Written by Phil Myers of WesternPAFootball.net
PROTIME PREDICTIONS BY PHIL
With Thanksgiving coming up, Protime couldn’t help conjuring up memories of those turkey days of yesteryear. Brother Protime and Protime would be up early for some cartoon action on the old Zenith TV and then take in the Macy’s Day Parade. After an early lunch, it would be on to watching some of the Detroit Lions’ game. But getting bored with that, Protime usually decided to pester Mother Protime till she couldn’t take it anymore and told her sons they should go outside and play.
Once outdoors Protime and Brother Protime would play some tackle football which was more fun if the field was muddy and/or snowy. Then maybe a few doorbells of admired neighbors would be rung. When they answered their door the Protimes when be snickering away in some nice hiding spot.
The other thing the Protimes did on snowy Thanksgivings was to pitch snowballs at each other for an hour or so. Then they traipsed up to their favorite lookout. From there Protime would heave snowballs down at the moving cars on the road below. Never once was a car hit, but a driver did spot the mischievous ones once and stopped his car to yell at them. Finally, Protime and Brother Protime would head home for supper and the big turkey dinner. Happy Thanksgiving everyone!!!
Protime was 18-3 last week, upping his record to 216-75 for the year which translates to a .742 winning prediction percentage. The Savvy Soothsayer will now reveal his prognostications for the state quarterfinals.
Central 11-1 vs. Karns City 10-2 – Protime’s GOTW will be a good one. Central and Karns City have twice as many yards running the ball as they do passing, but they can and will throw. The Scarlet Dragons’ offense centers around star RB Alex Hoenstine. Alex has 2,124 yards rushing and 36 TDs/2,867 all-purpose yards with 43 TDs. It helps that he has Trevor Miller blocking for him. Trevor has recorded 93 pancake blocks so far. The Gremlins’ offense is multi-faceted with a new star of the game practically every week. Chandler Turner is the top rusher and TD guy. If it comes down to kicking, Kaiden Powers has made 47 PATs and 6 FGs. Protime has the Gremlins being a nuisance and pulling the upset, 27-21.
Dunmore 13-0 vs. Ligonier Valley 13-0 – Protime’s pal, Billy S., is licking his chops because this is his GOTW. He gets to see 2 unbeatens lock horns, the Rams and the Bucks, in what should be a phenomenal game. Dunmore likes to run and Kyle Lasher is the go to guy with 1,465 yards and 25 TDs. Colin Holmes has chipped in 15 scores toting the ball. The Bucks’ Mark Rinaldi has booted 56 PATs. Collin Smith makes the Rams offense click. He can do it all, passing for 2,503 yards and 37 TDs, and running for 824 yards and 18 more TDs. His QB rating is 142.0! Aaron Tutino has 43 catches and over 1,000 yards with 17 scores. Kobe Short has hit 54 PATs plus 2 FGs. Elijah Parrish heads the Ram defense that has allowed 37 points to date, with 129 tackles. Billy will enjoy this one. Ligonier tops Dunmore 23-22.
Erie Cathedral Prep 11-0 vs. Thomas Jefferson 12-0 – This contest may have more interest than any other contest in the west. The Ramblers and the Jaguars are two of the top three 4A teams in the state. Prep beat TJ last year 28-21 and it appears both have improved. The Ramblers are very balanced with no one over 1,000 on the ground. When they pass, look out. Joe Mischler has 2,145 yards and 31 TDs. Kicker Anthony Lupo is a weapon with 61 PATs and 3 FGs. The Jaguars have signal caller Bobby Kelley who has 29 TD tosses on 65 completions so Prep better beware when TJ passes. Quinton Hill runs hard (1,825 yds/28 TDs) and 6’4” Zane Zandier can catch passes (18 TDs) with the best of them. Protime’s crystal ball was not clear, but he thinks it was because Prep wins in OT 34-31.
Farrell 9-3 vs. Ridgway/Johnsonburg 10-2 – Two of the Steeler 3 losses were to AA Neshannock and 5A Meadville, both still playing. QB Kyi Wright has improved a lot from the start of the year. RB Braxton Chapman is their anchor on offense and defense, but Protime hears he may not play. Pap Keeler plays a strong defense too. The Elkers lost to 2 AA schools in Brockway and Kane. The Wolves are still playing. RB Neil MacDonald has 1,080 yards and 15 TDs, but their ‘D’ is solid permitting only 97 points and pitching 7 shutouts. MacDonald and Joey Elinski are mainstays on defense and Justin Kasmierski has 10 sacks. In a low scoring affair, Farrell ekes out a 12-7 triumph.
Homer-Center 11-1 vs. Bishop Guilfoyle 12-0 – Homer-Center’s only loss is to Ligonier Valley. They have 4 shut-outs to date. The Wildcats are led by QB Jesse Beacker (over 1,000 yards throwing) and RB Montao Coleman (1,158 yards rushing and 14 TDs). RB Jesse Lee also has 14 TDs. BG is going for their 45th win in a row. The Marauders have allowed 85 points with Luke Frederick and Anthony Irwin both having over 100 tackles. Josh Trybus has a QB rating of 127.1 and Irwin is a 1,000 yard ground gainer with 25 TDs. Kolton McGhee is a tremendous kicker as he’s 52 of 54 on PATs and also has 8 FGs. BG over H-C 35-13.
Meadville 11-2 vs. West Allegheny 12-0 – West A. looked a little susceptible against McKeesport, while Meadville just keeps rolling along with its fine tuned offense. Meadville’s offense has racked up 707 points in 13 games. West Allegheny’s defense has allowed 118 and 37 of that was last week. How can one not admire what the Bulldog offense has done, gaining 6,296 yards on the ground and scoring 88 touchdowns. RBs Journey Brown (2,621 yds/44 TDs), Isaiah Manning (1,866 yds/22 TDs), and Anthony Ferraro (1,165 yds/14 TDs) are the three headed monster no one has slowed down this year. The Indians have a very efficient QB in Nick Ross (2,180 yards passing) and RB in Kenny White (18 TDs) and WR in Brandon Lipford (41 catches). Add in DJ Opsatnik, the WA kicker with 13 FGs and you have the makings of a classic. Defense usually wins games, but in this case Protime is making an exception. Meadville 56 West A. 52.
Greater Johnstown 12-1 vs. Bethlehem Catholic 10-3 – Johnstown has more wins in a single season than ever before and they plan to add to it. QB Austin Barber has D-1 recruit Exree Loe to throw to and that has helped pad his numbers (2,218 yards/24 TDs). Bryce Gibson has rushed for 1,323 yards and 16 scores, while Loe has 40 catches for over 1,000 yards. Shamar Jones is tough to handle on the other side of the ball. Becahi is led by QB Javon Clements (1,528 yds/18 TDs) and RB Randy Terry (1,500 yds/18 TDs). The Trojans are very dangerous in the skill position, but to go farther you have to win the line battles and the Golden Hawks of Becahi will do just that and win 30-22.
Jeannette 12-1 vs. Clairton 12-0 – Here’s a rematch of a regular season game which Clairton won 32-13. Lamont Wade appears healthy and that’s bad news for opponents. He averages 16.6 yards a carry and has 29 TDs. Surround him with athletes like QB Noah Hamlin and WR Tre Howard and you have the makings of a championship team. They’ve scored 612 this year. The Jayhawks are hatching a game plan to limit and contain Clairton, which must include time of possession and most importantly scoring. Gio Vonne Sanders barks the signals for the Jayhawk offense that has scored 587 points. He has put up 1,480 yards passing with 21 TD tosses. RB Kareem Hall averages 11.4 yards per carry. Jeanette’s ‘D’ has permitted 97 points, but Clairton has given up only 80. Protime can’t go against Da Bears, they win 32-20.
Neshannock 12-1 vs. Steel Valley 12-0 – Neshannock’s only loss was by five to AAA Quaker Valley out the killer Beaver valley Conference. Steel Valley, led by DeWayne Murray and Paris Ford, has annihilated everybody outscoring people 659-87. Murray has 1,688 yards rushing and 38 TDs. He averages 13 yds/carry. Ford can beat you offensively, defensively, and on special teams. The Lancers counter with QB Frank Antuono who has 2,114 passing yards and 853 rushing yards. He has accounted for 40 TDs (24 passing/16 rushing). His favorite target is Danny Welker (13 TDs) and RB Sean Doran is a 1,000 yard rusher. Welker and Antuono are Neshannock’s leading tacklers. The Ironmen in a squeaker 28-27.
Williamsport 12-1 vs. Pittsburgh Central Catholic 12-1 – A PhilBilly GOTW and they don’t happen too often. The Millionaires have scored 635 points this year, while the Vikings have tallied 609. PCC, WPAs #1, comes in riding a 12 win streak. Let’s compare QBs, RBs, and WRs. PCC’s QB, Troy Fisher has thrown for 1,467 yards and 18 TDs (124.5 QB rating). Port’s Isaiah Hankins has tossed for 2,465 yards and 27 TDs (143.0 QB rating). PCC’s main RB, JJ Younger has logged 1,345 yards and 22 TDs (avg. 9.5 yds/carry). Port’s Treyson Potts has picked them up and put them down for 1,945 yards and 33 TDs (avg. 11 yds/carry). Justice Evans of PCC has caught 33 passes for 963 yards and 15 TDs. Elliott Walker is Port’s top receiver with 40 catches, 754 yards, and 13 TDs. Protime has seen both this year and pulled out the crystal ball for this game. He sees a 49-45 Viking victory.
Kane 13-0 vs. Wilmington 11-1 – Todd Silfies and his staff have done a fantastic job up there in Kane, Terry Verrilli likewise for Wilmington. In fact Coach Verrelli now has 299 career wins and is going for 300. His Greyhounds spread the ball with their ground game. Spencer DeMedal shows the way with 23 total touchdowns. Kicker Jacob Winters has booted 51 PATs and a couple of FGs. Wilmington and Kane are virtually the same in points scored and points given up. (Wilmington has played one less game.) QB Reed Williams (2,117 yds/28 TDs), RB Erik Delong (1,677 yds), and WRs Ray Maze and Davis Gardner lead a potent Kane offense. Toby Fox and Keaton Rounsville are keys to the Wolves’ line play. In a battle for canine supremacy, the Greyhounds come out on top 28-21.
The Others (Eastern PA):
Steelton-Highspire 18 Williams Valley 16 – This is definitely a case of deceiving records. Steelton (5-7) played one A and one AA opponent during the regular season. The Steamrollers’ losses were to teams with a combined record of 52-24. The Vikings (11-1) are a good team, outscoring their opposition 424-163 to date. But Protime envisions an upset here in the A quarterfinal.
Southern Columbia 35 Schuylkill Haven 27 – SCA (13-0) has dominated opponents to the tune of 658-218 with many of those points against occurring after the game was out of reach. Haven (12-1) has likewise devastated their competition 539-116. In the end the young and hungry Tigers will break up the Hurricanes in an exciting AA contest.
Notre Dame 21 Delaware Valley Charter 15 – This is an interesting match-up and ND should not take DVC lightly. The Warriors (8-4) beat 6A opponent Northeast whose only other 2 losses were to Imhotep and St. Joes Prep. The Crusaders (11-2) at one time appeared to be a shoo in to be the East’s 3A rep. ND wins in a game that can go either way.
St. Joes Prep 28 Parkland 10 – The number one ranked 6A St. Joes is also rated by Max Preps as the #20 team in the nation. Parkland (10-3) is attempting to get back to Hershey by upsetting the Hawks (11-0). The Trojans, even with 3 losses, have only given up 133 points. St. Joes is just too good to succumb to Parkland.
North Penn 38 Garnet Valley 21 – In this D-1 6A final, North Penn (13-0) will be a little too much for the Jaguars (11-2). Garnet Valley beat 2 really good teams the past couple of weeks, so expect them to hang for awhile as their confidence increased with each playoff win. With the win, the Knights set up the highly anticipated showdown against St. Joes Prep.
Archbishop Wood 34 Whitehall 17 – The Zephyrs are one of Protime’s favorite high school nicknames. He plans to make it to a game sometime. Whitehall (9-4) got off to a slow start losing 2 of their first 3. The Vikings (8-2) lost their first 2, but since have been on a roll outdistancing their foes 308-88. Wood is normally strong and physical. That will be the deciding factor as the game progresses.
Imhotep 34 North Pocono 7 – Imhotep may not be quite as good as last year, but make no mistake the Panthers (11-0) are still very good. They’ve held their competitors to 33 points thus far, while scoring 482. North Pocono’s Trojans (10-3) have a formidable task ahead of them, but they have 3 convincing wins in the playoffs. Protime sees the physicality of the Panthers overwhelming N.P. in this 4A quarterfinal.
Cumberland Valley 24 Wilson West Lawn 21 – If you live in District 3 or anywhere near Hershey and love good hard-nosed football this is the game you’ll not want to miss. And Protime guarantees the winner will be wearing red and white in this D-3 6A title tilt. The Bulldogs of Wilson are 11-1 with the loss being to Central Dauphin, but they’ve won 9 straight. The Eagles are 9-3 and beat C.D. twice.
Berks Catholic 21 Shippensburg 14 – In another D-3 title match in the 4A division, the Saints appear to have an advantage in scoring as they’ve accumulated 507 points to the Greyhounds’ 387. The ‘Burg (11-1) beat McDevitt and Northern York in the playoffs (Northern gave them their only loss). Berks (11-1) lost to Exeter Twp, a 5A squad. Protime has a hunch this one will go down to the wire.
Middletown 34 Scranton Prep 28 – Undefeated Middletown and one loss Scranton Prep strapping on the head gear for an old-fashioned slobber-knocker 3A quarterfinal. Apparently both like to run, but Middletown has chalked up 507 points. Prep has a very formidable ‘D’ allowing only 101 points. Protime sees the Blue Raiders edging the Cavaliers in a classic.
Manheim Central 31 Harrisburg 28 (OT) – Protime likes the point scoring machine of Manheim (11-1) who has 594 to date over the solid Harrisburg (9-3) defense. The Barons have a rich tradition and are seeking a record 17th D-3 championship. The Cougars are hot and hungry and are seeking their 2nd title. This one may be one for the ages. If you are a high school football fan, this one’s for you.
Springfield-Delco 24 Academy Park 17 – The Delco Cougars (12-1) are the top seed in this D-1 5A championship game. Academy Park’s Knights (12-1) are the second seed. Delco’s loss was to Garnet Valley in a close one. Both teams have 3 shutouts to their credit and play a stern defense. Intangibles and slight edge go to Delco. The winner’s reward is more than likely, Archbishop Wood.
