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On Friday, October 28th the West Pac will be crowning it 2005 champs. Again it comes down to the Gary Gouse's Portage Mustangs and Phil DeMarco's Windber Ramblers. Both teams come into Mustang Stadium with 8-0 records. Any comments or predictions let me know.

I'm predicting that this year will be like every other

Don't you think people get tired of hearing, it's the SAME thing EVERY year..I mean it's a differnt team then last year..these senior boys have more heart then all the past mustangs..thier record shows that they are 8-0 but yet they don't get the respect that other teams get. They respect that 6-1 Conemaugh Valley rather then the 7-0 unbeaten stangs. Which Valley will probably come up with an excuse on why they lost. Yes it is a rival game..and it'll be played hard but the Stangs are the Under dogs in this and this year it might be different

It doesn't matter that people might be getting tired of hearing the SAME thing every year...it IS the SAME thing every year. Last year's mustangs were a very good team and i thought they would finally knock off windber. Didn't happen. But this year has nothing to do with how good or how bad they were last year. (And so what if valley comes up with excuses on why they lost? I remember when we beat the stangs last year the excuses were thick as molasses.) That's my prediction...doesn't mean it'll happen. The kids still have to play the game.

Both teams have speed, power, and athleticisim....it'll just come down to whoever wants the west pac championship more...that's as easy as it gets...


how big do you think the crowd'll be?

If you show up anytime past 6:00, you won't get to see the action. If you come anytime past 6:30, you won't even be able to get into the stadium.

"Friday Night Lights" in Portage, PA on 10/28. This is what everyone expected and was hoping for, 8-0 Portage entertains 8-0 Windber. This is what high school football is all about. Get there early if you want a seat, like before 6:00 p.m. The former football heroes, bleachercoaches, etc. will be 3 or 4 deep standing around the most outstanding high school football field in Western, PA. There is nothing better than PA Interscholastic Football on a Friday evening.

A few weeks back I set this line at Windber -15 @ Portage. However, the Mustangs have definitely closed that gap over the last few weeks. Their offensive and defensive lines continue to demoralize their overmatched opponents. Because of this, the Mustangs' running game will continue to click on all cylinders.

Skill players and speed, I give this edge to the Ramblers. They have more quickness and athleticism in the backfield and secondary. Portage's achilles heel has always been pass coverage on the defensive side of the ball. I believe Windber throws the ball at least 20-25 times vs. the Mustangs.

So interior lines and strength, advantage Portage. Skill and speed, advantage Windber.

And here is the intangible that benefits the Ramblers....Past History. The Mustangs' coaches and players get that butterfly feeling in the gut and their butts clench up when they see the big, blue "W" on the Ramblers helmets.

If the Mustangs are going to win this game, they have to overcome this mentality that they will not win the game.......PERIOD! Portage goes into this game down 7 points each year before they ever step on the field.

My prediction....if anyone really cares.......

Portage's Senior Class has had enough. Heart wins this one.

WINDBER +3 @ PORTAGE.

Side note......these tickets are going for $25.00/each on Ebay!

When dealing with a Portage Windber matchup, refer to Murphey's 11th Law.

Portage can not beat Windber.

Windber 28 -- Portage 27

I see this this year is going to be different the Mustangs have the heart to take the West Pac. The game will be full of exciting plays and bad calls from the refs like every year. The Mustangs win 27-20. I have to give credit to the Ramblers they will give Gary Gouse a hard time on Friday.

Portage beating Windber?

Not going to happen, even at home