2014 Short Picks – Week 9

Tagged under: pfn

Pa Football News | October 22, 2014

A quick look back at last week’s games shows “Short Picks” posting a 19-6 record. A couple of those winning picks should be mentioned here. How about Parkland’s 21-13 win over previously unbeaten Bethlehem Freedom. You heard it at PFN first. And the real shocker North Penn with a 4-3 record knocking off top 10 ranked 8-0 Pennsbury to put the Knights back in the District 1 title chase. Finally, how about the call by yours truly with Pine-Richland beating PFN’s # 1 ranked Pittsburgh Central Catholic. I predicted Pine-Richland quarterback Ben DeNucci to have a great game and he did. Sometimes you half to toot your own horn. Week 9 has some thrillers on tap once again as a scramble is on to net a playoff spot.

In District 12, the West Philly Speedboys visit the Panthers of Imhotep. Both Squads have one loss, but Imhotep is ranked 7th by PFN in the AAA class. The ranking guru at PFN must know something so I’m going with the Panthers…Imhotep.

AAA Erie Central Tech’s Falcons travel to single A Conneaut where the Eagles have a playoff spot locked up. The Falcon’s offense is well balanced and should be too much for the Eagles to handle…Erie Central Tech.

In another District 10 game, the Sharpsville Blue Devils go on the road to face an always tough competitor in the Wilmington Greyhounds. Sharpsville got off to a 5-0 season start, but lost 2 of the past 3 games. The Greyhounds are not the kind of team you want when you need a rebound…Wilmington.

Karns City is two wins away from an undefeated season. The Gremlins are home this week with the Punxsutawney Woodchucks and visit the Dubois Beavers in week #10. Karns City’s offense has been held under 40 points just once this season. Can the Woodchucks offense keep up with the Gremlin scoring machine? I doubt it…Karns City.

The Dubois Beavers welcome the General McLane Lancers. Beavers’ quarterback, Gabe French, has riddled defenses the past 8 weeks. Not much difference this week…Dubois.

The Redbank Valley Bulldogs undefeated season is on the line this week when the Bulldogs welcome the Clarion Bobcats. Bobcats only loss of the season came at the hands of Karns City. Bulldogs will score often, but not as often as the Bobcats…Clarion.

In District 6, the Mountain Lions of Altoona are playoff bound in the WPIAL. A win this week will cap off a very nice 7-2 season for the Mt. Lions. Traveling to Altoona this week is Connellsville. Mountain Lions are looking to improve in the seeding process…Altoona.

The Johnstown Trojans’ season took a hit in the second game of the season when they lost star running back Terrell Jones. The Trojans managed a 6-2 record without Jones. Johnstown would love to have Jones in the lineup this week as they travel to Bishop Guilfoyle. The Marauders are 8-0 and ranked by PFN in the #4 spot of the single A class. The Trojans might be the first team to score some points on the Marauders, but not enough to win…Bishop Guilfoyle.

In a District 5/6 matchup, the undefeated Mount Union Trojans visit the 7-1 Titans of Tussey Mountain. The Trojans need a win here to keep a number one seed in sight…Mt. Union.

In District 4, the North Penn Panthers are coming off their first loss of the season to Canton. The Panthers try to rebound from the upset loss when they welcome the Rams of Wyalusing Valley. No problem for the Panthers getting back on the winning track…North Penn.

In District 2, the Berwick Bulldogs visit the Crusaders of James M. Coughlin. Longtime and legendary coach George Curry has the Bulldogs of Berwick playing like the Bulldogs of the past…Berwick.

Two 7-1 teams clash in Scranton where the Scranton Prep Cavaliers host the Delaware Valley Warriors. The Warriors lone loss was to the powerful Washington D.C. University High. I’m going with…Delaware Valley.

In District 1, the Pennsbury Falcons are coming off their first loss of the season. The Falcons have another formidable foe this week in the Titans of Central Bucks South. Titans have but one loss this season, so I look for a real barn burner when these two meet. I like a rebound by the Falcons in a very close score…Pennsbury.

Another shootout happens between the Perkiomen Valley Vikings and the Pottsgrove Falcons. This one goes right down to the final gun with the Vikes winning by a touchdown…Perkiomen Valley.

The young Neshaminy Redskins have made steady improvement this season and should be very good next year. The Redskins face the Knights of North Penn who have been on a mission of late. The Knights have battled back from a losing season to what looks like a potential spot in the playoffs. A win hear just might get the Knights a ticket to the show…North Penn.

The Quakertown Panthers are driving down the home stretch to an undefeated season. To reach that goal the Panthers will have to get by what might be the toughest test to date when they travel to Council Rock North. The Panthers are led by linebacker Hunter Nice, while Council Rock North relies on the arm of quarterback Brandon McIlwain. My guru source in District 1, Mike Smoll, was hesitant to make a pick on this game so I will make it for him…Quakertown.

In a cross town rivalry, Downingtown East and Downingtown West collide with both schools seeking a playoff spot. West’s Whippets seem to have an edge over East’s Cougars, but you throw out the records in this game between longtime rivals. I like the old saying “Go West young man”…Downingtown West.

In District 6, we have the Penns Manor Comets, while District 3 has the Penn Manor Comets. What’s the chances of that? Anyhow, the District 3 Penn Manor Comets have their work cut out for them as they welcome the undefeated Wilson West Lawn Bulldogs. My guess is the Bulldogs win this week and next to cap off a 10-0 season…Wilson.

The Donegal Indians have back to back winning seasons under the coaching of Jeff Polites. Polites takes his Indians to Northern Lebanon home of the Vikings. This one will be close, but no cigar for Coach Jeff…Northern Lebanon.

In what should be another close game in District 3, I see the Exeter Twp. Eagles at Governor Mifflin’s Mustangs. The Mustangs kick up their heels with a hard fought victory…Governor Mifflin.

The Red Land Patriots (7-1) will attempt to bring an end to a 8-0 run by the Crusaders of Bishop McDevitt. Once again, close but no cigar…Bishop McDevitt.

Finally, in district 7, where week #9 brings down the curtain on the regular season, the Aliquippa Quips need one more win to complete a 9-0 season. The Tigers of Beaver Falls (7-1) will attempt to spoil the Quips run. Quips win…Aliquippa.

The Highlands Golden Rams would like to treat their hometown fans with a perfect 9-0 season with a win over Shady Side Academy in the finale. Shady Side Academy’s offense with running back Jason Fitzgerald could just be the team to end the perfect season for the Rams. My upset special…Shady Side Academy.

The Washington Little Prexies might also have a perfect season ended when they travel to McGuffey’s Highlanders. The Little Prexies end the season at 8-1…McGuffey.

In what is always a great game with a jam packed stadium, the North Hills Indians (6-2) meet the Wolverines of Woodland Hills. Lots of offense with the Wolverines coming out ahead…Woody High.

In what might just be one of the best games in the state for the entire year, the undefeated squads of West Allegheny and Central Valley meet in what could be a preliminary to a showdown again at Heinz Field. Two very talented teams with lots of future college stars in the lineup should make this game a must see for any fan in the WPIAL. Picking a winner is impossible, but my guess is it could go into a couple of overtimes. Where is my buddy Mike Smoll when I need him? With a toss of the coin, it’s…Central Valley.

In District 11, the Bethlehem Freedom Patriots go from the frying pan into the fire as they visit the Easton Red Rovers. Pats get some home cooking…Easton.

The Blue Mountain Eagles travel to Jim Thorpe home of the Olympic Olympians. Thorpe looks like the favorite and being at home I would tend to agree. But I have a hunch the Eagles will surprise…Blue Mountain.

In other games:
Wood over Archbishop Carroll
Ben Franklin over Dobbins
Stroudsburg over Northhampton
Line Mt. over Williams Valley
Northwestern Lehigh over Northern Lehigh
Parkland over Nazareth
Hickory over Titusville
West Middlesex over Reynolds
Grove City over Warren
Sheffield over Port Allegeny
Gateway over Yough
Thomas Jefferson over West Mifflin
Hopewell over New Castle
Jeannette over Greensburg Central Catholic
Homer Center over Ligonier Valley
Central over Huntingdon
Westmont over Bishop Carroll
Northern Bedford over Williamsburg
Selinsgrove over Milton
Red Lion over Spring Grove
Lackawanna Trail over Mid Valley
Upper Dublin over Hatboro-Hosham