WESTPAC WEEK 1

[bbsocceralumni]

Ferndale @ Berlin:
Tony Penna Sr. takes over at the helm at Ferndale and has a lot of inexperienced players. Meanwhile, Berlin is loaded and very hungry. Sayler should have a big day passing and rushing. This game should be over at halftime.
Berlin 55
Ferndale 6

Portage @ Shade:
Portage has only 1 returning starter on both sides of the ball, but this is a game where they will be able to rotate a lot of guys in. Shade had a glimmer of hope last year, but they lose their best defensive player and running back. Kostan and Nesbella should both rush for 100 in a blowout.
Portage 56
Shade 6

Conemaugh Valley @ North Star:
North Star has a chance to be a very good team this year. Conemaugh Valley, on the other hand, is trying to rebuild. This game shouldn't be close. WR Tony Straisser will have a 100+ receiving day.
North Star 56
CV 6

Bishop Walsh @ Blacklick Valley:
Bishop Walsh is a bad team to say the least. The Vikings bring back a lot of starters of defense. I think they will post their first shutout of the season.
BV 34
BW 0

Windber @ Rockwood:
Windber lost a lot from last year's team and Demarco doesn't seem too certain about his team this year. Rockwood will still have their hands full.
Windber 41
Rockwood 7

Game of the Week:
Conemaugh Twp. @ Meyersdale:
This is by far the best game in the WestPac in week 1. Meyersdale has some decent running backs and a big line. Township lost a ton from last year's D5 championship team, but they still do have Byers and Stumpo. This game is a toss up. I'll take Township just because they have the 2 best players in the game on their team.
CT 27
Meyersdale 20

[Crimson09Crazy]

good work.

Ferndale does have some inexperience but QB Stumpo is back and so is Horvath the RB. They'll miss Gaunt. And plus that might be the toughest job in Pennsylvania.

Seems Portage keeps chugging in the West PAC

The Brothers Straiser is a force at North Star, They'll be dominating this year.

[bbsocceralumni]

good work.

Ferndale does have some inexperience but QB Stumpo is back and so is Horvath the RB. They'll miss Gaunt. And plus that might be the toughest job in Pennsylvania.

Seems Portage keeps chugging in the West PAC

The Brothers Straiser is a force at North Star, They'll be dominating this year.

Stumpo is at CT.

[Crimson09Crazy]

Wow I missed that.

[mc29012]

Those are some crazy predictions, I agree with all of the teams you are picking, the scores are a little crazy. 55-6, 56-6, 56-6, 34-0? Come on now you have to atleast give the other teams a chance, you havent seen any of them in an actual game yet, anything can happen.

[bbsocceralumni]

Trust me, the bottom half this year is that bad and the top half is that much better than those teams.

[daisymae67]

BB, your Berlin bias is showing; not sure where you get your info. Ferndale returns 13 starters out of 22 and 18 lettermen. Is that what you call inexperience? Penna Senior has kept the offense and defense implemented by his son, and added a few wrinkles of his own. In Ferndale's three scrimmages, Williamsburg, Northern Bedford and Hancock they've given up one score. Everyone is making the "transfer" of Stumpo to CT as a big loss. First, most of his passing yards in '09 were YAC by Gaunt; Secondly, as I've said before Eisenhuth has a stronger arm more mobility, and is ALOT quicker than Stumpo. Watch for two transfers from Johnstown; Hardrick and Mason to make their mark on the receiving corps and on defense.

We may lose to Berlin; we may get blown out, but don't bury us yet.

[lhacbigfan]

Most JV teams wouldn't give up a score to Williamsburg or Hancock...

[bbsocceralumni]

BB, your Berlin bias is showing; not sure where you get your info. Ferndale returns 13 starters out of 22 and 18 lettermen. Is that what you call inexperience? Penna Senior has kept the offense and defense implemented by his son, and added a few wrinkles of his own. In Ferndale's three scrimmages, Williamsburg, Northern Bedford and Hancock they've given up one score. Everyone is making the "transfer" of Stumpo to CT as a big loss. First, most of his passing yards in '09 were YAC by Gaunt; Secondly, as I've said before Eisenhuth has a stronger arm more mobility, and is ALOT quicker than Stumpo. Watch for two transfers from Johnstown; Hardrick and Mason to make their mark on the receiving corps and on defense.

We may lose to Berlin; we may get blown out, but don't bury us yet.

Stumpo is a big loss for you guys whether you think so or not. When I said inexperience I meant by you are bringing in a new QB and you need to replace your WR's. The passing game is a huge thing for Ferndale to have success and when you lose your key components to the passing game I considered that "inexperienced." Also, being a "letterman" doesn't mean much to me. Just because you were a letterman doesn't mean you have experience. Once again, Williamsburg and Hancock and two of the worst teams in the nation!!!
I find it hard to believe that Northern Bedford only scored once on Ferndale. If that's the case though the ICC South is horrendous if NB is suppose to be the favorite.

[daisymae67]

The returning letterman earned those by playing quarter after quarter after quarter; not the minimum. As far as the passing game, Gaunt will be a HUGE loss; but Kulback and Dorchak started last year. Please don't take my remarks about Stumpo meaning to diminish his skills; but the drop-off, if any, from him to Eisenhuth isn't comparable to say, Roethlisberger to Leftwich. Also, in our wins last year, granted to Hancock and Valley, Horvath rushed for 152 and 103 yards respectively, plus Stumpo was injured for three quarters of the Hancock game. As far as the NBC scrimmage, Ferndale only gave up one score. You see it as NBC not being good; I look at it as our defense being better than expected. Also, our ratio of run/pass plays in the three scrimmages was definitely skewed towards the run. Anyway, in doing more research, Berlin looks to be the cream of the crop in D5A; but as the saying goes, "on any given Sunday", or in this case, "on any given Friday night". Regardless, good luck this Friday.