Good afternoon!
It’s time to put on our picking togs and select the high school, college and pro picks for Week Seven.
We thank Dave Brisbin, who was our guest last week and say Hello to this weeks special guest Mike Harris. Mike is a 1985 Tyrone grad and is presently coach of the Tyrone boys’ basketball program, teaches at Hollidaysburg and coaches the Golden Tigers girls softball program as well.
Last week, guest picker Dave Brisbin, Bob Miller and Chris Lash all shared top honors with eight of 10 right, while John Harlow and Kerry Naylor (Kerry was on jury duty, but was able to get his selections in after deadline for Thursday’s Daily Herald but just made the deadline established by the rules committee-before the paper was printed and back to Tyrone) each went 7-3.
Overall, the guests continue to lead with 48-12, Bob Miller is three back with a 45-15 card, followed by Kerry Naylor and Chris Lash at 43-17 and John Harlow with 39-21.
Tyrone at Philipsburg-Osceola: Tyrone was their own worst enemy last Saturday night committing seven turnovers in a four-point loss to Pius X, who was a very tough opponent, despite a 2-3 record coming into the contest. Tyler Mertiff and Aaron Jeffries are the most exciting duo to come along in quite a while, giving Tyrone a threat anywhere on the field. P-O has had trouble scoring for a new coach, unable to score more than seven points a game this year, except last week when they were snowed under by Clearfield 48-21.
The Picks: Miller Tyrone 45-0, John Harlow Tyrone 35-14, Kerry Naylor Tyrone 49-0, Chris Lash Tyrone 26-7, Mike Harris Tyrone 35-14,
Bellwood-Antis at Chestnut Ridge: Bellwood-Antis has been ripping through the schedule since getting their eyes opened against undefeated BG in week two, outscoring four opponents 194-35, using a two-edged attack rushing and passing practically at will. Ridge is 3-3 with a lot of underclassmen who need at least another year of learning before the Lions will be ready to challenge for much of anything.
The Picks: Miller Bellwood-Antis 47-7, John Harlow Bellwood-Antis 70-0, Kerry Naylor Bellwood-Antis 49-0, Chris Lash Bellwood-Antis 41-10, Mike Harris Bellwood-Antis 35-3.
Bishop Guilfoyle at Mount Union: Two programs a world apart right now. BG is 6-0 and is big, tough and aggressive and athletic enough to go a long way. Mount Union has just 18 healthy? players in uniform and a couple more who can’t play for non-athletic reasons. The kids left will give a fight, but BG has too much and too many.
The Picks: Miller Bishop Guilfoyle (by 50 if we were scoring this game) John Harlow Bishop Guilfoyle, Kerry Naylor Bishop Guilfoyle, Chris Lash Bishop Guilfoyle, Mike Harris Bishop Guilfoyle.
Bald Eagle Area at Clearfield: Bald Eagle Area has moved the ball around and scored points staying with just about everybody they have played. The problem hasn’t been staying close, it has been winning. Clearfield has scored more than 40 points for three straight weeks, after a loss to undefeated Indian Valley in week three,
The Picks: Miller Clearfield, John Harlow Clearfield, Kerry Naylor Clearfield, Chris Lash Clearfield, Mike Harris Clearfield.
Moshannon Valley at Northern Bedford: The first of two games involving undefeated teams, this one is in Class A. The small school powers have two common opponents and the scores don’t really help in choosing between them. Mo Valley defeated Glendale 26-0 and Northern Bedford knocked off Glendale 28-13, while Mo Valley edged Southern Huntingdon 7-0 and Northern Bedford squeaked by Southern Huntingdon 14-9.
The Picks: Miller Moshannon Valley, John Harlow Moshannon Valley, Kerry Naylor Northern Bedford, Chris Lash Moshannon Valley, Mike Harris Moshannon Valley.
Indian Valley at Huntingdon: Undefeated matchup #2, this one is in Class AAA. This is the case of the immovable object versus the irresistible force. Which Big 8 power will remain undefeated, take the lead in District playoff points and gain a large measure of superiority with a win on Friday night. If you have to make a selection in this one go with the home team.
The Picks: Miller Huntingdon, John Harlow Indian Valley, Kerry Naylor Huntingdon, Chris Lash Huntingdon, Mike Harris Huntingdon.
IUP at Edinboro: IUP is undefeated (5-0) and once again nationally ranked in Division II (No. 13 before last Saturday’s 43-16 win over Millersville) behind quarterback Brian Eyerman and favorite receiver Carmen Ocasio. Ediboro is down this season, suffering a 41-7 loss at Shippensburg last week. If the game comes to down to punting, Sean McNicholas, a pro prospect for Edinboro, raised his punting average to 48.4 per kick for the year.
The Picks: Miller IUP, John Harlow IUP, Kerry Naylor IUP, Chris Lash IUP, Mike Harris IUP.
Pitt at Notre Dame: Pitt (5-1) is having one of their best years in quite a while. The offense was a big question at first, but QB Rod Rutherford has gotten better with each game and so have his receivers. The defense, which carried the Panthers early has continued to excel as the offense takes off. However, none of the Pitt players have been in the situation of Notre Dame Stadium with so many and so loud a crowd against a top-10 team. Is the rejuvenated Note Dame under new coach Tyrone (love the first name) Willingham the real thing?
The Picks: Miller Notre Dame 27-24, John Harlow Pitt 17-10, Kerry Naylor Pitt 24-8, Chris Lash Notre Dame 24-21, Mike Harris Notre Dame 14-10.
Penn State at Michigan: Penn State continues its road trip with a stop at Michigan. With eight home games at Beaver Stadium, road games are few and far between. This is a battle between No. 15 Penn State and No. 10 Michigan. Look for another close nip-and-tuck battle similar to last week’s contest with Wisconsin. Michigan has been more successful in recruiting PA prospects than any other Big 10 school since the Nittany Lions were admitted to the conference in 1993.
The Picks: Miller Penn State 27-25, John Harlow Michigan 21-17, Kerry Naylor Penn State 31-16, Chris Lash Penn State 16-14, Mike Harris Penn State 35-31.
Steelers at Cincinnati: Will the Steelers finally revert to the style of play everybody expects of them since last season, or will they continue to flounder as the have so far in 2002? Can the Bengals continue to operate at the level they performed last week with Jon Kitna at quarterback? Can we ask more questions about this matchup than any other in the column? One thing is certainly not subject to question. If the Steelers are to turn it around, the defense must stop playing like a pin cushion giving up yards and points like they are going out of style.
The Picks: Miller Steelers 30-21, John Harlow Steelers 4-3, Kerry Naylor Steelers 3-0, Chris Lash Steelers 31-17, Mike Harris Steelers 35-3.
AREA SPORTS NOTESs: Lauren Woodring skated off with a silver medal in figure skating with a second place finish at the Regionals in York. Lauren’s mom reports her coach will be getting 12-year old Lauren to attempt her first triple jump in competition by summer 2003.
TACO will be holding their annual Punt, Pass and Kick Competition this Saturday morning at Gray Veterans Memorial Field. Registration will be at 8:45 a.m. and competition will begin at 10 a.m
