The LHAC Power Index Week 5 Predictions

Tagged under: District 5, District 6, District 9, News

Hunter Myers | September 17, 2025

Current 2025 Records – Model: 30-10 (75%), Me: 33-6 (85%)

Bellefonte @ Penns Valley: Bellefonte -20

Bellefonte has suffered three straight losses since their one-point win over Tyrone in Week One. Last week, the Red Raiders took Clearfield to overtime, losing on a short touchdown run. Penns Valley is still winless after being shut out for the second time this season by Philipsburg-Osceola. The Rams allowed 378 yards of offense to the Mounties. The key here will be the Red Raiders’ rushing attack, which has averaged 138 yards per game, against a Rams’ defense that allowed 213 rushing yards last week. I will take Bellefonte to win.

Bellwood-Antis @ Tyrone: Bellwood-Antis -1

The 2025 edition of the Backyard Brawl is upon us, and it is set to be another close game. Tyrone has won three matches in a row, over Westmont, Central, and Bald Eagle. The Golden Eagles have scored above 20 points in all four of their games and boast a defense allowing 11.5 points per game. Bellwood-Antis snapped a two-game skid last week against Central in shutout fashion, winning 20-0. The Blue Devils have now rushed for 730 yards and nine touchdowns, a rushing attack that ranks among the top in the Laurel Highlands. The key to this game will be Tyrone’s defense and their ability to stop the run, as Bellwood has struggled when their ground game is held in check. Therefore, I will be taking Tyrone to win in the Backyard Brawl.

Penn Cambria @ Central Cambria: Penn Cambria -25

Penn Cambria rebounded after their misstep in Week Three with a win over Bedford, 35-10. The Panther offense came alive in the second half, scoring 27 unanswered points. Brady Jones continued to be a nuisance to opposing defenses, throwing for two touchdowns and rushing for 35 yards on the ground. Central Cambria won again last week over Greater Johnstown, 35-14. Ryan Chappell was unstoppable again, rushing for 200 yards and three touchdowns, bringing his 2025 total to 716 yards and six touchdowns in just four games. The key to this game will be Penn Cambria’s defense, which allowed only 45 rushing yards to Bedford. This game may be closer than some would think, but I will still take Penn Cambria to win.

Westmont @ Greater Johnstown: Westmont -15

Westmont is favored for the first time this season by the model, as they remained winless last week after a 35-point loss to Somerset. The new offense for the Hilltoppers has taken some time to adjust, as their offense has been held under 10 points three times this year. Greater Johnstown is also winless, losing by 21 to Central Cambria. Johnstown’s offense has flashed, but finding the end zone has been a challenge, averaging 8.5 points per game. The key to this game will be Johnstown’s passing game, which is much better than most would believe. Johnstown will have the ability to create long chunk plays through the air, and I believe this will lead them to victory.

Bishop Guilfoyle @ Central: Bishop Guilfoyle -14

Bishop Guilfoyle beat an up-and-coming Huntingdon team in Week Four by 24, in a game that featured four rushing touchdowns from Jake Kissell. The Marauders rushed for 332 yards against a Bearcats team that had allowed an average of 206 rushing yards to that point. Meanwhile, Central lost to Bellwood-Antis 20-0 in a game where they allowed 277 yards rushing and three touchdowns. BG’s explosive run game is the key to this game, and I will take Bishop Guilfoyle to win.

Chestnut Ridge @ Bedford: Bedford -2

Chestnut Ridge took Forest Hills to the wire this week, losing 19-14 after their comeback bid fell just short. The Lions have a balanced run game between Barefoot and Imler, which has accounted for 499 yards of offense this season. Bedford lost 35-10 after allowing 27 unanswered points to Penn Cambria in the second half. Bedford has averaged 11.25 points per game and has scored 10 or fewer points in half their games. This game will come down to defenses and who will force better field position. I am expecting a defense-heavy game, which I think will lend itself to a Chestnut Ridge win.

Philipsburg-Osceola @ Bald Eagle: Philipsburg -0.7

Philipsburg beat Penns Valley by 39 last week, forcing their first shutout of the season. The Mounties gained 378 yards of offense, and RB Colton Chapman had his second three-touchdown game of the year. Bald Eagle lost their third game of 2025; however, RB Gradyn Fisher rushed for 118 yards. The Bald Eagle passing game threw four interceptions against the Golden Eagles, losing the turnover margin by a wide gap. The key here will be Philipsburg’s run game, which will allow the Mounties to control the game in a low-risk way. I will take the Mounties to win.

Huntingdon @ Clearfield: Clearfield -11

Huntingdon had a good start to the season, winning their first three games and beating rival Bellwood; however, this streak ended against Bishop Guilfoyle, 38-14. The Bearcats will still bring a rushing game with 508 yards and seven touchdowns this season into a very tough matchup. Clearfield has won three straight, including an overtime win over Bellefonte in Week Four. After their Week One loss to Bellwood, it was feared that the Bison might be taking a step back, but all doubts are gone as they have an offense that has accounted for over 1,000 yards in 2025. I think the key will be the two defenses, as Huntingdon is only allowing 15.5 points per game and Clearfield is allowing 18.75. This is the hardest game to pick this week, but I am going to trust in Huntingdon’s defense to pick up a huge win over the Bison.

McCort @ Somerset: McCort -27

McCort cemented themselves as the top team in the Laurel Highlands last week with a 31-12 victory over Richland. The Crushers have won all of their games by more than 15 points, including victories over Richland and Bellwood, two solid teams. Bentley Bainey and Jon Delia will be tough to stop for the Somerset defense. Somerset picked up their second win in as many games, beating Westmont by 35. The Eagles rushed for three touchdowns last week, bringing their total to eight on the year. I think McCort’s offense should be overpowering, and I will take the Crushers to improve to 5-0.

Richland @ Forest Hills: Richland -16

Richland took a tough 31-12 loss to a very good Bishop McCort team last week after a few turnovers and explosive plays early in the game. Richland is still a top team in the Laurel Highlands, with RB Grayson Mahla rushing for four touchdowns this season. Forest Hills is a top team in the Laurel Highlands as well, beating Penn Cambria earlier in the season. The Rangers played a close game in Week Four, winning 19-14 and holding off a Chestnut Ridge comeback. The key in this game will be which offense can get in a groove early, as these two teams have almost identical points-forced numbers. Richland has played in two very important games this year, beating BG and losing to McCort, while the Rangers beat a very tough Penn Cambria team in Week Three. I am going to take Richland to get the win in a close game.

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