Mountain League - Week 8
Posted: October 13th, 2016, 6:33 pm
Clearfield (6-1) @ Bald Eagle Area (3-4)...The Bison moved into a tie atop the AAAA playoff standings with Johnstown this past weekend and actually hold the tiebreaker based on opponents W/L %. Clearfield has 2 very winnable games (PO next week) followed up with tough week 10 contest vs Karns City. Bald Eagle started the season off winning 3 of 4 but hasn't won one since and I'm not sure they do the rest of the way. Clearfield 49 Bald Eagle Area 7
Huntingdon (3-4) @ Philipsburg-Osceola (0-7)...The Bearcats started off the season 1-3 but have since won 2 of 3 and find themselves back in the AAA playoff hunt. They have a tough one vs Central next week but with a win this week and week 10 win vs Patterson (MD) they should be playing week 1 of the playoffs. Philipsburg while 0-7 showed no quit through the final whistle in a 50-14 loss at Central last week. Huntingdon 42 PO 14
Penns Valley (2-5) @ Chestnut Ridge (4-3)...Penns Valley was many peoples pick to be the surprise team in the league this season but after a couple close losses to start the season the Rams just haven't been able to put it all together. This is a must win for the Rams in order to keep their dwindling playoff hopes alive. The Lions of Chestnut Ridge on the other hand have won 2 of 3 and with tough games @ Bellefonte and vs Tyrone to close out the season need this one in order to ensure a .500 finish. Ridge looks like the favorite in this one but did suffer a 3-0 loss to Bald Eagle Area, a team Penns Valley beat by 23 earlier this year. Chestnut Ridge 28 Penns Valley 14
Central (6-1) @ Bellefonte (4-3)...Central finishes off the regular season with 3 straight road games but with a win here can pretty much guarantee themselves a first round bye and home game come playoff time. The Dragons have a lost a few guys up front but the backups played well last week and will get bigger test this week vs an impressive Red Raiders squad. Bellefonte had some impressive road wins in the first half of the season (Huntingdon & Tyrone) and now finish off the season with 3 straight at home. A win this week would be huge for the Bellefonte program and would put them in good position to snag one of the 4 AAAA playoff slots. Central 35 Bellefonte 13
Game of the Week
Hollidaysburg (3-4) @ Tyrone (4-3)...Hollidaysburg has 4 losses but Central, State College, McDowell & Fort Hill (MD) are all ranked very highly in their respective state classifications. Tyrone has lost 2 of 3 and is just trying to get healthy in time for the playoffs. Tyrone is still in contention for a top 2 spot and a bye in AAA but needs to win out and likely get some help. I've seen both of these teams play and at this point I just think Hollidaysburg is the better team. Hollidaysburg 27 Tyrone 17
Huntingdon (3-4) @ Philipsburg-Osceola (0-7)...The Bearcats started off the season 1-3 but have since won 2 of 3 and find themselves back in the AAA playoff hunt. They have a tough one vs Central next week but with a win this week and week 10 win vs Patterson (MD) they should be playing week 1 of the playoffs. Philipsburg while 0-7 showed no quit through the final whistle in a 50-14 loss at Central last week. Huntingdon 42 PO 14
Penns Valley (2-5) @ Chestnut Ridge (4-3)...Penns Valley was many peoples pick to be the surprise team in the league this season but after a couple close losses to start the season the Rams just haven't been able to put it all together. This is a must win for the Rams in order to keep their dwindling playoff hopes alive. The Lions of Chestnut Ridge on the other hand have won 2 of 3 and with tough games @ Bellefonte and vs Tyrone to close out the season need this one in order to ensure a .500 finish. Ridge looks like the favorite in this one but did suffer a 3-0 loss to Bald Eagle Area, a team Penns Valley beat by 23 earlier this year. Chestnut Ridge 28 Penns Valley 14
Central (6-1) @ Bellefonte (4-3)...Central finishes off the regular season with 3 straight road games but with a win here can pretty much guarantee themselves a first round bye and home game come playoff time. The Dragons have a lost a few guys up front but the backups played well last week and will get bigger test this week vs an impressive Red Raiders squad. Bellefonte had some impressive road wins in the first half of the season (Huntingdon & Tyrone) and now finish off the season with 3 straight at home. A win this week would be huge for the Bellefonte program and would put them in good position to snag one of the 4 AAAA playoff slots. Central 35 Bellefonte 13
Game of the Week
Hollidaysburg (3-4) @ Tyrone (4-3)...Hollidaysburg has 4 losses but Central, State College, McDowell & Fort Hill (MD) are all ranked very highly in their respective state classifications. Tyrone has lost 2 of 3 and is just trying to get healthy in time for the playoffs. Tyrone is still in contention for a top 2 spot and a bye in AAA but needs to win out and likely get some help. I've seen both of these teams play and at this point I just think Hollidaysburg is the better team. Hollidaysburg 27 Tyrone 17