Bishop McCort @ Bedford

[ham55]

It's that time again, time for my uninformed, totally biased, and information-less post on how I think this weeks game will go.

LHAC Week 2 pits two heavy hitters together on the grid-iron, and possibly the game that will decide the LHAC overall title in week 2 of the season.

The Crushing Recruiters from Bishop McCort make the trip down the mountain through the Ridge of Chestnut to Bedford Area High School (I never knew that it was called that, but oh well).

Bishop McCort was successful in thier week 1 debut vs. a rebuilding and struggling CC squad in a 24-3 domination. Bedford played well, but let things get away in the 2nd half of a thrilling game last Saturday afternoon, losing 24-21. Who will win this week?

Bedfords line play was alot better than I had anticipated on the offensive and defensive side of the ball. After the scrimmages I had this labeled as the big 'problem spot' for the Bisons, and they proved me wrong, pretty much dominating the Hilltoppers until the 4th quarter hit. To hang close and keep this game in reach, Bedford's line will have to play at just as high of a level, if not higher, for 4 FULL quarters of football this week.

Bishop McCort brings alot to the table, with playcalling and pure playmakers. But McCort better hope to get off to a faster start this week than they did last week(3-3 at the half) if they hope to stay close in this game. Bedford can put up points and eat lots of clock( a drive Saturday that lasted 17 plays and ate over 10 mins of clock in the 3rd and 4th quarters)and will look to get out on top early.

Bishop McCort's offense struggled vs. a young, but inspired CC defense, and the task for thier offense doesn't get any easier this week when they face the Bisons. The D will be very hungry this week after giving up two late touchdowns in last weeks loss. The one thing that worries me this week about the match-up is the ability of Bishop McCort to move the ball through the air. Central Cambria destroyed Bedfords secondary in the first round play-off game last year, and I think that Bishop McCort will try to do the same thing. Two of thier scores Saturday night came through the air from Sheridan to Matt Spangler. Bedford struggled defending the pass vs. Westmont, even more evident on the big 3rd down plays the Bison D gave up through the air. This I feel will be the key in the game on Friday night, if Bedford can limit what Bishop McCort can do in the air and force them to keep it on the ground the game will play directly into the Bison's hand.

On the offensive side of the ball for the Bisons the game will be in the hands of John Aaron Marshall and Kyler Ford both. If JA gets his carries, he can single handidly beat a team just like Troy Harris did last year for the Bisons. JA had only 6 carries last week for 86 yards and also had 4 catches for 90 yards and two touchdowns, one through the air and one on the ground.

Bedford will have to get the ball to JA Marshall early and often, then pound Derrick Harris up the middle on offense to be successful. Controling the clock will be huge in this game, because the Bison's have huge offensive explosive ability, but not nearly as much as they did last year when they could score from any position on the field.

McCort will win the game Friday night if they can force the Bisons into 3rd and long situations and make the Bisons put the ball in the air. If Ford can stay in the pocket and make throws, he can be dangerous, but last week he found himself scrambling around and looking in a hurry for open men, so pressure for the Crimson Crushers will be very important.

Bedford comes into this game hungry, angry, and snake bitten. McCort looks to even the score from last year and move to 2-0 in early season play. The Bison D will have a better performance, and will get thier first turnover of the year on Friday night. The team is hungry and hopefully they can keep Domonkos from scoring his 100th career extra point. It should be an exciting game Friday as the heated rivalry between the Bisons and Crushers continues.

Bedford 28
Bishop McCort 20

[11th man]

Another solid preview, Hammy. Hopefully Bedford can overcome their second half demons and show McCort a tough game. I'd hate to see them go to 0-2... that would be a terrible place to be with FH ahead in Wk. 3

[HOLLYWOOD]

Bedford 27
B. McCort 24

[El-Moldo]

That 3 points is very important. I still question Swaim's decision to go for it late in the game against Westmont. Up 21-17 with about 6 minutes to play, Bedford was faced with a 4th and 4 at the Westy 13 yard line. Instead of trying a field goal (which was just 10 yards longer than an extra point) and going up by 7, he had Ford roll out on 4th down and short hop a pass to his receiver at the goal line. Only down by 4, Westy then marched down the field to score the winning TD. Not saying that a field goal was a sure thing, but Ford is a fine kicker and 24-24 gets you into overtime.

[duckb32]

I think the Crushers might be too much for the Bisons? But good luck to Bedford.

Crushers 24

Bisons 20

[Gunner18]

El-Moldo, your preaching the same thing i have for the past 4 years....

TRUST THE KICKER!!!!!

[11th man]

huh?

[EGeorge]

swaim said in the tribune that he'd take his kids in a street fight...well that's exactly what he's going to get. if mccorts line can take over they win by three touchdowns....if bedford fools mccort like they did last year it will be down the foot of either kicker in my opinion

[11th man]

Ahh, I see. Haven't read the Trib. in a while

[ham55]

Bedford fools McCort? Bedford had the game in control, then McCort scored a late T.D. to make the score closer that it should have been, I dunno what the 'fool McCort' thing was all about...