That time is here again. This is week nine, the final week of the regular season for most area high school football teams. For all of those teams lucky and successful enough, the District VI playoffs will begin next week. Some, who didn’t qualify for the playoffs, will arrange and play a 10th regular game next weekend.
Locally, both the Tyrone Golden Eagles (Class-AA) and the Bellwood-Antis Blue Devils (Class-A) are ranked second in their respective divisions. Both should get to play two home games in the playoffs. Of course, they have to win to do that-one loss in the playoffs and the next game is in the Fall of 2005.
Last week, Bob Miller was able to pull off his second perfect 10-for-10 card in three weeks to lead the pickers. Everybody did a great job, with no one missing more than two games.
Kerry Naylor continued his climb with a 9-1 week, with his only miss, a sentimental pick for the Nittany Lions against Iowa and Kerry Webster, Sam Zema and guest picker Mike Blaska all went 8-2. Thanks Mike for taking part in our weekly contest.
Overall, Miller has a 69-11 log to lead the pack, followed by Naylor (61-19), the combined guests (59-21), Zema (58-22) and Webster (56-24).
This week, our guest, or guests actually are the Tuesday Afternoon Church Bowling League from Splinters Lanes. The gang got together with each of the teams making one or two selections. Good luck to the guys at Splinters.
Tyrone at Penns Valley: The Rams are a team that lives or dies with the run. The Tyrone defense is strongest against a running team. Homefield advantage in this game means only that Tyrone fans had better get there early to get a good seat, or a seat at all. The Eagles offense will run, run, run, until coach Franco pulls off the dogs, and probably after that. Look for another big night for Brice Mertiff.
The picks: Miller Tyrone 35-0, Kerry Naylor Tyrone 49-7, Kerry Webster Tyrone 48-0, Sam Zema Tyrone 38-7, Tuesday Afternoon Church Bowling League (TACBL) Tyrone 40-0.
Bishop Guilfoyle at Bellwood-Antis: Senior Recognition Night at Bellwood. Despite their record (4-4), expect a close good game from Bishop Guilfoyle. They present a look(s) that the Blue Devils have not seen much of this season. B-A is on a mission however, winning seven straight after being demolished by Tyrone in the opener. The Blue Devils have improved every week, but must go for the rest of the season with a new quarterback.
The picks: Miller Bellwood-Antis 27-14, Kerry Naylor Bellwood-Antis 22-12, Kerry Webster Bellwood-Antis 35-13, Sam Zema Bellwood-Antis 24-10, TACBL Bellwood-Antis 21-7.
Cedar Cliff at Hollidaysburg: Cedar Cliff is at the bottom of the District 3-6 Mid-Penn League and is 2-6 overall. The Golden Tigers are 2-3 in the tough Mid-Penn League and 3-4 overall, and is at home for the final time this season. Look for the Tigers, who have lost two close games in a row, to excel in 2005, with 11 2003 letterwinners returning for a third year next season.
The picks: Miller Hollidaysburg, Kerry Naylor Cedar Cliff, Kerry Webster Cedar Cliff, Sam Zema Hollidaysburg, TACBL Hollidaysburg.
Bedford at Somerset: Bedford is unbeaten (8-0) and top seeded in Class-AA, with lots of ways to beat you. Somerset scored a lot of points early, but is in a conference where they must play Bishop Carroll, Bishop McCort and Johnstown in their own division, as well as Central Cambria and Bedford in the opposite section
The picks: Miller Bedford, Kerry Naylor Bedford, Kerry Webster Somerset, Sam Zema Bedford, TACBL Bedford.
Bishop Carroll at Penn Cambria: Bishop Carroll, defending PIAA Class-A Western Regional champ has lost just once in the conference, to Triple-A Johnstown and the LaRod Stephens show (250 yards rushing and two TDs) and to Double-A Forest Hills (7-1) in the season opener. Penn Cambria is 1-7.
The picks: Miller Bishop Carroll, Kerry Naylor Bishop Carroll, Kerry Webster Bishop Carroll, Sam Zema Bishop Carroll, TACBL Penn Cambria (upset special).
Chestnut Ridge at Moshannon Valley: Moshannon is decimated by injuries, players out and players playing wounded. This would be a game a great contest if both squads were at full strength, but Ridge has too many horses. The Lions have been shooting for this year for the past three seasons and have too many experienced, quick skill people. Mo Valley has trouble with quick teams being outscored 71-0 the last two weeks against Juniata Valley and Bellwood-Antis.
The picks: Miller Chestnut Ridge, Kerry Naylor Chestnut Ridge, Kerry Webster Chestnut Ridge, Sam Zema Chestnut Ridge, TACBL Chestnut Ridge.
Clarion at IUP: IUP (5-3 overall, 3-1 in the PSAC) has been pouring on the offense since an upset loss to Edinboro two weeks ago outscoring Lock Haven 52-10 with over 500 yards of offense last week. Clarion earlier lost to Lock Haven in OT 16-13. Clarion has 36 returning lettermen, including 10 starters on offense and seven on defense.
The picks: Miller IUP, Kerry Naylor IUP, Kerry Webster IUP, Sam Zema IUP, TACBL IUP.
Oklahoma at Oklahoma State: This should be pretty much a battle of what the number two-ranked Sooners have-coach Bob Stoops, returning Heisman Trophy winner Jason White and seven returning starters on defense, and what the number 20-ranked Oklahoma State doesn’t have-QB Josh Fields, who set a school career record with 55 TD passes, but left the Cowboys to play minor league baseball with the White Sox.
The picks: Miller Oklahoma, Kerry Naylor Oklahoma, Kerry Webster Oklahoma, Sam Zema Oklahoma, TACBL Oklahoma.
Penn State at Ohio State: Zach Mills is doubtful following a concussion against Iowa and hasn’t looked good all year due to other injuries and what-not. Michael Robinson is expected to start at quarterback, regardless. Robinson, who coach Paterno has called, one of the best football players in JoPa’s long tenure at Penn State, threw two interceptions and fumbled twice last week. The Lion’s defense has played well enough to win, but the offense can’t run and can’t pass. Ohio State is a four-point favorite in this game that begins at 12 Noon on ABC.
The picks: Miller Ohio State 27-24, Kerry Naylor Ohio State 15-9, Kerry Webster Ohio State 25-10, Sam Zema Penn State 14-10, TACBL Penn State 14-7.
Patriots at Steelers: New England has won all six this year and 21 overall. The Steelers with rookie quarterback Ben Roethlisberger have their own streak going, although it is just four games. That four games reflects the number of starts for Roethlisberger, who has proved to be much more than just a work in progress. Without a doubt, Ben has shown he can move in and handle pressure situations. The next two weeks against the Patriots and Eagles should go a long way toward showing exactly what the rookie has.
The picks: Miller Patriots 24-21, Kerry Naylor Steelers 27-24, Kerry Webster Patriots 24-10, Sam Zema Steelers 14-10, TACBL Steelers 24-14.
Sports Notes: Doug Roseberry (Tyrone) has been named Special Teams Captain for the Pitt Panthers for the remainder of the season
Although he hasn’t gotten much help on offense, Duane Ehredt Jr. (Bellwood-Antis) has continued to carve out a starting job at tailback for Juniata College. Ehredt had a career-high 167 yards rushing last Saturday in the Eagles’ 49-21 loss at Wilkes. That total included a 65-yard scamper to the Wilkes-five yard line in the second quarter, but a pass interception ended the threat without any points.
Penn State, Juniata and St. Francis are away this weekend and Pitt has a bye week, but IUP hosts Clarion and Shippensburg (8-1) is at home against Slippery Rock. If you have nothing better to do, take in a small college football game-you might get more than you expect if you do.
