District Six Class AA Championship Breakdown.

6. Forest Hills (9-3) vs. 1. Richland (12-0) Friday 7:00 Mansion Park

                            Richland and Forest Hills did not meet in the regular season this year, but these teams are certainly familiar with one another, and that may be putting it lightly. Forest Hills and Richland are neighboring schools that are separated by a few miles of highway. Oh, and the head coaches know each other pretty well.  It is no secret that the game will feature plenty of talk about Don Bailey and his son, Brandon. Don Bailey has been the mainstay, building a powerhouse at Forest Hills for nearly 40 seasons. Brandon has been with Richland for 12 seasons, and has the program reaching new heights every season. Both teams are well coached, and the strategy will be something interesting to follow. Don likes his trick plays, and Brandon is not afraid to make gutsy calls. They are both risk takers, and it could add to the drama for a District Championship. 

             Forest Hills is no stranger to playing at Mansion Park. They will be going for their fifth District Six AA crown since 2002, and going for their third in the past four seasons. Forest Hills is built the same way they are always built. They have a stingy defense that does now allow much of anything, and an offense led by a budding star at quarterback.  Joe Donoughe has been nothing short of spectacular in the first two rounds of the playoffs. He led Forest Hills to two road upsets with his throwing ability. He has thrown for 451 yards in the playoffs with three touchdowns. Bailey has so much faith in his young signal caller that he has attempted 61 passes in the past two games. Donoughe has thrown for 1,628 yards this season, despite missing two games for an injury. He has two pretty good targets that make his like significantly easier. Jared Shope has 53 catches for 730 yards and Doltyn Snedden has 43 catches for 687 yards. Both have been on fire in recent weeks. The Rangers can also run the ball with senior, Shawn Dell. Dell has paced the rushing attack with 916 yards and 8 scores. Donoughe has also been a threat to run it. The offensive line has gotten much better from the beginning of the season, and they have been protecting very well. 

         

            Forest Hills typically employs a defense that can shut you down entirely. It has been on full display lately as they have shut down such stars like Austin Cunningham (Central) and Ryan Torrance (Ligonier) in the recent weeks. Forest Hills is only allowing ten points per contest, and have pitched three shutouts. They have 25 takeaways as a team, including six interceptions by Jared Shope. Doltyn Snedden,Austin Danel and hard hitting Tyler Shima round out a strong secondary. Shawn Dell and Zach Pinkas hold things together at linebacker, and the familiar six man front is the strength of that defense. Spencer Ivock and Ian Wieczorek always apply pressure to the opposing quarterbacks. It is a strong unit that has really stepped up this season. They held down some potent offenses lately, and it really has sparked this seven game winning streak for the Rangers. 

               Richland is having a season for the ages. The Rams are 12-0 and find themselves the heavy favorite heading into the championship. Brandon Bailey has a well oiled machine, and it has been rolling since week one. The offense has weapons all over the field, the lines are big and experienced, and the defense is stout. This could very well be the best team in the school's history. The offense is the key to it all, and they can beat you on the ground and in the air. Tanner Solarczyk proved that the loss of Johnny Rizzo would not hurt this team. In fact, Soalrczyk's numbers are slightly better than Rizzo's of last season. Solarczyk spear heads a rushing attack with 1,695 yards and 24 touchdowns.Dominic Farina is a quick scat back that will see some touches as well. The quarterback, Matt Shaffer made Tyrone pay with his feet, and he is second on the team in rushing with 566 yards and 8 touchdowns. Shaffer has the mobility in his game, but he is known for his passing. Shaffer has 1,679 yards and 16 touchdowns. Nico Pecora also will see some quarterback time, and he is reliable as well. They have some trustworthy targets in senior Luke Shertzer and junior Kyle Flick. Both players can really stretch the field as they have 45 and 44 catches, respectively. The offensive line has paved the way for an offense that rolls over 400 yards per game. 

            The Richland defense gets overshadowed by the fast strike offense, but they are a formidable group also. The Rams have 25 takeaways as a unit, and have combined for 40 sacks. It is a team effort all around, but a few players have stuck out. Flick and Shertzer can both play the role as the lock down corner. The line backing unit has been flying from sideline to sideline led by Jared Hoover,Jake Urban,and Ben Verhovsek. Those three are the leading tacklers on the team. The defensive line is big and strong. They helped shut down the leading rusher in the district in James Oliver last week against Tyrone. Josh Dinniny and Derek Crawford clog the middle, and Elijah Metzgar can get to the quarterback as well as anybody in the district. 

               This game has plenty of story lines, and should provide a loud atmosphere at Mansion Park. Richland will be going for their first District Championship in school history. They were supposed to be here. They were picked by many at the onset of the season to be one of the favorites. They followed through with a convincing 12-0 record to date. They have all the ability in the world, and the impressive thing is that they play with so many juniors and young guys in key spots. Forest Hills is not a typical Ranger squad. They do not have the massive line or the huge numbers on the sideline. They worked each week to get better, and they have overcome a 2-3 start. The Rangers still have talent in some key spots, and Don Bailey has them playing as well as anybody since October. This should be a fun game with all the Bailey Bowl hoopla, but the teams on the field deserve the credit, and they worked to be here. I have to go with Richland. I've been sticking with them all year, but Forest Hills can score some points with the Rams. There should be some big passing numbers for both teams, and the quarterbacks will put on a show.

Rams 35 Rangers 24

District Six Class A Championship Breakdown.

6. Bishop McCort (9-3) vs. 1. Bellwood-Antis (11-1) Saturday 7:00 Mansion Park

         It took twelve weeks, but the game everyone expected to see in the Class A finals will take place this Saturday at Altoon'a Mansion Park. It was a different ride for both teams to make it here, but it is expected to be a classic game. Before talking about the present game, the past must be mentioned. This will be the fifth consecutive season Bishop McCort and Bellwood-Antis will be playing in the postseason. It is the third time since 2001 the two teams will be playing for a District Championship. Every game in the series has been a classic battle. 2008 Bishop McCort narrowly escaped at the Point Stadium in the semi finals. The 2009 game had the Crushers coem from behind at hlaftime to take the Championship. The 2010 game was decided by one point under some controversy, yet the Crushers won yet again. The 2011 game finally saw Bellwood win a close contest over Bishop McCort with an 11-10 final. The game is always highly competitive and spirited, and a nice rivalry between the schools has been brewing. 

          Bishop McCort will be playing for a district championship for the tenth time in twelve years. The Crushers have won five times during that span. The 2012 team is looking to win a championship for the first time since 2009. Coach Kevin Sheridan's squad is coming together at the right time, and they are much better than their six seed indicates. Bishop McCort's core strength is a defense that has forced 35 turnovers and have scored six touchdowns. They only allow 13 points a game. It starts with a massive defensive front anchored by senior, Gap Barbin. Lake Dorn and Christian Roman are the bulk in the middle and have made it tough to run on the Crushers. Dustin Belskey and Ethan Neiderhiser are hard hitters, and Nate James is a tackling machine. Luke DiFrancesco, Jacob Burgo, and Jordan Spangler all have multiple interceptions in the secondary. 

         

Zaine Tomkowski

        The McCort offense struggled for the majority of the season, but since the week nine win over Bishop Guilfoyle, it has been rolling. Zaine Tomkowski has emerged as one of the better passers in the area, and paces the offense with 1,632 yards and 13 touchdowns. Tomkowski has also rushed for six touchdowns. The running game has been better with the return of Dustin Belskey. He is a big physical back, and Wyatt Jackson is the quicker back. They each have six rushing touchdowns on the season. McCort has some solid threats on the outside with Jordan Spangler and Luke DiFrancesco. They both are dangerous after the catch. Ryan Siwy has been reliable at the Tight End spot. McCort can boast the best special teams in the area. Jordan Spangler has made eight field goals on the season, to go along with his excellent punting. 

Seth Worthing

           Bellwood-Antis has been the odds on favorite to win the Class A title all season long. They have been among the state's top ten for most of the season, and come into this game with an 11-1 record. The Bellwood success certainly starts with the top. John Hayes is one of the legendary coaches in District Six. Hayes and his staff always have their players ready to play, and they may be the most well coached team around. The Blue Devils are no strangers to playing over the holiday weekend at Mansion Park. Bellwood can claim three championships since 2004. The Blue Devils came up short in the championship game last season, and have been on a mission to return to this game. The offense has been key for the Blue Devils, and it starts with junior do-it-all player, Casey Gray. Gray has rushed for 1,592 yards on the season along with 21 touchdowns. Gray is also a big factor in the passing game. Seth Worthing has played like a solid senior quarterback all season long. He has thrown for 1,125 yards and 11 touchdowns. Worthing has also rushed for eight touchdowns. Haden Degennaro is an important offensive weapon. He is the team's second leading rusher and receiver. Cameron Worthing is the team's top deep threat, as he averages 20 yards a catch. 

      

           Bellwood has a strong defense that does not always get the attention it deserves. The held down Bishop Guilfoyle in the semi final round. It starts with the solid tackling of the Linebackers. Tyler Campbell,Danny Beech, and Ian O'Shea can hit hard, and they are always around the football. Keith Shawley anchors a defensive line that has been solid all year long. He has seven sacks to lead the team. Casey Gray doubles up as a pretty good cornerback, and Seth Worthing is a very alert Safety.  

         Truth be told, both teams are well coached, stocked with athletes, and are accustomed to winning. This is everything you could want in a championship game. The recent history of this series would suggest that these teams are in for another classic showdown. The game is so evenly matched, that it is not easy to make a pick. Bellwood-Antis runs the ball so well on offense, but Bishop McCort defends the run extremely well. Bishop McCort can sling the ball on offense, but Bellwood has a very experienced secondary. I am going to pick Bellwood-Antis in this game. I picked them at the beginning of the tournament, so I feel obligated to stick with them. This game could go either way, but it will be a close one.

Blue Devils 26 Crimson Crushers 25

District Five A Semifinals Outlook.

4. North Star (9-2) at 1. Northern Bedford (9-1) Friday 7:00 Panther Community Stadium

Northern Bedford got to rest up last week with a first round bye, but North Star was hard at work and shutout an upstart Shade team 21-0. North Star is the two time defending District Five Champions, and they do not plan on giving up their trophy without a fight. The strength of the North Star team this year has been the running game, unlike the previous few seasons. Shawn Costas and Thomas Miller have teamed up for close to 1,300 yards and nine touchdowns. The Cougars still have the best overall athlete in District Five with Tony Straiser. He has managed to grab 42 catches for 741 yards and seven touchdowns this season with rotating quarterbacks. He has found himself playing QB at times, and he is dangerous anywhere on the field. 

          North Star is riding a six game winning streak, but they have not been challenged too greatly. Northern Bedford will be a test for the North Star Defense. The Panthers from Northern Bedford possess a dynamic offense, and a lights out defense. Northern Bedford is the one seed for a reason. Blake Over is one of the leading passers in the area with 1,745 yards and 14 touchdowns. Over takes some gambles at times, and as a result he has 14 interceptions. The Panthers have an arsenal of tall, athletic receivers to combat Tony Straiser from North Star. Kyler Diehl has 47 catches for 750 yards and six touchdowns. Tayler and Zach Pressel are huge contributors in the passing game. The running game is led by Conner Kagraise and Caleb Ebersole. The Defense rarely allows multiple touchdowns, and the 9-1 record speaks volumes of that. 

             These two teams are eerily similar. They have multiple back look, the ability to pass, and a solid defense. Each team have a number of different playmakers that can keep you up at night if you are a Defensive Coordinator. The game will take place at Northern Bedford, and that is a nice advantage in the playoffs. I think this will be a tremendous game, filled with big play after big play. It could be one of those games where whoever has the ball last will win.  I'll take the defending champs in this one.

Cougars 36 Panthers 32 

 3. Windber (9-2) at 2. Berlin-Brothersvalley (9-1) Saturday 7:00 Snyder Sports Complex 

These two teams met in the regular season finale, and if the game lives up to that one, we could be in for a treat. Windber ruined Berlin's perfect regular season, and the Mounties have not forgotten about it. Berlin will have two weeks to think about that loss, and they will relish the opportunity to get the Ramblers at home this time. Berlin is led by the sensational athlete, Drew Glotfelty. He was spectacular against Windber earlier in the year posting 213 yards. His season total was just shy of 1,500 yards and he had 18 rushing touchdowns. Glotfelty is a factor in the passing game as he has caught six touchdowns as well. He is truly a do it all type player, and will be the key for the remainder of Berlin's season. Blake Miller has done a nice job at quarterback, and he rarely turns the ball over. The freshmen, Braden Fochtman, can also be a dangerous threat for coach Doug Paul. Berlin needs to find a way to slow down Windber as they posted 28 points in Week 10.

         Windber fought the injury bug last week against Tussey Mountain and prevailed 34-28 winners.  Windber has been a solid all around team this season, and it was not expected. They have dealt with injuries and an excellent senior class graduating to become another solid Windber football team.  As always, it starts with a good running game. Dustin Blough leads the team in rushing, but is complimented by Dan Tomlinson and Trevor Neri. Devon Tomlinson was injured last week, and his status for Saturday is in doubt. Dakota Gipe has put together a solid year at quarterback, and despite an injury last week, he should be playing this week. His main guy is Matt Barkley at receiver. Barkley has 49 catches, with right going for touchdowns. The Windber defense has been known to give up some big rushing performances, and Glotfelty was one of them. They need to come in with a concerned effort to slow him down. 

        This should be another excellent football game. The first meeting will serve as fuel for Berlin. They will want this game, and not end the season with two losses to the same team. Windber wants to get back to the District Five Final and show the area they are still a force. Expect a huge crowd in Berlin, as this is a huge game for Somerset County. I actually like Windber is this one. I think they have enough weapons in both passing and running, and it should carry them to a victory. It will be close, and with Glotfelty running the ball, anything could happen.

Ramblers 27 Mountaineers 22 

LHAC Football Forecast Week 12.

I posted a 4-2 record last week bringing my season total to 51-17. We saw some excellent first round action from all the LHAC teams involved. Bishop McCort won in an instant classic over the defending champions in Penns Manor. Forest Hills and Juniata Valley also sprung upsets in their first round games. Richland handled Penn Cambria to keep their unbeaten record alive. Somerset went down to Pittsburgh and lost in a high scoring shootout to University Prep. Four teams are left from the LHAC, and the possibility remains that there could be an all Laurel Highlands weekend in the District Six Championships. Not bad for a league that many considered "down" this season.

7. Northern Cambria (8-3) at 6.Bishop McCort (8-3) Saturday 7:00 Point Stadium

McCort's Defensive Line

This certainly is not the game everyone expected as the seven seed will travel to the six seed in this semi final game. Northern Cambria is coming off of an impressive win over second seeded Portage. The Colts used a balanced offensive attack with Nate Zachesky carrying the load on the ground, and Jeff Hogan and Adam Polites making plays through the air. It took a interception return for a touchdown by Dartagnan Suchar to secure the 20-14 victory. Northern Cambria has a solid passing game with Jeff Hogan leading the way. Adam Polites is the most athletic receiver left in the District Six A field. The Colts defense held a high powered Portage offense to just seven offensive points. The defense is led by tackling machine Alex Atkins, and they are tough against the run. 

         Bishop McCort is coming off a huge, road victory over the Heritage conference champions, Penns Manor. The Crushers used a strong aerial attack, a steady running game, and forced some big turnovers to pull the upset. Zaine Tomkowski played like the area's leading passer in round one, and will bring 1,643 and 15 touchdowns into next week's game. Jordan Spangler is his number one target, and Luke DiFrancesco and Ryan Siwy are also dangerous receivers. The running game of Wyatt Jackson and Dustin Belskey has been improving each week. The Crushers were torched by the phenomenal Danny Ferens on the ground, but forced some key turnover and came up with the stops they needed to get. The Crushers offense has been good also season long led by Gap Barbin. 

           These two teams bring a similar style. They have a solid passing game, and enough running to keep you honest. The two teams have good defenses led by hard hitting seniors. The common opponents are Penns Manor and Cambria Heights. Both teams narrowly beat Penns Manor, and Northern Cambria beat Heights, whereas the Crushers lost a tight one to the Highlanders. All things are pointing to another close, and exciting game. I think the Crushers are good to pull this one out, though. The passing game for McCort is clicking on all cylinders, and they are unbeaten at Point Stadium this season. 

Crismon Crushers 31 Colts 21

5. Bishop Guilfoyle (9-2) at 1. Bellwood-Antis (10-1) Friday 7:00 Bellwood-Antis Memorial Field

Seth Worthing

Bellwood-Antis has been considered the premier program in Class A for some time now. They are also considered one of the premier programs in the Altoona region, and Bishop Guilfoyle would love nothing more to take down the mighty Blue Devils. Easier said, then done. Bellwood-Antis rolled out to an easy 40-14 first round win over Glendale. The Blue Devils are looking for their first District Six Championship since 2007. They have a great team to try to pull it off. The offense is led by superstar junior, Casey Gray. He enters this week with 1,463 yards and 20 touchdowns on the ground. Seth Worthing is a dual threat quarterback that is as dangerous as anyone when he is in the open field. The Blue Devil defense is pretty stingy, as they have held down some pretty good offenses this season. This team appears to be on a one way mission to play for the District Six Crown. 

          Bishop Guilfoyle is the one thing standing in Bellwood's way, and they have championship aspirations themselves. Bishop Guilfoyle is coming off their most successful regular season since joining the LHAC. They were able to easily dispel fourth seeded Juniata Valley last week, and will look to pull off another road victory. The Marauders are led by a strong defense that has pitcher five shutouts this season. Nick Ceschini leads a massive defensive front, DJ Kitt makes play after play from the Linebacker spot, and Pat Irwin leads the team with five interceptions. The offense has been steady, but nothing extraordinary. Pat Irwin has been running the offense, but sophopmore sensation Brandon Chadbourn saw his first action last week. Chadbourn was the original QB, and has excellent running skills. Cody Rossman is the team's leading rusher with 686 yards and ten touchdowns.

           This game will come down to Guilfoyle ability to slow down the offense of Bellwood-Antis. The Marauders would like this game to be a low scoring slug fest, as the Blue Devils would like it to be a faster paced game. Bishop Guilfoyle gets an extra boost with Chadbourn being on the field, but Bellwood has more weapons overall. This shoudl prove to be a very good game. Each team has its strengths, and they will play to them the best they can. I like Bellwood-Antis. I think they have a stronger passing game, and it will allow them to make a few more plays in the long haul.

Blue Devils 29 Marauders 22

6. Forest Hills (8-3) at 2. Ligonier Valley (10-1) Saturday 7:00 Standard Bank Stadium

Ligonier Valley is coming off their first playoff win since they defeated Tyrone back in 1985. The Rams have a chance to play for a District Championship if they can win another playoff game this Saturday. Ligonier Valley will bring a strong rushing attack into this week's semifinal game against Forest Hills. Ryan Torrance has been dominating this season, and now holds the single season rushing record for Ligonier. The record has stood since 1974, but with 1,428 yards and 26 touchdowns, Torrance is having a season LV fans will not soon forget. The Rams also have a passing game that you must respect. Scott Fennell has thrown for nearly 900 yards and 11 touchdowns  Alec Bloom is a 6-7 receiver on the outside that can provide matchup problems for any defense. The LV defense has been pretty stout to go along with that terrific offense. Stuart Urch has been a force by racking up 20 sacks on the year. Ligonier Valley has come up with two consecutive wins over Bald Eagle by a combined score of 89-12. They will be tested much more this week against a strong Forest Hills squad. 

          The Rangers pulled off a victory over a good Central team in week one of the playoffs. The Rangers were not given much of a chance by many, and they took that to heart. There may not be a better team in the area adjusting each week. Don Bailey and his staff saw they needed to pass last week, and they did just that.  Joe Donoughe threw for 200 yards and a touchdown last week,and has had a rather impressive sophomore season as a whole. Jared Shope and Doltyn Snedden are two athletic and very reliable receivers in the receiving game. Shawn Dell can be counted on to be a good back, when the Rangers need to run the ball. Forest Hills is only allowing 10 points a game, and held down an explosive Central offense to just seven points. 

              The Rangers are one of the traditional AA powers, and Ligonier Valley is on the rise. The Rams got that first playoff win for coach Roger Beitel, but can they make it two?  It will not be easy taking down one of the legends of local high school football in Don Bailey. I like the Rangers in this game. Forest Hills has grown so much throughout the season, and they are clicking at the absolute right time. Forest Hills is in the midst of a six game winning streak, and they are one of the hottest teams in the area. Ligonier has the weapons to win this game, but they struggle against tough defenses. Forest Hills should be able to disrupt the running game of Ligonier, and take a victory.

Rangers 27 Rams 14

GAME OF THE WEEK

4. Tyrone (8-3) at 1. Richland (11-0) Friday 7:00 Herlinger Field

            The rematch is here. Tyrone took down Richland in the District Final last season. The roles are reversed this season, as Richland appears to be the favorite and the better team. Tyrone still has a solid core in place from last season's championship team, and are more than capable of winning this game. This game will be the game of the weekend, and it will certainly be worth the price of admission. 

           Tyrone narrowly escaped over Cambira Heights in the first round with a 14-7 victory. The offense for Tyrone was provided by the spectacular running of junior, James Oliver. Oliver is among the state leaders in rushing and brings a total of 1,844 yards and 27 touchdowns into Friday's contest. He is the catalyst for Tyrone, and everything builds off of him. Erik Wagner has improved as a quarterback, but Tyrone is not a great passing team. Charles Wilson-Adams has made plenty of big plays on offense, and is the leading receiver. The Golden Eagles have a solid defense led by guys like Ben Makdad and Wilson-Adams. They still have a good core from the 14-2 team last year, and they will not lay down to Richland. They held a powerful Clearfield offense down for the most part, so Richland may have its hands full.

             Richland rolled out to an easy 28-0 win over Penn Cambria. They used another strong air raid attack, and a good performance from Tanner Solarczyk on the ground. That has been the recipe for success all year long, and Richland will go out and use their versatile offense once again.  Matt Shaffer has been a reliable quarterback all season, and his backup is more than serviceable in Nico Pecora. They have teamed up for 2,011 yards and 19 touchdowns. Solarczyk comes in as the second most effective back in the AA field, behind only James Oliver of Tyrone. He has rushed for 1,514 and 22 touchdowns. Richland has such a  prolific offense that averages 423 yards a game. The defense sometimes gets overshadowed, but it has been highly effective this season. They have forced 21 turnovers as a team to go along with 35 sacks. 

             This game is filled with underclassmen, and we could see this game played in years down the line. Richland would love to avenge last season's loss. They have the powerful offense, and the stingy defense. It is hard to pick a weakness in this Richland team. They are so well coached, and they are ready to get back to Mansion Park. Tyrone is a proud bunch, and they want to get the chance to defend their title. There is going to be great battles all over the field, but maybe Charles Wilson-Adams and Kyle Flick could be the most exciting. They are both excellent athletes, and it will be a battle all game long. I have been picking Richland all year long, and I can not change it now. They are a complete team, and Tyrone will have trouble slowing them down on the artificial track at home.

Rams 34 Golden Eagles 27

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

LHAC Football Forecast Week Eleven.

I posted a great 7-1 record last week to take my season total to 47-15. Playoffs are upon us, and the fun all begins this Friday night. Seven teams from the Laurel Highlands qualified for postseason play. Johnstown, Bedford, Westmont, Bishop Carroll, and Central Cambria failed to qualify and they will begin working towards next season. All of these teams have a bright future, and could be real players in the 2013 season. The playoffs this season will be as exciting as ever. The A field is expected to be wide open, and a number of AA teams are contenders. Somerset will have a tough road in the sub regional with District 9, but they can make some noise. Why wait?  Let's get to it!

8. Penn Cambria (6-4) at 1. Richland (10-0) Friday 7:00 Herlinger Field.

This will be the only match up of the weekend that will pit two LHAC teams against each other. The two teams just met in week eight, with Richland walking away with a 30-12 win at Penn Cambria. Richland enters the playoffs as the only undefeated team in District Six. The Rams have plenty of offensive firepower. The running game by Tanner Solarczyk is among the best in the district. The quarterback, Matt Shaffer is also a valuable runner, as is sophomore, Dominic Farina. Shaffer leads a great passing game with fellow quarterback, Nico Pecora. The offense is averaging 37 points per game. The defense does not get the same type of attention, but it has led them to some important victories. Richland needed an interception return by Kyle Flick to win a hard fought game at Bellwood-Antis last weekend. Penn Cambria is coming off of a crazy month. The conference favorites lost four straight games, and Head Coach, Ernie Fetzer stepped down. The Panthers have gained momentum by winning two straight since. They bring a strong rushing attack, and a good group of seniors going into the playoffs. The Panthers simply do not have the offense to keep up with Richland. The game will be on artificial turf, and the Richland no huddle look thrives off of it. The number one seed should advance. 

Rams 35 Panthers 13

6. Forest Hills (7-3) at 3.Central (8-2) Saturday 7:00

Forest Hills will have to make the trek to Roaring Spring to take on a very talented Central team. The Red Dragons have an explosive 1-2 punch that is as good as you will see in District Six. Austin Cunningham is a versatile quarterback that has accounted for 29 touchdowns this season, that have come in a variety of ways. He is just a junior, and his classmate, Bradi Moore is another impressive athlete. Moore has scored 27 touchdowns. He is a great running back, but is the leading receiver. The Dragons have an excellent defense as well. Central's only defeats are 10-0 Clearfield and 8-2 Fort Hill of Maryland. The Rangers will need an impressive defensive output to win this one. The Rangers defense only allows 11 points a contest, so they may stand a chance. Forest Hills will also need to score points to keep pace with Central. Joe Donoughe leads the offense as the quarterback, and will need to turn in a solid performance. Dolytn Snedden, Jared Shope, and Shawn Dell are all capable play makers. This will be a tough game for Forest Hills, as many view Central as the best team in the district. The Red Dragons will be able to score their points, and I think Forest Hills will keep pace for a while. In the end, Central has a few more big plays in them.

Red Dragons 38 Rangers 24

5. Cambria Heights (7-3) at 4. Tyrone (7-3) Friday 7:00 Grey Vets Memorial Field

Tyrone

The past 10-15 years, you could not find two programs further apart. Tyrone has played for countless District, and even State Championships. Cambria Heights was hovering around 1-2 wins a season. Throw all of that out the window this weekend. Cambria Heights came stepped up and has become one of the better stories in the area. They have a big strong team that is not short on athletes. Tyler Crawford is the type of back that can tough the ball over 30 times a game. Donnie Contorchick is more than capable to come in and spell Crawford. Nathan Bearer has been a factor in the running game, all the while improving his passing game. Andrew Brawley is a threat receiving and in the return game. The Highlanders are coming off a disappointing loss in the Coal Bowl to rival, Northern Cambria. Tyrone comes in as a team looking to defend its title. They lost quite a bit coming into this season, but have found success despite an 0-2 start. The success starts with junior running back, James Oliver.  Oliver is among the leading rushers in the state, and is the focal point of the Golden Eagle attack. A group of linemen, and some key defensive players are back from the state championship run, and they have kept things rolling in Tyrone. You could argue Tyrone is one of the hottest teams in the state, and that is something the rest of the district does not want to see. I like Tyrone with the playoff experience in this one.

Golden Eagles 28 Highlanders 14

5. Bishop Guilfoyle (8-2) at 4. Juniata Valley (9-1) Saturday 7:00

This could be a very intriguing game Saturday night. Nobody knows exactly what to expect from Juniata Valley. They are 9-1, but played very poorly against Bellwood-Antis. The Hornets have a pretty good running game that features two 1,000 yard backs. Brett Grissinger and Jesse Claar are putting up video game like numbers. They have combined for 37 rushing touchdowns. The passing game is led by junior, Caleb Taylor. Taylor has thrown very well, but has thrown 14 interceptions this season. He cannot make those kind of mistakes against a stingy BG defense. The Marauders only allow 10 points a game, and it starts with a great defensive front consisting of Nick Ceschini, Nick Little, Mike Pleva, and Jextin Pugh. The Marauder offense gets the job done without big numbers or any true stars. Pat Irwin is pretty versatile from his quarterback spot. He can make plays with his feet. Cody Rossman is the top running back, but DJ Kitt and Sam McCloskey will also see some carries. It will be contrasting styles on Saturday. Juniata Valley will want this game played in the 30-40 point range, while Guilfoyle would like it to be a low scoring game. I think BG has a distinct advantage in the trenches, and the team that can control it up front typically wins the game. 

Marauders 23 Hornets 13

Somerset (5-5) vs. University Prep (5-3)

It is hard to say how this game will be. University Prep is coming from the Pittsburgh City League, and it is tough to gauge how they will fare against Somerset. University Prep played traditional power Perry tough in the City Championship in a close game. Somerset will enter the game losing three straight contests. The offense is built around the ever dangerous junior quarterback, Tanner Stull. He may not be 100%, but he is tough when he is on his game. The Golden Eagles will need him to turn in a masterful effort for the Golden Eagles to advance further in this sub region. I'll go with Somerset. 

Golden Eagles 27 Panthers 20

GAME OF THE WEEK

6. Bishop McCort (7-3) at 3. Penns Manor (9-1) Saturday 7:00

Bishop McCort enters the postseason as the sixth seed, but many feel they are a legitimate title contender. The Crimson Crushers have a solid passing game headed by senior quarterback, Zaine Tomkowski. He has 1,433 yards and 12 touchdowns on the season. The Crushers offense has had its ups and downs this season, but the defense has been stable all season long. McCort only surrenders 12 points per game, and it starts up front with Gap Barbin. The defense as a whole has forced 23 turnovers and have scored four touchdowns. Bishop McCort, as always, will bring a great special teams game. Jordan Spangler has made seven Field Goals, and his leg can be a difference maker in the field position game as well. Penns Manor is the defending champions, and the key to it all is back for another prime run to a championship. Danny Ferens may be more important to his team, than any other player around. Ferens has accounted for 39 touchdowns as a dangerous running quarterback. He is so important on defense as well. Ferens is a special talent. The rest of the team has stepped up after losing some key players. Cody Bytner has rushed for 700 yards himself, while Chris Henderson has chipped in 400 yards. Penns Manor only throws when need be, and they may have to a little bit on Saturday. McCort's defensive front will throw the running game off a bit. Its a matter of who has the most success on the edge. If Bishop McCort can slow Ferens outside the tackle box, they will win the game. But if Penns Manor can establish a solid option game, they should be fine. This game will be a tight contest. Both teams are evenly matched, and it could really go either way. I picked McCort because they can win games with the special teams play.

Crimson Crushers 24 Comets 21

District Six A Playoff Notes and Picks

Conferences Supremacy- The LHAC, Heritage,WestPac, and ICC will all be represented in the District VI playoff field, an conference bragging rights will be on the line. Each conference has a legitimate contender to play at Mansion Park and take the conference bragging rights.

State Playoff Success-In 2009 Bishop McCort advanced through two state playoff games to the State Championship. Bishop Carroll in 2010 followed that up with one playoff victory, as did Penns Manor last season. The 2012 District Six Champ will get to host District 3 at Mansion Park. The D3 candidates are Delone Catholic, Steelton Highspire, Millersburg, and Columbia.

Aerial Attack-Of all the District Six offenses, most teams do not possess a great passing game. The team  that seems to be able to throw the ball with success is Bishop McCort. Zaine Tomkowski leads the field in passing yardage going into the postseason with 1433 yards and 12 touchdowns. He has two very good targets in Jordan Spangler and Luke DiFrancesco. Northern Cambria's Jeff Hogan can sling the ball pretty well also.

Dual Threats-Often the case in A football, the best athlete tends to play quarterback. It makes sense, get the best player the ball the most chances you get. A few teams in the D6 field have some guys that can really do it all. Danny Ferens is a four year starting quarterback, and is the leading rusher in the playoff field. Pat Irwin from Bishop Guilfoyle started the year at receiver, and has used his versatility to improve the BG offense. Seth Worthing has the ability to be a big time runner for Bellwood-Antis, and can make the big run when need be.

Mr. 1000-Obviously running the football is the name of the game in A Football, and some backs are putting up some big time numbers. Casey Gray of Bellwood-Antis, Casey Kephart of Portage, Danny Ferens from Penns Manor, Brett Grissinger and Jesse Claar of Juniata Valley, and Damon Braniff of Glendale have eclipsed 1,000 yard in the regular season.

Jack of all Trades-The busiest player on any field this postseason could be Bishop McCort's Jordan Spangler. Spangler leads Bishop McCort in receiving with 46 catches and 600 yards. He also serves as the team's Kicker, and has made 7 Field Goals this season. Jordan will do the kickoffs and and punting as well. He is the team's starting cornerback, and he returns kickoffs.

Unique Opportunity-Perhaps the MVP of all of District Six could be the Penns Manor quarterback, Danny Ferens. He will have the unique chance to start at quarterback in the playoffs for four seasons. Each year Penns Manor has improved with Ferens under center. He has really been the fuel to all of these playoff runs, and it will be fun to see what he has up his sleeve this season.

Unknown Commodity-Glendale seems to generate the least ammount of talk heading into this playoff tournament, but the Vikings are pretty tough. They got to the six win mark and played Northern Bedford and Juniata Valley very tough. They have an experience back with Damon Braniff. Doug Twigg is a threat to go the distance any time he touches it.

Darkhorse Candidate-How about Northern Cambria? The Colts have three losses, but they also hold some impressive wins. They started the season beating Penns Manor, and closed out the regular season beating AA Cambria Heights. They have a good passing attack, and a defense that can make some big plays.

Unlikely Favorite-Not a whole lot was expected out of the Portage Mustangs heading into the season. They were coming in with an uncharacteristic 4-5 record off the last year. The Mustangs also had tons of underclassmen littering the depth chart. The resilient group went out and performed better than anyone could have imagined. Portage now sits at 9-1 with the number 2 ranking. Casey Kephart is a workhorse running back, and the defense has been outstanding

Classic Battles-Bishop McCort and Bellwood-Antis have met in the postseason every year since 2008. Each game has been labeled an Instant Classic. 2008 Bishop McCort won 24-20. 2009 in the District Championship, McCort came from behind to win 34-20. 2010 marred under controversy McCort defeated Bellwood-Antis 30-29. And last season was another great one with Bellwood finally getting the McCort monkey off their back and won 11-10. A meeting this year would be in the District Championship.

And....The Picks
First Round
Bellwood-Antis over Glendale
Bishop Guilfoyle over Juniata Valley
Bishop McCort over Penns Manor
Northern Cambria over Portage

Second Round
Bellwood-Antis over Bishop Guilfoyle
Bishop McCort over Northern Cambria

Championship
Bellwood-Antis over Bishop McCort