Do you agree with these statements??
Posted: December 2nd, 2004, 3:37 pm
"10" BIG QUESTIONS FOR THE WEEKEND:
There are eight huge games this weekend that will determine the contestants in the state championship games this year. So I feel it's time to ask the top ten questions that need to be answered for the Eastern and Western Finals. And, of course, I will try to answer each of them to the best of my ability. In no particular order...
1. Can anyone stop the Southern Columbia express?
The answer here is an emphatic NO! While Camp Hill has the balance that could keep them in the game for a while, and the Western teams (Rochester and Curwensville) may have the ground attack to stay in the state title game, I have yet to find anyone credible who will pick against the defending champs. I stand firm on my belief that Pius X is the second best single (A) team in the state, even after they got mercy ruled and put into the record books on the receiving end. The fact that they were able to score 47 points is the thing that shows me how good Pius is, since Southern Columbia's defense is no slouch. I truly cannot see anyone in single (A) staying within single digits of this team. They are that good.
2. Can a team from lowly district #9 upset the mighty Rochester Rams?
You bet they can. Their name is Curwensville, and for those of you that haven't realized it, the quality of D#9 single (A) football has improved over the last few years. Along comes this team with their brotherly tandem of Nate and Nick Sipes running the ball. Curwensville has been whipping all comers convincingly. The Rochester/Big Seven Conference mystique is still there to some degree, but this team is beatable, as was proven on two occasions earlier this year. I'm not saying I'm picking the Golden Tide yet. But they can win this game.
3. Is anyone ever going to take Littlestown seriously as a contender?
Sorry, Bolts fans, but the answer is no, unless they upset Lansdale Catholic this Saturday. Don't get me wrong, Littlestown is a fabulous story and has been improving steadily as the year has gone on. But the only way you make waves is to beat teams of consequence, and Annville-Cleona, Lancaster Catholic, and Athens is not a who's who of Eastern (AA) football. But the Thunderbolts relish their underdog role, and stranger things have happened. It's just that Lansdale Catholic is the team that was expected to make the title game since early on, and their recent performances show no sign that idea should be changed.
4. Where did Tyrone come from?
Sad to say, I should have seen the Golden Eagles coming. They were a team I was high on just a year ago, but they were very young, and it showed in the playoffs. This year I, as many others did, became enamoured with the W.P.I.A.L. heavyweights Aliquippa and Seton-LaSalle and forgot about my chosen team from a year ago. When Seton-LaSalle beat the Quips impressively in the WPIAL final, it was an immediate no-brainer pick (meaning I didn't use my brain). Tyrone has the tradition and is as physical a team as you are going to find in (AA) ball this season. They mauled and controlled the Rebels and they'll do the same this weekend to upstart Grove City.
5. Can Manheim Central finally get over the hump against Berwick?
The short answer is yes, they can. But I'm not so sure they will. For some Baron fans, the state title a year ago was slightly empty because Manheim didn't have to beat their former nemisis Berwick. Here's their chance a year later. The Barons are a team that should be a year away (very young), but have a great opportunity in front of them now. The (AAA) field has been a lot weaker than I expected, and Berwick has certainly looked beatable in their first two playoff games (against Honesdale and Pottsville). They got things rolling last week against Upper Merion, but the chinks in the armor are still there. I fully expect a defensive struggle, where both teams struggle to move the ball on the ground. It may come down to which quarterback, Tyler Reifsnyder of MC or Christian Force of Berwick, is able to play the most error-free ball. But keep this in mind: the Baron player that are playing now have NEVER lost to Berwick. So the mental pressure that many of the fans feel exists does not to them. Keep that in mind if this game goes down to the wire.
6. Now that West Allegheny's out, is anyone still playing in the West (AAA)?
They sure are, and I will not be shocked if either Thomas Jefferson or Strong Vincent wins the state title just eight days from now. TJ has been that program that has constantly been knocking on the door, but could never get past that one key playoff spot (see pre-2003 Manheim Central). They finally got through the WPIAL and have a great chance to move all the way through the bracket. Brad Dawson is a very good quarterback, and the Jaguars has been building to this point. Strong Vincent is a team much like Tyrone; too young a year ago, but primed for their big run now. But unlike the Golden Eagles, Strong Vincent is super fast, as Perry found out a week ago when they didn't even threaten the Strong Vincent end zone in the Commodores' 7-0 loss. Both these teams are legitimate threats, despite not having the reputation of their Easrtern counterparts.
7. Did Brian Keyser really call Easton a fraud earlier in the year?
Sure did, and I'm not quite backing down from that yet. You see, I'm not convinced that his year's Red Rover squad is better than last year's team, a team that, if they were in this year's Eastern final, I would favor over Neshaminy by two touchdowns. And while their 31-0 romp over archrival Phillipsburg (NJ) was eye-opening, so were their struggles against Emmaus, Liberty, and GW in the playoffs. I still don't see this team as physical enough to stand toe to toe with the D#1 champ. I figured Easton to get this far, since I didn't think much of D#11 (AAAA) or D#12 (AAAA) this season. They get my full respect if they get the job done this Saturday.
8. Could a team as young as Neshaminy really qualify for the state championship game a year ahead of schedule?
The Redskins return a ton next year, but the time is now since the opportunity is in front of them. And with the year in year out struggle that all teams have getting out of the D#1 (AAAA) playoffs, it's in their best interest to strike while the iron's hot. Neshaminy is young, but they are physical and will try to wear down Easton just like North Penn did a year ago. And if you are looking for precedent here, look no farther than last year's Western (AAAA) champion: Pittsburgh Central Catholic. They were loaded with juniors a year ago. Now as seniors, they are acclaimed the best in the state.
9. Tell the truth, how good is ... Pittsburgh Central Catholic?
Bet you thought for a second I was going to say LeSean McCoy. Maybe one of the nicest things for P.C.C. has been that McCoy has garnered a great deal of the hype going into this Saturday's matchup. They are about as under the radar as a team that is ranked #7 in the nation can be. Make no mistake about what I feel about the Vikings, though. This is the best team that we've seen in Pennsylvania since the C.B. West dynasty. They have played a rock solid schedule, and have beaten and normally dominated all comers. QB Shane Murray, RB Eugene Jarvis, and TE Jon Pelusi are the key cogs in the balanced offense, and the defense is overwhelming and, scary to say, getting stronger. All they have to do now is prove that they deserve such high praise.
10. Does anyone besides LeSean McCoy play for Bishop McDevitt, and do they have any chance Saturday afternoon?
Amazingly enough, the answer to the first part of that question is yes, although you wouldn't think so lately. I write a little piece on Monday about my opinion on Shady's place among the elite backs we've seen recently, and ever since, all anyone seems to talk or write about is Mr. McCoy. Look, I've said my peace on that subject, and anyone who disagrees that McCoy is a special talent is either clueless or hasn't seen him the last five weeks . But he will likely be slowed down Saturday by a top-notch defense. So the names Jeremy Ricker, Aaron Berry, and Mike Goldston will be vital to the Crusaders' chances of winning, since the McDevitt passing game will likely see a lot of one-on-one coverage with eight or nine men likely in the box on every play. And since these folks deserve some pub for their role in McCoy's playoff exploits, I would be remiss not to mention the guys who have been clearing his way: O-linemen Nate Dade, Jason Kates, RJ Harden, Ryan Finney, and Tucker Baumbach, TE Derek Michtich, power I back Mike Berry, and especially FB and tank lead blocker LaRondo Tucker. If these fellows can get Shady over 200 yards, McDevitt has a real shot. If not, Ricker will have to have the game of his life for the Crusaders to advance. But can McDevitt beat PCC? In the playoffs, almost anything is possible.
"THE CHOPS".
There are eight huge games this weekend that will determine the contestants in the state championship games this year. So I feel it's time to ask the top ten questions that need to be answered for the Eastern and Western Finals. And, of course, I will try to answer each of them to the best of my ability. In no particular order...
1. Can anyone stop the Southern Columbia express?
The answer here is an emphatic NO! While Camp Hill has the balance that could keep them in the game for a while, and the Western teams (Rochester and Curwensville) may have the ground attack to stay in the state title game, I have yet to find anyone credible who will pick against the defending champs. I stand firm on my belief that Pius X is the second best single (A) team in the state, even after they got mercy ruled and put into the record books on the receiving end. The fact that they were able to score 47 points is the thing that shows me how good Pius is, since Southern Columbia's defense is no slouch. I truly cannot see anyone in single (A) staying within single digits of this team. They are that good.
2. Can a team from lowly district #9 upset the mighty Rochester Rams?
You bet they can. Their name is Curwensville, and for those of you that haven't realized it, the quality of D#9 single (A) football has improved over the last few years. Along comes this team with their brotherly tandem of Nate and Nick Sipes running the ball. Curwensville has been whipping all comers convincingly. The Rochester/Big Seven Conference mystique is still there to some degree, but this team is beatable, as was proven on two occasions earlier this year. I'm not saying I'm picking the Golden Tide yet. But they can win this game.
3. Is anyone ever going to take Littlestown seriously as a contender?
Sorry, Bolts fans, but the answer is no, unless they upset Lansdale Catholic this Saturday. Don't get me wrong, Littlestown is a fabulous story and has been improving steadily as the year has gone on. But the only way you make waves is to beat teams of consequence, and Annville-Cleona, Lancaster Catholic, and Athens is not a who's who of Eastern (AA) football. But the Thunderbolts relish their underdog role, and stranger things have happened. It's just that Lansdale Catholic is the team that was expected to make the title game since early on, and their recent performances show no sign that idea should be changed.
4. Where did Tyrone come from?
Sad to say, I should have seen the Golden Eagles coming. They were a team I was high on just a year ago, but they were very young, and it showed in the playoffs. This year I, as many others did, became enamoured with the W.P.I.A.L. heavyweights Aliquippa and Seton-LaSalle and forgot about my chosen team from a year ago. When Seton-LaSalle beat the Quips impressively in the WPIAL final, it was an immediate no-brainer pick (meaning I didn't use my brain). Tyrone has the tradition and is as physical a team as you are going to find in (AA) ball this season. They mauled and controlled the Rebels and they'll do the same this weekend to upstart Grove City.
5. Can Manheim Central finally get over the hump against Berwick?
The short answer is yes, they can. But I'm not so sure they will. For some Baron fans, the state title a year ago was slightly empty because Manheim didn't have to beat their former nemisis Berwick. Here's their chance a year later. The Barons are a team that should be a year away (very young), but have a great opportunity in front of them now. The (AAA) field has been a lot weaker than I expected, and Berwick has certainly looked beatable in their first two playoff games (against Honesdale and Pottsville). They got things rolling last week against Upper Merion, but the chinks in the armor are still there. I fully expect a defensive struggle, where both teams struggle to move the ball on the ground. It may come down to which quarterback, Tyler Reifsnyder of MC or Christian Force of Berwick, is able to play the most error-free ball. But keep this in mind: the Baron player that are playing now have NEVER lost to Berwick. So the mental pressure that many of the fans feel exists does not to them. Keep that in mind if this game goes down to the wire.
6. Now that West Allegheny's out, is anyone still playing in the West (AAA)?
They sure are, and I will not be shocked if either Thomas Jefferson or Strong Vincent wins the state title just eight days from now. TJ has been that program that has constantly been knocking on the door, but could never get past that one key playoff spot (see pre-2003 Manheim Central). They finally got through the WPIAL and have a great chance to move all the way through the bracket. Brad Dawson is a very good quarterback, and the Jaguars has been building to this point. Strong Vincent is a team much like Tyrone; too young a year ago, but primed for their big run now. But unlike the Golden Eagles, Strong Vincent is super fast, as Perry found out a week ago when they didn't even threaten the Strong Vincent end zone in the Commodores' 7-0 loss. Both these teams are legitimate threats, despite not having the reputation of their Easrtern counterparts.
7. Did Brian Keyser really call Easton a fraud earlier in the year?
Sure did, and I'm not quite backing down from that yet. You see, I'm not convinced that his year's Red Rover squad is better than last year's team, a team that, if they were in this year's Eastern final, I would favor over Neshaminy by two touchdowns. And while their 31-0 romp over archrival Phillipsburg (NJ) was eye-opening, so were their struggles against Emmaus, Liberty, and GW in the playoffs. I still don't see this team as physical enough to stand toe to toe with the D#1 champ. I figured Easton to get this far, since I didn't think much of D#11 (AAAA) or D#12 (AAAA) this season. They get my full respect if they get the job done this Saturday.
8. Could a team as young as Neshaminy really qualify for the state championship game a year ahead of schedule?
The Redskins return a ton next year, but the time is now since the opportunity is in front of them. And with the year in year out struggle that all teams have getting out of the D#1 (AAAA) playoffs, it's in their best interest to strike while the iron's hot. Neshaminy is young, but they are physical and will try to wear down Easton just like North Penn did a year ago. And if you are looking for precedent here, look no farther than last year's Western (AAAA) champion: Pittsburgh Central Catholic. They were loaded with juniors a year ago. Now as seniors, they are acclaimed the best in the state.
9. Tell the truth, how good is ... Pittsburgh Central Catholic?
Bet you thought for a second I was going to say LeSean McCoy. Maybe one of the nicest things for P.C.C. has been that McCoy has garnered a great deal of the hype going into this Saturday's matchup. They are about as under the radar as a team that is ranked #7 in the nation can be. Make no mistake about what I feel about the Vikings, though. This is the best team that we've seen in Pennsylvania since the C.B. West dynasty. They have played a rock solid schedule, and have beaten and normally dominated all comers. QB Shane Murray, RB Eugene Jarvis, and TE Jon Pelusi are the key cogs in the balanced offense, and the defense is overwhelming and, scary to say, getting stronger. All they have to do now is prove that they deserve such high praise.
10. Does anyone besides LeSean McCoy play for Bishop McDevitt, and do they have any chance Saturday afternoon?
Amazingly enough, the answer to the first part of that question is yes, although you wouldn't think so lately. I write a little piece on Monday about my opinion on Shady's place among the elite backs we've seen recently, and ever since, all anyone seems to talk or write about is Mr. McCoy. Look, I've said my peace on that subject, and anyone who disagrees that McCoy is a special talent is either clueless or hasn't seen him the last five weeks . But he will likely be slowed down Saturday by a top-notch defense. So the names Jeremy Ricker, Aaron Berry, and Mike Goldston will be vital to the Crusaders' chances of winning, since the McDevitt passing game will likely see a lot of one-on-one coverage with eight or nine men likely in the box on every play. And since these folks deserve some pub for their role in McCoy's playoff exploits, I would be remiss not to mention the guys who have been clearing his way: O-linemen Nate Dade, Jason Kates, RJ Harden, Ryan Finney, and Tucker Baumbach, TE Derek Michtich, power I back Mike Berry, and especially FB and tank lead blocker LaRondo Tucker. If these fellows can get Shady over 200 yards, McDevitt has a real shot. If not, Ricker will have to have the game of his life for the Crusaders to advance. But can McDevitt beat PCC? In the playoffs, almost anything is possible.
"THE CHOPS".