What's your picks for the state finals??
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THE CHOPS
- Official BleacherCoach
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What's your picks for the state finals??
This & a fifty cent piece may not get you a coffee, but here's the way I see it.
P.I.A.A. CHAMPIONSHIPS At Hersheypark Stadium:
CLASS (AAAA) Pittsburgh Central Catholic 37, Neshaminy 17
P.C.C. coach Art Walker Jr. naturally grinds his teeth a bit when it is pointed out that the WPIAL has not produced a Class (AAAA) champion since 1995. This is in part because his team played a role in that streak with last year's 27-point loss to North Penn, and in part because this is a new year. It will be a good year for the Vikings, a team clearly deserving of the national attention it has received since the beginning of the season. PCC will be worthy of attention Saturday night, too. Neshaminy has improved throughout the year and can pose a threat to PCC if it doesn't bring the A game. But that's unlikely. A couple of looks at the Vikings have convinced us that Central Catholic is all "A" game.
CLASS (AAA) Thomas Jefferson 20, Manheim Central 17
This will no doubt upset some of the most partisan voices down in Baron World, but we have our reasons, however flawed they might be. First, while it was uplifting to see Manheim Central's effort following the season-ending broken arm to RB-LB Jeremiha Hunter last week against Berwick, that sort of thing is difficult to repeat. Nor is success one year a guarantor of success the following year: Seven defending champions have been beaten in the ensuing year's finals. Of course, defending champions have also won nine times. Both teams have won tight games during their runs, and both have broken away from the run this year. All indications are this game will be tighter than a Rubbermaid lid. And that lid won't be covering beef stew.
CLASS (AA) Lansdale Catholic 21, Grove City 13
Grove City is the feel-good story of the playoffs, a team that had no clue about the postseason, barely survived its first game against a tough, unbeaten opponent, and has since taken off like a video-game space pod. Just one more win and the novel is complete with the requisite happy ending. Trouble is, Lansdale Catholic has a say in the outcome. More than a say, with R.C. Lagomarsino at the wheel. Lago has had a fantastic year, averaging more than 200 yards rushing per game in the playoffs, including a monster outburst here and there. Not sure he can pop the big gain against a tough and fast Grove City defense, but he's the guy on whom this game hinges.
CLASS (A) Southern Columbia 32, Rochester 19
Fear the prediction, Tigers: This newspaper hasn't picked any of the four previous Southern-Rochester meetings correctly, if memory serves. And Rochester is eminently capable of extending that streak of botched selections. The Rams can throw, provided QB Cory Schleyer is healthy enough to play, and one must throw to beat Southern Columbia. One must also be able to defend the run, which has been Mission: Impossible for the Tigers' opponents. But Rochester has overcome some big odds more than once this year and won (and lost) some tight, tough ball games. At that, it's hard to believe Rochester will get up to Ramming speed against the most efficient running team in the state.
"THE CHOPS".
P.I.A.A. CHAMPIONSHIPS At Hersheypark Stadium:
CLASS (AAAA) Pittsburgh Central Catholic 37, Neshaminy 17
P.C.C. coach Art Walker Jr. naturally grinds his teeth a bit when it is pointed out that the WPIAL has not produced a Class (AAAA) champion since 1995. This is in part because his team played a role in that streak with last year's 27-point loss to North Penn, and in part because this is a new year. It will be a good year for the Vikings, a team clearly deserving of the national attention it has received since the beginning of the season. PCC will be worthy of attention Saturday night, too. Neshaminy has improved throughout the year and can pose a threat to PCC if it doesn't bring the A game. But that's unlikely. A couple of looks at the Vikings have convinced us that Central Catholic is all "A" game.
CLASS (AAA) Thomas Jefferson 20, Manheim Central 17
This will no doubt upset some of the most partisan voices down in Baron World, but we have our reasons, however flawed they might be. First, while it was uplifting to see Manheim Central's effort following the season-ending broken arm to RB-LB Jeremiha Hunter last week against Berwick, that sort of thing is difficult to repeat. Nor is success one year a guarantor of success the following year: Seven defending champions have been beaten in the ensuing year's finals. Of course, defending champions have also won nine times. Both teams have won tight games during their runs, and both have broken away from the run this year. All indications are this game will be tighter than a Rubbermaid lid. And that lid won't be covering beef stew.
CLASS (AA) Lansdale Catholic 21, Grove City 13
Grove City is the feel-good story of the playoffs, a team that had no clue about the postseason, barely survived its first game against a tough, unbeaten opponent, and has since taken off like a video-game space pod. Just one more win and the novel is complete with the requisite happy ending. Trouble is, Lansdale Catholic has a say in the outcome. More than a say, with R.C. Lagomarsino at the wheel. Lago has had a fantastic year, averaging more than 200 yards rushing per game in the playoffs, including a monster outburst here and there. Not sure he can pop the big gain against a tough and fast Grove City defense, but he's the guy on whom this game hinges.
CLASS (A) Southern Columbia 32, Rochester 19
Fear the prediction, Tigers: This newspaper hasn't picked any of the four previous Southern-Rochester meetings correctly, if memory serves. And Rochester is eminently capable of extending that streak of botched selections. The Rams can throw, provided QB Cory Schleyer is healthy enough to play, and one must throw to beat Southern Columbia. One must also be able to defend the run, which has been Mission: Impossible for the Tigers' opponents. But Rochester has overcome some big odds more than once this year and won (and lost) some tight, tough ball games. At that, it's hard to believe Rochester will get up to Ramming speed against the most efficient running team in the state.
"THE CHOPS".