Heritage Conference 2017

[saltsburgtrojanfan1989]

I know it's only late March and we just got done with Basketball but High School Football season is just around the corner and I did this last year and it got such a big response I figured I do it again this year....so here we go again...my thoughts on the Heritage Conference.

Ligonier Valley should be among the favorites again. Collin Smith will be tough to replace, but they got two rock solid WR's and rock solid complimentary players. LV almost always seems to be mentioned when it comes to Conference contenders.

Homer-Center has good players coming back from last years conference and district finalist. Will that lead to another successful season?

Blairsville stunned everybody last season when everyone expected them to be near the bottom of the Heritage. They lose the Shirley boys and a few skill players though.

Northern Cambria has a new coach in 2017. They made a run to the district semifinals last season

West Shamokin had an up and down 2016. With a year in the Heritage under their belt their is room for improvement although they lose stud QB Devin Fairman.

United had two QB's they split playing time last year. The question is will that lead to more success?

Purchase Line has a new coach in 2017. They do return speedy Shamar Campbell and many returning lettermen.

Penns Manor had a rebuilding year in 2016 with their only bright spot being their upset of Moshannon Valley in the playoffs. Their is room for improvement in 2017.

Saltsburg won three games last year, one more than in the previous season combined. Josh Gibbons saw some minutes as QB as a freshman, so will he and a young nucleus who had success in the junior high ranks lead the Trojans to success?

Marion Center is going through a down period now and who knows when they will reclaim it's former glory.

Here's what I think....Ligonier Valley and Purchase Line should be among the contenders. Homer-Center and Northern Cambria should be right up there. West Shamokin and Penns Manor should be mid-pack. Blairsville is unknown so is United. Saltsburg is possibly a year away. Marion Center is just not good.

Well those are my thoughts on the Heritage Conference for the 2017 season.
 
What's yours?  Predictions?

[lgb87cape]

Who cares it's baseball season. Heritage is the weakest conference in the area... 

[Manfred]

What he ^^^^ said. Bring this up in June or July. Develop an interest in sports other than football.

[Crimson's Ghost]

I would have to believe Ligonier is a cut above the rest of the league again.

[DCor50]

lgb87cape...that's a good one...haha...weakest conference in the area...you made me spit out my coffee when I read that...if you think the Laurel Highlands is far superior, think again...they have BG at Single A(who recruits)...they have BM in Double AA( who recruits and got dismantled by LV last year)...AAA was dreadful last year for the LHAC and then you have Jtown in AAAA...how many teams are in the District playoffs for them?  3or 4?  They win  D6 title out of 3 teams!  Get over yourself.  The Heritage had 2 out of 4 remaining in D6 A last year.  Then HC got smacked by BG(who recruits) just like everyone else.  The Heritage doesn't have any private schools but competes very well come November.  

I'll take LV to win the Heritage going away and repeat as D6 AA Champs.  They have 8 starters back on a very fast and stingy Defense that allowed less than a TD a game for 15 games.  The entire D line is back, 2 LB's are back and 2 DB's.  It'll be very hard to replace Smith and Parrish, but with a great Defense they shouldn't have any shoot outs.  Plus, with Tutino and Daugherty they'll be hard to stop.  Homer Center will be very good as well.  A lot returning and well coached.  I expect Purchase Line to be at the top too.  But it is baseball season, so let's focus on that for a minute or two.

[Crimson's Ghost]

The LHAC or Mountain is always going to be the best conference top to bottom, because they have multiple schools bigger than AA.

That doesn't mean a top team from the Heritage, WestPac, and ICC can't compete or in Ligonier's case, better than those teams.

But top to bottom, it's never really that close.

[BigIke]

...After the two "Major" Sports season, curious to how West Shamokin has been recieved and recieves the league? I wonder if the travel was good for both sides, if the fans liked the league better? Any further expansion plans (Leechburg, Blacklick)? My guess was that they would win maybe 2 more games a year. It actually came to fruition it seems. But i did not expect some of the losses to be as close. They seem to be improving and I think the conference fits them better.

[ISlapCats]

Homer Center adds a well experienced skill player with Dakota Sunday moving into the district. I'm excited to see what Homer Center has to offer this year.

[ChrisKentRam]

Homer Center adds a well experienced skill player with Dakota Sunday moving into the district. I'm excited to see what Homer Center has to offer this year.

Homer-Center must really be doing something right with their academics to get these "student-athletes" to move into their district. 

[Manfred]

At least it isn't for the religious experience.