Protime Predictions Week 0, 2021

Tagged under: Gameday Hub, News, Protime Predictions

Phil Myers | August 26, 2021

Protime is glad to be back for another year of prognostications here at PFN.  He also has had some crazy things happen to him since last year.  Most of which he will relate over the course of the coming weeks.  Meantime, Protime has polished up his flipping coin and is dusting off his crystal ball as he listens to his favorite rock group, Styx.

Protime has been told he has a magic ability to foretell winners of high school football games, but he’s no magic man even though he almost once met Ann and Nancy Wilson of Heart.  To quell all the rumors once and for all, their song, ‘Magic Man’ is not about Protime.  Then there’s the talk that Protime was the original magic man on the wrestling mat in junior high, but that is just not true.  He was anything but magical in junior high.  Besides, wrestling Olympic gold medalist, David Taylor, has the ‘Magic Man’ moniker and Protime will not challenge Mr. Taylor for fear of being turned into a pretzel or worse.

Remember, sports fans, these magical predictions are just for fun.  Protime hopes every game would go into overtime before someone comes out the victor.  He doesn’t care if he misses every contest he predicts and thus loses his magic.  But if players and coaches want to use Protime’s prophesies as locker room fodder, then have at it.  Good luck to all and here’s to having a fun and healthy season.  There are some huge matchups for the first week of action which will have playoff and rankings implications for sure.  Now on with the picks.

Imhotep vs. Pittsburgh Central Catholic @ the Wolvarena – #1 vs. #3.  It can’t get much better than this for the first game of the year!  The Panthers are the top cat in 5A, while the Vikings are ranked third in 6A.  Tep has Will Robinson (not the one from the TV show ‘Lost in Space’) at running back, while PCC has Notre Dame recruit Donovan Hinish on the defensive line.  That will be interesting when those two individuals meet.  Protime is going with the Vikings, 14-7.

Harrisburg vs. Pine-Richland @ the Wolvarena – Both teams come into this game with something to prove.  After finding an 11th hour game to luckily qualify for states, the Cougars had to forfeit their district playoff last year due to Covid.  They thought they should have been in the 6A finals.  Everyone knows the turmoil the Rams, the defending 5A state champs, endured this spring. Among ‘Burg’s players to watch are WR Kyle Williams and O-lineman Roy Irving who is 6’4” and weighs 300 pounds.  For the Rams, it’s LB Jeremiah Hasley who is a Duke recruit, and linemen Isaiah Kerns and 6’6” 260 lb. Jalen Klemm.  Protime will be there and envisions the Rams escaping the clutches of the Cougars for a 20-17 win.

Central @ Chestnut Ridge – The Laurel Highlands Conference and the Ridge Lions welcome Central’s Scarlet Dragons, the new kid in town.  The Dragons have Jeff Hoenstine back barking signals at quarterback after suffering a season ending injury last year.  The Lions have all-state receiver Matthew Whysong in the den.  Protime flipped his first coin of 2021 and the Dragons emerge the victor 28-22.

LaSalle @ Bishop McDevitt – Big game here between Explorers out of D-1 and the Crusaders out of D-3.  LaSalle is ranked #9 by PFN in the 6A classification, while McDevitt is the #2 team in 4A.  Penn State recruit, LB Abdul Carter is one of the keys for the Explorers.  WR/CB Kamil Foster and 6’5”, 285 lb. O-lineman Gabe Arena are two to watch for the Crusaders.  The crystal ball says LaSalle in a close slobber-knocker 20-14.

Bethlehem Catholic @ Northampton – Keep an eye on the Richardsons in this game.  Becahi’s QB Jared Richardson has chance to be one of the best quarterbacks the Golden Hawks ever had according to sources.  Jaelin Richardson is a talented wide receiver for the Koncrete Kids.  Protime has the Golden Hawks, ranked 5th in 4A, winning this one 28-10.

DuBois @ Clearfield – Protime’s Friday night game features old rivalries that practically go back to the beginning of football at each school.  DuBois has Christian Kirk, Justin Bankovich, Mitchell Drahushak, and Derraick Burkett showing the way.  Clearfield has QB Oliver Billlotte, WRs Karson Kline and Nate Natoli, and RB Mark McGonigal heading up the herd on offense.  Protime was poised to pick an upset here, but a birdie told him to go with the favorite, the Clearfield Bison over the DuBois Beavers 35-28.

Central Dauphin @ Wilson West Lawn – Wow, fantastic match-up right from the get-go in D-3.  The Rams have a dynamic QB in lefty Max Mosey.  The Bulldogs have their own gamer in RB/LB Jadyn Jones.  Wilson is #9 in PFNs 6A poll.  C.D. is HM according to PennLive.  Protime, with a little upset, picks the Rams 31-28.

Roman Catholic @ Neumann-Goretti – Protime says District 12 is up and coming for teams not named St. Joes Prep.  DT Sameir Speights of the R.C. Cahillites is a force to be reckoned with.  The N-G Saints have their own force in LB Anthony Johnson.  Look for Neumann-Goretti to come out on top 14-6.  By the way, it was Thomas E. Cahill that founded Roman Catholic in 1890, thus the nickname.

River Valley @ United – Blairsville and Saltsburg merged into the River Valley Panthers beginning this year.  The initial coach of River Valley is Jeff Houser who just named his starting QB, Braden Staats.  Quite possibly the player with the most impact this year for the Panthers may be fullback Angelo Bartolini.  The United Lions have a bright future with the sensational sophomore, Caden McCulley, who plays RB and LB.  WR/DB Jacob Boring is also a player to watch for the Lions.  Protime’s crystal ball says River Valley will pick up its first ever triumph 20-14.

Garnet Valley @ Downingtown West – This actually could be a preview of the 6A District One final in November.  These teams are supposed to be that good and both are ranked in the top ten.  Among the prowl of Jaguars Shane Reynolds, their proficient RB/LB, is one to keep an eye on.  For the Whippets, WR/CB Elijah Ford, is one of the big dogs.  Protime flipped his trusty coin and it looks like it’ll be D-West 24 G. Valley 17.

Archbishop Wood @ Neshaminy – Wood is the number two 6A school and may present a big problem to St. Joes’ dominance in D-12.  Semaj Bridgeman is one of the Vikings’ leaders.  He plays TE on offense and LB on defense.  QB Nunzio Zydzik will be one of the chief Neshaminy Redskins this year.  Wood wins 30-17.

THE OTHERS:

Redbank Valley 28 Keystone 14 – The Bulldogs (#5 in 1A) have the team to make a serious run deep into the state playoffs.  The Panthers will be in the D-9 playoff mix.

Bedford 26 Central Cambria 6 – Mercury Swaim will quarterback the Bisons (#6 in 3A) to some big things this year.  The Red Devils will do well, just a tough opener.

Montoursville 34 Wellsboro 12 – The Warriors take the sting out of the Hornets.

Emmaus 24 Stroudsburg 7 – The Emmaus Hornets will have not only a great game against the formidable Mounties, but a great year as well.

Valley View 21 Dallas 14 – Big things are expected from the V.V. Cougars this season.  The Mountaineers will give a good accounting of themselves in this one.

Farrell 40 Greenville 22 – The Steelers (#2 in double A) have the team to make the 2021 title tilt.  The Trojans, like C. Cambria and Stroudsburg, open with a quality opponent.

Harry S. Truman 12 Abraham Lincoln 6 – In the battle of the Presidents, the Tigers of H.S.T. edge the Rail Splitters.

Seneca Valley 21 Moon 14 – This should be an entertaining game as the 6A Raiders eke out a victory over the 5A ranked Tigers of Moon.

North Penn 35 Souderton 28 – With the Souderton Indians improving over the past few years including the D-1 title in 2020, this is not a game for the ranked Knights to take lightly.

Windber 20 Conemaugh Valley 8 – Even though Windber is ranked, the Ramblers better be prepared as the Blue Jays are going to bring game.

Jersey Shore 31 Bellefonte 21 – Jersey Shore’s Bulldogs (#3 in AAAA) are projected to go far in the state playoffs once again.  The Red Raiders will be competitive under first year coach, Vaughn Donmoyer.

Erie Cathedral Prep 38 Erie 20 – The Ramblers open with the Royals who are hungry, but Prep, led by the efficacious coaching of Mike Mischler will prevail.

North Schuylkill 24 Mt. Carmel 14 – The Spartans are ranked #1 by PFN in 3A.  The Red Tornadoes have been there, done that.

Cambria Heights 22 Homer Center 14 – The Highlanders are expected to do well this year and pass an early test against the Wildcats.

Southern Columbia 42 Berwick 21 – Who would have guessed Coach Roth and his S.C.A. Tigers have another great team led this year by the incomparable Gavin Garcia?  Berwick’s Bulldogs used to be the team, but not anymore.

Wilmington 26 Reynolds 18 – Marlin ‘Mojo’ Jones would have been a senior for the Raiders this year, but he passed away back in June.  Reynolds has dedicated their season to him and in this game, emotions will carry them deep into their game with the 2A ranked Greyhounds.

Central York 28 Exeter Township 21 – What’s that you say?  Last year’s #2 team in 6A with future Penn State QB Beau Pribula can only squeak out a win over the Exeter Eagles?  Why yes, the Eagles are going to be very good just watch and see, but the Panthers have a little too much firepower.

Berlin Brothersvalley 27 Meyersdale 7 – Berlin is poised for another good season and the Red Raiders are the first to fall prey to the Mountaineers.

Steelton-Highspire 39 Morrisville 12 – Steelton, the defending 1A champs, are highly ranked again.  The Steamrollers prove they are a force against the Morrisville Bulldogs from District One.

McKeesport 15 Baldwin 14 – The last time these two played the Tigers beat the Highlanders by one point.  It is déjà vu all over again.

Marian Catholic 22 Schuylkill Haven 20 – Big victory for the Colts over the Hurricanes as Coach Stan Dakotsy tries to lead M.C. back to prominence.

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