Will BG be tested?

[Crimson's Ghost]

I'd be surprised if Blairsville and Portage would be undefeated with that schedule.


You lost me on the conference talk comparing the MAC and Big Ten and LHAC and Mountain.

[SFB14]

Konjo, we'll just have to agree to disagree on this one. I was at the game last year and full credit to Homer Center for winning the game. BG does have the same athletes but they have improved physically and have another year of experience under their belts. Add in the fact that they are getting contributions from a number of sophomores and juniors (and at least 1 prominent freshman) who got their feet wet last year and I believe it bodes well for them. Of course there are circumstances where they could lose (Injuries, turnover, weather, etc...) but unless something like that happens I don't believe they will lose in the D6 play-offs.

I know none of us will ever settle the debate regarding the conferences but doubt any of the other local ones are as good as the LHAC top to bottom. To say that another school would be undefeated with BG's schedule would be conjecture as PC, FH, and CC are quality teams. Maybe they wouldn't have lost but would they have mercy ruled everyone to this point? Again, anything can happen (and I don't believe I'm a BG homer as I've been critical of other programs of theirs, particularly the girls basketball program, in the past) but based on what I've seen I don't believe BG will lose in D6-A. The great thing is we will all know here soon enough.

[WPIAL~Titan]

SFB, well thought out response. I do disagree that BG players would have to switch positions to have a better shot to get on the field. Chadbourne would likely be the QB and would play CB as well, but he would be a great weapon at wide receiver opposite Steave.

None of those other guys would play ahead of Mencer or Givens in the offensive backfield, so they'd be receivers, DBs, and special teams aces too. McCloskey and Kitt would not play ahead of Givens or Mencer, but would add valuable depth to RB, WR, DB, LB, and/or special teams and would play one way if they started. Gormley would be a lineman (not a TE/DE) and would probably play one way. Berger is a big kid who would add size and depth nicely as an offensive tackle opposite Scheinberg, and on the DL.

Here's the difference between AAAA and A...

If Altoona had a few of these BG guys, they'd be better, but the only real difference maker would be Chadbourne. Even with him and the 3-4 other BG guys, Altoona wouldn't be any better than 8-1, rather than a likely 7-2 finish. They had McKeesport in the bag with the guys they have now, but came unraveled the last 5:00 of the game. It would have been exceptionally difficult for Altoona to beat a really really good Penn Trafford team on the road, even with all the BG players. With the BG players, Altoona could make the WPIAL AAAA quarters and would go no further than the semis barring an epic run.

Conversely, if BG had Givens, Mencer (or even just one of those two) and maybe 3 of the AAHS OL and DL, their biggest problem would be keeping their starters sharp because with those players on the field for more than a half per game, you could see scores like 91-0 and 84-7 in most LHAC games. With those 4-5 Altoona guys, BG would physically muscle and pound teams like CWNC and Clairton and would win a state title.

There's the difference.

[D6sports101]

Titan....have you seen mccloskey play? He goes games without even being brought down. He's a great runner and may not be as fast as mencer but I would just flip a coin for the running back position.

As for fullback, that would be givens spot and would not be taken away from him in any circumstances.

Chadbourn would be the quarterback. Put him up against the altoona QB there is really no comparison. Having a mobile QB is really a problem for the opposition

[WPIAL~Titan]

Have seen McCloskey play. Very good HS player, who will play small college football somewhere and contribute. IMHO, no way he starts ahead of Mencer who is bigger, stronger, faster, more athletic, more talented, and more projectable. Altoona would get him on the field in some capacity, just not at RB, unless In wildcat with Mencer. Competition is Relative. McCloskey can't be tackled in LHAC, but Mencer's all-purpose yards would be measured in several miles if he played there. Not a knock on LHAC, just the reality. No way McCloskey has 1100 yards in 8 WPIAL AAAA games.

Agree on Chadbourne, very very talented, especially by LHAC District 6 standards. Could definitely start at QB for Altoona (would get more touches at QB), but could also be lights out at WR, which along with DB, would be his college positions. Fantastic local HS player.

[west33]

Somerset will have all their guys back for the bg game. Slayback and van litten will miss pc game, but alot of players are banged up a bit. Mostoller went down for awhile vs ch when a guy fell on his ankle, but he will play this week. That would have been a real loss, because no other tend compares to him or defensive lineman. He is fast, big and strong as a bull!

[deepcreek]

Altoona is around +17 points better than Somerset and about +28 better than BG IMO. If they could throw the ball better, they would have a chance in the AAAA playoffs to win a couple of games. But, they are one dimensonal. WPIAL AAAA football and depth is no joke.

BG and Somerset will be a good game but Somerset will win by 14 because they will wear BG down. We shall see how it works out, both good teams.

[Crimson's Ghost]

They might sneak into the 8 seed, host a round one game and maybe even win but Altoona would run into Pine Richland in the second round, and they are a fantastic team. Altoona won't be able to hang with them.

[D6ForLife]

Let's not forget about the elite tight end for BG - Anthony Livoti. I'd say he'd be a shoe-in for an Altoona starting position.

[TAHS92Alum]

I know I'm a Tyrone guy but 3 years ago, who would have thought this would even be a discussion. Playoffs in the WPIAL was not even a chance prior to Franco going to Altoona. There was no choice for him but to take the job. Now a few years later they look to be a playoff team. Now that they are winning, perhaps he can get the kids out of the hallways and back on the football field. Of course having Givens definitely helps.