Protime Predictions – The Lost I-pad
Tagged under: News, Protime Predictions
Phil Myers | December 6, 2023
Last week, as Protime was preparing for his journey to Maryland for the MPSSAA High School football title games, Mrs. Protime had a question. She wanted to know where Protime had put her I-pad. She had it the night before when the Protimes were watching ‘Miracle on 34th Street’ which is the first Christmas movie the Protimes watch every year and one of their favorites. Now, Protime knows better than to touch that I-pad so he didn’t have an answer.
The house was searched high and low, but no I-pad. Just as the lovely Mrs. P was about to have someone facetime her so she could find the I-pad by hearing the ring, Protime located the missing piece of technology. It was in the Bermuda Triangle of the couch where snacks of all kinds, tissue paper, paper clips, pens, etc, end up falling through to the floor when the Protimes watch movies. How does an I-pad end up there? Who would know? But there it was safe and sound. And once again Protime was the hero, the champion of locating things so-to-speak.
Queen has an appropriate song called ‘We are the Champions.’ It is not only appropriate for Protime but for this week as the season winds down to a half dozen championship games. Good luck to all, even if Protime doesn’t pick your team. The Majestic Mystic got ever semi-final game right save one and now sits at 80.1% for the year. Here are Protime’s final prognostications for 2023.
St. Josephs Prep 42 North Allegheny 21 – The Hawks are ranked either 7th or 9th in the country depending on which poll you look at. As Protime has seen over the years, these teams are different animals. The Tigers of NA will do well to keep this 6A game close as, but boy oh boy, St. Joes is absolutely loaded. Both teams average over 40 points per game, NA 44.2 and SJP 41.1. A big difference is defense. St. Joes allows an 8th best in PA at 8.7, while the Tigers allow an average of 16.9 per game points. Prep’s University of Cincinnati bound quarterback, Semaj Jones, and linebacker Anthony Sacca will be difference makers in the game.
Imhotep 24 Peters Township 17 – Up until last week, Protime was figuring to pick Peters in the 5A game, but with the ease the Tep Panthers handled Strath Haven and the struggle the Indians had with Cocalico, almost losing at the end, Protime changed his mind. Besides, Imhotep is loaded with star power. The drawback is at times they struggle with team cohesiveness and discipline. If they aren’t careful, they will lose another state title game as Protime believes Peters is better than they played last week. That said, Protime has Imhotep by 7. QB Mikal Davis of Imhotep is the real deal and will be the difference in the game along with Jabree Wallace-Coleman, the Panther RB heading down south to play college ball at the University of Georgia. Davis will be off to West Point to serve his country and to play for the Army Black Knights in college. Imhotep is also the 13th top scoring team in PA and the Panthers have the 5th best scoring defense at 7.8 points allowed per game. Plus, they have some D-1 studs on that defense. Peters Twp. does have the 6th best scoring defense at 8.2, so they are no slouches either without the ball.
Aliquippa 28 Dallas 14 – The Quips are going to be the favorites even though the Mountaineers knocked off last year’s champs, Bishop McDevitt, who was ranked #1. This is the third straight year Aliquippa has made the final in 4A, but instead of playing McDevitt like the past two years it’ll be upstart Dallas this time. The Quips are stronger on offense this year and Penn State recruit, RB Tiqwai Hayes, is a big reason as the versatile back has elevated his game to a new level and that is scary. Protime says do not discount the Mountaineer ‘D’ that held McDevitt to just 16 points for 4 quarters. However, the crystal ball says take the Quips and 14.
Belle Vernon 20 Northwestern Lehigh 17 – This may be one of, if not the best, game of the weekend. NW Lehigh is for real and the defending 3A champs better beware. Belle Vernon probably hasn’t faced a team like the Tigers all year, so they had better be on their A game. That said, NW Lehigh has to be on their A game and stay focused in order to beat the Leopards. Both teams have top 20 defenses in PA with Belle Vernon having the 11th best and NW Lehigh the 13th best. Protime thinks this literally will be a cat fight to the end with the possible difference being Quinton Martin of Belle Vernon. He is a Penn State commit running back who can do it all including playing lights out defense. The crystal ball also tracked a couple possibly scenarios and both times the Belle Vernon Leopards win by 3.
Southern Columbia 34 Westinghouse 26 – Seven of the twelve teams in the finals were in the finals last year too, but this is the only game that will feature a rematch. Southern won last year by a score of 37-22. Protime believes Southern has a better defense this year. He also thinks Westinghouse is really good and coming around to the level the Bulldogs played at in 2022. However, the Tigers are just too much of a machine and will take this close game if they don’t make many mistakes. Southern Columbia has two 400 tacklers in Garrett Garcia and Dominic Fetterolf that the House has to try and contend with when they have the ball. Protime feels this will be the deciding factor, Southern’s defense headed up by Garcia and Fetterolf.
Steelton-Highspire 43 Fort Cherry 42 – This game definitely has the potential to steal the show so to speak. Each team has a dynamic quarterback who are game-changers. Both have supporting casts who are capable of making big plays also. Whoever has the ball last will probably win. The question is who will have it last? The Steamrollers are the defending champs and are led offensively by Alex Erby, who is committed the U.S. Naval Academy to serve his country and play football. Erby is the all-time passing yardage leader in PA history and also has the PA record for career TD throws. Durrell Ceasar leads all of PA in receiving yardage in 2023. Ronald Burnette can burn teams rushing the ball for Steel High. Matt Sieg. Remember that name. He is Fort Cherry’s quarterback and is only a sophomore. He is a dual threat QB who loves to run with the pigskin. Ethan Faletto can beat you when he runs the ball for the Rangers, so Steelton can’t just watch Sieg. Protime and his crystal ball sees a Steamroller win by a single point in a high-scoring affair. Steel High averages 45.3 pints a game good enough for 5th and Fort Cherry’s Rangers average 44.5, which is 9th in PA.
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