Local Teams Face Daunting Tasks against State Competition.

              Richland and Berlin-Brothersvalley are the two local teams left standing after the District playoff rounds. The competition will pick up this week as both teams have advanced to the PIAA first round. Richland will enter as District Six's AA entry and will face District Ten (Erie area) representative Hickory High School Saturday afternoon at 1:00 at Slippery Rock University. Berlin-Brothersvalley will enter into the Class A playoffs representing District Five. They will meet Clairton High School from the Pittsburgh area Friday night at Somerset High School.


           Needless to say, Berlin will enter this week's game as one of the biggest underdogs ever in class A football. That is not a knock on Berlin, but a testament to the opponent they will be playing. Clairton is rewriting the records books from here on out, as they have a streak of 60 consecutive wins, which is the most ever in the state of Pennsylvania. Clairton has won three consecutive state titles, and five consecutive district titles. The Bears have defeated the District Five champion by a combined score 168-0 during this stretch. Tom Nola's squad is led by a trio of Division One football recruits. The leader of the pack is versatile running back, Tyler Boyd. Boyd has rushed for 1,979 yards and has posted 40 total touchdowns. He has game breaking speed, and is regarded by many as a four star college prospect. He is being recruited by Pitt, Penn State, West Virginia, and a host of others. Titus Howard is a Pitt recruit who has posted 450 receiving yards and a 26 yard per catch average. Terrish Webb has pledged to Kent State University to play wide receiver, and he is second on the team with 11 touchdowns. Clairton only allows seven points a game, and they are often noted for their defense.

                      Berlin may not have quite the fanfare as their opponent, but they have a solid football team looking to pull an upset. They are coming off an impressive season in which they have posted an 11-1 record and can claim a WestPac and District crown heading into state competition. Drew Glotfelty may not have the huge offer sheet, but his numbers this season are not something to overlook. H has rushed for 1,933 yards, and has posted 30 total touchdowns. He is the heart and soul of the Berlin squad, and will be counted on to provide big plays. Blake Miller has played well as a senior quarterback, and he gives the defense something to think about. Berlin has played good defense in recent weeks, as they held down a good North Star team to just seven points.

Prediction-Clairton is on a mission to make it a four peat. These seniors have not lost a football game since week two of their freshmen year. They know how to win, and they have the talent and experience to accomplish just that. Berlin has had a great season, and they have plenty to hang their hat on. I just think the Bears have the edge on athletes, and it will propel them to a win.

               Richland enters the state playoffs as perhaps a dark horse candidate to make it to Hershey. Richland is in uncharted waters as this will be their first game in state playoff competition in school history. The Rams have an unblemished record and a bevy of athletes to be a legitimate contender against the best in the state. It all starts with high powered Richland offense. Tanner Solarczyk fronts a strong Ram rushing attack. The junior has amassed 1.787 yards and 24 scores. Quarterback Matt Shaffer is second on the team in rushing with 613 yards and nine touchdowns. The passing game is equally as effective as Matt Shaffer has 19 touchdowns passes. Kyle Flick and Luke Shertzer are very athletic and reliable receivers The Richland defense has been solid all year long. Josh Dinniny and Derek Crawford lead a formidable line, and Ben Verhovsek leads the Linebackers.  Flick and Shertzer also form a great tandem at corner back. This is a complete team, and they won nearly every game in convincing fashion. Coach Brandon Bailey and his staff have built a true program, and Richland would love to show it off on the big stage.

             Hickory enters this game with an 11-1 record. They have won the past two District Ten AA Championships. Hickory fell victim to Tyrone last season in this round, and will be looking to give District Six some payback. The Hornets are led by West Virginia commitment, DeShawn Coleman. Coleman is the team's lead back and has posted some gaudy numbers. He has 1,649 rushing yards and 34 total touchdowns. He has speed and excellent outside vision. Matt Voytik is a junior quarterback that is a dual threat. He has thrown for 698 yards and rushed for another 453. The Hornets also have a defense that has held opponents to ten points or less in seven games. They lost to Wilmington in week one, but avenged that loss last week by defeating the Greyhounds 39-7. Hickory is an improving team that is on a redemption mission.

Predicition-Both teams have talent and this could be a very well played game. I like Richland, though. They have survived every test this season, and have shut down some good backs before. I expect them to slow down Coleman fairly well, just as they did to Tyrone's James Oliver just week's ago.