No changes at the top, Lebo moving up.
1. Woody High: They have a tough run of West A, Lebo, and arch-rival Penn Hills coming up. They can win all of these without Sanders at 100%, but that's a rough three game stretch. Passing game is still suspect and defense will get a test with Lebo who likes to spread the field. Woody's athleticism should make up for that, but its a different look.
2. Penn Trafford: Another ho-hum week in the worst of the 3 AAAA WPIAL Conferences. PT's goal is to not get anyone hurt over the next 4 weeks and study lots of film of possible playoff opponents. Plum could offer some resistance, but PT should be ok.
3. Pine-Richland: While the score didn't indicate it, the PR offense vs. SV was pretty amazing to watch. PA guy announced 450 yards of offense at the half! Jurkovec is the really good and he was getting plays from his receivers and running backs. Defense was solid, but gave up 3 huge plays that led directly to TD's. That has the get better. PR has a terrible Butler team this week and then a huge matchup with Central Catholic next Friday. Finish up the season with Peters Twp.
4. North Allegheny: They close out with Fox Chapel (0-6), Latrobe (0-6) and North Hills (2-4). No injuries, play the JV kids to keep the parents happy, and get ready for the playoffs. And they will probably smack around NH just for fun - onside kicks, fake punts, two points plays.
5. Lebo: I wasn't a believer, but they managed to get the win versus Bethel Park, and from everything I've heard, they are playing hard and seem to believe in what they are doing. I read that this is the first class that didn't learn anything under the old staff, so maybe all their program building is paying off. They should handle North Hills this week, then huge games against Woody and arch-rival Upper St. Clair.
6. Central Catholic: Dropped them a spot because they have been "blah.". Games versus North Hills last week was much closer than the score indicated. 24-7 with a few minutes to go in the 3rd. NH had a bad snap on a punt which led to a TD and the flood gates were opened. Have a huge test this week versus SV. PCC needs to step up and beat a team with a winning record. If SV can score 28-31 points, they can win.
7. McKeesport: Big game this week versus Plum, who lost two incredibly close games to them last year. Plum will be ready, but they are playing at McKeesport. I think McKeesport's offense (even with no passing game) will score enough to get by Plum. (Make no mistake - Plum is improving, but have a way to go yet.)
8. Seneca Valley: Two close games to conference powers NA and PR are contrasted by a loss to Norwin. Offensively, they have alot of weapons and they are solid defensively. The biggest change this year that I noticed is that they play so much harder under the new coach. If they can manage to beat PCC, they will be the third seed from the conference and have a great shot at a home playoff game.
Next 3:
Bethel Park
USC
Plum
Still Hope
Norwin - Have PT and McP left on schedule.
1. Woody High: They have a tough run of West A, Lebo, and arch-rival Penn Hills coming up. They can win all of these without Sanders at 100%, but that's a rough three game stretch. Passing game is still suspect and defense will get a test with Lebo who likes to spread the field. Woody's athleticism should make up for that, but its a different look.
2. Penn Trafford: Another ho-hum week in the worst of the 3 AAAA WPIAL Conferences. PT's goal is to not get anyone hurt over the next 4 weeks and study lots of film of possible playoff opponents. Plum could offer some resistance, but PT should be ok.
3. Pine-Richland: While the score didn't indicate it, the PR offense vs. SV was pretty amazing to watch. PA guy announced 450 yards of offense at the half! Jurkovec is the really good and he was getting plays from his receivers and running backs. Defense was solid, but gave up 3 huge plays that led directly to TD's. That has the get better. PR has a terrible Butler team this week and then a huge matchup with Central Catholic next Friday. Finish up the season with Peters Twp.
4. North Allegheny: They close out with Fox Chapel (0-6), Latrobe (0-6) and North Hills (2-4). No injuries, play the JV kids to keep the parents happy, and get ready for the playoffs. And they will probably smack around NH just for fun - onside kicks, fake punts, two points plays.
5. Lebo: I wasn't a believer, but they managed to get the win versus Bethel Park, and from everything I've heard, they are playing hard and seem to believe in what they are doing. I read that this is the first class that didn't learn anything under the old staff, so maybe all their program building is paying off. They should handle North Hills this week, then huge games against Woody and arch-rival Upper St. Clair.
6. Central Catholic: Dropped them a spot because they have been "blah.". Games versus North Hills last week was much closer than the score indicated. 24-7 with a few minutes to go in the 3rd. NH had a bad snap on a punt which led to a TD and the flood gates were opened. Have a huge test this week versus SV. PCC needs to step up and beat a team with a winning record. If SV can score 28-31 points, they can win.
7. McKeesport: Big game this week versus Plum, who lost two incredibly close games to them last year. Plum will be ready, but they are playing at McKeesport. I think McKeesport's offense (even with no passing game) will score enough to get by Plum. (Make no mistake - Plum is improving, but have a way to go yet.)
8. Seneca Valley: Two close games to conference powers NA and PR are contrasted by a loss to Norwin. Offensively, they have alot of weapons and they are solid defensively. The biggest change this year that I noticed is that they play so much harder under the new coach. If they can manage to beat PCC, they will be the third seed from the conference and have a great shot at a home playoff game.
Next 3:
Bethel Park
USC
Plum
Still Hope
Norwin - Have PT and McP left on schedule.
