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Well we're down to the quaterfinal round of the Pennsylsvania State Football Playoffs, and we have 3 LHAC teams remaining. Not too shabby if you ask me. Johnstown went down to who I would call the favorites to win states, Congrats Trojans on the good season. Bedford keeps the improbable run alive, while the Crushers and Rangers held off two very good football teams to take District crowns. I would say 2 of the 3 teams enter as underdogs while one team comes in as a favorite to move on.

Greensburg Central Catholic (11-2) vs. Bedford (7-6)
Windber Stadium Friday 7:00
Well some how, some way this team from Bedford keeps coming through and now they find themselves in the Elite 8 of class AA. The emergence of these Bisons can be attributed to the stellar play of Sophomore Quaterback, Marcus Shippey. He has been a real threat on the ground and has found some success through the air as well. The other force that has been there all season is Senior Back, Paul Detwiler. He has been the workhorse and the top playmaker for this team all year long. For Bedford to pull off this improbable upset, Detwiler will have to have another big game and help keep the ball out of GCC's hands. Why would they want to keep the ball out of their hands? Well this will be the toughest team Bedford will see. This team has a potent offensive attack to say the least. GCC is led by a Bowling Green recruit, Trent Hurley. He is the prototypical drop back QB at 6-3 220 pounds, and his numbers are quite impressive too. He has thrown for 1673 yards and 26 TD's to only 3 Int's. And if you think this is a pass first team, think again. The ground attack is led by Senior, David Miller with 2143 yards and 34 TD's. The Defense is no joke either, pitching 4 shutouts and held the defending WPIAL Champs, Aliquippa, to only 7 points. Needless to say, Bedford really has their work cut out for them. Sorry Bedford but its time to take off the glass slipper, and return to reality. Lets face it, It is a 3-6 LHAC team going against the WPIAL Champions. The run has been an impressive one, but GCC is just too much for this team.
Centurions 42 Bisons 7

Wilmington (12-1) vs. Forest Hills (13-0)
George P. Miller Stadium IUP Friday 7:00
Forest Hills just keeps on trucking. They picked up their first District Title since 2005. This team heavily relies on the run and the leadership of their Senior QB. Glessner came up big Friday Night, with a rushing and throwing touchdown. Now along with Glessner, the rushing attack of Dudukovich and Unger was awesome Friday and has been great all year long. This Ranger offense can beat you two separate ways and thats a nice thing to have this time of year. Now something I have been mentioning in everyone of my Forest Hills previews all year was that they did not allow double digits all year long. Well Tyrone broke that streak, but this Defense is still stingy and solid. They have been a force all year long and dont expect them to give Wilmington any easy yards. Forest Hills can certainly beat this team, but it will not be easy. Wilmington is the 4 time defending District 10 champs. They are also the Defensing State Champions. And they hold victories over the past 3 District 6 Champions(BM twice, Central). This team is known for their potent running attack, and this year is no different. The offense is led by two seniors backs. Derrick Burns,a Pitt recruit, is the Fullback. He has put up a solid season and is one of the 1,000 yard backs on the roster. The other is slotback Sutton Whitting. He will do a little bit of everything and is a very good athlete. Containing him will be a key for the Rangers. They can pass when need too, but with their rushing attack and Forest Hills's rushing attack. You're in for a great ground game. The key to the game is obvious, and that is, the interior line. In years past, the Greyhounds have been huge and according to their roster, it still holds true. Both teams have their fair share of size, so it depends on how the game plays out. Its hard to say which line will be better just by looking at the weights of the players on Maxpreps. My call on the game, Wilmington is no stranger to the State Playoffs, while this set of Rangers are. Wilmington is the Defending State Champs and its always tough to unseat the champs, especially when they got their player returning. It will be close, but Wilmington will hold off Forest Hills.
Greyhounds 24 Rangers 17

Bishop McCort (12-0) vs. Millersburg (9-3)
Hershey Park Stadium Saturday 12:00
Well McCort got their first real test of the year Saturday Night and walked away with a hard fought, well earned victory. Bellwood Antis was a very very good football team, and I do not think Millersburg will be as good as the Blue Devils were. There really is no secret to what Bishop McCort is going to do to their opponents, and that is pound it down the opposition's throat. McCort gave Josh Seidel the ball 31 times, and he responded with his 2nd 200 yard game at Mansion Park this year,and Chaz Merriman added 92 yards as well. Credit the veteran offensive line for taking control in the 4th quarter. The Offense is built primarily on the run, but teams do have to respect the potential of Dane Domonkos making some plays as a Wideout. The Crushers only threw the ball 5 times, but it can possibly be a threat to opponents. The Defense held a good Bellwood team to under 200 yards of total offense and made some big stops when they needed them. This Defense's weakness is still pass defense, but Millersburg doesn't seem to be a passing threat. The Indians have been in some tight games of late. They beat Steel High by 1 two weeks ago and claimed the D3 Title over Upper Dauphin by 3 this weekend. Millersburg is a team built on Defense and running the Football. I apologize for not knowing what to say statistically for this team cause their stats are not updated on Maxpreps for a few weeks now. But they have a senior QB in Jared Wolfgang who was the leading passer and the second leading rusher on the team. And the top offensive player is Fullback, Andrew Acker. Their stats offensively arent eye popping, but the defense is sound.They have only given up 50 points during their current 8 game winning streak. A few interesting things about this Millersburg team, there is only 33 players on the roster. And of those 33, 8 are Freshmen. I think McCort has a distinct advantage, and that is up front. McCort has had the same group of Linemen playing for 3 straight seasons and they are pretty good, and pretty big. Millersburg on the other hand does not appear to have that same strength. The two biggest linemen are Freshmen. And the depth isn't there. McCort, in my mind played a tougher opponent last week in Bellwood. They will use their experience on both sides of the LIne and will give the Indians a heavy dose of the Running game.
Crimson Crushers 38 Indians 21

Nice write ups man, really good work. I didn't think to check that Millersburg's stats aren't updated, so I'll have to edit my post. When you were researching, did you happen to see Burns played in the 'Hounds loss this season? I heard rumblings that he hadn't, but wasn't sure. Forest Hills is going to have their hands full with him, but Central played with them last year. I would be surprised if they knocked off the defending champs, but not shocked.
Also, I know Selinsgrove is considered by many to be one of the favorites to make it to Hershey, but watch out for Allentown Central Catholic. ACC has played better competition all year long, and despite the drubbing they dealt Johnstown, I think Selinsgrove could fall victim to the "upset".

GCC 48, Bedford 14
Forest Hills 21, Wilmington 17
McCort 35, Millersburg 16

If he did, He didnt get a carry, catch a pass, or make a tackle. All those have to indicate he didn't play. I think Forest Hills has a good team, and like you I wouldnt be shocked to see them upset Wilmington.

The Greyhounds wins over d6 teams:
They beat McCort at Slippery Rock by 7. I think BM was the better team that year, but Wilmington hung on.
The following year, McCort was up 17-0 with the ball and managed to lose. Wilmington had the better team but, obviously weren't much better
And last year they squeaked by Central.
It's about time someone from D6 gets them.

I'm not saying Bedford is going to win at all, but 42-7 is definitely wrong....and if there is only one reason for it being wrong it is that Bedford will score 8 or 6 points if they only score once; there's no chance they attempt the extra point, lol.

But on a more serious note, they have made a heck of a run so far and the weather forecast is looking very sloppy and cold again, just like it was last Friday and anything can happen with crazy weather. Also, they are playing with confidence which can make an average team play like champions. I will be as shocked as anyone if they win, but I think it'll be closer than the mercy rule that's being predicted here.

GCC 35
Bedford 8

Crimson09Crazy wrote:If he did, He didnt get a carry, catch a pass, or make a tackle. All those have to indicate he didn't play. I think Forest Hills has a good team, and like you I wouldnt be shocked to see them upset Wilmington.

The Greyhounds wins over d6 teams:
They beat McCort at Slippery Rock by 7. I think BM was the better team that year, but Wilmington hung on.
The following year, McCort was up 17-0 with the ball and managed to lose. Wilmington had the better team but, obviously weren't much better
And last year they squeaked by Central.
It's about time someone from D6 gets them.

That first game between McCort and Wilmington the Crushers were no doubt the better team but some iffy at best officiating hurt them all night. The second one if you take away the int DeFrances throws deep in Wilmington territory with McCort up 17-0 and about to make it 24-0 they win that game, and last year if Runk doesn't get hurt Central probably wins. So this is one time I'm actually rooting for the Rangers just because I'm tired of watching Wilmington manage to keep barely knocking off D6 teams.

Derrick Burns didnt play the game when they lost to Hickory earilier in the year. He was thrown out the game before so he couldnt play the next game, which is when they lost. Burns and Whitting both talk alot especially after big plays. Although, if you contain them and keep them to short gains, they could get frustrated. FH keep your heads and let them get the 15 yd penalties.

GCC could score 70 - 80 on Bedford if they really want to. I will say 63-0. This year, IMO GCC is a more complete version of BM

though i do believe GCC will win, lets not get to crazy, they finished 3rd in their conference.

by a total of 7 points. This teams good and were one of the favorites all year long. GCC is McCort with a passing game too.