Protime Predictions

Tagged under: Gameday Hub, News, Protime Predictions

Phil Myers | August 25, 2022

Well, Protime finds it hard to believe another high school football season is upon us.  Since he retired a year ago Mrs. Protime has kept him busy with the ole ‘Honey Do’ list.  So, he has to juggle his time so to speak.  In fact, Protime took up juggling this year as a hobby.  He can now juggle while standing on one foot, and he can also slowly spin in a complete circle as he juggles.

Protime can juggle things of various shapes and sizes too.  From golf balls to softballs to rocks to Mrs. Protime’s corelle dishes, he can juggle almost anything.  He usually doesn’t drop many things either.  Although one of those corelle dishes did slip through his hands and it broke into many tiny pieces!  Protime had heard corelle is unbreakable, that is why he juggled those dishes and not Mrs. Protime’s good china. (Lucky for him.)

Speaking of unbreakable, isn’t it grand to see the spirit of high school football has not been shattered by Covid or by politics?  The kids, the parents, and the fans are gearing up for the 2022 season and enthusiasm is running wild.  Protime will not only prognosticate big games around the state, but some of the top teams too.  He reminds everyone that these predictions are for fun.  So, please take them with a grain of salt (and some water).  Without further ado here are the opening weeks’ picks by Pennsylvania’s top prognosticator.

Bishop Canevin vs. Steelton-Highspire @ Chambersburg – The first game of the Peach Bowl Classic series of six games gets the weekend off with a bang as PFN’s #1 ranked Canevin Crusaders face off with the #2 ranked Steel High Steamrollers.  Both teams have a plethora of starters back for the 2022 season.  Canevin quarterback Jason Cross threw for 1,633 yards and 18 TDs last year.  He also scored 13 times running the ball.  His favorite receiver, Lesae Lacks, hauled in 50 passes for 930 yards.  He scored 14 TDs.  For Steel High, it’s Alex Erby, the 6’4’ 210 lb. quarterback, who guides the offense.  He is on pace to break some of the PA passing records if the junior can stay healthy.  In two years, he has tossed the agate for 5,954 yards and 74 TDs.  His favorite receiver, Tyrone Moore, caught 55 passes for 1,375 yards and 13 scores in 2021.  This is a tough one to predict, but Protime has the Steamrollers in a high scoring affair 46-42.

Clearfield @ Juniata – Bison coach Tim Janocko recently received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Central PA Chapter of the National Football Foundation which is quite an honor.  Coach Janocko enters the game with Juniata needing one more win to reach career win number 300.  But it will be hard as the Bison lost a lot and only return four starters on each side of the ball.  Meanwhile, Juniata has 8 back on offense and 7 on defense.  Leading the way is QB Aaron Kanagy for coach Kurt Condo’s Indians.  Kanagy took over the reins half way through the season in 2021 when their top QB went down with an injury.  Protime favors the Bison with Janocko picking up victory #300.  Clearfield 17 Juniata 14.

Central Bucks West @ Garnet Valley – C.B. West returns to Moe DeFrank Stadium where last year the Bucks lost to the Jags 41-13 in the playoffs.  West returns RB Eli Boehm who ran for 85 yards and scored a touchdown in that game.  They also return their QB Ganz Cooper who completed 4 passes for 125 yards and a TD.  WR Connor McFadden caught all four of those passes.  Garnet Valley lost a good deal including their coach of 35 years Mike Ricci.  But the #6 ranked 6A team has a trio of running backs who combined rushed for 1,300 yards and scored 20 TDs in 2021.  They are Joe Checchio, Jason Bernard, and Jack Westburg.  Kieran Gallagher will anchor the line for the Jags.  New head coach Eric Van Wyk expects to continue the tradition.  As Steve Harvey says on the Feud, “this is going to be a good one.”  Garnet Valley 35 C.B. West 28.

Scranton Prep @ Lakeland – Here is another top-notch game in the first week.  This game features PFN’s #9 AAA team in Scranton Prep and the #7 AA team in Lakeland.  PSU recruit RB London Montgomery is back for the Cavaliers. He rushed for 2,404 yards last year and scored 36 touchdowns, many of the spectacular variety.  As a team, Prep returns 6 starters on offense and 8 on defense.  The Chiefs counter with 8 returnees on both sides of the ball and definitely will provide a tough going for the Cavs.  QB Dominico Spataro will help Lakeland be in any game they play.  He pitched the pigskin for 2,264 yards and 25 TDs last season and also ran for over 800 yards, scoring 15 times.  Protime had to gaze into his crystal ball to divine a victor in this one.  Lakeland 28 Prep 21. (Note: it is being reported that London Montgomery suffered an injury in their scrimmage and may be out for the year.  Prayers go out to this young man.)

Easton @ Parkland – The Red Rovers’ strength this year should be their line play as 6’5” 320 lb. Odin Ferency is back along with a couple of other veterans.  PK Austin Martellucci will be a major factor for Easton.  He booted 6 FGs last year including one over 50 yards.  The Trojans have a highly recruited kicker also in Gryffin Mitstifer who regularly kicks the ball into the end zone on kickoffs and has made FGs of over 60 yards at camp.  Protime likes Parkland in this one 24-17.

Mount Lebanon @ Gateway – This is an interesting match-up out of District 7 where we have the reigning PA 6A champs in Mt. Lebo taking on perennial power and PFN’s #3 ranked team in 5A, the Gateway Gators.  The Blue Devils lost practically their entire offense and defense from the 2021 title team.  But they do have the legendary Bob Palko at the helm and he always has his teams ready for some high-quality football.  One of the few returnees for Mt. Lebanon is Richmond recruit Kade Capristo who will anchor the offensive line for sure.  Don Hull’s Gators are led by Junior QB Brad Birch who threw for 2,623 yards and 27 TDs in 2021.  Gateway’s line should be improved this year allowing Birch more time to throw.  If that happens, look for Gateway to take down Mt. Lebo 28-24.

Central Martinsburg @ Bishop Guilfoyle – Jeff Hoenstine returns as Central’s quarterback.  In 2021 he set the state single-season record for most TD passes with 57.  In setting that record he threw for 3,621 yards.  It is conceivable that he’ll break Matt Bodamer’s (Port Allegany) career record of passing for 137 TDs.  He would need 43 TD passes this year to do that.  Guilfoyle returns virtually everyone from their Class A championship squad.  The Marauders are led by player of the year, QB Karson Keisewetter.  He threw for 1,942 yards and 13 TDs plus he ran for 1,133 yards and scored 22 TDs.  BG moved up to the 2A classification for 2022.  PFN has them ranked #4, while the Scarlet Dragons are ranked 5^th in 3A.  Protime flipped a coin for this contest and it came up tails meaning Central wins 34-31.

Imhotep vs. Bishop McDevitt @ Chambersburg – This is the feature game on Saturday at the Peach Bowl Classic.  We have the PFN’s preseason #1 team in 5A, last year’s state silver medalists Inhotep, facing the PFN’s #2 team in 4A, also a silver medalist from a year ago Bishop McDevitt.  There will be D-1 talent all over the field in this contest.  If you live nearby, it will be worth it to watch this game.  McDevitt is led by sophomore QB Stone Saunders who passed for 3,037 yards and 46 TDs as a freshman.  WR Rico Scott and RB Marquese Williams are key returning skill players for the Crusaders.  McDevitt’s line is going to be a force led by Gabe Arena and Riley Robell. They’ll average close to 6’4” 290 lbs. on both sides.  The Panthers of Imhotep will have lines equal to or maybe greater than the size of McDevitt led by D-1 recruit Jahsear Whittington.  LB Semaj Bridgeman, DB Kenny Woseley, and FS Rahmir Stewart are big time players sought by many colleges.  Guys like this on defense will make McDevitt’s offense work for everything they get.  Protime had to take a gaze into the crystal ball to discern the winner here.  Bishop McDevitt’s Crusaders slay the Panthers of Imhotep 14-12.

The Others:

Windber 34 Fairfield 20 – Windber’s Ramblers got their name because back in the day they used to travel far and wide to play games.  (Their original name was Coaltowners.)  This game is no exception as they travel all the way to Chambersburg to be a part of the Peach Bowl Classic.  They usually did quite well on the road too.  That aspect continues as the Ramblers beat the Knights 34-21.

Woodland Hills 21 William Penn (York) 14 – Another great game at the Peach Bowl Classic featuring the Wolverines, out of District 7, knocking off the Bearcats from District 3.

Central Bucks East 27 Chambersburg 17 – The Peach Bowl Classic nightcap on Saturday should also be a good one as the Patriots score late to defeat the home standing Trojans.

North Penn 31 Lasalle 28 – Some people have Lasalle winning this game, but Protime’s inside info says take the Knights to edge the Explorers.

Quakertown 25 Southern Lehigh 13 – This is an intriguing game.  Protime has the Panthers clawing and scratching by the Spartans.

Southern Columbia 34 Berwick 26 – Coach Roth might not have the studs he’s had in the past, but he still has some pretty darn good players who know how to win.  The Tigers sneak out of Berwick and Bulldog Country with a hard-earned win.

Danville 35 Bloomsburg 13 – This could be the year the Ironmen really make some noise.  The Bloomsburg Panthers drew a very difficult first game.

Mount Carmel 21 North Schuylkill 14 – Whew!  Another goodie right off the bat.  This one sees the Red Tornado storming past the Spartans.

St. College 31 Williamsport 21 – The Little Lions stop the Millionaires.

Chestnut Ridge 26 Somerset 20 – The Lions keep the Eagles grounded.

Bellwood-Antis 14 Tyrone 7 – In the annual rivalry game, look for the Blue Devils to cancel the Golden Eagles’ flight to victory.

Penn-Trafford 17 Canon-McMillan 10 – The defending 5A state champs kick the season off with a win as the Warriors spear the Big Macs.

Union/AC Valley 29 Cameron County 8 – The Falcon-Knights fend off the Red Raiders.

Meadville 41 Corry 21 – Look for Meadville’s Bulldogs to score lots of points this year including this one where they double up the Beavers.

Franklin 12 Titusville 6 – The Knights start the season off with by downing the Rockets.

Hollidaysburg 20 Altoona 14 – The Golden Tigers tackle the Mountain Lions in their rivalry game.

Central Valley 42 Trinity 14 – The Warriors bury the Hillers as the defending state 3A champs are now in 4A.

Westinghouse 18 Clairton 12 – The Bulldogs are tenacious in defeating the always tough Bears.

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