence. Dalvin Williams is back out for basketball after not playing last season. he is a 6-1 Forward that will actually provide a good rebounding threat. Damean and Daniel Barfield are only 5-6, but they can knock down threes. They will see significant minutes. Johnstown has some ability, but it may take time for it to come together. Madison could very well be the best player in the league, and he can lead them to another District Title.

4. Richland (6-16)

Key Players-Kyle Flick (G) Luke Shertzer (G) Matt Shaffer (F)
Richland struggled last season, but should see improvement this season. Kyle Flick is one of the best players in the league. He averaged 19 point per game last year, and will likely put up big numbers again. Luke Shertzer will run the point for the Rams, and will be one of their better scorers. Flick is a good slasher, but Shertzer needs to be the outside shooting threat.  Matt Shaffer will be the go to guy at Forward. At 6-1, he can match physically with plenty of players in the league, and will need to add good scoring numbers. Travis Niel is in his third year as the starting center, he does not provide much scoring, but he should be a good rebounder.  Richland will improve on their six wins from last season, and could contend for a spot in the D6 AA playoffs.

5. Westmont (20-6)

Key Players-Luke Kleinmeyer (F) Mike Vilet (G)  Lucas Dragovich (F)
Westmont was hit very hard by graduation. They lose their four leading scorers, and they could be in for a bit of a rebuilding year. Coach Dave Roman has called up six freshmen to fill out the roster. Roman is one of the best in the area, but he may need to pull his best job ever for the Hilltoppers to be competitive this season. Luke Kleinmeyer will start down low. He is a tall senior that has some skills, he will need to have a big year. Mike Vilet will be the top guard for the Hilltoppers, he is the lone returning starter for Westmont. After that is a battle for playing time. Not many guys have had varsity experience, so this will be a tall task for Westmont. If they can develop some young guys into productive players, they can have a much better season than most are expecting.

6. Bedford (2-20)

Key Players-Tyler Black (F) Zach Kendall (G) Alex Kendall (G)
Bedford is coming off a very forgettable season. They have some experience and young talent coming through the program, and improvement should be made. Tyler Black is a versatile forward that has good scoring ability inside and out. Zach and Alex Kendall should form the starting back court. They need to improve their shooting to help this team win. Luke Campbell is one of the best athletes in the school, and he is on the basketball roster. They have a young group with plenty of freshmen and sophomores on the roster. That should only help improve the program. It is still going to be a long season for Bedfor no matter what, but I think they can pull off more than two wins. 

Richland Takes the Next Step.

               The Richland Rams football team set out goals at the beginning of the season. They wanted to win the Laurel Highlands conference outright, and then go on to win the District Six AA Title. All in all, Richland was set to #Win13. The Rams did themselves one better, by winning 14, and they would not mind winning a few more. Richland will face a pretty tough task by taking on Aliquippa High School Friday night at North Allegheny High School. The Beaver County school is not only a state power, but recognized throughout the country. The Quips have produced some of the best in the NFL, including such names like Mike Ditka, Ty Law, Sean Gilbert, Jon Baldwin, and Darrelle Revis. Aliquippa has won two state championships since the PIAA started the state playoffs in 2008, but the Quips have long been a power in the WPIAL with 15 championships to their name. Richland has won exactly one district championship, and one state playoff game in the school's history. Obviously these are two teams with different football history, but that can all be thrown out the window once the meet on the field.


           Aliquippa is led plenty of underclassmen that could be playing in major division one football once their careers are over. The headliner for the Quips is junior, Dravon Henry. He is receiving attention from Pitt, Penn State, and Ohio State. He leads the offense with 1,558 yards and 26 touchdowns. Henry rushed for 119 yards on five carries in last week's 51-15 win over Karns City. His running mate is sophomore, Terry Swanson. Swanson is another quick guy who has rushed for 1,304 yards and 21 touchdowns. It is not all about those two, as there are multiple guys across the field that could take it the distance anytime they touch it. Malik Shegog is a speedy guy at quarterback, who can throw it if he needs to. The defense does not get the attention sometimes, but they only allow 4 points per game. They are led by a future division one junior in Jaleel Fields at Defensive End. The Quips possess a tremendous line on both sides of the ball, and they are very big and strong. This is a team that appears set for a state championship, and they have yet to be seriously challenged through fourteen weeks.

           Richland will be heavy underdogs going into the game this weekend, and that may be just how they like it. Plenty of experts pegged Hickory as the favorites last weekend, but Richland rolled to an easy 38-12 victory. Richland has a true balanced offense, and it may be something Aliquippa has not seen this year. The passing game with Matt Shaffer has thrown for 1,985 yards and 20 touchdowns. He has some good targets in Kyle Flick and Luke Shertzer. Both players have over 50 catches and 800 yards. The Rams have run the ball extremely well, and it starts with Tanner Solarczyk. All he has done is run for 1,946 yards and 26 touchdowns on the year. Matt Shaffer is the team's second leading rusher with 659 yards and 11 touchdowns. Richland also has a big, strong offensive line, that typically controls the line of scrimmage with ease. The Rams defense is not quite as dominant as Alqiuippa, but they do not give up much of anything either. Richland has solid tackling linebackers, and a big defensive line that sets the tone. It could come down to some field position, and Bobby Colvin does a real nice job with kicking.

Prediction-Aliquippa brings all the fanfare with the talent and tradition. Richland is new to still playing football this late in the season. I have picked Richland all season, but they have never played a team like Aliquippa. I am going with the Quips, but unlike the rest of the state, I believe Richland can play with Aliquippa. I also believe Richland could beat them if everything goes right.

Bellwood-Antis Back in the Final Four

                        The Bellwood-Antis Blue Devils just keep on winning. They are playing in the state semifinals for the first time since 2006, and for the third time in its history. They are there by virtue of outlasting a very good Delone Catholic team in double overtime last weekend at Mansion Park. The Blue Devil caravan will be making the trek Mill Hall to take on District Two Champion Dunmore at Central Mountain High School. This marks the forth straight time a District Six team will be playing in the state semifinals, and the Blue Devils will look to join Bishop Carroll and Bishop McCort as District Six teams to play in the Class A state championship.

             Bellwood-Antis used a strong a strong ground attack against Delon Catholic to advance to this stage of the state playoffs. The Blue Devils rode the back of junior tailback, Casey Gray. Gray rushed for 128 yards and two touchdowns to raise his season total to 1,823 yards and 26 touchdowns. Haden DeGennaro came up with another impressive performance, but he sustained an injury that will force him out the remainder of the season. Obviously, that will be a huge blow, but Bellwood will send the next man up to do his job. Expect Tyler Campbell and Tanner Snyder to see more carries during his departure. Seth Worthing's responsibility as a passer has gone down during the playoffs, but in this stage, he may be asked to throw it more. Ian O'Shea and Cameron Worthing are ore than capable receivers down field. Dunmore features two 1,000 yard backs, letting it be known what the defense has to do this Friday. They need to hold their own on the line of scrimmage, but also to have the second and third levels to be ready to make plays. Bellwood's defense has been good all year long, but they can give up points as evident by Dunmore's performance last week. The Blue Devils will need to buckle down as best as possible. Bellwood's offense is good enough to keep them in any game.

              Dunmore is in the state semi finals by virtue of defeating Bristol and state power, Southern Columbia. Dunmore has been a solid program through the years, and they were in Hershey in 2007. The feature a dominant running game led by junior Daiqwon Buckley (1,532 yards 19 TDs) and senior Austin Seamon (1,132 yards 15 TDs).  The duo combined for 335 yards last week against Bristol.  Brandon Kujawski is junior quarterback that has only thrown for 650 yards, but he has 10 touchdowns to just two interceptions. Dunmore has played in some really hard fought games in recent weeks as they narrowly escaped Southern Columbia (35-29) and Old Forge (7-6). They are accustomed to playing in close games, and that can always be an advantage this late in the season.

Prediction- Bellwood-Antis has had a fantastic season so far, and I do not see it ending just yet. The Blue Devils have great team speed, and a will to win. This game will not be easy, as Dunmore has proven to be a formidable team themselves. Most expected Southern Columbia in this game, but the Bucks took them down. I think it will be a great game, and perhaps a quick game because neither team wants to pass. It may take 1-2 pass plays that could win you the game though. I believe in Seth Worthing's ability, and he could come up with enough big plays to outlast Dunmore.

December 2 Thoughts.

              It has been a while since I've blogged about anything that does not involve High School Football or Pitt athletics. I am certainly fine with that, the D6 Sports Network, Cardiachill.com, and Our Town Newspaper have kept me busy. I got the itch to talk about what I am feeling every now and then, so maybe I can try to keep up with this blog a little more often.

Irish Eyes are Smiling- Notre Dame back in the national spotlight? You bet. Notre Dame has stood tall for all twelve weeks and they will take on a very tough Alabama team for all the marbles in Miami. Hey you know me, I'm not a Notre Dame guy. I have my reasons, but as a team this year, they were very fun to watch. Manti Te'o can flat out play Linebacker, and that defensive line is something else. They have squeaked by on more than one occasion, but good teams find a way to win. The Irish did just that. Alabama is a better team, but it will be a very entertaining football game.

Expansion......- We are all sick of it, but it is not going away. Louisville is coming into the ACC, after the Big Ten added Maryland and Rutgers.  Yeah, Rutgers in the Big Ten? Ten years ago, that would have been a really bad joke. It is the world we live in these days. ESPN one way or another has ruined college athletics. TV contracts trump natural rivalries, sensible geography, and reasonable numbers. The Big 12 will make a move sooner or later, perhaps the ACC and Pac 12 will make a move. If we have learned anything, it is that we do not know what is coming next.

Bill O'Brien- You have to credit where credit is due. Bill O'Brien has done a tremendous job this season given the circumstances. Penn State had a good team in place led by some great senior leaders. Still, to keep the team together when the world is watching is pretty impressive. O'Brien says he is coming back to Happy Valley, but if I were a Penn Stater, I would be worried about him leaving for the NFL at any time. Remember, things are going to get a lot worse at Penn State before they get better. This season made people forget that the scholarship situation is going to get real ugly. O'Brien will keep them respectable, but the sanctions will catch up to them.

Steven Adams- Many believed that the hope of Pitt Basketball would rely on a freshmen from New Zealand. Adams is still adjusting to the American game, yet he is learning everyday. He will not be that 15 point 10 rebound guy this year, but he can develop into that. It is evident that he is not a "one and done" and that is a very good thing for Pitt, because they have a rare talent hanging around the program for some time to come.

Quality Basketball- Hey, you know how Kentucky is ruining basketball with the one and done players?  Or how the talent pool is drowning out by guys leaving early basically everywhere? Not so much this season. Look at the best teams out there. Indiana has plenty of upperclassmen in their rotation, Louisville relies on their veteran backcourt, and of course Duke is starting three seniors. College basketball seems to have plenty of quality teams this season, with older talent. It should make for an exciting season, but an even better March. Experience typically results in a better brand of basketball. Call me a Basketball geek, it will not bother me in the least.

Locked Out...again-The NHL is not is session for the second time in eight seasons. Does the world care? I'm not so sure it does. ESPN does not cover the NHL, so they do not cover the lockout for more than twenty seconds an episode of SportsCenter. Remember the NFL lockout?  Well I try to forget. It was brutal watching the coverage that thing received. Yes, Hockey affects markets that truly love it, including Pittsburgh but,  I just cannot imagine Phoenix, Miami, or Dallas are dying this. The NHL needs to find a way to market things better, first of all by moving more teams back into Canada and cold weather markets. It is not looking like things will be resolved in time for a season,  which is a real shame. This thing affects plenty of people, and the two parties need to get things squared away soon.

The Walking Wounded-The Steelers are a walking hospital these days. They are an aging franchise that is struggling to overcome injuries. In years past, the Steelers could handle losing Roethlisberger for a few games, now they cannot. The offensive line is so depleted, Antonio Brown's injury hampers the whole offense, and Troy Polamalu's injury are just too much to hang above one team. They have a reasonable schedule left, but they need to start winning now. The offense has to find a way to not depend on Roethlisberger so much. This season should be a big wake up call for the front office heading into the off season, regardless of the team's finish.