Playoffs: games of Nov 27, by the numbers.
Flew through it….but maybe some things here the board is interested in.
6A
Harrisburg 12-1 vs State College 7-5, 14.57 Harrisburg
Did this write up on Nov 24….“Dist-3 Playoffs” see below.
Harrisburg is at least that much better than SC but it is the playoffs as yesterday’s scores remind! Fast note on Harrisburg, their schedule consisted of 10 teams that had a winning record and one with a tie, Cumberland Valley (5-5), totaling out to an 80-45 won-loss. Altoona was the one loser at 4-7. Also, this is a rematch of a game played Oct 23rd where Harrisburg edged the Lions 15-13. Look for some Mount Lebanon people in the crowd sneaking a peek!
5A
Imhotep Charter School 9-1 vs Cathedral Prep 11-1, 9.31 ICS
Imhotep gets another shot at their old nemesis playing the Ramblers at Bald Eagle High in District-6 at 2:00 PM today. They’ve had some bad luck against these people over the years losing in 2018, 2017 and 2016 by wide margins after winning in 2015. That should change this year with a loaded team sporting wins against Pitt CC and DeMatha and a competitive 13-8 loss to LaSalle. Cathedral Prep as always is no slouch defeating good stuff out of the Empire State with wins against St. Francis 28-20 and Canisius 44-38 and losing to Erie rival McDowell 31-12. They beat East Stroudsburg South last week 69-20 while ICS was doing the same to Father Judge 42-7.
Moon 12-0 vs Penn Trafford 10-2, 9.31 Moon
Moon seemed unstoppable this year. When the offense sputtered the defense rose up, allowing them to win tight contests against Peters Township, Woody (twice), Penn Hills and USC. Penn Trafford has been on the money in all but Peters, losing at home 28-14 and at Belle Vernon (4A, 10-0) 27-7. No shame losing to BV who might be as good as any team in the state at this point. Taking the Leopards out of the equation gets it to a touchdown. So look for a war at Heinz today at 6.
4A
Belle Vernon 10-0 vs Aliquippa 10-1, 11.24 Belle Vernon
Aliquippa is back with another powerful team (what’s new!) that is perfect except for a 21-12 loss to Central Valley (3A, 12-0) whose going for their second consecutive gold medal this year. Belle Vernon is shredding everyone except Thomas Jefferson (8-3), a team they had to beat twice to get here. Both Belle Vernon and the Quips are explosive with BV 41ppg and Aliquippa at 43 with defenses to match; BV at 11.4ppg, the Quips at 10.7. The game is at Heinz at 3:00 PM
Jersey Shore 13-0 vs Meadville 9-3, 24.5 Jersey Shore
Meadville struggled with quality teams on their schedule losing to Grove City 50-48, Cathedral 62-28 and Butler 27-13 who fielded a competitive team this year. They beat Juniata last week 34-27, a team that lost to Steelton Highspire 53-19. Jersey Shore beat Selinsgrove (8-4) twice, Danville (8-5) and Allentown CC (9-4) last week 20-7. Both score a lot of points, Meadville 45, Jersey 40. But only one plays defense at 8ppg. And that’s probably why Jersey Shore is undefeated and the likely winner here, way out at Clarion University at 1.
3A
Wyomissing 13-0 vs Scranton Prep 11-0, 5.7 Wyomissing
Did this write up on Nov 24….“Dist-3 Playoffs” see below.
Reminder from last week’s write up. Scranton Prep is a young team with an FBS talent in junior London Montgomery (5-11, 190) with 2360 rush yards (missed 2 games!), offered by Arizona State, running behind a line averaging 255 pounds. They score 42ppg and allow 10. They’re run heavy with only 55 passes attempted. At 93-23 from 2011-2020, they are one of the established historic powers from District-2. If you liked that you’re gonna love this with their opponent this week, Wyomissing, going 106-21 over the same period. Still, Prep is hugely impressive especially after defeating Wyoming Area (10-2) last week 29-0. Few do that with WA going 55-17 since 2016. This has all the appearances of an all-out struggle at Governor Mifflin High at 2:00 PM.
Central Valley 12-0 vs North Catholic 12-0, 9.50 Central Valley
Central Valley is going for two in a row but has to get past a scary North Catholic team that won all their games by an average score of 41-8. CV is even more potent at 48ppg supported by a defense allowing 7ppg. What really jumps out in this one apart from the math is how North struggled beating Avonworth (9-3) last week 7-0. Avonworth was felt to be the real deal despite losing at home to Sto-Rox (2A, 12-1) 19-16 Sept 17th. But that was before Central Valley disassembled Avonworth five weeks later 43-6. The game is at Heinz at noon.
2A All games were played yesterday Nov 26th
1A
Old Forge 11-0 vs Canton 12-0, 4.15 Old Forge
Too bad one of these two have to lose as both appear to be the cream of the Single-A crop. No one gave Old Forge a game this year, no one, winning by an average score of 39-7. Same with Canton until Steel High stepped up before losing 32-27. Otherwise, Canton is dominating teams, winning by an average score of 42-8. Both then have steamrolled opponents with a tough, physical style of football led by dual threat quarterbacks and a horde of running backs to wear you down. If you like physical slugfests, this one's for you.