State College 6-7; The Lions had an interesting year under first year coach Matt Lintal who replaced Al Wolski (87-42) following his 10 year stint as the head coach. Lintal’s Lions went 6-7 but made it to the Quad-A quarterfinals before bowing to silver medalist Pine Richland 49-29. Prior to that, they had narrow losses to Martinsburg-WV (11-2) 27-21, Central Dauphin (11-3) 10-7 and Central Dauphin East (10-3) 14-12, facing a difficult schedule where 10 of their 13 opponents had winning records and a combined won-loss of 100-29. Apart from those mentioned, this included Spring Ford (7-3), Harrisburg-Bishop McDevitt (14-1), Harrisburg High (6-5), Cumberland Valley (9-3), Dubois (9-3) and McDowell (8-5). The losing effort against Martinsburg was particularly impressive knowing the Bulldogs won an unprecedented four straight AAA titles until turned away by Capital (13-0) last year in the final 35-7. This snapped a 43 game win streak against Mountain State teams and the 18 game playoff winning streak.
Things are looking good this year with State College returning most of last year’s team that is clearly battle and playoff tested. The task is to find a quarterback to replace John Weakland (6-4, 195, 1744py, 56%). Do that and they’re a force. At SC, they almost always go big at that position. 2012 (9-4) and 2013 (5-6) had Pat Irwin (6-3, 190) under center. John’s brother Josh Weakland (6-3, 190) was the signal caller in 2010 (7-7) and 2011 (8-5). The 2008 team went 12-1 with James Avedesian (6-1, 195). Dom Mills (6-3, 230) and Matt Mazzara (6-0, 190) were co-starters on 2009’s 12-3 team. That group got to the state final after handling Woodland Hills (12-2) 14-3 and Cumberland Valley (12-3) 35-13 before playing LaSalle (14-1). No small feat beating Woodland Hills who the week before beat one of Gateways best ever teams (12-1, average points for-points against 42-8) 10-0 and Central Catholic twice. Cumberland Valley fielded one of their stronger editions that came into the game off wins against Wilson (11-2) 28-21 and McDevitt (12-1) who was still playing at the Quad-A level ‘tho a AA, winning 34-27 in double overtime. But LaSalle came in like the thunder snow that accompanied them, dumping a world of pain along with the eight inches of snow that showed up in an easy 24-7 win. Sam Feleccia was unstoppable, rushing for 156 yards, in all that snow.
Back to State College’s history of sizeable quarterbacks; when they combine size with a 55% or higher completion rate, they are almost always successful. In 2007 the tandem QBs were 5-10, 165 and 5-9, 165, with completion rates of 45 and 48%, finishing 6-5. The year before in 2006, Brook Hart (6-5, 185) threw for 2284 yards at a 55% clip, leading them to a 12-3 record. There’s more to it than that but the Lions while perceived as a smash mouth power football team also rely on the pass, as many in that part of the state and conference do. State will be a load with any kind of quarterbacking. Anyone thinking it’s all about the WPIAL verses whatever comes out of 3, Wilson or Central Dauphin and others, might want to keep State High in mind. The Mid Penn Commonwealth wars will tell us. Included in the returns are most of the D and a solid running back in Jordan Mischer (5-10, 175, sr, 1788ry, 265py). With the group they have, a Mid Penn Commonwealth title is within reach if they can get past CD, East High, CV and Harrisburg in conference action, getting all but Harrisburg at home. The conference is like the SOL-National or SEC-West where the likelihood of beating each other up, in some cases knocking teams down a peg or two in seeding and bowls is real. They open at Spring Ford (see PAC write up) then travel to McDevitt before Upper Darby at home, Carlisle on the road then back home for Chambersburg, meaning they could get off to a good start.
Central Mountain 1-9; Way up there at 568 feet altitude north of Penn State off I-80 in Clinton County is the home of the Wildcats in Mill Hall, PA. Here they’ve hibernated as Mildcats through five long and losing seasons, played for the most part in the Mountain League’s Allegheny or Seven Mountains Division. They made a big mistake last year going independent, playing Double-A powers Mount Carmel 7-4, Tyrone 12-2 and Southern Columbia 11-1, plus AAA Jersey City 11-1, losing by a combined score of 226 to 54! Their last winning season was in 2009 (6-5) played in the Seven Mountains, that tangled mess of steep ridges and craggy canyons between Potter Mills and Milroy where Lord help you if you take a wrong turn. They return a pile of starters from last year’s sophomore-junior team that must negotiate a virtual carbon copy of last year’s schedule. This means they’ll play a loaded, probably healthy Southern Columbia team that barring last year’s uncanny injuries seemed destined for another finals appearance. They lost to a Montoursville (9-5) group 26-14 that is absolutely stacked again giving District 4 another typical fearsome appearance for a run at States in Double-A ball. Mount Carmel is also looking to rebound from a 7-4 outing with Jersey Shore, Shikellamy (6-5), Lewisburg (7-4) and Southern are all in the mix. Throw in veteran AAA Shamokin (5-6, everyone back), AAAA Williamsport (2-8, all skill return) and always tough District-6 historic power Tyrone (12-3) to see it looks like another challenging year for the Wildcats.
Things are looking good this year with State College returning most of last year’s team that is clearly battle and playoff tested. The task is to find a quarterback to replace John Weakland (6-4, 195, 1744py, 56%). Do that and they’re a force. At SC, they almost always go big at that position. 2012 (9-4) and 2013 (5-6) had Pat Irwin (6-3, 190) under center. John’s brother Josh Weakland (6-3, 190) was the signal caller in 2010 (7-7) and 2011 (8-5). The 2008 team went 12-1 with James Avedesian (6-1, 195). Dom Mills (6-3, 230) and Matt Mazzara (6-0, 190) were co-starters on 2009’s 12-3 team. That group got to the state final after handling Woodland Hills (12-2) 14-3 and Cumberland Valley (12-3) 35-13 before playing LaSalle (14-1). No small feat beating Woodland Hills who the week before beat one of Gateways best ever teams (12-1, average points for-points against 42-8) 10-0 and Central Catholic twice. Cumberland Valley fielded one of their stronger editions that came into the game off wins against Wilson (11-2) 28-21 and McDevitt (12-1) who was still playing at the Quad-A level ‘tho a AA, winning 34-27 in double overtime. But LaSalle came in like the thunder snow that accompanied them, dumping a world of pain along with the eight inches of snow that showed up in an easy 24-7 win. Sam Feleccia was unstoppable, rushing for 156 yards, in all that snow.
Back to State College’s history of sizeable quarterbacks; when they combine size with a 55% or higher completion rate, they are almost always successful. In 2007 the tandem QBs were 5-10, 165 and 5-9, 165, with completion rates of 45 and 48%, finishing 6-5. The year before in 2006, Brook Hart (6-5, 185) threw for 2284 yards at a 55% clip, leading them to a 12-3 record. There’s more to it than that but the Lions while perceived as a smash mouth power football team also rely on the pass, as many in that part of the state and conference do. State will be a load with any kind of quarterbacking. Anyone thinking it’s all about the WPIAL verses whatever comes out of 3, Wilson or Central Dauphin and others, might want to keep State High in mind. The Mid Penn Commonwealth wars will tell us. Included in the returns are most of the D and a solid running back in Jordan Mischer (5-10, 175, sr, 1788ry, 265py). With the group they have, a Mid Penn Commonwealth title is within reach if they can get past CD, East High, CV and Harrisburg in conference action, getting all but Harrisburg at home. The conference is like the SOL-National or SEC-West where the likelihood of beating each other up, in some cases knocking teams down a peg or two in seeding and bowls is real. They open at Spring Ford (see PAC write up) then travel to McDevitt before Upper Darby at home, Carlisle on the road then back home for Chambersburg, meaning they could get off to a good start.
Central Mountain 1-9; Way up there at 568 feet altitude north of Penn State off I-80 in Clinton County is the home of the Wildcats in Mill Hall, PA. Here they’ve hibernated as Mildcats through five long and losing seasons, played for the most part in the Mountain League’s Allegheny or Seven Mountains Division. They made a big mistake last year going independent, playing Double-A powers Mount Carmel 7-4, Tyrone 12-2 and Southern Columbia 11-1, plus AAA Jersey City 11-1, losing by a combined score of 226 to 54! Their last winning season was in 2009 (6-5) played in the Seven Mountains, that tangled mess of steep ridges and craggy canyons between Potter Mills and Milroy where Lord help you if you take a wrong turn. They return a pile of starters from last year’s sophomore-junior team that must negotiate a virtual carbon copy of last year’s schedule. This means they’ll play a loaded, probably healthy Southern Columbia team that barring last year’s uncanny injuries seemed destined for another finals appearance. They lost to a Montoursville (9-5) group 26-14 that is absolutely stacked again giving District 4 another typical fearsome appearance for a run at States in Double-A ball. Mount Carmel is also looking to rebound from a 7-4 outing with Jersey Shore, Shikellamy (6-5), Lewisburg (7-4) and Southern are all in the mix. Throw in veteran AAA Shamokin (5-6, everyone back), AAAA Williamsport (2-8, all skill return) and always tough District-6 historic power Tyrone (12-3) to see it looks like another challenging year for the Wildcats.