BleacherCoaches.com

Week 2 WestPac Preview

(4-2 last week)

Friday Night- Rockwood travels to Blacklick
Rockwood enters Week 2 with a HUGE moral boost! The Rockets were able to fight off the Lions in impressive fashion. You really have to look into the history books to find Rockwood starting the season (1-0). Blacklick (1-0) completely dominated the ground game last week versus Meyersdale. Johnny Sheesley had a huge game (no surprise) and the Vikings were able to play a complete game. This Viking squad can be dangerous if they keep playing lights out football. I think the Rockwood air attack will have problems with this decent secondary. Rockwood gets a smack back to reality in Week 2.
ROCKWOOD- 14
BLACKLICK- 35

Friday Night- Meyersdale travels to Windber
Meyersdale(0-1) comes off an old fashion butt whoopin. This could be a long year for the Raiders if they can't stop the run. Windber (1-0) was able to feature a balanced attacked to get past Shade. I would expect Windber to keep a balanced attack again this week and let Gipe get them the W. Defense will be the key to this match up.
MEYERSDALE- 14
WINDBER- 28

Friday Night- Shade travels to Conemaugh Township
The hype for Shade (0-1) is high this year however Week 1 was yet another let down for the Panthers. The Windber game was a manageable one however they couldn't get the ball moving. Unfortunately I think Township (0-1) will provide a stiffer challenge to the Panthers. This Panthers squad is full of talent but they have to execute- one thing they haven't been able to do the last few years. Although it is only Week 2 I think this is a MUST WIN for Shade. With this squad... you don't want to start the season 0-2 with Portage, North Star, and Berlin still in their future. Until Shade proves they can play a complete game on offense AND defense...I have to bet against them and bet on Chief Zambanini. The Indians got to get Cahill the ball on offense!!!
SHADE-21
TOWNSHIP-28

Friday Night- Conemaugh Valley travels to Penns Manor
Conemaugh Valley (0-0) looked impressive in their season opener. The Blue Jays featured a new looking field, new looking uniforms and a new looking attitude. The Jays were able to keep the offense basic and senior Shane Corson had a field day rushing for over 250 yards with a quarter and a half to go. Penns Manor(0-1) comes off a loss to a solid Northern Cambria passing attack. I think Penns Manor will be able to use their rushing attack and tire out the Jays. Danny Ferens should be able to get some good lanes to run through and the Comets secondary won't be tested like they were a week ago. The Comets get back on track and the Jays continue to improve.
CONEMAUGH VALLEY- 21
PENNS MANOR- 35

Saturday Afternoon- North Star travels to Ferndale
The Cougars (0-1) come off a disappointing home opener. The defense couldn't keep the Mustangs from breaking the big play and offensively the Cougars couldn't maintain drives. Rumors are swirling about key injuries. The Cougars have a VERY manageable next three weeks but they have to get back to basics and calm down. The Cougars will face a demoralized Yellow Jackets squad (0-0) who just got pounded by a physical Conemaugh Valley team. I wonder if the game had not been postponed what the final score would have been Saturday afternoon. The Jackets had problems stopping the Blue Jay running attack which should be good news for the Cougars. Ferndale is going to have to get their defense together and figure out something offensively to try and keep this game from getting out of hand. I think Ferndale ends up at the wrong place at the wrong time facing a North Star team that has a lot to prove.
NORTH STAR- 50
FERNDALE- 14

GAME OF THE WEEK
Friday Night- Berlin travels to Portage
The Mountaineers (1-0) come off an impressive victory over Township putting up 41 points. The defense was dominate and the offense was clicking. Portage (1-0) enters Week 2 on a all time HIGH. However, does Portage know they have nine games left in this season? Can the Mustangs come back to earth this week and provide a challenge to Berlin? We will find out this week how the "toughest camp in twenty years" pays off due to the large Berlin squad. I think the Mustangs will be running high on emotion through the first half but then the Mountaineers will come alive. I think Portage can keep it close for a while but then Berlin wins with talent, heart, and desire.
BERLIN- 30
PORTAGE- 20

Once again, nice breakdown and analysis on this weeks games. Final scores may change a bit but I pretty much agree with all your picks. Keep up the fine work...

Don't really see any upsets this week unless Shade can knock off CT. Berlin-Portage should be a good one.

ROCKWOOD- 7
BLACKLICK- 42

MEYERSDALE- 0
WINDBER- 42

SHADE-7
TOWNSHIP-21

CONEMAUGH VALLEY- 7
PENNS MANOR- 49

NORTH STAR- 60
FERNDALE- 0


BERLIN- 28
PORTAGE- 21

Portage has more heart this year then in past years as shown last friday night

stangfan wrote:Portage has more heart this year then in past years as shown last friday night

really?? i think it was only 2 years ago that their 38+ regular season win streak ended. they have only had 1 or 2 years where there were good instead of superb.

SRV once again great previews. I agree with all your picks this week but, I am still on the fence with the Portage-Berlin game but have to go with you and say berlin pulls it out in second half surge. CT is minus Older Cahill for this game and He has clearence to begin his 2012 football campaign next week. I suspect he will make a huge impact upon return for the Indians. Rumor on the street indicates Windber has a bit of trouble with some of the players antics on the field (with their own teammates) I am guessing it may be a me monster type of thing that the coaches surely have already dealt with. Just wanted to give you a heads up on what I am hearing so you have additional information for your weekly previews. Please note that the second part is exactly how it reads as Rumor and not verified.

BTW does anyone know if S. Rice(North Star) and Kephart (Portage) have to sit out of this weeks game or are they good to go

Chiefwapum wrote:BTW does anyone know if S. Rice(North Star) and Kephart (Portage) have to sit out of this weeks game or are they good to go

As of Wednesday Caleb Kephart was still disqualified for the Berlin game, however I'm pretty sure there was an appeal filed/looked at. And it was #11 Brantley Rice that got kicked out for North Star not #47 Dalton Rice, not sure of his status.

As I understand it, the PIAA rule is now if you get thrown out of a game, you have to be out the following game as well. I think that is a bit much but that's the rules.

GreenMachine wrote:

Chiefwapum wrote:BTW does anyone know if S. Rice(North Star) and Kephart (Portage) have to sit out of this weeks game or are they good to go

As of Wednesday Caleb Kephart was still disqualified for the Berlin game, however I'm pretty sure there was an appeal filed/looked at. And it was #11 Brantley Rice that got kicked out for North Star not #47 Dalton Rice, not sure of his status.

guest is correct, you cannot appeal an ejection and if you are thrown out you must sit out the following week also, so both rice and kephart should both be on the sidelines. not right to give those officials the power to eject a kid for 2 games without any oversight but thats how it is.. i think a qb was ejected last year and had to miss a playoff game also because of a questionable call.