Written by Phil Myers, WesternPAFootball.net Staff
Protime just found out he has to report for jury duty and he has a couple of thoughts on the matter. One is that he and the judge are old softball buddies. In fact, Protime bumped into the judge not too long ago at an Alice Cooper concert. As they surveyed the crowd, the judge commented that about half the people attending the concert he’d seen in his courtroom before. The second thought was the time Mrs. Protime got selected to be on a jury of a case that involved a fight at a football game of all things.
Protime hopes all you fans root hard for your favorite team still in the playoffs, but win or lose, after the game, be classy. The fabulous forecaster went 11-3 this past weekend and now stands at 162-42 (.794) for the season. Protime will do the eastern games as well this week with hopes of branching out to EPA next year.
AAAA:
Pittsburgh Central Catholic 12-1 vs. State College 9-3 – #1 PCC has run the WPIAL gauntlet defeating N. Allegheny, Woody High, and Penn Trafford in consecutive weeks. Coach Terry Totten has this talented team primed for a run to the state title. The Vikings have a strong defense and have opened it up a little more offensively. State College is a solid team who usually saves its best for the playoff stretch each year. Two of the Little Lions’ losses are to teams still in the playoffs, but they also own a signature win over fellow western semi-finalist, Cumberland Valley. Protime says in the end Central Catholic will prevail in a spirited contest 24-14.
Central Dauphin 12-1 vs. Cumberland Valley 11-2 – This D-3 AAAA championship game has all the makings of a classic. CV edged CD 24-21 during the regular season, so CD wants to exact a little retribution this time around. Michael Whitehead’s CV Eagles won a thriller last week when leading tackler, Josiah Quigley, blocked a FG attempt on the last play of the game and teammate Kier Miner returned it for a TD. Glen McNamee’s CD Rams had a similar scenario, winning in OT when 6’3″ 285 lb. FB A.J. Perez plowed in from 10 yards out. Adam Thornton and the highly touted Micah Parsons anchor the Ram defense against the Eagle offense that spreads the ball around with the emphasis on running. Protime’s crystal ball conveniently deferred to the flipping coin in this one. A flip of the coin has Central Dauphin winning 20-17.
North Penn 11-2 vs. Upper Dublin 13-0 – This game is definitely a toss-up. One service has UD as the #11 team in the Northeast and NP as the #15 squad. Common opponents show the UD Cardinals beating Pennsbury by 10 and Abington by 41, while the Knights of North Penn topped Pennsbury by 7 and Abington by 42. NP likes to run and control the clock with Nyfease West doing most of the damage. The UD defense has not given up more than 14 points in a game. UD has QB Ryan Stover who has thrown for over 2,000 yards and rushed for another 900. Protime’s is tempted to pick one of the smallest D-1 schools, Upper Dublin, but he is predicting the largest D-1 school, North Penn 15-13.
LaSalle 8-3 vs. Parkland 12-1 – Don’t let LaSalle’s record fool you, the Explorers are playing good football right now. Parkland is ranked #4 in the Northeast, highest of any PA team, while LaSalle is 5th. Protime gets the feeling those attending this game will be treated to a really great contest. LaSalle has to contain Parkland QB Devante Cross, while Parkland’s Trojans must stop the Explorers’ RB Syaire Madden. In maybe somewhat of a surprise, it’ll be LaSalle 23 Parkland 17.
AAA:
Erie Cathedral Prep 12-1 vs. Thomas Jefferson 11-2 – RB Quinton Hill leads the TJ Jaguars into Erie for an intriguing match-up with the Ramblers. Bill Cherpak’s Jaguars have won 11 in a row after suffering defeats in their first two games. They are very physical and playing tough defense. Cathedral Prep can hurt you in a variety of ways. If starting QB Joseph Mischler cannot play, Ta’Nauz Gregory, who averages 11.2 yards a carry may fill in at quarterback. Erie Prep is big and fast, and can match TJ’s toughness. Protime has a perception that the Ramblers wanted Conneaut so bad last week there may be a let down. Thomas Jefferson gets the victory 21-10.
Bishop McDevitt 12-1 vs. Susquehanna Township 10-3 – McD’s only loss was to the Susquehanna Twp. Indians. McDevitt Head Coach Jeff Weachter has many weapons at his disposal as usual. QB Tayvon Bowers has passed for almost 3,000 yards and 37 TDs. He has a trio of top notch receivers in Kobay White, Kyree Calli, and Bryce Hall. RB Michael Jones is not to be ignored either. Township mirrors McDevitt with QB Ben Moser airing it out for over 3,000 yards and 36 TDs. His top wideouts are Chris Ciotti and Alonzo Rivera. Joe Headen is Township’s Head Coach and Protime knows his son Joe Joe plays for McDevitt. Wow, who does the family root for? Take the McDevitt Crusaders this time around, 28-24.
Saucon Valley 13-0 vs. Selinsgrove 12-1 – Saucon Valley is rated as the 16th best team in the northeast and is the 3rd highest scoring team in Eastern PA! The SV Panthers feature RB Evan Culver who has dashed for 2,660 yards and scored 42 TDs so far. Panther QB Zach Thatcher is very efficient when passing with a 122 rating. He also can run as witnessed by his 1,000 yards and 16 TDs. The Selinsgrove Seals have 1,800 rusher Juvon Batts and 1,800 yard passer Logan Leiby for SV to contend with. Jack Gaugler leads the Seals defensively with 133 tackles including 12 for losses. The crystal ball is required for this one and it says the Panthers of SV will out score Selinsgrove 42-35.
Academy Park 13-0 vs. Imhotep 11-0 – One of just a trio games with both teams being undefeated. The game features the two best defenses in Eastern PA going at it. Academy Park is the #4 AAA team in the state and Imhotep is #1. Can the Knights of Academy Park pull off the upset and slay the Imhotep Panthers? Protime says no, Imhotep has too much talent, but it’ll be close. Imhotep 20 Academy Park 10.
AA:
Aliquippa 13-0 vs. Karns City 12-0 – The second game involving unbeaten squads pits the #1 AA team, Aliquippa, against the #6 KC Gremlins. Aliquippa is big, strong, and quick led by RB Kaezon Pughand his 38 TDs. If Karns City can stop the run, Quips QB Sheldon Jeter can throw as evidenced by his 18 TD passes. KC Head Coach Ed Conto’s philosophy is to spread the rock to many different players offensively as the Gremlins have racked up 3,860 yards on the ground so far this season. KC is aggressive on defense and will swarm to the ball. Protime’s crystal ball envisions a battle with the Quips pulling out a 38-34 victory.
Hickory 11-1 vs. Central 12-1 – This is one of Protime’s Games of the Week and it should be a doozy. Hickory’s primary Hornet is RB Chuck Carr. Chuck has been virtually unstoppable averaging 10 yds/carry. Throw in Luke Brennan’s 1,400 yards passing, mainly to Joe deJulia and Andrew Pryts, and Central’s defense has quite a bit to deal with. On the other side, the Central Scarlet Dragons’ RB Alex Hoenstine (1,265 yards) and QB Noah Benton (1,824 passing yards) could give the Hornets trouble. Protime is looking for an overtime win by the Hickory Hornets 27-24.
Dunmore 12-1 vs. West Catholic 9-4 – The Dunmore Bucks lost their first game and have since rattled off 12 straight wins. Their legendary coach, Jack Henzes, has 408 wins, second only to George Curry in PA history. He knows how to prepare for games and get the most out of his players. The Bucks like to run with Garrett Murray and Colin Holmes getting the bulk of the work. The West Catholic Burrs are battle tested with 3 of their losses being to North Penn, undefeated Haverford, and Archbishop Wood. Burr Coach Brian Fluck is also good at preparing for battle and he has a big line and some play makers, but Dunmore ekes out a 26-25 victory.
Berks Catholic 12-1 vs. Southern Columbia 13-0 – We are talking the two highest scoring teams in the eastern end of the state here. If you are going to this one Protime is sure you’ll be treated to a football game to remember. Berks’ RB Isaac Lutz leads an offense that averages 360 yards rushing a game. The Saints average 46.3 points a game right behind SC’s 47.6 points/gm. Southern Columbia has a HOF coach in Jim Roth whose record is 365-62-2. In only 3 out of 32 years did his Tigers not win at least 10 games. SC leans on the quarterbacking of Nick Becker to ignite the offense, but Hunter Thomas ran for over 240 yards last week. So, Berks will have its hands full either way. The crystal sphere deferred to the coin once again. The coin flip went Southern Columbia’s way, 49-45.
A:
Kane 12-0 vs. Farrell 12-1 – The Rolick twins are the key to the Kane Wolves’ success. QB Shane has 1,400 yards rushing and 23 TDs, while RB Tyler has 1,300 and 15 scores. They hooked up on Kane’s final drive for 2 pass long pass plays in the final minute to beat Brockway last week. The Farrell Steelers have Alex Myers, a very good QB in his own right. Alex has thrown for 1,770 yards and 17 TDs, while rushing for 13 more. RB Braxton Chapman leads the Steeler running attack. Farrell scored in the waning seconds to send their game with Sharpsville into OT last week, where they eventually won. Protime has this as another GOTW and he says Farrell edges Kane in a classic 26-24.
Berlin-Brothersvalley 12-0 vs. Clairton 13-0 – The third game with undefeated teams battling should be a real humdinger. Many people are declaring #1 ranked Clairton to be a runaway winner because of Berlin being in D-5. Not so fast says Protime. Berlin is the #3 A team in PA and gave Da Bears a run last year. So Coach Doug Paul decided to tweek his Mountaineer offense to be more balanced this year. As a result, QB Brantson Harding has hit for 22 TD passes this season. RB Braden Fochtman recently broke the 52 year old D-5 career rushing record and so far has 1,829 in the current year. He gave Clairton fits last year, so the Bears will not be surprised with his moves and speed this time. Clairton’s RB Lamont Wade, QB Aaron Matthews, WR Noah Hamlin, and Harrison Draher have torched opponents in 2015. Clairton is the number one scoring team in PA, Berlin has the second best scoring defense in the western half of the state. Something has to give. Protime has compiled a winner and it is ………….Clairton 36-28.
Old Forge 12-1 vs. Bishop McDevitt 7-6 – Old Forge is gunning for another title game appearance. They lost to North Catholic in overtime a couple years ago and would like to see the gold medal this time. The McDevitt in this game is from D-12 and has won 4 in a row to turn their season around. The Old Forge Blue Devils beat the McDevitt Lancers 27-17.
Bishop Guilfoyle 13-0 vs. Camp Hill 11-1 – Guilfoyle is #2 behind Clairton, although they are the defending state A champs. Camp Hill is #4. BG’s Evan Chadbourn has scored 41 TDs this year, most of them via the rush. QB Josh Trybus is a very efficient QB with a 132.8 rating. Aaron Yasulitis and Andrew Irwin are the leading tacklers on the #1 defense in the state. Camp Hill brings multiple weapons into play for that BG defense to handle. The CH Lions QB Michael Shuster has pitched the agate for 2,593 yards and 33 TDs. Logan Vallati and Zack Kuntz have each caught 48 passes. Bill Williams is a very dangerous running back for Camp Hill. Jack Williamson is the LIons’ top tackler. If you’re in the Altoona area go see this one. It will be worth the price of admission to witness a classic contest won by the BG Marauders 27-23.
8 responses to “Protime Predictions, Semi Style”
Academy Park hasn’t played a really good team all season. They played a couple of average teams and barely beat them. District 1 AAA playoffs was one of the weaker fields I can remember. If they only lose to Imhotep by 10 points I will consider that a huge surprise. I would think that score would be closer to 49-0.
not in the west Dan
Any games televised or live streamed?
Hey Guys, Phil does this every week for the Western Site…He does a fantastic job. Next year the plan is to split and do both east and west…for the rest of this year he’ll do both also.
Great stuff, love it!
I see Protime really did some homework on the Old Forge-McDevitt game…. sheesh
UD ovr NP
Parkland ovr Lasalle
Loved the lead-in to this article. It gave me a good laugh.