There is nobody quite like Sid.

Is there one single athlete that is at the top of their respective sport, bar none, no questions asked? Is there one player that sticks out so far from the rest of the field? Is there anybody else that can take a 320 day break and come back and be the number one star of the night?  That answer simply is, No.  Sidney Crosby is the best at his game, and all bias aside, I am not too sure how close it is. I do not know if there is anyone else out there quite like Sidney Crosby. Other sports have superstars and marquee athletes, but Hockey is lucky.  They have the face of all faces for their league. They have a bona fide living legend that is just 24 years of age.  The NHL has an already accomplished super star, that inevitably will accomplish so much more.

               Sid the Kid has added just another magical chapter to his young, yet vibrant career. From being the youngest captain in NHL history, to being a Stanley Cup Champion, to netting the game winner in the Gold Medal game, and now fought off a concussion symptoms for almost a year and scored a mere two goals and added a measly two assists.  Yeah right.  Sidney Crosby is a dominant, yet graceful star.  He is a once in a lifetime kind of star that not only the city and fans of that team needs to embrace, but rather anyone who appreciates or watches hockey needs to respect.  He is the Wayne Gretzky, Bobby Orr, and Gordie Howe of this generation.  He is the Michael Jordan of hockey. Sidney Crosby is that good, and will be this good for a long time coming.  He is joining a hockey team that was already tops in the Eastern conference.  What do you think adding the best player of the world will do for that team?   He will make a good team, a great team. The Penguins went from a clear cut playoff team, to a clear cut favorite to hoist the Cup in June.  Sidney Crosby brings that type of impact.  He can turn a regular season game against the Islanders to a playoff type atmosphere.  Before you really think about it, how many players in any sport can do what Crosby can do?  How many can change the way the league is shaped?  How many can make a team a sure fire favorite to win a championship?  How many players can force an ordinary division game into a national media frenzy? How many players can take a year off and simply dominate a game so easily on their first night back?  If you can think a some guys that match that description, well  more power to you, but only one comes to mind for me,  And that is the spectacular, Sidney Crosby.

LHAC Football Forecast Week 12. Playoffs

Last week I put a 3-1(49-15) performance together. The Panthers of Penn Cambria broke through on Forest Hills and knocked off the two time defending champs.  Bishop McCort rolled over Marion Center, Bedford had a tough bout with top seeded Tyrone, and Richland made a huge statement over Ligonier.  This week Johnstown will come off a bye and face Clearfield. McCort is still the only A team left, and both AA semifinals feature LHAC teams.  One week away from Mansion Park.

3.Richland (9-2) at 2. Philipsburg-Osceola (9-2) Friday 7:00

This is a game that features a Mountain League-LHAC showdown with a pair of 9-2 identical records. It has the makings of being a solid, highly contested game.  The Mounties features a bruising rushing attack headed by Michael John, who has put up 1,037 yards and 11 scores and is coming off a 150 yard performance against Chestnut Ridge.  Cody Lee and Aaron McKnight have been steady on the ground as well and the trio has teamed up for 30 touchdowns on the ground.  The Mounties can pass, but ideally they would like to keep things on the ground. Mike Marcinko is a senior quarterback that can run and throw.  Philipsburg is having a better season than most anticpiated and they have done it with a good running game and winning tight games. They have won four games that have been decided by less than one score, including last week's thrilling one point victory. They have a head scratching loss to Marion Center early on, but really turned it on down the stretch.  They will have their hands full this week with Richland.  Richland may have the deadliest offense left in the district field.  It starts with a lethal rushing attack that is approaching 3,000 yards as a team. John Rizzo is the main man for the Rams.  He is averaging 130 yards a game on the ground, and fellow senior Luke Rozich is coming off an impressive showing against Ligonier in the first round.  The Rams can throw it too.  Matt Shaffer is having a spectacular sophomore season, and has thrown for 18 touchdowns to just 6 interceptions. Kyle Flick and Zach Hanley have each caught seven touchdowns. The Rams have athletes all over the field and they are very tough to defend. They can beat you in a variety of ways.  Richland and Philipsburg-Osceola share a common opponent that they both played recently and the game for each went totally different ways.  Richland shut down Ligonier, where Philipsburg played them closely. It is hard to compare the games, but it is a telling sign.  Richland is the better team, and they are the more talented team.  The grass field is a good equalizer for the Mounties, because Richland wants to get out and run in space. I like Richland because I believe they are the better team.

Rams 38 Mounties 21

4. Penn Cambria (9-2) at 1. Tyrone (10-1) Friday 7:00

Penn Cambria is coming off a hard fought close game against Forest Hills. That win marked the first time these seniors have defeated the Rangers. It should be another confidence building win for the Panthers, because they are as hot as any team in the district right now. They have knocked off Richland and Forest Hills in the past three weeks. They are playing with a ton of confidence and they will make this game very hard on Tyrone.  The Penn Cambria offense is not high scoring, but it is efficient. Jordan Fuller is the key to it all. The tough running senior has been a workhorse that has put up 120 yards per contest.  Andrew Buck is a physical quarterback that can run for tough yardage and throw when he has too. Devin Lawhead and Mac Behe are two unsung heroes for the Panthers that Tyrone will need to account for. The Golden Eagle defense is no stranger to shutting down offenses.  They are allowing only 8 points per game, and held Bedford in check for the most part.  Tyrone's offense is balanced and effective.  Steve Franco is a heady senior quarterback that has tossed 21 touchdowns on the year. His main target is the speedy Nick Patton.  Christian Getz fronts the running game and he has scored 16 touchdowns.  Tyrone is good and they are on a mission for a district title, after coming up short in the title game the past two years.  Tyrone's season has been ended by and LHAC counterpart the past seven seasons, and they are looking to get over that hump.  I think this game will be close and should be an entertaining game.  The battle up front will ultimately decide how the game is won.  I think it will be lower scoring for the most part, but I like Tyrone on their home field.

Golden Eagles 21 Panthers 16

Districts 6 & 9 Sub-regional

Clearfield (10-1) vs. Johnstown (9-1) Saturday 1:00 Mansion Park

Well this will be the second straight year Johnstown and Clearfield will meet in an inter-district setting. Clearfield won last year 28-12 at Dubois High School. Ths Bisons will have to travel to District VI territory this time around.  Clearfield lost a good group from last year, but still have some familiar names that have been very productive. Curtis Frye is back and for one reason or another, his passing stats have gone down significantly.  He proved it last year that he could throw, so the threat is still there.  The Bisons have moved to being a really good running team. Beau Swales is having a monster season in which he has rushed for 1,679 yards and 22 touchdowns. He is the key to everything Clearfield does offensively. Christian Lezzer, is a sophomore back that has been very solid this year by chipping in 630 yards and 10 scores himself. Their lone loss was at the hands of Philipsburg-Osceola, but other than that they have been dominant.  They are an experienced group that is coming off a 13-1 season. They are battle tested and will be ready for the Trojans. Johnstown is an enjoying one of their best stretches in recent memory compiling a 19-3 record over the past two years.  The Trojans have revenge on their minds.  Johnstown has a fast moving spread offense that has multiple weapons all over the field. Gervon Simon is the guy that gets things moving. He is a senior quarterback that just wins. His 1,563 yards passing and 504 yards rushing make him as dangerous as anyone on the field. Tim Odum is a quick, shifty back that has made this offense more dynamic than in year's past. The receivers are some of the best athletes in the district. Dwight Andrews, Mark Watson, Daquan Minter, and Alkwan Williams all provide different assets, but they are all dangerous in their own right.  These guys can score, and the defense hasn't been too bad either.  The man on defense is the future Pitt Panther, Alkwan Williams.  He is one of the best linebackers in the state and will certainly be the best player on the field on Saturday.  Clearfield's running game will have a struggle on their hands with Williams opposing them.   Clearfield is an experienced team that has had its fair share of success the past few years, and Johnstown has that same thing going for them.  This game should be worth the price of admission.  The prize for the victor will be a relatively weak team from District IV, so there is plenty to play for.  I will take Johnstown because I like their offensive game.  But they better be ready after an off week.

Trojans 34 Bisons 24

BONUS GAME

District 5 "A" Championship

Windber (8-2) vs. North Star (9-1) Friday 7:00 Somerset H.S.

What the heck? Its the only other local game on tap, might as well. This game should be a very, very good game.  Both teams have some impressive stars and marquee players. The regular season meeting was decided by one point that went in favor of the Ramblers. The winner will have a tall task ahead, but the glory of the championship is on the line and thats all that matters to these teams.  If you want to talk Windber football, look no further than Colin Bryan.  He is the state's second leading rusher with 2,210 yards and he is also tied for the lead in the state for rushing touchdowns with 33. He is the Windber offense, so if you plan on stopping the Ramblers better plan on slowing this kid down.  Windber averages 37 points a game.  The game being played on turf will make these high moving offenses a little bit quicker.   North Star is not short on talent either.  They are one point away from being undefeated. Their offense isn't so dependent on one player though. The running game for the Cougars is solid as well led by Thomas Miller and quarterback Max Strasiser.  That facet of the offense isn't as well of a known commodity as their passing
game.  Max Strasiser is a gunslinger that has eclipsed the 2,000 yard mark and completes 63% of his passes.  He is one half of the best combination in the area, his younger brother Tony is the other half. The younger Strasiser has caught 48 passes for 935 yards and 9 touchdowns. Tony Strasiser is only a junior and potentially a college prospect.  This game is not short on offensive firepower, so what defense will hold its ground the most?  Last meeting was only a 21-20 score, but I am anticipating a few more points scored in this one.  It could really go either way, but I like North Star.

Cougars 42 Ramblers 35

GAME OF THE WEEK

4. Bishop McCort (7-3) at 1. Bellwood-Antis (9-1) Friday 7:00

Since the year 2004 these schools have combined for 7 District Championships.  And since McCort's drop to "A" these two programs have met in some epic battles and classic games.  In 2008, McCort edged Bellwood 24-20. In the 2009 District 6 Championship McCort won 34-20, and last year's game that was marred in controversy saw McCort winning the contest 30-29.  Anyway you look at it, when these two teams meet, its a serious battle.  Bishop McCort comes into the game after handling Marion Center. The Crushers have been opportunistic scoring defensive and special teams touchdowns all year. The Crusher defense has 30 takeaways on the season.  The offense is a balanced set led by the running of Zach Varga. He has rushed for 677 yards and 12 scores. Jesse Cooper is the senior quarterback that has 1,126 yards and 11 scores.  Jerqual Wilson and Christian Leech are two dangerous threats on the outside.  This offense has some different weapons and good speed.  They will be facing a stiff test against the hard hitting Bellwood defense. The Blue Devils are allowing just 8 points a game and have only allowed double digit scoring three times.  Bellwood also has a balanced offense led by a senior quarterback. Ryan Stuby passed for seven 100+ yard games this season, and has only thrown 5 interceptions in 124 attempts.  The running game has several capable ball carriers, most notably 

Andrew DeGol. Casey Gray is a threat in catching the ball and running the ball.  The battle up front, special teams, and field position are the keys to the game.  Both teams should be able move the ball and make plays, and both defense will get their stops. This is a very even match up. McCort has been lucky to get by this team the past few years and has been one of their stiffest challenges annually. Bellwood is having some tough luck in this series, but they certainly have been in every contest until the very end.  I think this is the year Bellwood breaks through. It will be close, but McCort won't beat these guys every year, they are too good of a program.

Blue Devils 30 Crimson Crushers 27

LHAC Football Forecast Week 11. Playoffs.

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

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

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

Crimson Crushers 35 Stingers 14

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

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

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

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

GAME OF THE WEEK

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

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