PIAA Semi-final Preview class A

[konjo78]

Eastern Final: Steelton-Highspire vs Old Forge; Hazleton High School 12/6 7pm

Last week we saw both of these teams clearly get through the round of 8. Old Forge took care of Schuylkill Haven 35-0. Steelton took out Homer Center 40-7. This game is going to give us something every playoff seems to have. Great Defense Versus Great defense.

Now when you ask me what team has looked more impressive i'd say Steelton because of how athletic they are. Then who has had a tougher schedule? It easily is Old Forge. Taking out both Dunmore and Southern Columbia in the playoffs this year speaks for themselves.

While i like how athletic Steelton is, I just feel like Old Forge is too battle tested in these games to lose. I'll take Old Forge in a defensive struggle.

14-10


Western Final Clarion vs North Catholic; Dubios High school 12/6 7pm

Last week north catholic took advantaeg of some Titan injuries to pull away a 48-7 win. Clarion Took out lakeview 35-20 in the closest game of the quarterfinals. This week we see that great defense go against the best offense in single A. Clarion has yet to be held to under 30 points this post season. North Catholic has given up a total of 28 points this post season. This is truely going to be a interesting game to look at.

Last week a freshman running back took over for north catholic, showing a little bit more dimension than their previous offensive performances. While clarion has schored a lot of points it has been against some of the weaker teams in PIAA playoffs. Even with their weaker schedule i really believe clarion's defense can shut down the offense of North Catholic and pull away late.

Clarion 21-7



What are your predictions and thoughts? Feel free to comment below! Let the debate go on!

[PApride]

Ill take NC by about the same margin as they beat tussey mtn by, same sorry as last week just a different team, clarion comes from a weak D9 and still hasn't played anyone yet as the D10 is just as bad, D5 is the worst in the state followed by D9 and D10

I think SH will surprise the old forge team and they will come out winning the east

Looks like A and AA are gonna be won by eastern schools this year

[konjo78]

I still don't buy the SH hype. D6 was pretty weak this year. North Catholic showed a weak side early before tussey got injured. I don't think Clarion is a usual D9 team. I think they will surprise us all in how strong they are.

Either way i wish i could watch Old Forge vs Steelton. I'd pay money to see that one.

[PApride]

I think with TM healthly NC still wins by 14+ and D9 hasn't done anything the the playoffs since 1992, I'll take the traditionally strong D7 any day of the week against D9, this NC team is gonna surprise some ppl this weekend I think

[billmurray]

I'll take the bruising style Old Forge plays over Steel High. Blue Devils just too powerful

NC takes this one over team from weak D9 team

[heyzeus]

You can view a stream of this game here:

http://www.myfoxnepa.com/category/218785/livestream

[Crimson's Ghost]

Now the talk from D9 is that Clarion isn't as "weak" as you are all making them out to be.

[PApride]

Lol the talk from D5 last week was there not as weak as we were talkin about?

[animus]

I'll say Old Forge 21 Steel High 20... It'll come down to XP's and North Catholic 21 Clarion 14.... two sets of great games... Honest opinion is that the winner from the east will be the victor in Hershey.

[heyzeus]

I'll say OF by 3 td's, Ill take the WPIAL in the west. NC by 2 scores.