It’s time for October’s bright blue weather! You know how the children’s poem written by Helen Hunt Jackson goes….O suns and skies and clouds of June together, Ye cannot rival for one hour October’s bright blue weather.
At least one editor on the Internet offers the thought that that poem is best viewed with a glass of bourbon whiskey. We don’t push that view, but perhaps when the weather is coupled with a good high school football game, it’s almost as fine as such a beverage.
Hopefully for all concerned the weather will be bright and free of all the precipitation that has been falling this spring, summer and fall thus far.
In week five, John Harlow ran up his second straight 9-1 record to jump into the overall lead with 41-9 through the first half of the season. Harlow’s only miss was the Philipsburg-Osceola win over Indian Valley. General Manager Chris Lash, who has been at or near the top all year, is immediately behind Harlow after going 8-2 in week 5. Lash missed the Bellwood-Antis win over Southern Huntingdon and Steelers loss to Tennessee, and is second overall with a 40-10 mark. Our guest picker, Mike Blaska and Kerry Webster each carded 7-3 weeks. The combined guests and Webster are tied for the season at 39-11. Bob Miller went 6-4 last week and stands 16-14. Kerry Naylor also carded a 6-4 mark for the week and is 32-18 overall.
Thanks again to Mike and to all of our wonderful guest pickers for taking time out of their busy schedules for us.
This week, our guest picker is Tommy Edwards, who returns again for the third year in a row. Edwards, Program Director and morning host on WPRR radio, missed just two of the 10 picks a year ago and is back to do even better in 2003.
Tyrone at Bishop Guilfoyle: BG is in the middle of a very tough trio of games. Huntingdon knocked the Marauders from the ranks of the undefeated last week and BG hosts state-ranked Pius X next week. Tyrone has a line very few teams of any class can match in size and skill, plus two fine running backs and a sophomore QB, who is getting better with every game. Tyrone coach John Franco keeps talking about how young his team is. Everybody who has played the Eagles talk about how good the team is.
The picks: Miller Tyrone 24-10, John Harlow Tyrone 21-14, Kerry Naylor Tyrone 27-10, Kerry Webster Tyrone 35-8, Chris Lash Tyrone 20-14, Tommy Edwards (a BG grad!) Tyrone 27-24.
Bellwood-Antis at Penns Valley: The last team to beat the Blue Devils in October, was Penns Valley back on Oct. 3, 1997. Both teams are similar in style of offense and hurting themselves with penalties and mistakes in 2003. Which team will be able to take the most advantage of the opposition’s miscues? Dan Houser has been a terror on both sides of the line of scrimmage and his teammates are beginning to build some momentum. This B-A team doesn’t have the power as recent Blue Devil teams have done repeatedly, to run over opponents, but don’t sell them short.
The picks: Miller Bellwood-Antis 22-14, John Harlow Bellwood-Antis 17-10, Kerry Naylor Bellwood-Antis 22-8, Kerry Webster Bellwood-Antis (in a shootout) 35-28, Chris Lash Bellwood-Antis 17-10, Tommy Edwards Bellwood-Antis 42-7.
Philipsburg-Osceola at Clearfield: P-O is in the midst of the best season in recent years, with their only loss to Huntingdon. Clearfield has scored some points in several games, but the Bisons are not what they were for several years. This is a natural rivalry. Look for Adam White to run, run, run for the Mounties.
The picks: Miller Philipsburg-Osceola, John Harlow Philipsburg-Osceola, Kerry Naylor Clearfield, Kerry Webster Philipsburg-Osceola, Chris Lash Philipsburg-Osceola, Tommy Edwards Clearfield.
Williamsburg at Moshannon Valley: Mo Valley was knocked from ranks of undefeated last week by Everett. It won’t happen two weeks in a row. Williamsburg might have best Blue Pirate team in 10 years, but won’t be able to keep it close beyond first half. Look for Black Knights to run over, around and through Williamsburg.
The picks: Miller Moshannon Valley, John Harlow Moshannon Valley, Kerry Naylor Moshannon Valley, Kerry Webster Moshannon Valley, Chris Lash Moshannon Valley, Tommy Edwards Moshannon Valley.
Bellefonte at Indian Valley: Winless Red Raiders are so hard up for victories, they played several varsity starters and had the head varsity coach calling plays in junior varsity games. Not much hope for Friday against an Indian Valley team that has underachieved this season. Look for that trend to end against Bellefonte. With two Indian mascots battling, look for Valley.
The picks: Miller Indian Valley, John Harlow Indian Valley, Kerry Naylor Indian Valley, Kerry Webster Indian Valley, Chris Lash Indian Valley, Tommy Edwards Indian Valley.
Everett at Chestnut Ridge: Undefeated Everett continued on a mission last week by vanquishing Moshannon Valley from the ranks of the unbeaten. ICC Southern front-runner Warriors appear ready for another test against ICC Nittany Ridge. Lions have just week one six-point loss to Bishop Guilfoyle to date. Everett beat Glendale 23-13 and Claysburg 33-8. Ridge beat Glendale 58-3 and Claysburg 21-14.
The picks: Miller Everett, John Harlow Chestnut Ridge, Kerry Naylor Everett, Kerry Webster Everett, Chris Lash Everett, Tommy Edwards Everett.
Hollidaysburg at State College: State College has tasted defeat only once, a week-two 29-14 loss to state-ranked Central Dauphin and owns a win over Altoona. Altoona defeated previous Number Four ranked Easton last week and has handed Hollidaysburg one of the Tigers two losses. State knocked off Dubois 35-0, Hollidaysburg defeated the Beavers 42-17.
The picks: Miller State College, John Harlow State College, Kerry Naylor State College, Kerry Webster State College, Chris Lash State College, Tommy Edwards State College.
Bald Eagle Area at Huntingdon: Huntingdon is fresh from their 600th win and ready to keep on trucking. Bald Eagle Area will wonder what the license number of the truck that flattened them on Friday night. Geof Kozak and company continue to tear through the season undefeated with little to stop them at least until the Bearcats week 10 rendezvous with bitter rival Hollidaysburg.
The picks: Miller Huntingdon, John Harlow Huntingdon, Kerry Naylor Huntingdon, Kerry Webster Huntingdon, Chris Lash Huntingdon, Tommy Edwards Huntingdon.
Wisconsin at Penn State: Joe Paterno has openly criticized the Nittany Lion defense which ranks last in the Big 10 in run defense. While the Penn State defense is ranked first in pass defense, against Big 10 teams, if you can’t stop the run, it’s “Katie bar the door!” Look at the additions and subtractions-Penn State quarterback Zach Mills is out and Badger wideout Lee Evans, who didn’t play at all last year with a knee injury is back and leads the Big 10 in reception yardage to go with four TDs. Paterno clings to the potential of this year’s group, but that isn’t now. That is in the future.
The picks: Miller Wisconsin 28-20, John Harlow Wisconsin 20-10, Kerry Naylor Wisconsin 32-18, Kerry Webster Penn State 18-6, Chris Lash Wisconsin 28-14, Tommy Edwards Wisconsin 24-14.
Browns at Steelers: This is always a grudge match whether it is the old Browns or the new Browns. Pittsburgh coach Bill Cowher wants to see more of the Tommy Maddox who leads the NFL in passing yardage and less of the Tommy Maddox who has thrown six interceptions, including two that have been returned for TDs and another that was run back to the Steelers one-yard line. Turnovers and poor special teams play have cost the Steelers five touchdowns in losses to Kansas City and Tennessee. Tim Couch will start at quarterback for the second straight week for injured Kelly Holcomb. Holcomb threw for 429 yards against the Steelers last January, third highest yardage in playoff history.
The picks Miller Steelers 34-24, John Harlow Steelers 31-7, Kerry Naylor Steelers 29-21, Kerry Webster Steelers 27-12, Chris Lash Steelers 34-24, Tommy Edwards Steelers 30-17.
GOOD SPORTS: Tyrone freshman Tyler Mertiff saw mopup action in IUP’s 35-13 win over Millersville last Saturday. Mertiff has recovered from his foot injury and is currently number two on the depth chart at quarterback. A red shirt year is still in the possibilities, depending on the decision of the coaches. IUP plays at Clarion this Saturday. Game time is 2 p.m.
Juniata College enjoyed a bye week last weekend, but will play at Susquehanna this Saturday at 1:30 p.m. Former B-A tailback/safety Matt Garner leads the Eagles in tackles with 37 and has broken up two passes and recovered a fumble.Despite playing against three run-oriented teams, Juniata has cut their yard per rush average to 3.7, a half-yard better than a year ago, allowing just 213 yards rushing per game.
