Short Picks Week Two
As expected, the first week of action brought some changes to Rich Vetock's PFN Rankings in Pa. High School Football. All of the number one teams in the four classes remain in the top spot (see Rich's rankings). This week's predictions will focus on the top ranked teams playing undefeated opponents.
Erie Cathedral Prep will find out just how good a team they are when they host the Vikings of Pittsburgh Central Catholic. Central Catholic is ranked in the top twenty-five in some national polls. Prep is coming off a shutout of Perry in last week's opener. The big question in this game is "Can Prep corral Central quarterback Tino Sunseri?" Should be a dandy in Erie...Central Catholic.
Hatboro-Horsham is looking for a repeat of last year's 9-3 record and the Hatters got off on the right track last week with a win over Pennridge. The Hatters travel to Langhorne to face number five ranked Neshaminy. Neshaminy's Redskins pull some magic out of the hat to win this one...Neshaminy.
Harrisburg moved into the top ten with a convincing win over Central Dauphin. The Cougars travel to Mansion Park home of the Altoona Mountain Lions. The Cougs thumped the Lions 51-7 last year. Lion coach Phil Riccio didn't take that thrashing lightly. Riccio has a quality club this year built around the flashy A.J. Alexander. A Mt. Lion win here puts the Lions in the District 3 title hunt as contenders. I'll go out on a limb as this one won't be easy for Riccio...Altoona.
Perkiomen Valley will try to stay out of the loss column with a win at home against highly regarded Lansdale Catholic. Lansdale Catholic's Crusaders have sights set on a state class AA title run. The Crusaders will be up against the much bigger AAAA Vikings. Crusaders roll...Lansdale Catholic.
In what shapes up as a very good game in district one, PFN's AAAA number eight Ridley squares off with the Panthers of Strath Haven. The Panthers moved into Vetock's top ten last week Are the Panthers as good a team as those powerhouses of yesteryear? Maybe...Strath Haven.
George Curry has the Spartans of Wyoming Valley West moving in the right direction. The Spartans host a very good Abington Heights squad. This game should be a real slobber knocker and the winner gets some recognition by PFN's Vetock. Home field advantage...Wyoming Valley West.
Riverside's Vikings will attempt to stay undefeated through week two, but the Vikings will have their work cut out for them as they take on the Invaders of West Scranton. Invader coach, Mike DeAntonia will have his team primed for the home opener...West Scranton.
You District 3 fans have a real treat in Gettysburg where PFN's number five and six ranked AAA teams get together. The Warriors host the Manheim Central Barons. Gettysburg head coach, Sam Leedy did some rebuilding last year as the Warriors finished the season with a 6-5 record. People in Gettysburg are expecting big things this year. Manheim Central's coach, Mike "Huff" Williams just reloads year after year. These two may just have another get together again later in the year. This time I go with...Manheim Central.
District Four produced a number of quality teams last year. Could this be the year for Central Columbia and Hughesville? Both schools are coming off opening season wins. Central Columbia's Fighting Blue Jays will test the Spartans of Hugheville. Look for a Spartan win...Hughesville.
Glendale's Vikings are coming off one of its most successful seasons in recent history. The Vikings host the always tough Titans of Tussey Mountain. Vikings will win a bunch this year but not this week...Tussey Mountain.
Conemaugh Valley originally had an open date this week, but the Blue Jays found an opponent in District 7 Monaca. The Blue Jays will find the Indians' LB Donny Couch a bruiser. A long bus ride and bruising battle for Valley...Monaca.
Phillipsburg-Osceola's Mounties look like the real deal. Bellefonte will get the opportunity to see just how good the Mounties are as they roll out the welcome mat at Rogers Stadium. I think this may be the Mounties year...Phillipsburg-Osceola.
Ambridge will attempt to crack the top ten this week after a huge win over Aliquippa last week. The Bridgers go on the road again to face the Raiders of Uniontown. The Bridgers are led by third year starting quarterback David Duke. No top ten ranking yet but another victory...Ambridge.
Two powerhouse teams will go toe-to-toe when Gateway's Gators face the Tigers of McKeesport. Gateway got whacked last week in Canton, Ohio and hopes to rebound this week. The Gators will find the going tough as McKeesport gets after people with a well run triple option. The Tiger offense will get its share of points, but the Gators get just a couple more...Gateway.
Washington's Prexies return six starters and opened the season with a win over Waynesburg. The Prexies have a road trip across Interstate 70 to Jeannette. The Jayhawks return nine starters on offense and Mr. Everything, Terrelle Pryor. Too much Jayhawks and too much Terrelle...Jeannette.
Johnsonburg will contend for the District 9 title but to do so won't be easy. The Rams hook up with the Wolves of Kane this week in what is really a backyard brawl. The Rams travel up the mountain to take another step toward that title...Johnsonburg.
The Lancers of General McLane might still be celebrating last season's state championship run and maybe that momentum has carried over to this season as the Lancer got off to 35-14 win in week one. This week's opponent won't be so easy as G.M. travels to Erie to test the Trojans of McDowell. Big Mo is still with the Lancers...General McLane.
If Schuylkill Haven hopes to improve upon last year's 4-6 record the Hurricanes will have to beat some really good football teams as the Canes schedule is loaded with tough opponents. This week the Canes face powerhouse Marian Catholic. Schuylkill Haven is better, but so are the Colts...Marian Catholic.
Harry S. Truman notched victory number one for the '07 season last week. This week will be different as "the Buck Stops Here" when Truman runs up against The Eagles of George Washington. The Eagles are the premier team of District 12...George Washington.
In other games:
Pennsbury over Frankford
Beth Liberty over William Allen
Wilmington over Fort LeBoeuf
Coudersport over Otto-Eldred
Brashear over Schenley
Woodland Hills over Baldwin
Ford City over Shady Side Academy
Thomas Jefferson over West Allegheny
Tyrone over Huntingdon
Windber over Shade
Montoursville over Shamokin
Selinsgrove over Jersey Shore
Wilson over Dallastown
Hershey over Cedar Crest
State College over Chambersburg
Berwick over Stroudsburg
Pottstown over Upper Dublin
North Penn over Cardinal O'Hara