Very interesting this year with the order of finish determining playoff seeds. On the surface, it seems like P-R was the big winner by losing to NA. PCC, SV, and NA all on the other side of the bracket. However, wins and losses don't lie so here we are. Some thoughts:
1. NA: Typical NA team. Very solid everywhere and top notch coaching. Threw the ball accurately, but had a ton of drops Friday night. Defensively, they played with great effort and energy and are clearly well coached. Look for any game they play in to be a low scoring affair.
2. P-R: Despite the 20 4th quarter points, their defense is excellent. Need to study up on whatever NA was doing to them over and over, but I'm sure they will. Offense remains inconsistent, particularly in the passing game. Weather and being behind did not help, but they still only completed 1 or 2 passes in the first three quarters. What really hurt Friday were two early forth downs that resulted in drop and a no gain on a run play. Can't have that.
3. Lebo: Peaking at the right time and probably best skill in 6A. On a cold and rainy night, QB did some nice things versus PCC. Defense has always been the issue with them, but maybe with the Head Coach on that side of the ball, things are on the upswing. Will need to be for them to keep competing.
4. PCC: Hard to tell what is happening with them. Defense is good, but in two of their three losses, breakdowns gave up big plays. Offense is horrendous. Starting LB now playing QB only and trying to run read option type stuff. The highlights I saw reminded me of John Petritian at QB in 2014. Something just doesn't seem right with the PCC program.
5. Seneca Valley: Perhaps the most well rounded team, but just couldn't get over the hump against the big boys in the conference. Excellent defense and ok offense. Most similar team to NA in the conference right now and would be a fist fight if they play NA in the Semi-Finals
6. Canon-MacMillan: Excellent team running the ball even though they are overmatched every week. Defense is also solid. They just get lined up and play.
Predictions:
Quarterfinals:
CMac @ Lebo: I'll take Lebo in a close one, but feel CMac has more than a puncher's chance. Lebo must limit turnovers and CMac must control the ball for them to be in the game.
SV @ PCC: I'm taking SV again in a close one. SV is a senior heavy team that won't quit no matter what happens and will just wait for PCC to implode offensively. If they get to 21 they win.
Semifinals:
Lebo @ P-R: I'll take P-R by 10. I think P-R's offense plays better, but Lebo's pass game will test P-R's secondary more the second time around.
SV @ NA: Injuries are starting to mount for NA with a starting OL out and their best 2 way skill kid done with a leg injury. SV has the athletes to cover the rest and are big enough to stop NA's run game like they did the first time around. Tough one to call - last time SV played NA in a quarterfinal, they won and punched their ticket to the championship. But NA seems like they are on a mission to get back to the top of 6A after a 6 year hiatus. I'll take NA by 1.
WPIAL Finals:
P-R vs. NA: I don't think P-R's pass game can be any worse than it was on Friday and believe their coaches will have them coached up for NA's run game. NA will be flying high on emotion and have the who community behind them. But this year it comes down to talent in the front 7's and P-R has more. P-R by 10. 31-21.
1. NA: Typical NA team. Very solid everywhere and top notch coaching. Threw the ball accurately, but had a ton of drops Friday night. Defensively, they played with great effort and energy and are clearly well coached. Look for any game they play in to be a low scoring affair.
2. P-R: Despite the 20 4th quarter points, their defense is excellent. Need to study up on whatever NA was doing to them over and over, but I'm sure they will. Offense remains inconsistent, particularly in the passing game. Weather and being behind did not help, but they still only completed 1 or 2 passes in the first three quarters. What really hurt Friday were two early forth downs that resulted in drop and a no gain on a run play. Can't have that.
3. Lebo: Peaking at the right time and probably best skill in 6A. On a cold and rainy night, QB did some nice things versus PCC. Defense has always been the issue with them, but maybe with the Head Coach on that side of the ball, things are on the upswing. Will need to be for them to keep competing.
4. PCC: Hard to tell what is happening with them. Defense is good, but in two of their three losses, breakdowns gave up big plays. Offense is horrendous. Starting LB now playing QB only and trying to run read option type stuff. The highlights I saw reminded me of John Petritian at QB in 2014. Something just doesn't seem right with the PCC program.
5. Seneca Valley: Perhaps the most well rounded team, but just couldn't get over the hump against the big boys in the conference. Excellent defense and ok offense. Most similar team to NA in the conference right now and would be a fist fight if they play NA in the Semi-Finals
6. Canon-MacMillan: Excellent team running the ball even though they are overmatched every week. Defense is also solid. They just get lined up and play.
Predictions:
Quarterfinals:
CMac @ Lebo: I'll take Lebo in a close one, but feel CMac has more than a puncher's chance. Lebo must limit turnovers and CMac must control the ball for them to be in the game.
SV @ PCC: I'm taking SV again in a close one. SV is a senior heavy team that won't quit no matter what happens and will just wait for PCC to implode offensively. If they get to 21 they win.
Semifinals:
Lebo @ P-R: I'll take P-R by 10. I think P-R's offense plays better, but Lebo's pass game will test P-R's secondary more the second time around.
SV @ NA: Injuries are starting to mount for NA with a starting OL out and their best 2 way skill kid done with a leg injury. SV has the athletes to cover the rest and are big enough to stop NA's run game like they did the first time around. Tough one to call - last time SV played NA in a quarterfinal, they won and punched their ticket to the championship. But NA seems like they are on a mission to get back to the top of 6A after a 6 year hiatus. I'll take NA by 1.
WPIAL Finals:
P-R vs. NA: I don't think P-R's pass game can be any worse than it was on Friday and believe their coaches will have them coached up for NA's run game. NA will be flying high on emotion and have the who community behind them. But this year it comes down to talent in the front 7's and P-R has more. P-R by 10. 31-21.
