Windber Vs. Duquesne

[Bird]

The way I see it is that Windber can do one of two things. They can continue to play poor competition, win 7 to 10 games a year and be happy being the best of the worst in the area. (portage lost to bellwood by 14, bellwood lost to carroll by even more) Or they can somehow play better competition that may prepare them for the playoffs.
Duquesne would probably win the LHAC this year. (May not lose a game) Windber would have struggled to make .500. I know, Windber has speed ... Westmont was an average team in the LHAC this year. I think Kanuch and McKlosky are as fast as the Windber kids.
My prediction: Windber will lose by 30+ this year. Windber will win 9 games next year. Windber will lose by 25+ next year. Windber will win 9 games in '07-'08. Windber will lose by 30+ again.
Everyone in the Westpac will talk about how good Windber is, everyone in the LH and other areas will laugh and say, "play someone!"

[SJ]

duquesne 56-0

[HOLLYWOOD]

Dukes 42 Ramblers 14

[Ramblr84]

Not even giving us a chance huh........You must not know Windber too good!

[ncsu92]

Ramblr84, I respect your enthusiasm for the abilities of our Blue and White gridders but must temper your comments by saying that in order for them to make a good showing they have to play a PERFECT game. If they commit five turnovers against Duquesne as they did against Meyersdale their head will be handed to them. Windber had better be prepared to go the full 48 minutes without letup at full speed. I am reminded of the string of five undefeated seasons when their final loss was a blowout. They have to keep their wits about them and perform flawlessly. Don't look at my comments as a criticism but as looking at reality. I hope the Duquesne followers have a hardtime finding a place to sit at the game because the entire town of Windber will be out to cheer the Ramblers on.

[Born_to_Ramble]

If Windber played "better" competition and finished with a .500 record every year, they would not be in this position. We would be talking about TUSSEY MOUNTAIN...I'll say it again...TUSSEY MOUNTAIN going to play Duquense at East Allegheny. Egad. My question is, how many state titles does this area have in football since the state playoffs began? Does this lack of success mean that everybody in the area needs to play "better" competition? (rhetorical) Bird, you make it sound like the LH has a truckload of state title trophies in football. I pull for those teams in the playoffs, and I don't laugh and say "play somebody" when they lose. Windber's playoff record in recent memory is better than most schools in the area. Another point: Duquense is a Single A team that plays all Single A teams during their season. Only two of these teams had winning records during the regular season. I would bet that there is no great outcry in WPIAL land for them to play "better" competition. The ONLY Single A school in this area to play "better" competition is Bishop Carroll. I respect that, but I won't take that can of worms anywhere near the can opener. In closing, I would submit that it is the competition in the area that needs to get "better", not just the successful programs.

[El-Moldo]

Not winning a State title is not a reflection on an area or conference or team. Several teams in our area have gone DEEP in the playoffs, but the title has eluded them. But at least they have WON in inter-district play, not going one and out after their district championship, and showing that they can compete with others.

[Bird]

D-5 will never beat D-7 in football. WPIAL A teams that Dukes play is far better than D-5. I'm sure no one will argue with those points.
Carroll, F.H., Tyrone all do well in the playoffs. One reason is they play better comp day in and day out.
Windber playing better comp may not be the answer, but until they do so, they should be happy winning 7-10 games a year with a quick out in the playoffs.

I am glad to see their bb team does keep some good teams on the schedule. Sure it hurts their record but it does prepare them for the playoffs.

Born - I disagree with the Tussey statement, Windber could go 5-4 in the LHAC and still win D-5.

[HOLLYWOOD]

D5 and D6 don't see even close the speed that is in the WPIAL even if they are in the LHAC or ICC. Don't even compare the competition to the WPIAL. Those boys can play football.

[flakjacket]

I would love to have some of those WPIAL teams in the LHAC. Why? Because then there will be good, experienced teams in the conference. This would make the rest of the teams play better. I hate seeing the pattycake games (Windber vs. everyone except portage).

When was the last time a d5 team won a game after the District Title game?

When was the last time a d6 team won a game after the District Title game? The answer would be the last couple years.