The first week of the football season is history. Some of us are glad to see it gone because it didn’t turn out the way we wanted and some have a solid beginning on which to continue building up bragging rights.
In the head-to-head battle of the brainiacs picking at the Herald, General Manager Chris (I’ll jump out to a big lead) Lash backed up his words with a perfect 10-for-10 to jump into the early lead as advertised. Newcomer Kerry Webster made his first week a tough act to follow going 9-1. Webster missed only on the Penns Valley win over Bellefonte, which was a stumbling block for everyone, except Lash. Kerry Naylor missed only the Penns Valley win and Southern Cal-Auburn games to finish 8-2. John Harlow and Week One guest Ted Beam both missed three games to finish 7-3. Sports Editor Bob Miller brings up the rear with a 6-4 mark during the first week.
The second week of the season brings more potential landmines with seven high school games, two college picks and the Steelers opening game.
Guest picker for this week is Huntingdon native and Daily Herald publisher George “Scoop” Sample (otherwise known as the man who signs our paychecks).
Huntingdon at Tyrone: Tyrone ripped up Bellwood-Antis 27-0 in their season opener, taking advantage of whatever they were given. Eagles coach John Franco had a well-developed plan as usual. The Orange and Black must do a better job at being two-dimensional against Huntingdon after going just 0-for-3 passing. Huntingdon slipped by Laurel highlands 20-18 last week, building up a 20-6 lead and holding on while Highlands scored two fourth-quarter TDs to close the gap. Tyrone needs to stop or considerably slow down Bearcat QB Geoff Kozak, who had a hand in all three Huntingdon scores.
The picks: Miller Tyrone 21-19, John Harlow Tyrone 21-17, Kerry Naylor Tyrone 14-10, Kerry Webster Huntingdon 28-14, Chris Lash Tyrone 21-20, Scoop Sample Huntingdon 22-21.
Mercyhurst Prep at Bellwood-Antis: Bellwood-Antis needs a win to help their young inexperienced personnel to continue to grow. Neither offense nor defense was able to do much against Tyrone, although field position played a big part in the determination. Head coach John Hayes needs someone to step up and become a leader. This could be the week that the young Blue Devils go a long way toward becoming a team that down the road will need to be reckoned with. Mercyhurst Prep, a private school from the Erie area has been down for the past few seasons, since challenging for the district title three years ago.
The picks: Miller Bellwood-Antis 27-7, John Harlow Bellwood-Antis 49-0, Kerry Naylor Bellwood-Antis 7-0, Kerry Webster Bellwood-Antis 16-3, Chris Lash Bellwood-Antis 20-7, Scoop Sample Bellwood-Antis 21-7.
Philipsburg-Osceola at Bellefonte: Philipsburg-Osceola routed Lewistown in their opener last week. Rumors are flying, that this is the best P-O football squad in a long time. The first thing opponents are going to have to do is stop Adam White, who rambled for 282 yards and four TDs in the opener. Bellefonte is coming off their first opening season loss to Penns Valley in quite a while, but has home field advantage if that is a factor. Don’t count on it.
The picks: Miller Philipsburg-Osceola, John Harlow Philipsburg-Osceola, Kerry Naylor Philipsburg-Osceola, Kerry Webster Philipsburg-Osceola, Chris Lash Philipsburg-Osceola, Scoop Sample Philipsburg-Osceola.
Penns Valley at Bishop Guilfoyle: As mentioned above, Penns Valley, which has played a lot underclassmen for the last three seasons, had no trouble dispersing of Bellefonte last week, jumping way up on the Red Raiders before settling for a two TD win. BG has two big running backs in Matt Georgiana (154 yards) and Josh Destefano (53 yards) and received offensive help from new junior QB Adam Trybus (two short TD runs). This one is a real tough choice.
The picks: Miller Penns Valley, John Harlow Penns Valley, Kerry Naylor Penns Valley, Kerry Webster Bishop Guilfoyle, Chris Lash Bishop Guilfoyle, Scoop Sample Bishop Guilfoyle.
Lewistown at Bald Eagle Area: Lewistown was pummeled by P-O last week. The Panthers haven’t seen the plus side of .500 at the conclusion of a season since the 1970s. BEA has been on a down slide in recent years, but is the home team and opened the year last week by edging Milton 12-8.
The picks: Miller Bald Eagle Area, John Harlow Bald Eagle Area, Kerry Naylor Bald Eagle Area, Kerry Webster Lewistown, Chris Lash Bald Eagle Area, Scoop Sample Bald Eagle Area.
Chestnut Ridge at Mount Union: Big things have been predicted for Ridge in the ICC, but Section I hopes flew out the window in the season opener when BG broke out early 20-0 on the way to a 20-14 win over the Lions. Mount Union was a huge winner (44-0) over Carson Long in their opener, but does that really mean anything? Mount Union has only 20 players on the roster, so the available talent is extremely thin. Look for Chestnut Ridge to begin their climb toward a playoff berth.
The picks: Miller Chestnut Ridge, John Harlow Chestnut Ridge, Kerry Naylor Mount Union, Kerry Webster Mount Union, Chris Lash Chestnut Ridge, Scoop Sample Mount Union.
Moshannon Valley at West Branch: Mo Valley started with a win over Southern Huntingdon last week, while West Branch was dropping a surprising 14-7 decision to Juniata Valley. Moshannon Valley showed a strong rushing attack with P. J. Keith running for 206 yards for the Knights and scoring three TDs, as Moshannon Valley was just shy of 300 yards rushing. West Branch took the early lead and had more total yards, but gave up two big plays each resulting in a score.
The picks: Miller Moshannon Valley, John Harlow Moshannon Valley, Kerry Naylor Moshannon Valley, Kerry Webster Moshannon Valley, Chris Lash Moshannon Valley, Scoop Sample Moshannon Valley.
Kent State at Pitt: It’s the season opener for Pitt. The question is can the Panthers get past all the distractions and concentrate on playing football for coach Walt Harris. A player’s death over the summer and QB Rod Rutherford’s indiscretions are only part of the problems that must be put aside for what is the most anticipated season in 20 years at Pitt. Kent State should provide only a minor speedbump in progress toward the Panthers’ ambitions as long as Pitt doesn’t get sidetracked.
The picks: Miller Pitt 30-7, John Harlow Pitt 35-10, Kerry Naylor Pitt 25-12, Kerry Webster Pitt 35-19, Chris Lash Pitt 34-17, Scoop Sample Pitt 35-12.
Boston College at Penn State: You don’t have to go any further than State College, PA, to remember that an ambush is always possible in the earlygoing. The Nittany Lions have been caught by several small-time opponents in recent years before State even gets up steam for the rough and tumble Big 10 season. Boston College owns at least one of those wins and shouldn’t be dismissed lightly this season either. JoPa says he was satisfied with the line against Temple, but a 10-point victory over a school known for its basketball prowess isn’t very assuring.
The picks: Miller Penn State 30-17, John Harlow Boston College (Hollywood’s upset pick of the week) 27-21, Kerry Naylor Penn State 24-8, Kerry Webster Penn State 48-21, Chris Lash Penn State 21-14, George Sample Penn State 21-7.
Baltimore at Steelers: The Steelers have decided to go with “Famous” Amos Zereoue over Jerome Bettis. Does that mean “The Bus” is permanently parked in the garage? In a battle of “8s” will “Slinging” Tommy Maddox be able to outgun rookie Kyle Boller? Will Ravens’ super linebacker ray Lewis be able to get back to his All Pro caliber play following an injury and long recovery process? Can Lewis team with rookie Terrell Suggs to become an effective force against the Steelers passing combination of Maddox to Hines Ward, Plaxico Burress, Antwaan Randle El and Jay Riemersma?
The picks: Miller Steelers 30-27, John Harlow Baltimore 17-7, Kerry Naylor Steelers 17-7, Kerry Webster Steelers 16-3, Chris Lash Steelers 24-21, George Sample Steelers 17-14.
If you find yourself with nothing to do this Saturday aftrenoon, why not take a short drive to Loretto or Huntingdon and enjoy a small college football? Both St. Francis and Juniata play at home this weekend.
St. Francis, with Bellwood-Antis freshman Dan Graham as the Red Flash placekicker opens their season at the Pine Bowl against Gannon at 1 p.m.
Juniata, with former Blue Devils Matt Garner and Duane Ehredt open at Knox Stadium against Dickinson, the lone non-MAC opponent on the Eagles schedule at 1:30 p.m. Ehredt is a freshman running back and Garner, a junior, is the starter on defense at strong safety.
