Protime’s All-Time Predicting Records
Tagged under: News, pfn, Protime Predictions
Phil Myers | August 24, 2023
Well, all you all high school football enthusiasts out there it’s time for another season to kickoff. And your friendly prognosticator is back for his 56th year of predicting football games. ‘What,’ you say, ‘56 years?’ Yes, proof is in the picture of predictions for the 1969 college bowl games and his 1971 Nebraska sign.
Note the Penn State over Kansas game in the Orange Bowl.
Protime can’t find about half of his predictions from over the years, but here are his overall records since 1973 of high school games, since 1968 for college games, and since 1972 for NFL games he does have. He is 3,330-907-21 (.785) for high school. The college picks he can locate through 1992 when he stopped predicting show him to be 2,109-873-72 (.702). In the NFL, Protime is 1,451-633-22 (.692) up through ’92 when he began to concentrate on high school only. His best guess for all-time career wins predicting all football games is over 13,500!
Good luck to every team this year. Have fun! And remember this column is only for fun, there is absolutely no team Protime doesn’t wish the best for. So, without any more fanfare, here are the prognostications for the first week of 2023.
Central York @ Central Dauphin – The Panthers went 10-2 in 2022 and beat Central Dauphin 36-19 in the first game last year. Central York returns 8 defensive starters from a year ago, but lost a lot on offense. The bright side offensively is that Juelz Goff is back after rushing for 1,611 yards and scoring 31 TDs in 2022. The Rams went an uncharacteristic 3-7 last year. They have 6 and 7 starters returning on offense and defense respectively. Central Dauphin plays an exceptionally tough schedule but Protime thinks they’ll turn things around in ’23. This game is going to be a good one. Protime’s first coin flip of the year has Central York the victor 21-17.
Perkiomen Valley @ Chester – There is lots of excitement in Barto this year as the Vikings of Perk Val have high expectations after an 11-2 season. Ten starters return including five two-way players. They have a challenging schedule that should sharpen their resolve come playoff time. Chester is one of their challenges. The Clippers went 10-2 last year and have 8 back on the offense including 4 linemen that hover over 6 feet tall and weigh at least 270 pounds. The defense has 5 returnees and may be improved over the stingy ‘D’ they had in 2022. Look for a real slobber knocker of a game with the Vikings slipping by the Clippers late 17-16.
Thomas Jefferson @ Franklin Regional – The Jaguars return some offensive firepower and hope to regain their one-time foothold on the WPIAL 4A classification. T.J. finished 8-4 last year, but Coach Bill Cherpak, who is one of the best coaches in PA, has the team that could be a real contender this season. The Panthers, 6-4, last year, lost some key personnel on offense. Defense may be Franklin Regional’s strength in ’23. If it is, look for the Panthers to be in almost every game. T.J. wins in Protime’s estimation, 20-10.
General McLane @ Slippery Rock – The Lancers went 9-2 last year with their regular season loss coming to Slippery Rock. G.M. graduated almost two dozen seniors, but have some hungry players back that have this game marked on their calendars. The Rockets finished 7-5 in 2022 and have to replace 8 Region 3 all-stars. Slippery Rock always seems to reload as they have a real good program going for them. The Rock beats McLane 27-20.
Bishop Guilfoyle @ Bald Eagle Area – The Marauders were 10-4 last year, the Bald Eagles 8-4. Guilfoyle has to replace their all-state QB and an excellent running back. The offensive line looks to average 245 pounds. Coach Wheeler says, “this may be the strongest team we’ve had.” On the other side, BEA is led by QB Carson Nagle who threw for 2,800 yards and 29 touchdowns last year. He has his 2 top receivers back along with lots of other starters. Should be a very good game. BG 21 BEA 14.
Central Clarion @ Brookville – The Wildcats were 10-2 last season and are loaded again, returning all but 2 starters. QB Jase Ferguson passed for 2,727 yards and 33 TDs in 2022 to lead a terrific offense. They beat Brookville in the season opener and again in the AA District 9 playoffs. Brookville was 6-6 in 2022. The Blue Raiders have a half dozen starters back on offense and defense. QB Charlie Krug returns after being injured last year. He is bigger, stronger, and faster than ever. Brookville may be the dark horse in D-9 this year. Central Clarion wins 28-21.
Old Forge @ Dunmore – Not a lot of starters return for the Blue Devils. They have a way of finding the right combo to be competitive and playoff caliber year after year. The Forge was 7-4 last season and repeating that is a real possibility. Dunmore won a high scoring affair last year with Old Forge 43-35. Word is that the Bucks are loaded and a state title contender in ’23. Protime has Dunmore coming out on top 35-20.
Minersville @ Tri-Valley – Is this the year the Battlin’ Miners get over the hump and go deep into the playoffs? They have the team to do it. Minersville was 6-5 last year and made the D-11 playoffs for the 3rd consecutive year which had never happened before in school history. The Miners lost a pair of close games with Tri-Valley in ’22. The Bulldogs lost most of their 2022 offense to graduation. They do return some key players on defense from a team that went 10-2 last year. Look for that defense to keep them in games early in the season till the offense gels. The crystal ball says Minersville 22 Tri-Valley 16.
The Others:
Garnet Valley 13 C.B. West 10 – A close game to the finish finds the Jaguars defeating the Bucks in this battle of two top ten 6A teams.
Southern Columbia 34 Berwick 14 – Southern may not have the top players they’ve had in the past few years, but they have Coach Roth, the winningest PA coach of all-time. That’s enough for the Tigers to upend the Bulldogs.
Steelton-Highspire 26 Imani Christian 18 – Good game at the York White Rose Classic. Don’t underestimate the Saints of Imani, but the Rollers are too tough.
Westinghouse 22 Clairton 14 – Can the Bulldogs return to the state title game? We’ll see. In the meantime, they take care of business by 8 points over the Bears.
Roman Catholic 12 Wilson West Lawn 7 – Another battle of two top ten teams finds the Cahillites edging the Bulldogs. Roman is 5A. Wilson 6A.
Meadville 31 Corry 21 – Meadville lost a lot, but they have a system. So, take the Bulldogs over the Beavers.
Bethlehem Catholic 27 Pleasant Valley 14 – Becahi’s Golden Hawks open up by flying past the Bears of P.V.
Conemaugh Township 20 River Valley 12 – Protime has an inkling that the Indians may be playoff bound this year. The Panthers will be the first victim.
Bangor 28 Palisades 24 – Should be a good one here. Protime is taking the Slaters over the Pirates.
Richland 28 Penn Cambria 14 – Coach Bailey should have another competitive team at Richland. P.C. lost some key people. The Rams take down the Panthers.
Downingtown West 17 Abraham Lincoln 6 – This interesting match-up finds the Whippets in a tough battle with the Rail Splitters before coming out on top.
Beaver Falls 28 Blackhawk 17 – In a battle of cats, the Tigers scratch and claw their way past the Cougars.
Danville 37 Bloomsburg 14 – Danville will be tough again this year. The Bloomsburg Panthers are a question, so take the Ironmen.
Northern Bedford 29 Southern Huntingdon 21 – The N.B.C. Black Panthers shoot past the Rockets in a closer game than many think.
LaSalle College 14 North Penn 7 – In a low scoring affair, the edge goes to the Explorers. But don’t count out the Knights.
Cocalico 17 Warwick 13 – The Eagles will be flying high after scooting past the tenacious Warriors.
Avonworth 24 Grove City 21 – Grove City’s Eagles are good enough to win, but can’t quite catch the Antelopes in this close contest.
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