The LHAC Power Index Week 7 Predictions

Tagged under: District 5, District 6, District 9, News, pfn

Hunter Myers | October 1, 2025

Current 2025 Records – Model: 44-16 (73%), Me: 50-9 (85%)

Bellefonte (2-4) @ Philipsburg-Osceola (4-2): Philipsburg -4

This will be one of the better East 2 matchups in the Laurel Highlands this season, featuring two very solid teams. Bellefonte has faced five opponents with records at .500 or better in their opening six weeks and played in five one-score games. Unfortunately for the Raiders, only one of those games fell in their favor, mostly due to an offense that has been shut out twice so far. Philipsburg has also played in three one-score games, but won two of them. The key to this game will be Bellefonte’s defense—who earlier in the season held BG to just one touchdown—against Philipsburg’s storied rushing attack, including RB Colton Chapman, who has averaged 100+ yards and two touchdowns per game this season. I will take the Mounties to win.

Bishop Guilfoyle (5-1) @ Bellwood-Antis (3-3): Bishop Guilfoyle -11

From the first day of summer practice, this has been a game circled on every LHAC fan’s calendar. It was widely thought heading into the season that this was Bellwood’s year to surpass BG and get their chance at the Laurel Highlands championship. The Blue Devils faced the toughest schedule in the Laurel Highlands thus far, with their first six opponents combining for a 23-13 record. BG has largely dominated its opponents with an average win margin of 24.6 points in their five wins. Not only this, but the Marauders suffered through the injury bug early on and are beginning to get healthy. This will be a battle of two run games, as BG has rushed for 1,622 yards this season (70% of their total offense) while Bellwood has rushed for 1,169 yards (71% of their offense). Personally, I think this game could be very close, but I do think BG will pull away in the second half.

Central (1-5) @ Penns Valley (0-6): Central -12

Both teams have made it through the tough stretches of their season and will be hoping to build some momentum for next year’s teams. Central struggled offensively in their first five weeks; however, they had their best offensive output last week against a Huntingdon defense allowing only 18 points per game. The Rams are coming off a 32-point loss to Clearfield, where they allowed 290 rushing yards and five touchdowns. The question of the game will be: can Central’s offense build off last week’s improvements? I think this is the perfect opportunity for the Dragons to continue to build offensive efficiency, so I will take them to win.

Chestnut Ridge (3-3) @ Penn Cambria (5-1): Penn Cambria -20

Chestnut Ridge has a golden opportunity on their hands Friday night when they travel to Cresson to take on the Panthers. The Lions have hung with good teams this season, losing by five to Forest Hills and six to Philipsburg. Chestnut Ridge is hot right now, carrying a two-game win streak, as their star RB Jayden Imler has rushed for 277 and 135 yards in those two wins. Penn Cambria has been the picture of consistency in the Laurel Highlands for the last few seasons, with their only misstep being against Forest Hills in Week 3. Since that loss, the Panthers have beaten their next three opponents by 34.3 points per game, with RB Corbin Vinglish running for six touchdowns in the last three weeks. The key will be Chestnut Ridge’s ability to force turnovers (they have four interceptions this season), as Panthers QB Brady Jones did throw two interceptions in their loss to Forest Hills. I do think the Panthers will win this game, but don’t be surprised if it’s within one score entering the fourth quarter.

Clearfield (4-2) @ Bald Eagle (3-3): Bald Eagle -4

Bald Eagle has now won three of their last four games, and two in a row, coming into their rivalry showdown with Clearfield. Last week, the Eagles beat in-division opponent Bellefonte 19-14, as their defense held the Red Raiders to just 54 yards rushing. Earlier in the season, Bald Eagle held another talented rushing team, Huntingdon, to just 50 yards rushing. Clearfield got back in the win column against Penns Valley last week, beating the Rams by 32 points and rushing for 290 yards in a dominant performance. Earlier in the season, Clearfield was held to just 86 yards rushing against Bellefonte in a close win. The key to this game will be Clearfield’s run game and whether they can establish it against the stout Bald Eagle defense. I think Bald Eagle will win in a very close game.

Forest Hills (5-1) @ Central Cambria (2-4): Forest Hills -18

Central Cambria enters Week 7 on a two-game losing streak. While that doesn’t sound too bad, Central Cambria did not score a single point in their last two games against Penn Cambria and Chestnut Ridge. The Red Devils will have a chance in any game, though, as their RB Ryan Chappell is the second-best rusher in the LHAC by yards, at 743. Forest Hills got back to their winning ways in Week 6 with a 21-7 win over Bedford. While they started slow in the first half, the Rangers ended with 210 yards rushing, including 190 from Xander Richardson. This should be a duel of two rushers between Chappell and Richardson, but I think the Rangers should be able to win this one by a wide margin.

Huntingdon (5-1) @ Tyrone (3-3): Huntingdon -6

Tyrone suffered their first shutout since Week 6 of 2019 when they played Bald Eagle last week against Bishop Guilfoyle. The Golden Eagles had one of the best offenses in the Laurel Highlands through the first few weeks before they were held to just seven points against their rival Bellwood two weeks ago. Huntingdon has one of the best defenses in the conference, allowing only 14 points per game in their five wins. Huntingdon also has a top option game with QB Elliott Guisler and RBs Erdman and Edmiston. The key to this game will be the Tyrone offense—if they cannot get it started, this week could go similarly to last week for Tyrone. I am going to take Huntingdon to get to six wins, their best win total since 2017.

McCort (6-0) @ Westmont (0-6): McCort -36

This week features two rivalry games in Johnstown, and this is the first we will cover. McCort has a very explosive offense and stifling defense, winning games against Bellwood and Richland earlier this season. McCort has still not played a game that has finished with a win margin lower than 15, with an average win margin of 30.5 points. Westmont is in year one of a completely new offense, and that has shown, as the Hilltoppers have only scored 46 points this season (7.6 per game). I think McCort should continue to roll, as their offense should put this game out of reach early.

Richland (5-1) @ Johnstown (1-5): Richland -42

The second matchup of Johnstown rivals will feature two teams with very different goals. Johnstown won their first game of the season two weeks ago against Westmont, 24-6, but suffered a big 35-point loss to McCort last week. Richland has won two straight after their loss to McCort, winning by an average of 40 points in their last two games. The Rams accumulated 500+ yards against Somerset last week and will look to continue that into their matchup with the Trojans. The Rams should win this one pretty easily.

Somerset (2-4) @ Bedford (1-5): Somerset -0.7

Before 2025, these teams were heading in different directions—Somerset, coming off a 3A playoff appearance, was hoping to build on their 2024 success, while Bedford was entering a rebuilding stage. However, after a slow start from both teams, the Eagles find themselves in a similar situation to the Bison. The Eagles played a very tough schedule, facing four of the top teams in the LHAC to start their campaign. Meanwhile, the Bison lost some very close games, holding Forest Hills to just 21 points last week. The key here will be the Bison offense, as it has struggled this season, gaining only 150 yards last week. I think Somerset will climb one game closer to .500 with a big win over Bedford.

Follow PA Football News on Twitter @PaFootballNews