Protime Predictions – Mrs. P is Glad it’s Football Season
Tagged under: News, pfn, Protime Predictions
Phil Myers | August 22, 2024
Well, sports fans, the premier football aficionado is back with his insight into classic and not so classic matchups across the Commonwealth each week. And Mrs. Protime is glad. Just the other day she said, “I wish football season will soon start so I can have some peace and quiet.” That is because Protime has a habit of waking up in the mornings happy and cracking corny jokes. He also enjoys singing made up ditties about Mrs. Protime all day long, and apparently besides being a very good pigskin game picker, being a nuisance is something he’s good at too.
Now Protime still has some ‘honey do’ list of things to do, but they are not of the immediate attention nature except for a promised shopping trip to the city. What does need immediate attention are the opening week’s prognostications. Protime wants to wish everyone a great season and don’t be offended if he doesn’t pick your team to win. It’s all for fun, and besides, next week he may have your team winning the big game. And now, on with the show.
Archbishop Wood @ Central Bucks South – The South Titans had a great year last season and are poised to make another run deep into the playoffs. The Vikings of Wood are searching for the formula that will bring them back into the dominance they once possessed. C.B. South wins by three TDs, 31-10.
Beaver @ Westinghouse @ The Wolvarena – This should be one heck of a game to kick off the season. The House has dropped to 1A while the Beaver Bobcats have moved up to 3A. To be honest, both teams have a shot to go really, really deep into the state playoffs. Protime is going with the Bulldogs in a genuine slobberknocker 30-22.
Valley View @ Scranton Prep – District Two’s premier game this week features a couple of good teams. The Cavaliers won last year, but the Cougars will definitely make a game of it. Prep by seven, 21-14 says the crystal ball.
Hickory @ Farrell – District Ten offers up this gem in the first week. Both teams are ranked in their respective class. Farrell won the game easily last year, but Protime thinks Hickory will be right there at the end. However, the Steelers will prevail 18-13 over the Hornets in a game where one play can be the difference.
LaSalle College @ Harrisburg – There is talk that the Cougars are so loaded they may give St. Joes Prep a real run for their money. But, hold the phone, LaSalle’s Explorers are no slouches and may be a contender to dethrone St. Joes also. Harrisburg wins by a touchdown 28-21.
Bald Eagle Area @ Bishop Guilfoyle – And yet another marquis matchup the first week. This contest pits one of the top 3 or 4 teams in the state in 2A (BEA) against one of the top 3 or 4 teams in PA in class 1A (BG). In 2023 the Bald Eagles won by three scores. It won’t be so easy this year, but BEA will defeat the BG Marauders again. This time 34-24.
Southern Columbia @ Wyomissing – What else can be said of a program that has won 14 state championships and seven in a row coming into 2024. The Tigers’ legendary coach, Jim Roth, is one win away from notching his 500th career victory. But Wyomissing has a pretty darn good coach too in Bob Wolfrum. He is 6th all-time in PA and a win away from #350. The Spartans will be playing at 4A this year. Protime gives the home team the nod in a squeaker, 17-14.
Neumann-Goretti @ Roman Catholic – Woohoo Philadelphia. Great game on tap! This game pits the #1 ranked 5A team in Roman Catholic against the #4 ranked 3A squad in N-G. Sounds like both football teams have some very good talent. Protime is going with the 5A Cahillites to carve out the victory over the 3A N-G Saints by a score of 18-12.
The Others:
Central Clarion 35 DuBois 27 – Don’t be surprised if the DuBois Beavers upset the #6 ranked 2A team. In the end, Protime is going with the C.C. Wildcats, but it should be a dogfight.
Blue Mountain 21 Schuylkill Haven 20 – The Eagles slip by the Hurricanes in a close one. Both squads are expected to have good years in 2024.
Chestnut Ridge 27 Somerset 13 – Coach Max Shoemaker leads his C.R. Lions to victory over an improved Somerset Eagle eleven.
Chester 22 Perkiomen Valley 21 – The orange and black Clippers sail out of Barto with the one-point triumph over the orange and brown Vikings. Chester is the 3rd ranked 5A school and Perk Valley is a 6A team to watch.
Upper St. Clair 31 Mt. Lebanon 21 – USC is the #4 rated team in 5A and they are going to be a contender for the state championship this year. Mt. Lebo is 6A and are a tough team in their own right. The Panthers by ten over the Blue Devils.
Grove City 26 North East 10 – The Eagles will be flying high after their opening game win over the Grape Pickers.
Jersey Shore 37 Dallas 28 – The Shore Bulldogs are ranked #2 in the preseason poll at 4A. Dallas was 15-1 a year ago losing only to Aliquippa in the 4A state title game. Protime thinks the Mountaineers will be good again, but Jersey Shore is on another level.
Brockway 38 Cameron County 20 – The Brockway Rovers have a new QB who has a lot of potential and the have probably the best receiving corps in District 9. The Red Raiders of Cam. Co. have a plethora of kids back from last year’s playoff squad. Bottom line is the Rovers will take a bite out of the Red Raiders.
Cocalico 34 Elizabethtown 14 – Look for the E’town to be better in 2024, but the Bears fall to a very good Cocalico Eagle eleven who are a 5A honorable mention.
Ellwood City 23 Laurel 16 – Protime understands the Wolverines of Ellwood City will make the playoffs again and may be a contender in the D-7 playoffs. Laurel’s Spartans should be good also, but in this game, they come up a TD short.
Richland 28 Penn Cambria 24 – Brandon Bailey’s Richland Rams are there year in and year out. They are ranked 9th in 2A. Penn Cambria has had a couple of very good years and 2024 may be no exception. Should be a good one with Richland pulling it out in the 4th quarter over the Panthers.
Bethlehem Catholic 14 East Pennsboro 7 – A low scoring affair sees the Golden Hawks eke out the win over the E. Pennsboro Panthers.
Sharon 20 Mercyhurst Prep 14 – The Sharon Tigers are a touchdown better this time around as they defeat the Mercyhurst Lakers.
Pope John Paul II 40 Springfield-Montco 21 – The Golden Panthers of PJP are on a mission this year to get to the state title game. They are ranked 3rd in 4A. Meanwhile the Spartans of Springfield-Montco are looking for a big signature win. This might be it, but Protime feels the Golden Panthers are too strong this year.
Catasauqua 28 Mahanoy Area 26 – Protime had to flip a coin for this wild one in Catasauqua finds the Rough Riders pulling out a thrilling win against Mahanoy’s Golden Rams.
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