LHAC Football Forecast Week Nine.

I was only able to muster a .500 record last week, and my eight week total is now 36-12. It is now week nine and playoffs are very much on the horizon. I must give Richland a BIG congratulations on winning their first LHAC crown. It is well deserved, and there is no doubt they are the best team in this conference. There were some mild upsets last week, and Bishop Carroll finally gets one in the win column. This is a big week for Bishop McCort, Forest Hills, and Penn Cambria. They are on the edge of the playoffs and a win would help out in a big way.

Bishop Carroll (1-7) at Bedford (1-7) Friday 7:00

As it appeared Bedford may have finally had some things figured out, they go and lose to Central Cambria by three touchdowns. The offense has had its troubles all year, and it continued last week. Luke Campbell is a big time play maker, but the passing game has not been clicking. Bedford is out of the District 5 one game playoff, as Everett and Chestnut Ridge have four wins apiece. Bedford still has pride to play for, and they can gain some momentum heading into the off season. Bishop Carroll is coming off their first win of the season, one that was not expected. Carroll is young and under manned, but found a way to beat Johnstown. The running game was effective last week headed by Dan Lesney who posted 110 yards. This game does not affect the playoffs much at all. Still, it is a valuable game for the underclassmen. I think Carroll found some confidence last week, and I think it will continue into this week.
Huskies 18 Bisons 12

Central Cambria (2-6) at Richland (8-0) Friday 7:00 Herlinger Field

(Photo-Tribune Democrat)

Richland clinched their first LHAC title last week, and will look to make it a perfect 9-0 this week. Richland has used a complete balanced attack on offense all season long. The great running of Tanner Solarczyk has really been on display recently. The passing game of Matt Shaffer and Nico Pecora has been excellent. That defense has been great as well, led by Ben Verhovsek and company has been stellar as well. Richland has athletes at every level of the team. They have size and speed, and it is clear they are the best team in the league. Central Cambria will have their hands full in this game, but do not forget they have pulled a massive upset the past two seasons against the league champion. Could they do it three years in a row? It will take a massive defensive effort to slow down the talented Richland offense. Central Cambria's offense has found very little success this season, but Will Seymour has made some plays in the passing game. I just do not see how Central Cambria can take down Richland, they just simply do not have the fire power.

Rams 38 Red Devils 8

Forest Hills (5-3) at Johnstown (3-5) Friday 7:00 Trojan Stadium

The injury bug has taken its toll on just about every football in the country, but its is incredibly evident with the Johnstown Trojans. The Trojans are young to begin with, but take away senior linemnen, and the team's leading rusher, and you have problems. Johnstown has talent, but they just have not been able to put it together, and keep it healthy. Johnstown has shuffled through four different quarterbacks, and Wuanyai Mayo has been the main man the past few weeks. His top guys to get the ball to are Kareem Gibson and Phillip Madison. These guys can make you miss in space, and remain ever dangerous. Forest Hills has also seen the injury bug. Jared Shope has battled a bad knee all year long, and his status is up in the air. Joe Donoughe is an elusive quarterback, and is extremely valuable to this offense. The Rangers turned their season around very quickly in the past few weeks, and a big win over Johnstown should cement a spot in the playoffs. The way Johnstown is playing is not too encouraging, but they will be ready to play op Friday. I just think the way Forest Hills is playing, I have to take them.

Rangers 24 Trojans 13

Penn Cambria (4-4) at Westmont (1-7) Saturday 1:00 Price Field

Four straight losses. I do not think anyone saw that one coming. Penn Cambria sits on the outside looking into the playoff picture. They need a win in the worst way, and I expect them to play better this week. The running game of Tyler Janosik and Devin Lawhead needs to have a big day. The Panthers' defense has all the talent in the world, and they just need to get some confidence back. Westmont's offense has had m,ajor troubles this season, and will need a big performance this week. Westmont has no playoff hopes, but could still try and gain momentem for next season. I am looking for Westmont to give Sam Curry a steady dose of carries, and try to ride him to a victory. It comes down to one thing really, and that would be the heart of Penn Cambria. Has this team quit after this rough spell, or are they willing to gut it out and get to the playoffs? The afternoon kick can be tricky, but I think Penn Cambria has too much pride to lose five straight.
Panthers 27 Hilltoppers 14

Bishop Guilfoyle (7-1) at Bishop McCort (5-3) Friday 7:00 Point Stadium

Luke DiFrancesco

Bishop McCort is coming off another tough, close loss on the road. The Crushers have lost three games by a total of 11 points. They will return home to Point Stadium, hoping for a change of luck. The offense last week only mustered one score, as two special teams touchdowns carried the team. The McCort defense has outstanding all season long, and they need to continue that. The offense has the numbers in every category, except scoring. Luke DiFrancesco has been turning into a real weapon for the Crushers, and I expect him to see the ball quite a bit. This game will be won up front, as both teams are built very similarly. Guilfoyle also employs a strong defense, and an OK offense. Pat Irwin has been playing very well as a replacement to Brandon Chadbourn. Cody Rossman has been tough running the ball of late. These two teams are legitimate district title contenders, and could see each other again. McCort is not in the playoffs by any stretch, but all things point to them having a good chance of making the field. A win would lock McCort in, and a Guilfoyle win could keep them in the race for the top seed. This should be a good game at the Point. I look for Guilfoyle's defense to make a few more plays to win the game.
Marauders 23 Crimson Crushers 17

GAME OF THE WEEK

Cambria Heights (6-2) at Somerset (5-3) Friday 7:00

If you were to tell a local football fan that has been out of the area for a few years that Somerset-Cambria Heights was the game of the week, they probably would not believe it. Often these two teams find themselves towards the bottom half of the league, but two groups of dedicated players turned things around. The senior class of Cambria Heights has gotten the school a winning record for the first time in years, and all things are pointing to a playoff berth as well. 

        The Cambria Heights offense is led by a lethal rushing attack. Tyler Crawford has 740 yards and 13 touchdowns. Donnie Contorchick and Nathan Bearer have also been threats to run the ball. Bearer's passing game has gotten much better. His favorite receiver is Andrew Brawley. Brawley is coming off a big game against McCort. He was able to take a touchdown back, and his speed makes him very dangerous. The Heights offense has it all, and the defense has done its job as well. Heights is a very dangerous team, and they are a team the top teams in AA would like to avoid. 

         Somerset is also going through a bit of a revival. They have not had much success in recent history, but junior quarterback, Tanner Stull has led the team to relevancy. Somerset has not played well in recent weeks. Stull missed time with an injury, and he still may not be 100%. He is still a big play threat, and his presence makes Somerset better. The running game of Faulkner and Boyer has been good, and Stull plays a factor in that as well. The passing game has been solid too. The defense has been up and down all season long. They gave up 47 to a good Richland team, and that may have started this downward spiral a bit. The Golden Eagles are still looking good to make the sub regional playoffs for AAA, but a win would help assure things.

             I look for this to be a highly competitive game, but maybe mistake filled. These teams are not always playing in these big games, and that is often when turnovers and penalties play a role. Somerset has a good team, but they have been going the wrong way lately. They have won some big games, but they have some head scratching losses as well. Cambria Heights is clicking just at the right time. Heights is on a five game winning streak with wins over LHAC powers Penn Cambria, Forest Hills, and Bishop McCort to their name. I like the way this team is playing, and the confidence they possess at this point. I am going with the Highlanders in this big showdown.

Highlanders 28 Golden Eagles 20