Protime Predictions by Phil: The Hershey Edition

by Phil Meyers

The other day Mrs. Protime had a night out with the ladies, so Protime was left to fend for himself.  He heated up a delicious and nutritious TV dinner, then headed off to the basement to watch ‘Home Alone’.  Suddenly there was loud rapping on the front door, so Protime hurried up the steps to find a policeman standing on the porch.  The officer asked if Protime was by himself and if he could come in.  When he started asking more questions Protime noticed he had a strange resemblance to Joe Pesci.  Turns out the nice officer was on the wrong block, but Protime put some roof tar outside the first floor windows and some tacks and small glass ornaments on the floor under the window sills just in case.

Protime went a respectable 6-2 last week.  With 4 games left in the 2015 season, he has a 177-51 record for a .776 percentage.  Protime wishes the 8 teams left good luck and hopes the games all go into overtime.  He also wants to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.  And now for the Premier Pigskin Prognosticator’s final predictions of the year:

FRIDAY’S GAMES:

Farrell 14-1 vs. Bishop Guilfoyle 15-0 – Coach Jarrett Samuels’ Farrell Steelers are led offensively by Alex Myers, the senior signal caller with over 2,000 yards passing and 900 rushing, accounting for 35 touchdowns.  Braxton Chapman is a 200 lb. bruising north/south running back with 1,398 yards and 15 TDs.  Malachi Newell has 215 tackles on the year to lead the Steeler defense, while Fr. Kyi Wright chips in with 130 stops.  This is Farrell’s 4th title game appearance, winning twice.  For Farrell to win they must limit their propensity for turnovers and penalties, they must not be overly aggressive, and they can’t allow BG to control the game offensively.  Farrell is very athletic and they tackle very well.  They will definitely be the best team Guilfoyle has faced.

The Marauders of Bishop Guilfoyle are back to defend their state title and it’s only their second title game appearance.  Junior RB Evan Chadbourn has garnered 2,145 yards on 218 carries with 38 TDs.  Evan is also the main go to guy for QB Josh Trybus who has thrown for over 1,300 yards and has a phenomenal QB rating of 138.6.  Guilfoyle’s O-line has 57 pancake blocks for the year.  Aaron Yasulitis, Andrew Irwin, and Luke Frederick are the stars of the Marauder defense.  For Coach Justin Wheeler’s #1 ranked team to win they can’t be overconfident, they need to protect the ball as Farrell likes to strip it, and they need to continue to be workmanlike offensively as they have done all year.  The Marauders have the best scoring defense in the state, but they have to pressure and contain Myers plus not give up big plays.  Protime sees this game as going either way, but ultimately BG wins out 26-24.

Imhotep 14-0 vs. Erie Cathedral Prep 14-1 – The Imhotep Panthers just might be the top cat in the state.  USA today has them ranked as the 13th best team in the country.  They are full of D-1 talent and looking for their initial state championship in only their 2nd venture to Hershey.  Coach Albie Crosby’s Panthers are a force to be reckoned with offensively and it starts with a line that averages 6’5″ 310 lbs.  RB Mike Waters now owns the Philly city single season rushing TD record with 39 and has 42 overall which is tied for the most all-time.  QB Nasir Boykin has thrown for over 2,000 yards.  Defensively they are extremely physical and react very well.  For Imhotep to win they need to use their size to wear down Prep, play smart and not be overconfident as Prep may be the best they’ve seen this year (Wood being the possible exception).

Cathedral Prep’s Coach Mike Mischler is one smart cookie and will have a plan.  Last week he made the proper adjustments at halftime to stymie McDevitt’s offense in the second half.  Ta’Nauz Gregory will be the key to the Rambler offense.  He is the leading rusher and receiver for Prep.  Imhotep needs to be aware of him at all times.  Prep’s defense is also very physical and they hit hard.  They are led by Alex Comi and Jerry Roberts.  For the Ramblers to win they have to play mistake free football, control the game, and take advantage of Imhotep’s aggressiveness and any mistakes the Panthers may make.  This is Erie’s 5th trip to the state championship game.  They are 2-2, last winning in 2012 over Archbishop Wood.  Protime sees Prep throwing a scare into Imhotep before falling 32-27.

SATURDAY’S GAMES:

Southern Columbia 15-0 vs. Aliquippa 15-0 – Protime thinks this is the marquee match-up of the weekend.  Southern is coached by the legend, Jim Roth, who has 367 career wins.  This is his fourteenth championship game all with the Tigers of SCA and they are seeking their 7th winners trophy which will break the tie with Berwick for most state titles if they win.  The Tigers employ the deceptive wing-T offensively, but with a QB like Nick Becker at the helm, they will throw more than most other wing-T teams.  Becker has thrown for over 1,600 yards and primary receiver, Steve Toczylousky, averages 25 yards per catch.  But, running is their mainstay and Hunter Thomas along with Blake Marks do the yeoman’s share of the work.   On the defensive side of the ball, the Tigers are led by Bill Marseski, Matt Bell, and Austin Knepp.  For Southern to win they must focus on stopping Aliquippa’s main weapon, Kaezon Pugh, who has 2,342 yards rushing and 29 TDs.  SCA must keep Aliquippa from controlling the ball and the game.  They also have to be aware that the Quips QB can throw and have an excellent receiver.  Another key to the outcome of the game is the Tigers winning the turnover and field position battle.

Aliquippa is coached by Mike Zmijanac and he brings a very talented team to the table, seeking their third state championship in their 6th appearance.  Pugh is the offensive star, but QB Sheldon Jeter can throw which adds a dimension to the Quips’ play book.  His favorite target is Jassir Jordan who averages 23 yards per reception.  Jeter and Jordan lead the defense with 6 and 7 INTs respectively.  For the Quips to win they’ll have to wear SC’s defense down by controlling the ball, which means effectively running and mixing in the pass.  And if they can limit the turnovers that’ll be half the battle.  Defensively the Quips have to stop the run and force Southern into predictable passing situations and then bring the pressure.  Both teams have proven they can finish.  Protime’s crystal ball says Aliquippa will finish with some big plays and go home victorious 28-21.

Pittsburgh Central Catholic 14-1 vs. Parkland 14-1 – Central Catholic is making their 6th appearance in the big game, while Parkland is making their 3rd.  Central has 3 previous wins and Parkland 1 when Austin Scott led them over Woodland Hills.  The Central Catholic Vikings do not score a lot of points and are not real flashy offensively, but they are huge on the line and control the clock with long sustained drives.  Sr. RB Ronnie Jones has 1,600 yards rushing and So. QB Troy Fisher has 1,400 passing.  Rashad Wheeler is one of the biggest tight ends you’ll see in high school football at 6’4″ 280 lbs.  But it’s Coach Terry Totten’s Viking ‘D’ that everyone talks about.  There is a possibility of at least 9 of the 11 starters playing D-1 ball someday!  Wheeler leads a D-line that averages 311 lbs.  Keep your eyes on Jr. LB David Adams and Sr. DB Bricen Garner too.  For the Vikings to prevail, they’ll have to take care of the ball on offense.  They intend to wear out and frustrate Parkland’s ‘D’ as the game progresses.  On defense it is vital that they contain Parkland’s QB as he is the key to the Trojan offense.

Parkland is coached by Jim Morgans, the 44 year veteran, though not all of those years were at Parkland.  QB Devante Cross makes the offense go.  Morgans said Cross is the best dual threat quarterback he has ever coached and stats prove it.  Cross has 2,680 yards passing this season and almost 1,400 rushing accounting for 43 TDs.  WR Kenny Yeboah is his go to guy with 1,075 yards receiving.  On defense, Noel Brouse is a big time player and can be a disruptive force for the Trojans in trying to stifle the Central offense.  The key to Parkland winning is not being predictable and throwing everything they have at Central early in order to get ahead.  It’s almost imperative that they have a lead in the 4th quarter and make the Vikings come from behind and do things they are not used to doing.  The defense needs to be prepared for PCC’s physicality and will need to force a couple turnovers.  If Cross can create some space for himself running Parkland could win, but Protime thinks yards are going to just be hard to come by for the Trojans.  PCC 20 Parkland 13.