Short Picks – Week 15
Tagged under: pfn
Bill Engelhardt | December 2, 2014
Semi-final weekend provides some quality football around the state as we take the final step to Hershey. The biggest surprise in last week’s games has to be the Somerset Eagles win over Bethlehem Catholic. The Eagles did not just beat BeCa, but they pitched a shutout on their way to a 30-0 victory. Outstanding effort by Somerset as they caught the attention of every knowledgeable fan in the state. As for “Short Picks” a recorded 11-4 record while absolutely confused by the omission of the Central Valley/Conneaut game I just plain forgot to look at it. As for this week, the weather looks good in the long range forecast or Friday and Saturday, so I don’t see any problems for fans or players.
In the Western finals of the single A class, the Sharpsville Blue Devils will attempt to slow the high scoring offense of the Clairton Bears. The Bears defense has been somewhat deficient at times. Clairton allowed a couple of long TD runs last week against Berlin while winning by 52-24. Two weeks ago Clairton needed two overtime periods before winning by a 48-42 score. The Blue Devils are averaging 42 points per game in the four playoff games. If Clairton leaves the defense on the bus, I look for a shootout with a score where both teams could hit 40+ points. Bears defense comes out of hibernation…‘Da Bears.
In the Eastern side of the bracket, the Bishop Guilfoyle Marauders travel to Dubois for a match up with the Mountaineers of South Williamsport. The Marauders and the Mountaineers can score as witnessed by last weeks’ combined total points scored by both teams of 131 points. The Marauders can score from anywhere on the field by the run, the pass, a kick return, or a defensive play. South Williamsport’s offense is built around the punishing running of Dominick Bragalone. The 220 pound bruiser will give the Marauders a snoot full as he closes in on season a number of rushing records. This game will be a thriller, but I think the Marauders have a slight edge on the defensive side of the ball…Bishop Guilfoyle.
In the AA finals in the West, South Fayette’s Lions will meet one of the better defensive teams they have faced this season in the Hickory Hornets. The Hornets shutout a very good Tyrone team last week. Hickory’s offense can score some points too. So now it comes down to the play of one player as deciding the outcome of this game. That player is Lions’ QB Brett Brumbaugh. Hickory has some very talented defensive players who are very capable of keeping the Lion QB caged. Hickory’s defense keeps the score low, but the slick performing Brumbaugh finds a way for the Lions to come away with a win…South Fayette.
Wyomissing won a state title two years ago in the AA Class, while Dunmore was defeated at the same time in the state finals of the single A Class. This Eastern Final of the AA Class is a classic matchup of two outstanding football programs representing District 3 and District 2. Wyomissing’s win over top ranked Berks Catholic two weeks is I’m sure a huge confidence builder for the Spartans. Look for the Spartans to send the Bucks home while punching their ticket to “Chocolate Town”…Wyomissing.
In the AAA semi-finals, QB Nick Marsillo and the Crusaders of Bishop McDevitt travel to Altoona to meet the Central Valley Warriors who are led by Pitt Panther verbal commitment Jordan Whitehead. The 14-0 Crusaders play a regular season schedule comprised mostly of AAAA schools. Marsillo was instrumental in most of those games. Many pundits in the Pittsburgh area considered Central Valley to be the best team in the state. Whitehead is a game breaker who plays on both sides of the ball. Some great athletes on both teams and two overall very good football teams make this game on doozy of a pick. I must revert to using the old “WAG” method…Central Valley.
I would consider Somerset to be the “Cinderella” team in the final four of the AAA Class. The Eagles defense was arguably the best it has been this season when Somerset shutout Bethlehem Catholic last week. Somerset needs another yeomen effort this week against the Vikings of Archbishop Wood (12-1). Wood’s lineup has a number of D-1 prospects. I think the clock strikes 12:00 for “Cinderella”…Archbishop Wood.
Pennsbury (13-1) held Coatesville to just 14 points last week by using a punishing running game from tailback Charles Snorweah. The Falcons meet PFN’s top ranked Hawks of St. Joe’s Prep (9-3). For the Falcons to win this week they will have to stop Prep’s QB Jack Clements. In the battle between a running back and a quarterback, I like the QB…St. Joe’s Prep.
Wilson (West Lawn) carries the banner of District 3 against the Rams of Pine-Richland of District 7. Wilson’s Bulldogs won their last three games on the back of a very stout defense. The Bulldogs’ defense will get a serious test especially in the secondary by Pine-Richland’s QB Ben DiNucci. Wilson must be able to put some points on the board as I don’t think the Bulldog defense alone can win this game. That said, I like…Pine-Richland.
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