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Big Ike wrote:Crazy prediction?...but not supported by anything...Per another board someone got talked to portage coaches at a passing scrimmage and felt they were confident in thier title defense but came off somewhat "scared" "non confident" in a possible state game vs. McCort...I think they break through this year with an "upset" victory in the state playoffs at some level...They have been to the playoffs a couple of years now and may have new found confidence at least among the kids...

They can be as confident as they want, doesn't change the fact McCort is just better and more talented. Now I'm not saying Portage is bad or not talented, just simply saying McCort's better, a big part of that being they play much better competition, and are more talented. So what I'm saying is they can be as confident as they want, I don't think, baring injuries or something like that, they can beat McCort. Now I will duck and cover as the gun fire flies at me from WestPac and Mustang fans alike.

Yeah, BM Crushed Portage and then got Crushed themselves by Steelton-Highspire. Eric Lowery had a Big-Time Game against Portage and IMO it was one of those Games, I was there BTW, "that when it rains it pours".

http://www.maxpreps.com/contests/9GH1Af ... nstown.htm

BM was clearly a Better Team last year. BM, BA, or somebody completely different may win D6 1A this year, but Portage won't be a push-over.

[quote="PA_Wizard"]Yeah, BM Crushed Portage and then got Crushed themselves by Steelton-Highspire.quote]

It was 6-3 with 8 minutes left, and the wheels came off at the end they didn't get crushed. The final 8 minutes of that game was a PERFECT example of when it rains it pours.

underdog1 wrote:It was 6-3 with 8 minutes left, and the wheels came off at the end they didn't get crushed. The final 8 minutes of that game was a PERFECT example of when it rains it pours.

Good Points. I was pulling for McCort/D6 very hard. I got Crushed defending a position similar to yours on the PSB Forum.

PA_Wizard wrote:

underdog1 wrote:It was 6-3 with 8 minutes left, and the wheels came off at the end they didn't get crushed. The final 8 minutes of that game was a PERFECT example of when it rains it pours.

Good Points. I was pulling for McCort/D6 very hard. I got Crushed defending a position similar to yours on the PSB Forum.

People who weren't at that game will tell McCort got crushed, no pun intended, people who were will tell you they fought Steelton to the end and just started running out of gas the last 8 minutes.

I think Portage should repeat, but will get tougher than expected games at Blacklick, Township, and Ridge. Windber is really confident after their great finish and love playing the underdog role.

Why would Portage be confident against McCort? Most teams aren't. It's a classic David vs Goliath.

letsgopitt:

I agree with your predictions. Portage will win it obviously, but (as D5 as a whole) I think Berlin will be the dark horse and its just not because I am a fan of theirs. They didn't lose anything and its the same team that almost beat windber in the playoffs without their best player (offensively and defensively). They also got a new kid from Virginia and he is a very good player for around here.

Portage: 9-0 Everyone back, enjoy it this year bc rebuilding time is coming
Blacklick: 8-1 Great line, and speedy worthington
Berlin: 6-3 Everyone back, sayler quicker and finally healthy
Windber: 6-3 Lost talent, but have good rb's
Township: 5-4 lost duray, and need running production besides zaman
North Star: 4-5 Lost everything, but still have kuncher
Meyersdale: 4-5 Lost good role players (donaldson)

What I would like to know is how Everett and NBC is looking. I know Berlin beat Everett 7 on 7 pretty good. Anyone?

I agree with you that Berlin has alot coming back but they did lose a couple of good seniors Engleka on the line and Brett Hankinson was a good all-around player. Nate Werner was a good player that was injured last season. I heard Berlin beat Everett, Northern Bedford, and Tussey mountain at 7 on 7 this summer and lost to a 3A power from New Jersey (Holy Cross) that had several D1 players when they dropped a 2pt conversion on last play of game. Key with Berlin,Meyersdale,Township,North Star,and Windber will be who avoids injuries. Berlin may still be a year away as they will have alot of talented sophomores and juniors this year.

lets go pitt wrote:I agree with you that Berlin has alot coming back but they did lose a couple of good seniors Engleka on the line and Brett Hankinson was a good all-around player. Nate Werner was a good player that was injured last season. I heard Berlin beat Everett, Northern Bedford, and Tussey mountain at 7 on 7 this summer and lost to a 3A power from New Jersey (Holy Cross) that had several D1 players when they dropped a 2pt conversion on last play of game. Key with Berlin,Meyersdale,Township,North Star,and Windber will be who avoids injuries. Berlin may still be a year away as they will have alot of talented sophomores and juniors this year.

I agree that Engleka was a good player, but Hankinson was just okay. He couldn't pass the ball to save his life and had poor judgement also. As for Werner, he is bad, ill keep it at that. Not much power or speed and he didn't ever play defense either.

A little more info on Portage... Jason Kostan recently moved to Portage and will be playing for them this year. If the name seems familiar it's because his brother Jared was a stud fullback for FH a couple of years ago. With all the talent Portage returns and the little bit they add they should not lose a game in the Westpac