D11/2/4 Big School Power Ranking

[RoverNation05]

Tonight is the biggest night of the year in the D11/2/4 subregional. Freedom and Parkland meet in a possible EPC South championship game. Liberty and Easton renew their rivalry in another showcase game for the Hurricanes. Delaware Valley and Scranton meet in a likely elimination game for the second D2 spot in the subregional playoff. And Stroudsburg and Bethlehem Catholic match up in the EPC North championship game for the second straight year.

1. Wyoming Valley West (7-0)
This Week: A ho-hum 33-0 shutout by the Spartans against Crestwood. Sean Judge had another massive night, rushing for 100 yards on 9 carries, returning a punt for a touchdown, and throwing a touchdown pass to quarterback Aaron Austin on a trick play. WVW led only 7-0 at halftime, but the third quarter punt return really opened things up.

What’s Their Ceiling: I think I’m the high man on WVW this year, but this is a team that could challenge the D12 rep if they make it out of the subregional because of their size and physicality on the offensive and defensive lines.. Nobody in this region is as big as SJP, but the Spartans come close, and they’re not just slugs. Bleich, Wesneski, and Reese are all Division I football players. And on offense, they’re a multidimensional attack with an accurate quarterback behind that big o-line. Judge and Devon Weidman aren’t the same kind of skill players that SJP or LaSalle would present (Wesneski at tight end on the other hand, is a as good as anybody in Pennsylvania), but they’re very good high school football players who can make a difference at running back and receiver. Their big challenge to overcome will be the lack of challenges they see before the subregional tournament. They’ll be underdogs if they advance, no doubt, but they’d belong in the game.

Next Week: The Spartans take on the Hazleton Cougars led by workhorse running back Adrien Otero. Nobody has been able to run on WVW all year, and while the 215 pound sophomore is a load to bring down, WVW can hit him in waves. Offensively, Hazleton has struggled with the top opponents on their schedule, and the Spartans should get into the 30s yet again.

2. Freedom (7-0)
Last Week: Freedom boatraced Whitehall, slowly pulling away throughout the course of the game in a 29-6 win. The big news though is that quarterback Joe Young suffered a lower leg injury and is questionable for this week’s match up with Parkland. In his place, Johan Gundrum rushed for 82 yards in the second half and two touchdowns. Defensively, Freedom was excellent again, forcing two turnovers and holding the Zephyrs to 41 rushing yards on 27 carries.

What’s Their Ceiling: Hard to tell. If everything is clicking and everybody is healthy, this is the best team in the subregional. But they’ve already lost their star running back for the year and now their quarterback is banged up. I’m still waiting for Joe Young to have that breakout game, he’s been solid, but I think there is even more in there if he’s healthy. f they had one more elite skill player, particularly at receiver, I’d say this is a team that could go far. The defense has been that good, giving up more than one offensive TD one time this season (a 31-27 win over Nazareth). They allow 2.3 yards per carry and are plus 11 in turnover margin. The defensive line is excellent, highlighted by 6’4 270 pound d-end Cordell Cotto, and being solid up front always gives you a punchers chance.

Next Week: Freedom hosts Parkland in our EPC Game of the Week

3. Liberty (6-1)
Last Week: Liberty trudged through a 28-18 win over Northampton. The scored was tied at halftime and the Hurricanes needed a pair of Gunner Anglovich touchdowns to stretch their lead heading into the fourth. Northampton actually outgained the Hurricanes, 226-215 and had a shot thanks to three Liberty turnovers. Although they’re 1-6, the Konkrete Kids have been a tough out, and despite their flaws they can really stop the run (they’ve now held Easton, Freedom, and Liberty under 100 yards rushing this year).

What’s Their Ceiling: Liberty’s best is better than anybody else’s best in the area. If they could put it together for six straight weeks, this is a team that could accidentally win a state title. They have a four year starter at quarterback with the deepest stable of receivers in the Valley, including a Power 5 conference recruit in Darian Street, a three pronged rushing attack, an offensive line that averages 250 across, and an a talented, fast defense. But for as good as they can look on any given night (or in any given quarter) it is consistency that will be their downfall. In the first two and a half quarters against Becahi and Parkland, they outscored two of the better teams in the state 77-20. They somehow managed to almost lose both of those games, but held on at the end for one score wins. They can’t fall asleep at the switch like that in playoff games, and something like that is going to bite them along the way. Only Nazareth has taken advantage of those prolonged periods of bad football so far, but you can’t play deep into the postseason like that.

This Week: Liberty takes on Easton at BASD Stadium. Like Parkland, Liberty should be able to physically overmatch Easton at the point of attack. Defensive linemen Jaohne Duggans (250), Devon Linderman (270), and Livan Diaz (255) overwhelmed Parkland’s offensive line for much of their meeting two weeks ago and should be able to be even more dominant against the smaller Easton front. Their defense has been susceptible to receivers who can stretch the field, but Easton doesn’t really have that element to their offense. On the other side of the ball, their offense versus the Easton defense should be a great chess match. If they take care of the ball, they should prevail in this one.

4. Parkland (6-1)
Last Week: Parkland is simply better than Easton. The Trojans flexed their muscle early with an 18 play, 98 yard touchdown drive that stretched across the first and second quarter. They converted a pair of first downs, and it became obvious that they could get five yards running Devante Cross over the left side any time they wanted. That TD was Parkland’s only score until seven minutes left in the game. Easton had their second long drive of the second half and kicked a field goal to cut the margin to 7-3. On the ensuing drive, Cross hit Nick Suriel on a crossing route and he turned it upfield for a 26 yard gain. Then on the next play, Cross had one-on-one coverage with Yeboah, and threw an absolute rainbow for a 33 yard touchdown. Easton’s corner actually had pretty good position to box out Yeboah, but he just went right over the poor kid and put him on a poster. Parkland added the final score with 1:36 left, when after an Easton interception, Eric DiGiralomo ripped off a 60 yard run against the demoralized Easton defense down to the 6. Then on 4th and goal, Parkland hit Yeboah on another jump ball to account for the final margin. Defensively, the Trojans forced six turnovers and held Easton to just three points on three trips in the red zone.

What’s Their Ceiling: Parkland is the favorite to win the subregional tournament, but I think that is as far as they go. Despite their talent advantage against Easton, they led by just four points with seven minutes remaining. Sixty of their 175 rushing yards came on one carry after the game had been decided. They have a bunch of big receivers who Cross can hit in the short passing game, but they don’t really have a way to stretch the defense other than throw a jump ball to Yeboah when there isn’t safety help. Against a team like SJP, who has a big, fast, and talented secondary, only being able to throw the ball 5 or 10 yards downfield isn’t going to cut it, particularly when you don’t have a threat in the run game other than the quarterback. And while the defense shut down Easton’s running game, when facing a Liberty offensive line that could match their physicality, they were gashed for 320 yards on the ground. They have a difference maker at quarterback, and that can carry them, but I don’t think there’s enough around Cross to beat the Philly Catholic rep.

This Week: Parkland plays Freedom in our EPC Game of the Week.

5. Nazareth (5-2)
This Week: Nazareth took care of East Stroudsburg North, 41-6 in an cross division match up. A pair of early fumbles converted into touchdowns gave the quick strike Blue Eagles an almost insurmountable lead against the triple-option ESN team. Travis Stefanik was excellent again, completing 11 of 14 passes for 136 yards and 3 TDs (all three to Jahan Dotson) and rushing for another 119 yards a 2 TDs.

What’s Their Ceiling: Nazareth certainly can win a playoff game, but I think that’s as far as they get. They’re a tough first round match up because of their extreme speed at receiver and the excellent play of their quarterback. But there are enough weaknesses (rush defense chiefly) that as the competition gets tougher I don’t think they can string together a bunch of wins in a row.

This Week: The Blue Eagles host Whitehall, who is reeling after consecutive losses to Liberty, Parkland, Easton, and Freedom. Because of their talent at quarterback, the Zephyrs are dangerous (and sophomore receiver Desmond Boykin is a budding star), but Nazareth is just a little more complete than Whitehall and have the athletes in the secondary to keep Boykin in check.

 

[RoverNation05]

6. Saucon Valley (7-0)
Last Week; Matt Evancho’s bunch stomped his former team in a 55-0 win over Wilson. The Panthers piled up seven first half touchdowns and played the entire second half with a running clock. Evan Culver carried four times for 173 yards and three TDs, quarterback Zack Thatcher added two carries for 75 yards and two TDs, and backup tailback Nate Kehs had his first career 100 yard game. It was Culver’s sixth straight game with at least 3 TDs and his 14th multi-TD game in his last 18 contests. He’s been held under 150 yards once all year and under 100 yards once in his varsity career.

What’s Their Ceiling: This is probably the best Colonial League team since Wilson beat Jeannette in the 2006 AA state championship game. They do it completely differently, as Matt Evancho left the Air Raid on Warrior Lane and runs almost exclusively zone-read with Thatcher and Culver behind a big offensive line. Culver has 1,365 yards and 22 touchdowns This is virtually the same team that played Becahi in last year’s D11 final, although I’m not sure what the takeaway is. Either the experience is good, or they’re not that much different from the group that lost 49-7. This is as good a shot as a Colonial League team will have at one of the EPC 3A schools, but it’s still a tall order. If we fast forwarded a year, I’d say this team could really go deep in a 4A playoff with six classes.

This Week: Saucon Valley hosts Bangor, the biggest school in the Colonial League. Despite their size advantage, the Slaters are 0-7, have only scored twice in seven games, and have been outscored 260-14 on the season. Saucon Valley should wrap this one up early and start getting ready for next week’s Colonial League championship game against Notre Dame (Green Pond).

7. Bethlehem Catholic (6-1)
Last Week: Becahi ran away from Pocono Mountain East, 46-0 in another blow out before their showdown with Stroudsburg. Antwon Keenan ran for another 3 toucdhowns, upping his total to 23 on the season. Recent Lafayette commit Julian Spigner threw for 165 yards and a TD in a little over one half of action.

What’s Their Ceiling: This is probably the most talented team in the Lehigh Valley. Spigner was an all state selection last season and is going to play FCS football at Lafayette, they have two wide receivers/defensive backs with FBS offers and a third receiver with FCS offers, and the best non-Kyle Boney running back in D11. This should be the team that marches to the slaughter in the Eastern Final against the Archbishop Wood/Imhotep winner. But they’ve only been tested once, a season opening loss to Liberty. After tonight with Strodusburg and the finale with ACC, we’ll see if they’re actually ready for prime time. And of course, if they drop one of those games, their playoff position is in jeopardy, and they’re out if they lose both.

This Week: Becahi plays Stroudsburg for their division title. The Golden Hawks have consistently run the football with Keenan this year, but I think tonight is the night they let Spigner off of the chain and air it out. I don’t think Stroudsburg has the secondary to cover EJ Fineran, Nate Stewart, and Joe Jay Smith, particularly if they have to account for the run. It’s two good offenses, so expect a track meet, but that plays right in to Becahi’s hands.

8. Stroudsburg (6-1)
This Week: Stroudsburg had a ho-hum 35-0 win over William Allen, and most importantly stayed healthy in the process. Jamaal Brome continued his banner campaign, rushing for 136 yards and two touchdowns, firmly planting him second in the state in rushing yards behind Boney.

What’s Their Ceiling: Stroudsburg has an excellent "big three" in Brome, quarterback Jake Jakobson, and wide receiver/safety Marcello Riccardi. But in their only real challenge this season, they gave up 49 points to Nazareth. Like a lot of teams, they certainly can win a subregional playoff game, but stringing together three in a row is probably too tall of a task. What they’re really hoping for is to avoid a first round match up with Parkland for the third consecutive year.

This Week: The EPC North championship game again in 2015 will be the week 8 match up of Stroudsburg and Bethlehem Catholic. Becahi is dangerous on offense, with Antwon Keenan destroying opponents for 24 touchdowns already on the year, plus a big, fast receiving corps. Becahi also has a loss in their only tough game to this point, and gave up 39 points to Liberty. Stroudsburg’s offense isn’t quite that good, but I’m expeting a shoot out. It’s going to be heavy doses of Brome, then play action over the top, which Doug Erney killed Becahi with in week 1. We’ll see if the Golden Hawk d-backs can be more disciplined and keep from biting on play fakes, if not, its going to be a long night.

9. Allentown Central Catholic (4-3)
This Week: The Vikings were run over by Kyle Boney, as the star Emmaus running back/battering ram rushed for 299 yards on 30 carries and scored four touchdowns, including a late TD plunge for the game winner in a 28-21 win for Emmaus. This keeps the Green Hornets subregional playoff hopes alive while making the ACC playoff push rather precarious. Alvin Pachecho ran for 149 yards and two scores on 13 carries in the losing effort.

What’s Their Ceiling: This is a team capable of making the eastern final against the Archbishop Wood/Imhotep winner, then getting utterly demolished. They have tons of athletes and a quarterback who has played very well. The losses to Parkland and Freedom were expected, but dropping a game to an underachieving Emmaus team was not. They’re now in fourth place in the district, mere thousands of a point ahead of Jim Thorpe and Blue Mountain for the last spot. They still have games left with Bethlehem Catholic and Liberty, and losing both means they’re likely staying home for the playoffs. Quite the range of outcomes.

This Week: They travel to Al Erdosy Stadium in Northampton. The Konkrete Kids are playing better the last few weeks, but ACC should be able to win comfortably.

10. Easton (5-2)
Last Week: Easton self destructed in a 21-3 loss at home to Parkland. Easton had the ball at the Parkland five yard line three times, and came away with three total points. After a muffed punt, Easton took possession inside the ten, but fumbled at the 2. In the second half, after driving down to the five following an interception, an after the play personal foul turned a 3rd and goal from the 5 into a third and goal from the 20. On both 3rd and 4th down, Easton just barely overthrew an open receiver. In the fourth quarter, Easton executed a beautiful throwback screen to the fullback, who rumbled down to the 14 (and barely stepped out of bounds), but Easton committed false start on third and inches from the 5, and eventually had to settle for a field goal. I was right that Easton would struggle to run the ball against the big Trojan front. The Rovers called 29 passes (five scrambles/sacks) on the night, the most I can remember in a long time. Their quarterbacks were 15-24, but could only gain yards in small chunks, and five of those nine incompletions were interceptions. Literally every time they threw it down the field, it resulted in an interception. Defensively, they couldn’t get off the field in that long first half touchdown drive, but largely contained the Parkland offense the rest of the game. Big plays once again hurt, as Parkland gained 119 of their 214 yards after that drive on consecutive snaps in the fourth quarter.

What’s Their Ceiling: If this team can somehow go 7-3 in the regular season, it would be a great accomplishment. They play good defense and have gotten more out of their running game than I thought possible, but there just are physical limitations they can’t overcome. If they qualify they’ll be seeded in the 6 to 8 range come subregional playoff time, and I could see them upsetting a high seed in round one. But putting three weeks in a row together against playoff caliber teams isn’t happening. And of course, if they lose out and finish 5-5, it is very likely that they’ll be passed by Pleasant Valley for the last D11 spot, even though they beat the Bears 49-14 in their opener.

This Week: Easton travels to BASD to take on Liberty. Easton’s defense against Liberty’s offense is going to be fun to watch, as there will be a lot of speed on the field. The Hurricane offensive line is a big, physical bunch, and I’m especially interested in seeing how they can handle the Easton front. If Easton has any shot, they’re going to have to spring their running backs loose, take care of the football, and avoid penalties, three things they were unable to do last week.