Big Game Hunter: Week One.

I'll be taking you on a tour of the ten best games involving District Five and Six teams each week. Hopefully this will give you some ideas as to which game to attend, and what to expect in that game. I hope to put this out every Thursday, so be sure to check back each and every Thursday throughout the High School Football season. The D6 Sports Network will feature a Sunday Morning QB which will recap the weekend's action. There will be an LHAC preview every Monday, and a podcast either Tuesday of Wednesday of each week to go along with The Big Game Hunter.



10. Ferndale at Conemaugh Valley Saturday 1:00
The Scoop-If you are looking for as much football as you can get this weekend, well here is a Saturday rivalry for you.  Neither team has been a factor in the playoffs lately, but that should not change the atmosphere. These two teams are the only Johnstown based WestPac teams, and they are heated rivals. This will be a hard fought game.
The Players-Chad Eisenhuth is back for Ferndale at Quarterback and is one of the best kept secrets in the area. Shane Corson is a big Fullback for the Jays that could be ready for a big season.
The Outcome-This is a true toss-up of a game. Neither team has high expectations going into the season, but starting the season with a win could jump start a respectable season. I'll take Ferndale in a tight one.

9. Central at Chestnut Ridge Friday 7:00
The Scoop-This should be a pretty competitive non conference game. Central is coming off a 5-5 campaign and will be seeing plenty of new faces in key places. They have a giant game with Tyrone next week, so the Ridge game is very important for the Dragons.  Chestnut Ridge starts their tough schedule of being an independent team yet again. They lose plenty from last season's playoff team.
The Players-Bradi Moore was just a sophomore in 2011 but rushed for 566 yards and five touchdowns, his workload will go way up this season. Beau Bocsh is a big 6-5 Junior that will look to replace Hengst at quarterback. Bocsh played receiver last season and will take the transition for 2012.
The Outcome-Again, this is another game that could go either way. Both teams have a lot of new personnel and will be working with younger guys. I'll take Central, but I could see anything happening.

8. Bedford at Bishop Guilfoyle Saturday 7:00
The Scoop-Bishop Guilfoyle appears to be gearing up for a run in the next two seasons, but maybe they can surprise people this season. Bedford must turn the page from the Marcus Shippey era. Shippey was an excellent player for Bedford and did so much for that team. They will need to identify some guys that can replace his production. So if college football does not suit your fancy, this is a Saturday night contest.
The Players-Aaron Henry was a good play maker for Bedford last season, and will get his chance to be the quarterback this season. He is a good athlete that should keep the offense balanced. Bishop Guilfoyle has a very underrated quarterback in Pat Irwin. He is a tough customer and made a lot of plays last season.
The Outcome-As you can see here I chose Guilfoyle in a close one.

7. Portage at North Star Friday 7:00

The Scoop-Portage is coming off a disappointing 2011 season in which they missed the postseason. They will attempt to get things back on track on Friday night.  North Star is the class of the WestPac and District Five. This will be a good gauge to see if they can hold up to the expectations. This game will feature contrasting styles as Portage likes to run it, while North Star can sling the ball around.
The Players-Tony Straiser is one of the best in the area. He is a 6-5 athletic receiver that very few, if any, can cover. He will stick out right away if you go to this game. Portage will feature Evan Price at QB, he is another player that will make the position switch and he should add a dual threat element to the position.
The Outcome-I like North Star because of the experience, but I think Portage can show positive signs towards a good season and a return to the playoffs in this one.

6. Penns Manor at Northern Cambria Friday 7:00
The Scoop-This is the premier game of the Heritage conference this weekend. Penns Manor is coming off a banner season that took them the whole way to the State Semi Finals. Danny Ferens may be the most exciting player in the District and he will be worth the trip. Northern Cambria is expected to be better with starters back, and will be looking to pull off the upset of the weekend.
The Players-DannY Ferens is obviously the guy to see in this game. He stands out with his size, and he looks the part of being a Division One athlete. Adam Polites for Northern Cambria is an athletic receiver that could be poised for a big season for the Colts. He is one of the better pure athletes in the league.
The Outcome-I am taking Penns Manor, but it will be closer than some expect. Northern Cambria is better than they were last season.

5. Northern Bedford at Glendale Friday 7:00
The Scoop-Northern Bedford and Glendale both come into this game with pretty high expectations in the ICC. This is a crossover division game, and both teams can make some noise this season. Glendale sports a very small roster, but is really talented from the skilled positions. Northern Bedford has the tools to be a District 5 championship contender.
The Players-Tayler Pressel is a Tight End/Defensive End player for Northern Bedford. He is a big kid standing at 6-3, and will be the leader on both sides of the ball. Damon Braniff is an explosive back for the Vikings, and is one of the better talents in the ICC.
The Outcome-I like Northern Bedford as I said in this week's podcast.

4. Conemaugh Township at Berlin-Brothersvalley Friday 7:00
The Scoop-Berlin is definitely a candidate to take on North Star for the WestPac crown. They have some talent coming back and will be a team to check out throughout the season. Conemaugh Township is a perennial power in the area, and they must replace a lot of key players.
The Players-Drew Glotfeltey is expected to be one of the premier backs in the District and will be worth checking out. Ken Domonkos is the top returning play maker for the Indians. He will have to touch the ball frequently for Township.
The Outcome-Berlin is the better team, but never count out Conemaugh Township. This will be a well played game, but I feel Berlin takes it.

3. Richland at Cambria Heights Friday 7:00
The Scoop-Richland is one of the favorites to take the LHAC and District Six AA. They return a lot of pieces from the 2011 squad that advanced to the championship game. The one piece that is gone that has people concerned is John Rizzo. Cambria Heights is coming off a 5-5 season in 2011, and that is a lot to celebrate for that program. All of the key skill position players from that team are back in 2012.
The Players-Tanner Solarczyk is definitely a guy to keep a close eye on. He has some of the biggest shoes in the District to fill. He is a more than capable running back, and should open up a lot of eyes this season.  Ben Myers is a guy that can run and catch the ball for Heights. He is the guy they like to get the ball in his hands in space. He is a good defensive player also.
The Outcome- If you like shoot outs, this game is for you. Neither defense is stout, but both offenses have the chance to be prolific. This game will be played in the 30's, and I like Richland to take this one home in a very close game.

2. Johnstown at Penn Cambria Friday 7:00
The Scoop-There is plenty of questions surrounding the Trojans coming into 2012. They lose almost all of their key players from 2012, but they still have high expectations. Johnstown can be a very good team, but it remains unclear who will be the big players. Penn Cambria was picked by the coaches to be the favoprite in league play. They have a solid defense and one of the district's best players in Mac Behe.
The Players-Phillip Madison was buried on the wide receiver depth chart last season, but he will eb the go to guy this season. He is a very athletic player that can create big plays for the Trojan offense. Mac Behe was a second team all state linebacker in 2011, and could be a first team guy if he can duplicate his success.
The Outcome-Neither team has a good offense just yet. Penn Cambria is never a high scoring team, and they will look to keep this game close and compact. They do not want this to be a running match with Johnstown. I like Penn Cambria 24-17 in this one.

1. Bellwood-Antis at Tyrone Friday 7:00
The Scoop-If you were fortunate to get your ticket for this game ahead of time, you will be one of the lucky ones to see this game. Both teams have rapid fan bases, and these teams are arch-rivals separated by just a few miles. Tyrone is coming off a state championship appearance, and nobody is quite sure how they will fare in 2012 with a new group of players and a new head coach. Bellwood has some talent back, and will be looking to take down Tyrone for the first time since 2009, and for just the second time since 2003.
The Players- Charles Adams will be one of the featured receivers this season, and will be one of the better defensive backs in the district for Tyrone. He had a game changing "pick six" over Aliquippa last season. Bellwood will feature perhaps their next great running back. Casey Gray touched the ball in different ways as a sophomore, but will now be the featured back.
The Outcome-Not many people are picking Tyrone. That is a bit surprising, I thought I was going out on a limb by taking Bellwood-Antis. This will be a good game, and it will be tight. Both schools have a lot of pride, and both schools produce excellent football teams year in and year out. This will be a special treat to finally see one of these games in person.

Couch Potato's Guide August 27-September 3.

10. Colorado State vs. Colorado. Saturday 4:00 FX-This is actually an underrated rivalry. The game between Colorado and Colorado State is played in Denver and is usually a battle. Neither of these teams are very good, so it may be the only time you catch either team this season. If you recalled, Joey Porter got shot in the butt after one of these games a few years back. That has to count for something, right? I mean he wants to win more than the CSU players.


9. Rays at Rangers Monday 7:00 ESPN-Playoff Baseball is just around the corner, and the last month of the season is upon us. The Rays and Rangers are two of the standards in the American League the past few seasons and they continue to be World Series candidates. The Rays are in charge of the Wild Card at the moment, while Texas leads the West by six games. That could make for a potential playoff series in a few weeks. If you need more incentive, David Price is pitching, and he may win the Cy Young. So there is that.




8. South Carolina at Vanderbilt Thursday 7:30 ESPN-The first game in the college football season. I really shouldn't have to say much more than that. South Carolina has Marcus Lattimore and he is a freak of nature running back. Lattimore doesn't wear gloves, and I'm not sure why, but I think that is just awesome. Vanderbilt usually is atrocious, apparently they have gotten better. We'll see.



7. Kentucky at Louisville Sunday 3:30 ESPN-This will be the only game on Sunday, so you have no other options. It is a really good in-state rivalry. Louisville is in some preseason Top 25 lists, and they are a good team. Charlie Strong is a good coach, and will get a very good job someday soon. Teddy Bridgewater is Louiville's quarterback, and he has a cool last name. These teams hate each other, so perhaps we can see some fights.

6. Clemson vs. Auburn (Atlanta) Saturday 7:00 ESPN- I really can not come up with anything witty about this game. It will just be a good game with two good teams. Clemson scores a lot of points, and even with their best player suspended, they should score some points. Auburn won the championship a few years ago and apparently wasted all that salary cap on Cam Newton. They do not have that same caliber of team these days.  I'm sure the boosters are working on bringing in another program changing quarterback. I mean what is 100 grand to them?  Roll Tide errrr I mean, War Eagle!


5. Notre Dame vs Navy (Dublin) Saturday 9:00 A.M. CBS-College Football in Dublin? That is just awesome. The start time?  Even better. I think this is just a legitimate reason for everybody to start drinking Guiness at 9 A.M. No need to watch College Gameday this week, I'll be tuned in to an actual game in the morning. Navy and Notre Dame should both travel to the game in Ireland. The Fighting Irish playing in Ireland, it has a nice ring to it.



4. Cardinals at Pirates Wednesday 7:00 ESPN- I think you should be watching the Pirates all week, but this one will be on ESPN. It is a rare appearance for the Bucs on the worldwide leader, so I guess that is alright. I think all dedicated Pirate fans need a night off from Root Sports, and all the out of town Pittsburgh crowd gets a chance to see the team play in a meaningful game in the last days of August. Awesome. #BucN

3. Georgia Tech at Virginia Tech Monday 8:00 ESPN-After enjoying the holiday, you get one last hurrah from the first weekend of college football. This is a pretty good one, too. Georgia Tech is usually a respectable team in the ACC and watching the triple option is always different. I'll  put Virginia Tech's crowd on a nationally televised night game against anyone. Blacksburg gets it rockin' for big games, and the Hokies have the best entrance in college football. It isn't even a debate.       

2. Boise State at Michigan State Friday 8:00 ESPN-This will be a really good game as it will be one of the few games that features two ranked teams. Boise State loses just about everyone, and Michigan State has a really sick defense. I mean have you ever heard of William Gholston?  Defensive End that wears a single digit number, yeah he's awesome. Sparty is a cool mascot, and I have caught a game in East Lansing before. It is a nice stadium with a good atmosphere. These two teams could be playing in BCS Bowls way down the line, so its worth a watch if you aren't going to a High School game.



1. Michigan vs. Alabama Saturday 8:00 ABC-I could go on and on about why you should watch this game. And I really shouldn't have to convince you at all. Two Top Ten teams on opening weekend, that should be enough. OK, add in that Alabama is the defending national champions. Also, Michigan has the most exciting player in college football with Denard Robinson. The game will be played in the Jerry Jones palace and the scoreboard is bigger than most houses. This is the game of the week, if you are American you should watch it, period.

LHAC Football Forecast Week One.

Bishop McCort at Bishop Carroll Friday 7:30 DeGol Field 

Dustin Belskey

It is weird to see a Bishop McCort-Bishop Carroll game without Ken Salem and Criag Sponsky on the sidelines, but it is a new era for the two programs. Bishop Carroll will usher in the Greg Snyder tenure with a tough opening test against Bishop McCort. Bishop Carroll has been hit hard with transfers recently and will be dressing only 28 kids, and just two seniors. The offense will be very run heavy as it has been recently. David Maruca will key the offense at quarterback and will rely on the running backs, Dan Lesney and Alex Repko. Bishop Carroll is coming off a rough season in which they only averaged 7 points per game.  The offense's strength will be the size of linemen, Michael Leslie and Josh Mock.Bishop McCort will have a new set of play makers from 2011, but they are expected to fill in nicely. Zaine Tomkowski is the new quarterback, and has some game experience. He has some quick targets on the outside in Jordan Spangler and Luke DiFrancesco. The running game will be fronted by senior, Dustin Belskey. Bishop McCort has a nice balance on offense, and plenty of experience returning on defense. The keys for Bishop Carroll will be if they can find a way to score. They had such trouble with that last year and McCort has a good group of defenders led by Gap Barbin and Tyler Rugg.  McCort needs to prove that the new group of skilled players can replace the stars of 2011. I think McCort will be able to show the balance they have on offense early in the season. I like the Crushers in running away fashion.

Crimson Crushers 38 Huskies 7

Bedford at Bishop Guilfoyle Saturday 7:00 Mansion Park

The opening weekend matchup between Bishop Guilfoyle and Bedford could be a big one. Bedford is a proud program that has been inconsistent through the years, and would like to start 2012 on the right foot. They lose the key piece in their offense in Marcus Shippey. They will turn to Aaron Henry to run the show.  It will be interesting to see how the unit will operate, and what kind of offense will be employed. Bishop Guilfoyle comes into 2012 with plenty of young talent, and could finally make a little bit of noise in the LHAC.   Pat Irwin should be set for a good season as the quarterback. He is athletic and the leader for BG.  Brandon Chadbourn is a name to keep an eye on for Guilfoyle. He has plenty of athletic ability and should be a key asset for them.  This game is a tough one to predict. Bishop Guilfoyle has yet to leave an impact on the LHAC, but they have lots of good sophomores and juniors and their run could be comming soon. I'm going to say this will be a tight game because both teams will be looking for an identity. I'll take Guilfoyle in a close one.
Marauders 18 Bisons 14

Westmont at Forest Hills Friday 7:00 G.H. Miller Field 

Pat Barron

Westmont will be breaking into a new era as Pat Barron will make his debut as the new head coach. He will bring a new offense with him and Westmont will be running a single wing look. Liam Moran will take on the role as the quaterback. He will be running a tough offense to defend for opponents, but it will just be a matter of how well Westmont has grasped the new look. Sam Curry and Luke Blackburn will be the primary play makers in the new offense. Westmont may have an advantage up front, because this is not the typical Forest Hills team. They have little to no experience up front, and they do not have the huge size or numbers as they often do. The quarterback situation is not settled for Coach Bailey either. The Rangers still have talent, and they usually resolve their problems quickly. Jared Shope is arguably the best player in the league and his versatility should carry the team early on. Shawn Dell got a considerable amount of carries last season, and will figure prominently this season. I see this game as a measuring stick for both teams. Forest Hills must identify a quarterback and gain some experience on the line, and Westmont needs to run the new offense in a game situation.  I like Forest Hills because of the ability of Shope and the coaching of Bailey and his staff. 

Rangers 35 Hilltoppers 7

Somerset at Central Cambria Friday 7:00 Red Devil Stadium

Somerset is looking to make another step in the right direction. They showed a lot of promise in 2011, and it may translate into more success in 2012. Tanner Stull is an athletic quarterback that showed signs of being a really good player last season. He will need to improve his passing and remain consistent, and he could be a real star in this league. Matt Boyer and Justin Wilkow should form a nice running tandem. Wilkow has the speed and quickness, and Boyer is a big bruising type. The real wild card can be Jordan Wilkow. He is a big 6-4 threat that could really open up the passing game. Central Cambria should be better than last season. Stephen Papuga will thrive as the feature back, and Will Seymour has some promise at quarterback. Both these teams need to prove themselves. I think this game can be close, but I like Somerset. Stull is a very intriguing player, and he could take Somerset from a 3-7 record to a possible winning season. 

Golden Eagles 27 Red Devils 13

Richland at Cambria Heights Friday 7:00 Patton Field

This could a very good football game. Richland is my pick to win the conference, and Cambria Heights is ready to be to a playoff caliber team. Richland will feature a more diverse attack this season without the services of John Rizzo. Matt Shaffer and Nico Pecora will both continue to get reps at quarterback. They have the luxury of finding Kyle Flick in the passing game. Tanner Solarczyk will also be a reliable offensive weapon for the Rams. The experience up front for Richland could be a key in this game, because the Heights skilled position players can match up with Richland. Nathan Bearer is set for a good senior season at quarterback. Tyler Crawford, Ben Myers, and Donnie Contorchick are all reliable ball carriers and they have versatility to make plays in the passing game.  Andrew Brawley will be a good receiving threat. The name of this game will be offense. It will be a good showcase for both teams to try to live up to the expectations. Richland played in some big games last season, but many people doubt them without Rizzo. Heights went 5-5, but still have not had a winning season in years. I think this game will feature plenty of points, as both teams allowed a lot of scoring last season. I like Richland because in a tight one, and I would not be shocked if Cambria Heights pulls this one out. 

Rams 38 Highlanders 31

GAME OF THE WEEK

Johnstown at Penn Cambria Friday 7:00

Mac Behe

Penn Cambria is the preseason favorites according to the coaches. They return an experienced senior class that has played well together through the years, and they are ready to leave their mark in 2012. Johnstown is coming off two of their best seasons in recent memory. They are losing almost anyone that scored or gained yards from the past two seasons, and will rely on offensive line play and new play makers. This game has all the story lines to be the best game of the week. Penn Cambria does not have a definite quarterback settled in yet, but they will be a run heavy team. Devin Lawhead and Mac Behe will be the leaders on both offense and defense. They are two terrific linebackers, and will see the bulk of the carries on offense. James Mardula is a versatile threat that will see the ball in a variety of ways. Johnstown is breaking a new quarterback, running back, and a host of receivers. Brody Loboi looks like he will be the quarterback. He does not have the open field ability the Gervon Simon had last season, so there could be more of a running dynamic from the tailbacks. Phillip Madison will be the player to watch in this game. He will be Johnstown's top offensive threat all around, and will touch the ball in many ways. I think this game can and will be close. Johnstown loses so much, but still have talent. Penn Cambria wants to prove the hype is warranted. It will be a fun game to watch, and I'm taking Penn Cambria in a close game. Johnstown can end up being a very good team, but the core of Penn Cambria senior class is why I am going with the Panthers.

Panthers 24 Trojans 17

College Football Preseason Top 25. Part Five.

DeAnthony Thomas

5. Oregon-It is a unique situation for a top 5 team to still be in a quarterback battle. Marcus Mariotta and Bryan Bennett are continuing to battle it out every single day.  Either one who wins the starting job will be walking into a powerful offense. Oregon is that one team outside the SEC, that has SEC speed. Kenyon Barner and DeAnthony Thomas are two quick little backs that will cause defenses to have fits. They can make plays in a variety of ways and will have Oregon's on warped speed all year long. The biggest issue with the Oregon defense is that it just has to be stable and in-shape. Oregon's offense scores at such a rapid pace, that the defense is on the field as much as any unit in the country. Dion Jordan is a hybrid end/linebacker that will be a very good player this season.  Oregon does not have the colossal opening game this season. They have a schedule that will allow them to break in a new quarterback and gain some confidence. The biggest game will be the November 3 date with USC in The Colosseum.

Sam Montgomery

4. LSU-LSU has a veteran offensive line. The Tigers have two experienced backs with Spencer Ware and Michael Ford. Zach Mettenberger will be the new quarterback. LSU proved last season that they do not need an outstanding quarterback, but just a game manager. The name of the game for the Bayou Bengals is the defense. LSU was the second rated defense in the country in 2011. They are missing some vital pieces from that unit. LSU will be breaking in two new cornerbacks with Morris Claiborne being drafted and Tyrann Mathieu being dismissed from the team. Sam Montgomery and Bennie Logan are All American candidates on the defensive line, and have been receiving plenty of preseason hype. Eric Reid is an experienced Safety, and he will be an All American candidate as well. They might not have the most experience, but LSU has arguably the best talent. This team will develop new stars, and they will be in the race towards the end.

Landry Jones

3. Oklahoma-The Sooners could be set to return to the national championship. Landry Jones is an All American quarterback, that will be in the Heisman running. Jones threw for over 4,000 yards last season. He will be throwing to Kenny Stills, who caught 61 passes last season. Oklahoma will also benefit from the transfer of Justin Brown, who came in lieu of the Penn State sanctions. The Sooner running game will be led the remarkable Dominique Whaley. Whaley is a former walk-on, that has set records in the Oklahoma weight room. The Defense returns seven starters, including all four members of the secondary. They were the number one rated scoring defense in the Big 12. That is an important stat, because everyone in the league scores at a high rate. The Sooners have a tough schedule, as does anyone in the Big 12. They will welcome Notre Dame to town in October in the middle of the Big 12 schedule.  They have the offensive firepower to outrun and outscore anybody they play. This team can make a run at a championship.

AJ McCarron

2. Alabama- The defending national champions will be right in the thick of that race again in 2012. They have all the talent in the world, as Nick Saban has been the top recruiter in the country for a few years now. The offense will be led by four returning linemen. Cyrus Kouandjio will eb the fifth starter on the unit, and he was a former top recruit. AJ McCarron will be back as the quarterback, and should be more comfortable running the show this time around.  The running game will be manned by Eddie Lacy, and true freshmen TJ Yeldon. The Alabama defense was the best in the country last season, but they will need to replace seven starters. The wonderful recruiting of Saban should offset those losses, but it will not be as good as last year. The schedule is tough once again. They start with Michigan in Arlington and play at Arkanasa two weeks later. They also get LSU on the road this season, so their three toughest games will not be in Tuscaloosa. They have the talent and coaching to overcome the obstacles.

Matt Barkley

1. USC-There is not a team in the country that can match the star power of the USC Trojans. They have All Americans all over the field, and they have the Heisman front-runner controlling the offense. Matt Barkley leads a group of eight returning offensive starters. The sure fire number one pick in next year's draft has all the tools to win the Heisman trophy. Robert Woods is arguably the best receiver in the country, and certainly one of the most productive. He will team up with Marquis Lee to form a lethal duo. The running game has two running backs coming off 1,000 yard seasons. Curtis McNeal will see plenty of touches, but Penn State transfer Silas Redd puts this offense over the top. Not to mention there are four linemen back from last year. The defense will be led by TJ McDonald, one of the best Safeties in the nation. Dion Bailey is already doing big things at inside linebacker.  This team has everything to win a National Championship. They get Oregon and Notre Dame in The Coliseum. The schedule is much more managable than anyone trying to come out of the SEC, and they have equal talent. USC is my pick to take home the National Championship trophy in 2012.

College Football Preseason Top 25. Part Four.

Geno Smith

10. West Virginia-West Virginia will have to adjust to the rigors of playing in the Big 12, luckily they have a pretty good team to do just that. The offense will be just as good, if not better, than any team in the high flying Big 12. Dana Holgorsen has a lot to do with WVU's offense being lethal, as he was a master coordinator for Oklahoma State. The offense starts with senior quarterback, Geno Smith.  Smith is a legitimate Heisman candidate after posting a 4,000 yard season in 2011. He has his two favorite targets with him again in Stedman Bailey and Tavon Austin.  This team can score with anyone in the country. The defense is not quite as strong, but most Big 12 defenses are not strong. WVU's style matches well with the entire league, but do they have the horses to matchup week in and week out?  The schedule difficulty goes way up, I think the Mountaineers will be able to hold their own.

Tyler Wilson

9. Arkansas-Arkansas had its trouble in the offseason, not with a player, but Coach Bobby Petrino. Petrino has since been fired, and John L. Smith is back in the coaching game and finds himself in charge of a top ten program. The offense will be led by Tyler Wilson. Wilson is a senior quarterback that will be a Heisman candidate. Knile Davis was supposed to be a key player in 2011 at running back, but an injury forced him to miss the whole year.  Davis is back and appears to be healthy, and he should be among the better backs in the conference.  The defense has six starters back, but the defense was suspect last season. Alonzo Highsmith is a solid inside linebacker, and he will be the force on that side of the ball.  Arkansas has a very difficult schedule. They won every game on their schedule last season with the exception of Alabama and LSU. Those two teams will be the biggest challenges this season as well.

Braxton Miller

8. Ohio State- The Ohio State Buckeyes are not eligible to win the Big Ten or play in a bowl game, but as we saw with USC last year, teams under these circumstances can be very good. Ohio State will have a new coach, you might have heard of him....goes by the name of Urban Meyer.  The hiring of Meyer has everyone believing Ohio State will be a perennial championship contender year in and year out, and 2011 will be a good preview. Braxton Miller is a talented sophomore quarterback that has a chance to be very good under Meyer. Jordan Hall will be a valuable piece on offense this season, and will be getting the ball in a variety of ways. The defense is full of blue chip recruits, and with nine starters back they will be a strong unit. Meyer already has recruiting going way up for the Buckeyes, and the same effect Nick Saban had on Alabama is expected to happen in Columbus. The Buckeyes have tough conference road tests with Michigan State and Wisconsin, but they get to play spoiler and that should take off some pressure.

Brandon Jenkins

7. Florida State-Florida State has all the pieces to finally crack back into the national scene. They have 16 starters back and a favorable schedule. EJ Manuel is among the best quarterbacks in the country and is extremely valuable to the Seminole offense. The offensive line needs to do a better job all around, the running game finished 104th in the country in 2011. The defense is the real strength of this team. The unit finished 4th in the nation in 2011, and bring back nine starters. Brandon Jenkins is a big threat from defensive end. Lamarcus Joyner and Greg Reid have a ton of experience in the secondary.  The defense will need to play a big role again this season. EJ Manuel will hold things together on offense and the schedule could allow the Seminoles to be playing in a BCS Bowl.

Denard Robinson

6. Michigan-The most winningest program in college football history looks ready to be a national player again. The Rich Rodriguez era slowed things down a bit, but Brady Hoke has restored pride in Ann Arbor. Denard Robinson will be back for a Heisman campaign as the Wolverine quarterback. Robinson could be the most exciting player in football with exceptional running skills. He needs to improve as a passer for this offense to be lethal. Fitzgerald Touissant had an offseason DUI, but will be another solid running threat in the backfield after his successful 2011. Roy Roundtree will be Robinson's favorite target at receiver, and backup quarterback Devin Gardner will see the field one way or another.  The defense finally started playing like a Michigan defense. They finished 17th nationally after some embarrassing seasons. Hoke has things in Ann Arbor pointing in the right direction. They are recruiting as well as anyone right now, and the program should be top notch for years to come.  The schedule in 2012 is brutal, but Michigan has the talent to post a big year. Opening night against Alabama in Cowboys Stadium will be one of the games of the year.

College Football Preseason Top 25. Part Three.

Rex Burkhead

15. Nebraska-Nebraska had a respectable first season in the Big Ten, and now they will look to make a push for a conference championship. The Huskers have 14 returning starters, and some key players in important positions. Taylor Martinez is back at quarterback for his junior campaign. Martinez is an excellent runner that is improving his passing game. He will be joined in the backfield with underrated running back, Rex Burkhead.  Burkhead is a valuable player for Nebraska and is one of the better players in the conference. Kenny Bell is the top receiver back for Martinez. The Cornhuskers will be employing some new linemen, and it may take a while for the unit to gel. The patented "blackshirt" defense had a very average 2011 season. They bring back seven starters and should be better this time around. Cameron Meredith will be a big pass rushing threat on the defensive line. The schedule sets up nicely for the most part. They get Wisconsin and Michigan coming to Lincoln. Trips to Michigan State and Ohio State will be difficult. They have the talent to contend with anyone in the league, they need to prove it.

Marcus Lattimore

14. South Carolina-South Carolina is coming off an 11 win season, yet they failed to win the SEC East, and did not make a BCS Bowl. The SEC East will be very much attainable for the Gamecocks. They will be led by perhaps the best running back in the nation in Marcus Lattimore. Lattimore is returning from an injury, but he has all the tools when he is healthy. Connor Shaw takes the dubious task of playing quarterback for Steve Spurrier. That is often a tough position to hold, but Shaw showed signs of being pretty good in 2011. Th defense was among the nation's best in 2011, and will feature super sophomore, Jadeveon Clowney. Clowney came up with eight sacks as a true freshmen, and is expected to be a superstar. The schedule has the Gamecocks avoiding Alabama and Arkansas. They still have to play LSU, and of course the SEC East has plenty of skilled teams as well. South Carolina has the ability to win the SEC, they have recruited very well of late. South Carolina needs to get over the proverbial "hump" and get to a BCS game.

Logan Thomas

13. Virginia Tech-The strength for Virginia Tech rests with the defense. There will be right starters back for the Hokies, and they ranked 7th in total defense last season. James Gayle and J.R. Collins are two of the best defensive ends in the conference. Bruce Taylor is a tackling machine at Middle Linebacker, and Kyle Fuller is a stud cornerback. The defense will be among the nation's best, just as Frank Beamer would like it. The offense has only three starters returning.They at least have Logan Thomas back at quarterback. Thomas is rising up the charts as a draft prospect with his size and athleticism. He will need to have a monster season for the Hokies. Virginia Tech is one of the most consistent programs in the country, and they will be in the ACC race for this year and could be playing in the Orange Bowl once again.

Aaron Murray

12. Georgia-The Georgia Bulldogs may have all the pieces in place to be a championship contender. They have an experienced quarterback in Aaron Murray. Murray could be the best quarterback in the SEC after throwing 35 touchdowns last season.  They must find a new tailback, as Isaiah Crowell was dismissed from the team. Ken Malcome is expected to be the featured back. Tavarres King is back as Georgia's leading receiver, and should be poised for a big season as Murray's favorite target.   The defense returns ten starters from last year, and they should be among the SEC's best. Georgia should be set to compete with teams like LSU and Alabama. They are fortunate enough to not have Alabama, LSU, and Arkansas on the schedule. Georgia could make a run at a National Championship.

Montee Ball

11. Wisconsin-The Badgers have the easiest road to the Big Ten Championship as anyone.  Penn State and Ohio State are not eligible to play in the Big Ten Title game making Wisconsin the sure fire pick to win the Leaders Division.  The Badgers also have a pretty talented team that could have won it regardless of the sanctions. Montee Ball is one of the Heisman front runners. He is a do it all running back that could hear his name called at the Heisman ceremonies in December. Wisconsin will opt for another transfer quarterback after having great success with Russel Wilson. Danny O'Brien is the former Maryland quarterback that was the league's newcomer of the year a few season's back. He has a go to target in Jared Abbrederis, who caught 8 touchdowns last season.  The Badger defense has six starters returning and the unit will be among the conference's best. They have a trip to Nebraska is late September which could be difficult, but for the most part all their big games are in Madison.

College Football Preseason Top 25. Part Two.

Stepfan Taylor

20. Stanford-There is an obvious piece missing for Stanford in 2012. Andrew Luck has moved on, and it is time to see if Harbaugh and current coach, David Shaw have actually built a strong program.  The offense will now go with either Brett Nottingham or Josh Nunes at quarterback. The offense should be fine with either one, as it loaded with weapons. Stepfan Taylor is one of the better backs in the Pac 12 and should have another big season. The Cardinal have three of their linemen back as well. The defense returns seven starters from a solid unit last year. Chase Thomas is a senior linebacker that will be all over the field leading a strong linebacker unit. The team will be tested with USC in Week three. They get the Trojans at home, and Stanford Stadium will be rocking.

Casey Pachall

19. TCU-TCU will be playing its first season as a BCS level team, and they have a solid group for their first Big 12 campaign. The offense will be led by Casey Pachall. He had a solid season with 25 touchdowns and threw for just shy of 3,000 yards as he was trying to replace Andy Dalton. The running game is led by two seniors with experience in Matthew Tucker and Waymon James. The Horned Frogs will bring back a productive receiver with Josh Boyce, who caught 61 passes for 998 yards last year.  The trademark for TCU is often defense, and they have five starters back. The defensive line will be the strength, but they will have to turn to some younger guys in the secondary. TCU has been an elite team for some time, and they should run up a good record early on. They close out the year with Oklahoma State, West Virginia, and Texas on the road and Kansas State and Oklahoma at home. Those are the five other best teams in the league. It will be a the toughest stretch for any team in the country.

William Gholston

18. Michigan State-Mark Dantonio is building something special in East Lansing. The Spartans are turning into an annual threat to win the Big Ten and the consistency is building. The next step will be if they can without Kirk Cousins at quarterback. Andrew Maxwell will take over for Cousins and will try to keep things rolling. The running game is led by big Le'Veon Bell.  He is one of the more underrated backs in the country and is poised for a big year in my opinion. Many of the 2011 play makers have graduated, but the consensus is that new one are ready to step up. The strength for the Spartans will be defense. They finished top ten nationally last season, and return right starters. William Gholston is one of the premier defensive linemen in the country, and Denicos Allen is a stud linebacker.  Michigan State can jump up the poles if the offense proves itself early on. Michigan State will be hosting Boise State week one in a huge match up.

Sammy Watkins

17. Clemson-Clemson most overcome an embarrassing loss to West Virginia in the Orange Bowl to end last season. The Tigers were torched for 70 points in the season finale and bring back eight starters from that team. The defense will need to play better for Clemson to have any chance of winning the ACC for a second consecutive year. The offense does not need to tweak much of anything. The offense is a well oiled machine led by Heisman candidate Sammy Watkins. Watkins is a do everything receiver that took the country by storm as a freshmen. He is joined by DeAndre Hopkins and Jaron Brown at receiver and both players are dangerous as well. Taj Boyd is the quarterback, and he had an explosive 2011 season. He will be among the better quarterbacks in the country. Andre Ellington is a solid running back that is coming off a 1,000 yard season.  The offense will be lethal, and may have to win plenty of games with shootouts. Clemson opens up in big fashion with Clemson in Atlanta.

David Ash

16. Texas-It is odd to see, but Texas has been mediocre for two consecutive seasons. The Longhorns are looking to return to national prominence in 2012. The offense will be led by sophomore, David Ash.  Ash played some in 2011, and had mixed results. He will need to play well to fend off Case McCoy.  The Longhorns have a stable of top recruits in their running back depth chart. Joe Bergeron, Malcolm Brown, and true freshmen Jonathan Gray will all see touches. They will run behind a line with four returning starters. The defense is loaded with potential stars and highly rated recruits, it is just a matter of them living up to the hype. The schedule is tough, as the Big 12 is loaded this season. They see Oklahoma State, West Virginia, and Oklahoma in consecutive weeks early in the season. That stretch will dictate how the season will go for Texas.

College Football Preseason Top 25. Part One.

Teddy Bridgewater

25. Louisville-Louisville enters the 2012 season as the preseason favorites in the Big East. They are coming off a 7-6 2011 campaign, but expectations are higher this time arounf.  Louisville's offense starts with the talented quarterback, Teddy Bridgewater. He is just a sophomore and played very well in his true freshmen campaign.  Dominique Brown will handle the running duties for the Cardinals coming off a 533 yard season.  The offense will rely heavily on Bridgewater and his play making ability. They have a host of young receivers that will need to step up for Bridgewater.  Then Defense was ranked 17th nationally in 2011 and they bring back six starters. The entire secondary is coming back, and they are led by Hakeem Smith.  The Cardinals hold a favorable schedule and could post ten wins. The Big East is often unpredictable and a title contender could emerge. Pitt and South Florida figure to be the top candidates to take down Louisville.

Cierre Wood

24. Notre Dame-Notre Dame is becoming more and more unpredictable as each year passes. Brian Kelly has done alright in his first two seasons, but 2012 will be big for his future career in South Bend.  The Fighting Irish could realistically lose seven games this season, but they could win ten games, too. Michigan State, Michigan, Stanford, Miami,Oklahoma, and USC are not easy games. Pitt and Navy could be tough games also. Basically, they have very few sure wins. The Irish will need to establish a solid offense. Tommy Rees was supposed to be the quarterback, but some questionable off season decisions leave that in doubt. Andrew Hendrix and Everett Golson will be in the race to take the full time job.  Notre Dame has some good weapons on offense to aid the quarterbacks. Cierre Wood and Theo Riddick are two reliable backs, and Tyler Effert could be the best tight end in the country. The defense will be anchored by senior, Manti Te'o, and it will figure to be a strong unit this year. This season can go two ways for Notre Dame and it could decide Brian Kelly's fate.

DJ Harper

23. Boise State-The program is in place for Boise State to overcome all the personnel losses. The Broncos return just seven starters, but a new crop of stars will be ready to take over the Boise State tradition. DJ Harper will figure to be the star of the offense. The senior tailback scored nine touchdowns last season and has been a part of many wins. The new quarterback will have the benefit of three returning offensive linemen. Joe Southwick is expected to land the job and has big shoes to fill with Kellen Moore graduating. Jamar Taylor is a senior cornerback and is the only returning starter for Boise State on defense. Chris Petersen has maintained and even raised expectations for Boise State. They always have double digit wins and they score a lot of points. That will be the same model moving forward and the schedule sets up for a potential ten win season. The opening game with Michigan State on the road will be interesting to see where Boise State is as a program.

Keith Price 

22. Washington-Washington has a special quarterback. Keith Price is coming off a 33 touchdown season and played toe to toe with Robert Griffin III in the Alamo Bowl, as he led the Huskies to 56 points. He will be back for his junior season and will look to light up the Pac 12. Austin Seferian-Jenkins is his leading receiver from the Tight End spot, and he will be a big part of the offense again this season. Three offensive linemen will pave the way for a new running back. Jesse Callier and Bishop Sankey will get the bulk of the carries. The defense is on the hot seat after giving up 67 points to Baylor to end last season. They will need to get better for Washington to make a run at a Pac 12 crown.  The offense can win this team plenty of games, and football in the state of Washington is back after a few rough seasons.

Joseph Randle

21. Oklahoma State-Oklahoma State is coming off their best season in school history. The Cowboys went 12-1 and were oh so close to playing for a National Championship. Wes Lunt is a redshirt freshmen that will look to replace Brandon Weeden at quarterback.  Lunt was a heralded recruit and will have to keep the high flying offense rolling.  His job will be easier with running back, Joseph Randle. He is coming off a 24 touchdown season. The Cowboys lose an almost irreplaceable receiver in Justin Blackmon, but seniors Isaiah Anderson and Tracy Moore both started alongside the All American last season.  The defense brings back eight starters and it figures to have a better 2012 campaign. The schedule favors Okie State as they only have one tough road game in Oklahoma. They get Texas, TCU, and West Virginia at home.

LHAC Scrimmages Week 1, What to Look for....

Penn Cambria at Bishop McCort

Penn Cambria

Mac Behe

1. How will the Panthers live up to the hype? Penn Cambria was picked as the preseason favorite by the coaches after a 9-3 record in 2011. The Panthers have a strong Senior class led by Mac Behe and Devin Lawhead.
2. We know the Defense is good, How will the offense be? Gone is Andrew Buck and Jordan Fuller, Who will take on the QB and RB roles? Mac Behe,Devin Lawhead, Nathan Keagy, and James Mardula will be the primary play makers.

Bishop McCort

1. Who will be the skilled position players? Leech,Cooper,Varga, and Wilson did most of the damage last year and they all have graduated.  Jordan Spangler will be one to watch. Keep an eye on Dustin Belskey and Luke DiFranceco too.
2. Will the Line be big enough? Last year McCort had some undersized players stuck on the line due to lack of numbers. Will some of the bigger underclassmen take those spots?

Bishop Carroll at Richland

Bishop Carroll

1. What kind of offense will first year head coach, Greg Snyder employ? BC has run a spread rushing attack throughout Sponsky's tenure, but BC may be lacking the athletes to run such an offense. It could be a wing-T or a traditional pro set.
2. Will inexperience play a factor? The Huskies only have a handful of seniors and will have to rely heavily on juniors and sophomores. Transfers and decreasing enrollment only have 26 kids on the BC roster for 2012 unless they call up the freshmen. 

Richland

Tanner Solarczyk

1. How will the running game be without Rizzo?  Coach Bailey has always been known to be a passing coach. John Rizzo obviously made running a priority the past couple years, but he has now graduated. Tanner Solarczyk is a good back but not the same style of Rizzo.
2. Can the defense get better?  Richland allowed a lot of points for a 10 win team. They had such a good offense that they could outscore teams in shootouts, but to take the next level they may need to get better on that side of the ball.

Bishop Guilfoyle at Somerset

Bishop Guilfoyle

1. Can BG turn the corner after tough 2011? Justin Wheeler needs to be given a chance as the coach, but it appears he is building the program the right way. 
2. Does BG have the talent to take on the LHAC? The move to the league a few years ago has not been real kind to BG. The Marauders are just 17-33 in five seasons in the LHAC. They have an experienced Quarterback in Pat Irwin and young play makers in Brendan Chadbourn and DJ Kitt.

Somerset

1. Somerset was better than their 3-7 record in 2011, Will it show in 2012? Tanner Stull is a tough little QB that will be among the league's best. Keep an eye on him.
2. Will the offense line be ready to block for some talented skilled players. Somerset is losing almost everyone linemen from 2011. There will be plenty of new faces that will need to step up for Somerset to have a big season.

Central Cambria at Westmont

Central Cambria

1. Who will be carrying the ball? Central Cambria had a rough 2011, but they had some tough skilled position players. They have all graduated leaving the 2012 with some question marks.
2. Can Central Cambria return to the upper echelon of the league? Central Cambria is one of the marquee programs locally, but they have been on a bit of a downward stretch. They usually have big lines and good running games, they need to get back to that.

Westmont

Pat Barron

1. Will coach Pat Barron have the offense in place? Westmont was left in a bit of a bind when Glennon stepped down in the middle of Summer. Westmont alum, Pat Barron has taken the reigns and has the area excited again, but they are working on a small amount of time.
2. Can Westmont's size up front steal them some victories? Westmont has a big offensive line, but that does not always mean everything. Are these guys ready to step up and dominate up front?

Cambria Heights at Johnstown

Johnstown

1. Who will be the play makers? Johnstown loses just about all of their offense from last season.  It is still up in the air as to who will be throwing, running, and catching the football.
2. Is Johnstown's offensive line ready to carry the offense?  The line was often overlooked the past two seasons with the high flying offense, but this year it may have to be the calling card for the Trojans. 

Cambria Heights

1. Is Cambria Heights ready to be a playoff team? They have the Quarterback,Running Backs, and Receivers to match anyone else in the league. Can the line be as good as the skilled guys? Can they get over the reputation that the school has placed on itself the past decade?
2. Can Nathan Bearer have a Vescovi-like season? He struggled at times last year, but showed signs of being a really good QB. He has lots of weapons and a year of experience at his disposal.

Forest Hills at Bedford

Bedford

1. Can Bedford have a successful season without Marcus Shippey? It is hard to say on eplayer defines a team, but Shippey did that for three seasons. They need to develop a new Quarterback and Middle Linebacker to replace Shippey.
2. Is this the best team in District Five?  They only have to beat out Everett and Chestnut Ridge. Back in 2009 Bedford made an improbable run through a number of state playoff games, the new playoff format could help out Bedford again.

Forest Hills

1. Is there a better Quarterback tradition in the league than Forest Hills? Coach Bailey always has a new underclassmen Qb waiting in the wings to be the next star. Is there somebody ready to take on that role?
2. How good can Jared Shope be? Shope may be the best all around player in the whole league, and he will be a lot of fun to watch. Definitely keep an eye on him.

Panthers Add a pair of Defensive Recruits.

James Conner

                  Pitt coach Paul Chryst has landed two more verbal commitments for his 2013 recruiting class. Luke Maclean is a 6-3 230 pound Linebacker/Defensive End combo player that verbally committed on August 12. He is a consensus three star recruit by Scout,Rivals, and ESPN.  He is from Grand Blanc, Michigan and had offers from other BCS schools in Cincinnati,Georgia Tech, Indiana, and Kansas. He is a rare recruit from the state of Michigan.  Pitt also has received a commitment from Defensive End, James Conner. Conner is from McDowell High School in Erie and is listed at 6-3 225 pounds. He is rated a three star by Rivals.com and is listed as the 12th best player in Pennsylvania and the 24th rated weakside defensive end. He is unrated by ESPN, and a two star by Scout.  Conner did not have any other BCS level offers, but held a number of MAC offers.
              Pitt landed two players in positions of need. The Defensive Line is thin with the Panthers, and Pitt had not gotten a Linebacker commitment for 2013. They certainly are not the blue chip recruits Pitt fans are looking for, but they do not appear to weak links. Pitt needs defensive players to add, and the other names out there do not have Pitt leans. These guys could turn out to be productive players. Maclean's highlight tape is rather impressive, and it looks like he has a Scott McKillop knack for the ball.  I know fans expect big things right away, and Chryst is not delivering. The guy is not Urban Meyer and he is not outspoken. I do not think that means he is not trying to get top flight players, it means he is having a tough time selling Pitt. Pitt has not been the place for stability of late. They have been through seemingly a million coaches in the past three seasons, and recruits obviously have noticed. Pitt has been able to attract top local talent through the years, and there is no doubt Chryst can still do that in time. Robert Foster, Dorian Johnson, and Tyler Boyd are still out there for this season, and could still end up with the Panthers. Chryst could still please the casual fans with grabbing some of those type of guys, but he is quietly adding depth until that happens. Pitt has room for 23 incoming recruits without counting early exits or transfers. Pitt has 15 commitments so far, so there is room to add eight more guys. I hope he can continue to add depth on both sides of the line. The big recruits will happen in the future, I'm not worried they aren't jumping on board right away.

Pitt Defensive Back Situation.

Jarred Holley

               The Defensive Backfield could be the best unit on the Panthers' team. They have experience and highly skilled players across the board. The Safety position in particular is absolutely loaded with four players that could start. The best player of the unit is Jarred Holley. Holley is coming off and All Big East caliber season, and is in the running to gain national recognition this season.  He will man the one Safety position without a doubt, but the other spot remains a mystery. Jason Hendricks comes into his junior season with some valuable game experience. He has started games in each of the past two seasons, but missed the end of last year with an injury. He will look to rebound and provide depth and challenge for the starting spot.  Andrew Taglianetti is a great program player. He has played the Nickel position and has been a special teams demon with 5 blocked punts in his career. He started some after Hendricks went down, and will be on the field in a variety of ways. Ray Vinopal is the final name in the group. Vinopal is a transfer from Michigan and he started six games as a true freshmen while playing for the Wolverines. He is just a Sophomore and will be a big time player for Pitt the next few years.

K'waun Williams

            The corner back position has some depth and talent, but it is unproven. The one slot is filled by returning starter in K'waun Williams. Williams is a junior and had a successful 2011. He will be counted on to play the opponent's best player every game. He has plenty of talent and pro potential, his biggest thing is consistency.  The other spot has a good two way battle for the starting position.  Lafayette Pitts is a redshirt freshmen out of the storied Woodland Hills program. He was a good high school player, and his athleticism is rather impressive. He could be a very good one for the Panthers. The other competitor is Cullen Christian.  Christian is a local guy but started his career at Michigan. He was the top rated corner back coming out of high school and played some as a true freshmen with Michigan. He has the size and tools to be a productive corner back. Lloyd Carrington is the fourth guy in the race and will be there for depth. He is a sophomore from Dallas and played some in 2011.

Titus Howard

             The future of the Pitt secondary is in good hands. Jarred Holley and Andrew Taglianetti are the only seniors in the group. Hendricks and Vinopal should be solid moving forward, and the corners return the top four, unless Williams were to leave school early. The talent does not stop there. There is currently four very talented true freshmen on the roster. Bam Bradley,Trenton Coles, Ryan Lewis, and Jahmal Pardner could all turn out to be solid players. Coles is tall at 6-3 and is a great athlete as he hails from the Pennsylvania powerhouse, Clairton High School. Bam Bradley could end up being a Linebacker with his size and hitting ability, he is going to be fun to watch.  The 2013 recruiting class has two commitments so far. Another Clairton standout in Titus Howard, and an unknown player from Ohio named Tony Harper. Neither player was highly recruited, but Titus Howard keeps that pipeline into Clairton, which is turning into the new Aliquippa.

Pitt Linebacker Situation.

Todd Thomas 

                 Pitt has some serious young talent at the Linebacker position. The unit will start some very talented players that have some game experience. The middle spot will be manned by 6-1 220 pound junior, Shane Gordon. Gordon comes into 2012 with some starting experience, but will look to take on the role full time. Gordon will have to fend off remarkable story, Dan Mason. The health of Mason is still in question as he is attempting to return from a neck injury. He may not have it altogether physically, but it would be special if he can contribute. Mason was a blue chip recruit coming out of High School and was making a name for himself before the injury.  The other backup in the middle will be 5th year senior, Joe Trebitz.  The Outside positions are one of intrigue and promise for the Panthers. Todd Thomas and Ejuan Price are both sophomores coming off good 2011 seasons. They are both injured, but should be ready to go by September. Thomas is one of the more athletic players on the team. Price has great instincts and good be in the NFL when it is all said and done.  They will be backed up Eric Williams and Nicholas Grigsby. Grigsby is a redshirt freshmen that was a four star out of High School, and Williams is a Sophomore that is a good athlete.
              The future for Pitt Linebackers is solid. Everyone that is expected to see playing time will be back for next season. They have a chance to be one of the more special units on the whole team. The defense as a whole is actually really strong on paper, and could turn into a real strength for the team. Pitt has two true freshmen this season that will have trouble seeing playing time. Mike Caprara is from nearby Woodland Hills. He was an underrated recruit because of his size but he was a tackling machine in high school. Devin Porchia passes the eye test. He is a physically imposing player out of Maryland. He could have a special career at Pitt. The 2013 recruiting class does not currently have a Linebacker committed. I imagine Chryst will try to add at least one. Todd Thomas and Ejuan Price are two players that could be special for Pitt and they will help lead this unit for years to come.

All Said and Done, Great Year for Johnstown Area Baseball.

                     The 2012 Baseball season has been kind to our area on all levels. The Johnstown area is not always known for its prowess on the baseball diamond, but this will go down as a season for the ages. The combined success of individuals and teams has really made 2012 a season to remember. The quality of Baseball for such a small area is astounding. The success by teams and individuals now will only improve it further for future players

Colin Harrington

        The success of two local players on the Division One Baseball scene has given the area a spot on the map. Colin Harrington is a Bishop McCort graduate that plays for the University of Virginia.  Virginia has been a high profile baseball program the past decade, and Colin has played a role in that success. Harrington played in the College World Series in Omaha, Nebraska in back in 2011. The Cavaliers played on a National TV stage against eventual National Champion, South Carolina. Harrington posted a 2 hit performance against the Gamecocks in a loss. The 2012 season proved to be even better for Harrington. He took on the role as the everyday right fielder. Harrington finished second on the team with a .305 batting average and was named to the ACC All Tournament team. Virginia appeared in the NCAA tournament but failed to advance past the regional level. Harrington figures to be a prominent player for the next two seasons. The other local standout is Forest Hills graduate, George Roberts. Roberts had an outstanding 2012 for Kent State University. Roberts posted a .364 batting average and drove in 66 runs. He helped lead the Golden Flashes to the 2012 College World Series. The underdog team surprised the nation as they took down the number one ranked team, Florida. Roberts played a huge role in that game with two hits and two runs batted in.  Roberts will enter his senior season as one of the top returning First Basemen in the entire country. The two players combined have legitimate major league draft hopes and will open up doors for college recruiters to come back to the area.

Bishop McCort

          The 2012 Bishop McCort Baseball team brought back a PIAA Class A State Championship. The Crimson Crushers roared to a 24-2 record and outscored opponents 68-14 in postseason play.  The fundamentally sound Curshers batted .367 as a team, posted a .952 team fielding percentage, and stole an unreal 131 bases. The Crimson Crushers were led by seniors Jesse Cooper and Christian Leech. Cooper will continue his career at Division II Seton Hill, while Leech will go on to play at strong Division III program in Washington & Jefferson College.  The Crushers won the state title with plenty of Sophomores and Juniors playing prominent roles, and they figure to be one of the favorites for the next couple years. The Crimson Crushers were the only local team to bring home the title, but they were not the only team that impressed the state.  The North Star Cougars shocked a lot of people by reaching the Western Final in Class AA. The Cougars posted a 19-5 record and lost to a good Riverside team in the state playoffs. The run by North Star was led by two juniors, Tony Straiser and Brantley Rice. North Star will be back again next year, and they will not be surprising anyone next time around.

2012 Boilers

              The Summer Baseball circuit was another impressive run put on by local baseball players. The City's Pony and Colt programs excelled once again in 2012. The Colt League which is comprised of 15 and 16 year olds sent two teams to represent the league in the satellite tournament in Struthers, Ohio. The satellites are entry level tournaments on the road to the Colt World Series. The Breakers put on a good weekend in Ohio and advanced to the next step in North Carolina. They finished 1-2 in North Carolina against strong competition, but they represented the area well. The B. Hale Boilers of the Pony League have recently advanced to the Pony League World Series in Washington, Pennsylvania. The Boilers are no strangers to the event held in Washington, as this is their sixth trip. They will see competition from across the country, and even across the world. They will look to bring back the World Championship for the first time in their history.  The Boilers are comprised of 13 and 14 year olds that will be upcoming freshmen in high school. The success by the kids at a young age points to a promising feature for local high schools, and perhaps more division one baseball players.  The coaches and volunteers that work with these teams and players help create a strong foundation for their High School, and potential college careers.
        The city's national showcase for its baseball skills has come to an end. The AAABA Baseball tournament features teams from all over the East coast and Johnstown gets to take on teams from outside the area. The league is a wooden bat league for high school and college ages kids and has held its National Tournament in Johnstown for nearly 70 years.  The city's two representatives were the Berkley Hills Renegades and Martella's Pharmacy. The teams combined for just a 1-4 record, but the future looks bright. The key players from the local high school teams will be playing roles in the coming years, and the successful players from the Pony and Colt teams will be coming through the system. The success on the state level in high school, and the success on an interstate level for the younger kids will only pay dividends for Johnstown's AAABA future.
                  Johnstown has not always been known for great baseball. The tides appear to be turning. The success on all levels is encouraging. The time put in by the coaches, volunteers, and instructors is paying off. There will be more state championships. The number of division one players will go up. Johnstown will see a National Championship in AAABA sooner rather than later. The talent and the passion is here. The 2012 season will be one to remember, but also one to build for the future.