District Six AA Playoff Notes and Picks.

The Debate-With all due respect to guys like Ryan Torrance, Tyler Crawford, and Bradi Moore, it appears there is a two way race as to who the best Running Back is in the AA field. James Oliver of Tyrone and Tanner Solarczyk from Richland have been filling the stat sheets this season. They are both juniors, and have some pretty gaudy numbers, running with different styles. James Oliver has found himself near the state lead in rushing yards with his shifty style. Oliver has 1,669 yards and 26 touchdowns. Tanner Solarczyk is a big bruising back that will run you right over. Solarczyk has amassed 1,405 yards and 21 touchdowns. He really sets the tone for Richland on offense.

Lethal Weapons-It appears nearly every team in the field has a pretty athletic playmaker from the receiving position. It always helps having a weapon on the outside. Jared Shope from Forest Hills has battled injuries and had to play some quarterback, but he is an experienced and smart player. Kyle Flick from Richland is just a junior, but this is his third season in the starting lineup. Charles Wilson-Adams from Tyrone is always a threat. Also, while Ligonier Valley and Penn Cambria do not throw it often, Alec Bloom (LV) and Nathan Keagy (PC) both come in standing a 6-6, making them threats as well.

Must Be Nice- At any level of football, it is hard to find a reliable quarterback that can lead you to winning football games. Richland has the luxury of having two effective quarterbacks. Juniors Matt Shaffer and Nico Pecora both have the trust of head coach Brandon Bailey to lead the offense. Both players are mobile and can make plays with their feet. Shaffer sees the majority of the snaps, but Pecora has led some very important drives this season. Coach Bailey is a former quarterback himself, and these players truly benefit from his knowledge.

Human Highlight Reel-Austin Cunningham of Central may be the single most exciting player in District Six.  Cunningham has been very solid throwing the football this season. He has over 1,000 yards and 14 touchdowns. Cunningham is not a pocket passer, and once he takes off, its lights out. He has 768 rushing yards and ten touchdowns. Central also will line him up at receiver at times. He has made three catches for 170 yards and three touchdowns. Oh, and he returns punts and kicks. He has a touchdown in each. The guy has a knack for the big play, and his speed is a game breaker.

Sack Artist-Stuart Urch of Ligonier Valley has a staggering 19 sacks going into the playoffs. Urch was injured in October causing him to miss two games, so the 19 sacks happened in only 8 games. Urch returned last week and posted two against Bald Eagle. Unless things change in a week's time, Bald Eagle will have Urch hunting down their Quarterback once again. Urch will be a menace to anyone Ligonier faces in the playoffs.

Wilson-Adams Island?-Charles Wilson-Adams of Tyrone has four interceptions this season. It could be more if teams actually threw his way. Wilson-Adams scored one of the biggest plays in Tyrone's championship run last season with a interception return for a touchdown in a win over Aliquippa. Charles Wilson-Adams has 11 career picks, and he will have a few more if teams try and test him.

Cambria Heights?-Yes, that Cambria Heights is in the postseason for the first time in years. The Highlanders won eight games total in the previous five seasons, but they already have seven this season. Behind a balanced offense led by bruising running back, Tyler Crawford, The Highlanders find themselves in a 4-5 battle with annual power Tyrone. Cambria Heights has nothing to lose, and they could be a very dangerous foe in the playoffs.

The Ole' Ball Coach-No, not Steve Spurrier.....Don Bailey. Coach has been at this thing for quite some time, and 2012 may be one of his better performances yet. The Rangers have a small roster, and do not look like the typical Forest Hills Rangers. They certainly are playing like them though. The defense is solid as usual, as they only give up 11 points a game. The offense is led by a young, but very talented quarterback in Joe Donoughe. Sprinkle in some familiar names, and the Rangers have a successful campaign. Riding a five game winning streak, the Rangers are as hot as anyone going into the playoffs.

Turmoil in Cresson-It is an odd situation for Penn Cambria to say the least. In August, most thought the Panthers would compete for the Laurel Highlands crown. The road to that point was easy at first, the Panthers opened up the year going 4-0. After that is where it all goes down hill. The Panthers lost four games in a row, and the playoffs seemed to be in serious doubt. Coach Ernie Fetzer stepped down. The Panthers have rebounded nicely by winning two in a row to seal the playoff berth. Still the whole thing is far from normal. To top it all off, the must travel to #1 seed Richland.

Does Not Bode Well-Bald Eagle is 6-4 and has made the playoffs, something they do not always do. The problem for Bald Eagle is that they are 1-4 against teams playing in the postseason. The lone win came against Chestnut Ridge by two. The bad news is the Bald Eagles have lost the other four games by a total score of 185-20, including a 48-6 loss to Ligonier Valley, the team they must face this weekend.

The Picks
First Round
Richland over Penn Cambria
Tyrone over Cambria Heights
Central over Forest Hills
Ligonier Valley over Bald Eagle Area

Second Round
Richland over Tyrone
Central over Ligonier Valley

Championship
Richland over Central