Thought I’d put something together on 5A teams. Not too deep, just a quick hit, maybe more like a glancing blow!
5A East….The Playoffs
#1 Springfield 11-1 vs #5 Henderson 9-3 at Springfield
Springfield beat Great Valley last week 24-10, with their only loss being a 21-14 homer to Garnet Valley. And we all know what the Jags are copable of. Henderson played a difficult schedule in the Ches Mont losing to Coatesville, Shanahan and Downingtown East, so no fear here. Still, Springfield’s unyielding D (9ppg) combined with Henderson’s low octane O (21ppg) should fashion a low scoring game favoring the Cougars, giving them the edge at home….but not by much at 1.15 pts.
#3 Marple Newtown 11-1 vs #2 Academy Park 11-1 at Academy Park
Marple’s only loss was at home to Ridley 17-14 while Academy Park’s lone blemish was on the road to Interboro 29-24. Both have similar schedules quality wise with stats slightly favoring the Knights who have the home edge in Sharon Hill….by 4.65 pts. These two like to get up and run so look for a high scoring affair with both averaging over 32ppg.
District 2//11
Abington Heights 8-4 vs Whitehall 8-4 at Abington Heights
Comets have been nothing special this but here they are with a defense that has matured to 13ppg and a recent win over Wyoming Valley West. But Whitehall has the pedigree, coming from the EPC-South with wins against Liberty, Freedom and impressively last week over a solid Southern Lehigh team 35-14. Zephyrs are road warriors winning at Emmaus, Liberty, Stroudsburg and Northampton, losing at Parkland 26-14. 8.11 Whitehall. Whitehall-Wood would be fun!
District 12 Final
Archbishop Wood 7-2 vs Simon Gratz 8-4 at Northeast
This one is almost off the charts at 29.32 advantage to Wood. Vikings in a groove now winning their last 7 with games against Wayne-OH, Bergen Catholic, St. Joe’s and LaSalle having them prepped for anyone.
5A West….The Playoffs
District 3 semifinals
#1 Governor Mifflin 10-1 vs #5 Harrisburg 8-3 at Governor Mifflin
Maybe the best game on the dockett with bad ass Cougars from the Mid Penn in town. 2-pt loss to Central Dauphin, 7 to State College and 35-14 win at Cumberland Valley says they’re ready but man….it’s hard winning in Shillington. The Mustangs haven’t lost since opening at Wilson. Harrisburg 4.11 minus home field says it’s a toss up.
#2 Manheim Central 10-1 vs #6 Cocalico 8-3 at Manheim Central
Manheim Central has impressive wins against Warwick 38-17 and Cedar Cliff 38-29 last week while Cocalico has a competitive loss to Governor Mifflin, 17-13. Guess who was the only team to beat the Barons this year? Right, Cocalico. Adding fuel to the fire, it was at Manheim, 28-24. Saw it and it could have been worse. But not this time with Man Cent winning it by 10.33.
District 7 Final
#1 West Allegheny 11-0 vs #3 McKeesport at Heinz
West Allegheny looks like they’re in a league of their own, pounding Upper St Clair 33-7 and Woodland Hills twice, 52-13 and 35-7. Only allowed 81 points all year giving them one of the best defenses in any classification. McKeesport is allowing way too many points at 19ppg but will test Indian’s defense with their vaunted option attack. Penn Trafford and Armstrong found a way and so should Coach Bob Palko. West A by 9.33.
District 6/8/10 teams
Hollidaysburg 6-4 vs Meadville 10-2 at Slippery Rock University
Meadville lost their first two then is was lights out for everyone else, winning their next 10 and averaging 53ppg! Hollidaysburg is lumbering along at 27ppg allowing 21, with losses to State College 45-10, McDowell 32-9 and Martinsburg Central 35-7, while Meadville has been storming teams, decent teams on the road; Farrell 47-16 and Grove City twice, 48-14 and 67-27. No holiday here with the Bulldogs taking a big hunk out of the Golden Tigers by 26.03 points.
5A East….The Playoffs
#1 Springfield 11-1 vs #5 Henderson 9-3 at Springfield
Springfield beat Great Valley last week 24-10, with their only loss being a 21-14 homer to Garnet Valley. And we all know what the Jags are copable of. Henderson played a difficult schedule in the Ches Mont losing to Coatesville, Shanahan and Downingtown East, so no fear here. Still, Springfield’s unyielding D (9ppg) combined with Henderson’s low octane O (21ppg) should fashion a low scoring game favoring the Cougars, giving them the edge at home….but not by much at 1.15 pts.
#3 Marple Newtown 11-1 vs #2 Academy Park 11-1 at Academy Park
Marple’s only loss was at home to Ridley 17-14 while Academy Park’s lone blemish was on the road to Interboro 29-24. Both have similar schedules quality wise with stats slightly favoring the Knights who have the home edge in Sharon Hill….by 4.65 pts. These two like to get up and run so look for a high scoring affair with both averaging over 32ppg.
District 2//11
Abington Heights 8-4 vs Whitehall 8-4 at Abington Heights
Comets have been nothing special this but here they are with a defense that has matured to 13ppg and a recent win over Wyoming Valley West. But Whitehall has the pedigree, coming from the EPC-South with wins against Liberty, Freedom and impressively last week over a solid Southern Lehigh team 35-14. Zephyrs are road warriors winning at Emmaus, Liberty, Stroudsburg and Northampton, losing at Parkland 26-14. 8.11 Whitehall. Whitehall-Wood would be fun!
District 12 Final
Archbishop Wood 7-2 vs Simon Gratz 8-4 at Northeast
This one is almost off the charts at 29.32 advantage to Wood. Vikings in a groove now winning their last 7 with games against Wayne-OH, Bergen Catholic, St. Joe’s and LaSalle having them prepped for anyone.
5A West….The Playoffs
District 3 semifinals
#1 Governor Mifflin 10-1 vs #5 Harrisburg 8-3 at Governor Mifflin
Maybe the best game on the dockett with bad ass Cougars from the Mid Penn in town. 2-pt loss to Central Dauphin, 7 to State College and 35-14 win at Cumberland Valley says they’re ready but man….it’s hard winning in Shillington. The Mustangs haven’t lost since opening at Wilson. Harrisburg 4.11 minus home field says it’s a toss up.
#2 Manheim Central 10-1 vs #6 Cocalico 8-3 at Manheim Central
Manheim Central has impressive wins against Warwick 38-17 and Cedar Cliff 38-29 last week while Cocalico has a competitive loss to Governor Mifflin, 17-13. Guess who was the only team to beat the Barons this year? Right, Cocalico. Adding fuel to the fire, it was at Manheim, 28-24. Saw it and it could have been worse. But not this time with Man Cent winning it by 10.33.
District 7 Final
#1 West Allegheny 11-0 vs #3 McKeesport at Heinz
West Allegheny looks like they’re in a league of their own, pounding Upper St Clair 33-7 and Woodland Hills twice, 52-13 and 35-7. Only allowed 81 points all year giving them one of the best defenses in any classification. McKeesport is allowing way too many points at 19ppg but will test Indian’s defense with their vaunted option attack. Penn Trafford and Armstrong found a way and so should Coach Bob Palko. West A by 9.33.
District 6/8/10 teams
Hollidaysburg 6-4 vs Meadville 10-2 at Slippery Rock University
Meadville lost their first two then is was lights out for everyone else, winning their next 10 and averaging 53ppg! Hollidaysburg is lumbering along at 27ppg allowing 21, with losses to State College 45-10, McDowell 32-9 and Martinsburg Central 35-7, while Meadville has been storming teams, decent teams on the road; Farrell 47-16 and Grove City twice, 48-14 and 67-27. No holiday here with the Bulldogs taking a big hunk out of the Golden Tigers by 26.03 points.
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