BleacherCoaches.com

Prediction

1 Clairton
2 Monessen
3 Char Houston
4 *Imani
5 Brentwood
6 Fort Cherry
7 California
8 Bishop Canevin
9 Carlynton
10 Serra

*Imani is ineligible for the playoffs

Some notes:

I can see how people could potentially trip about BC being so low. Fact is me picking BC 8th is a sign of how strong this league really is. It these schools were aligned properly half the playoff field would come out of the Blackhills. I see both Fort Cherry and California being better than they were last season and probably tougher/scrappier up front. Despite the losses of Volcano, Craig, Hairston, and Kinkaid I think Char Houston is definitely a sleeper team to watch out for. Their 5 losses l/y was by 24 points for an average of 4.8 points. I don't think they win the conference, but they're very liable to pull off an upset against a Clairton or Monessen. They will be a tough out for anyone in the playoffs. Monessen is an intriguing squad both in the Blackhills and in the WPIAL. They lose Chavas Rawlins but they return Justice Rawlins, Javon Brown, and Clintell Gillispie. Monessen does look thin at the skill positions but deep and still young upfront. Perhaps they should abandon the spread look and just beat teams up w/ the I formation or some kind of power t/veer/wing t type offense. What can I say bout Clairton that I or others haven't said. They're the cream until someone ends the streak. The Bears loses a ton w/ the Killer T's and the QB's graduating. Here's the kicker; the cupboard isn't bare. These kids have had tremendous experience due to the mass amounts of blowouts and extra practices due to the LOOONNNG playoff runs. The QB will either be Ryan Williams(Jr) or Aaron Matthews(So). Whoever doesn't win will more than likely play WR. Another player to watch out for will be Freshman TB Lamont Wade. But here is here Clairton will be better than everyone else; the offensive line. Clairton returns Melvin, Gibson, Hampton, Gressem on offense and Hampton, Bray, and Murphy on defense.

As the season gets closer, I'm sure I'll switch around some teams but this is my early thoughts to liven up the board a little.

My only change would be Imani > CH. Ron Brown is gonna have a big season IMO.

Actually I don't where Imani stands. May drop them spots as we get closer to the season. The emergence of the football program at Renaissance Christian Academy may spark the death of Imani's football program as a whole. Stay tuned

Yeah I actually have heard about possible transfers to RCA. We'll just have to wait and see.

It'll be interesting for sure. I'm going to make a prediction that Imani Football will fold by May.

Apparently Ron Brown has already or at least has already announced his transfer to RCA. Don't know how I didn't catch that one...

I'm thinking Imani won't have a team this upcoming season. They didn't have a deep roster as it was last season, and had no more than 25 kids.

Is this the year Clairton loses enough that they don't win their conference let alone the state title? The foundation has been laid and the kids know what is expected of them. They'll be tough to knock from the top that's for sure.

Ive heard Canevin is going to be pretty bad. They lost pretty much everything in addition to the new coach coming in. Perhaps could be good timing, maybe go with some young kids they can build around. I would no doubt consider this a rebuilding season for them.

Vulcano is a big loss for CH. I wouldn't be suprised if CH had a breakthrough season either. They have a good team/program out there. At the same time until they do it....

The Spartans will have a new QB. Hard to predict until we have more info there. They lost some depth but also return enough, especially the RB. I still think will be able to run over the second division teams well enough to make the playoffs.

I believe Clairton will lose to someone and still win the conference. I can't imagine what its like to coach these 11th and 12th graders that haven't lost yet. Boyd took them outside the margin for error. They won't have that anymore. Someone will take advantage of a mistake or lack of focus. More just the odds say it has to happen eventually.

I think Char Houston's stock drops a little w/ Grant Foster transferring to PCC. I'm thinking the 4th playoff spot will go to the winner of the FC-CH game week 9.

The potential schools that have the umph to beat Bears would be Brentwood or Monessen or a school that comes out of no where like California or Fort Cherry. I still tend to think that if the Bears was to lose to someone, it's in the playoffs. I do agree that it has to happen at some point.