Clairton vs Berlin

[Crimson's Ghost]

Basketball might not be played on turf, but there's only so many parking spots and volunteers available to have on a Friday night. Not many schools in the area could accommodate 2 basketball games and a football game in one night at the same place. 

District 5 might be the host but Berlin probably wouldn't want to go to NBC either, makes more sense for the game to be at Conemaugh Township or one of the Johnstown area schools. 

[Crimson's Ghost]

Well once Head Roadie said the game was at Conemaugh Township, I knew the game was at Conemaugh Township. I'm just advocating for one of the Johnstown schools.

Township isn't a bad facility from what I can remember.

[PortagePride]

Well once Head Roadie said the game was at Conemaugh Township, I knew the game was at Conemaugh Township.  I'm just advocating for one of the Johnstown schools.  

Township isn't a bad facility from what I can remember.

The facility itself isn't too bad. Visitor seating is not great, their field consistency and the crown going over it from sideline to sideline is less than adequate. When you're standing on one sideline you can't even see the feet of the other team on the other sideline because it's humped so badly ha ha Is it a fine place for a District site or whatever...absolutely. Is it worthy of a state championship site....absolutely not...IN MY OPINION.

[peytonsaturday]

Now that the site is determined.

Berlin - 10
Da Bears - 45

Hope I'm wrong because I pull for local teams this time of year, but it's hard for D5 to compete with D7. And I don't see it happening this year either.

[ExRaided]

I look for a game like last years but with Clairton scoring less points. 40-20 sounds about right. The chances for Berlin to win are slim again but it'll be one of the best chances for D5 to beat D7. Berlin has the depth, the athletes, and the coaching to pull it off. They just have to play a perfect game. The last two games Berlin has had terrible first quarters and bad first halves overall. The third is when they seem to get it going and the fourth they let off of the gas. 
In my eyes the keys for Berlin to be competitive will be to shut the running game down much like they did last year. Force the QB to beat you. They NEED to slow clairton down and set the pace of the game. Clairton is a team that normally scores on one to three play drives. That could seriously throw their game off if they're forced to drive for 8+ plays. Berlin will need to get the offense going early. Between Fochtman, Booth, Yanosky, and Harding they have plenty of talent and that should make it hard for Clairton to single any one out. 
If Berlin plays a perfect game...Clairton just might have a long disappointing ride home. 

[peytonsaturday]

I look for a game like last years but with Clairton scoring less points. 40-20 sounds about right. The chances for Berlin to win are slim again but it'll be one of the best chances for D5 to beat D7. Berlin has the depth, the athletes, and the coaching to pull it off. They just have to play a perfect game. The last two games Berlin has had terrible first quarters and bad first halves overall. The third is when they seem to get it going and the fourth they let off of the gas. 
In my eyes the keys for Berlin to be competitive will be to shut the running game down much like they did last year. Force the QB to beat you. They NEED to slow clairton down and set the pace of the game. Clairton is a team that normally scores on one to three play drives. That could seriously throw their game off if they're forced to drive for 8+ plays. Berlin will need to get the offense going early. Between Fochtman, Booth, Yanosky, and Harding they have plenty of talent and that should make it hard for Clairton to single any one out. 
If Berlin plays a perfect game...Clairton just might have a long disappointing ride home. 

I agree. I obviously haven't seen Clairton play other than a few plays on Root Sports in their game Saturday, so I can't speak of what they do / don't do, I can only go by their reputation, and maxpreps.  This is clearly the best chance D5 has had thus far.  They do need to play a near perfect game.  In year's past the goal of the D5 winner was to play keep away from Clairton.  I don't know if Berlin has to do that this year to such an extreme that past D5 winners have had to do.  Their offense only needs one play to score as well.  Rubbing my rabbit's foot, shining my horseshoe, making a wish at 11:11 and on the first star I see at night, that this is "the year".  I think Clairton will win.....but I hope I'm wrong.

[MrReliable]

This is either going to be a blowout or closer than we all could have expected. My initial instinct would be the first. But I wouldn't be surprised if Clairton lets their guard down near the end and Berlin picks up a late score or two. I'll go Clairton 38-28.

[dougkeklak]

Take this with a grain of salt because by the time I originally heard it, it was probably third or fourth hand, but I recall hearing a story about how a Business Manager (who I don't think is there anymore) at Johnstown had some sort of disagreement or falling out with the powers that be in the PIAA and that is why Trojan Stadium and Stofko Gym don't host playoff games anymore. No clue if it's true but you can't argue that the venues have fallen out of favor as far as state sites go.

It's a dang shame Johnstown, Richland or Somerset can't be used for this game. In the future I'm sure this will be one for that supersite venue getting constructed at Windber.

Berlin will surely show out... the afore mentioned state playoff game with Rochester years back, their faithful pretty much filled the entire home side bleachers.

Sadly, I don't believe CT is a site worthy of a state playoff game, but it looks like it's the best they could hope for.

[Ddp53]

I don't see Clairton taking them lightly. Actually think they come out very focused and business like. They are just so talented and athletic, it's going to be hard for Berlin to get going. Having Coached against Clairton, the one thing that is sometimes overlooked is how good that Defense is. They lock you down with their CB's and bring heat from all gaps. Those kids fly to the football and gang tackle really well. The hard thing in preparing for them is you can't replicate that speed or the warp pace they play offense with in that no huddle. Throwing the ball on them is playing with fire because of their press style and D1 talent in the secondary. Up front they just bring more defenders than you can block because they are not worried about you throwing, actually kind of dare you to throw. I am going to say Clairton 42- Berlin 14. Just my honest opinion, I don't have a dog in the fight.

[Crimson's Ghost]

Take this with a grain of salt because by the time I originally heard it, it was probably third or fourth hand, but I recall hearing a story about how a Business Manager (who I don't think is there anymore) at Johnstown had some sort of disagreement or falling out with the powers that be in the PIAA and that is why Trojan Stadium and Stofko Gym don't host playoff games anymore.  No clue if it's true but you can't argue that the venues have fallen out of favor as far as state sites go.

It's a dang shame Johnstown, Richland or Somerset can't be used for this game.  In the future I'm sure this will be one for that supersite venue getting constructed at Windber.

Berlin will surely show out... the afore mentioned state playoff game with Rochester years back, their faithful pretty much filled the entire home side bleachers.  

Sadly, I don't believe CT is a site worthy of a state playoff game, but it looks like it's the best they could hope for.

Berlin apparently pushed for Richland and/or Johnstown, but it was District 5 that shut it down. They wanted it kept in the district, but I sure would have liked to see at Trojan Stadium.