Are you ready for some football?
Welcome to the official blog on high school football for the 2013 season.
During the off-season let’s talk about players, recruiting news, teams and everything about high school football.
During the season each week let’s talk about match-ups and how teams did. Let us know what player(s) stood out each week.
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Want to check out the Imhotep vs West Catholic Championship game from the comfort of your own warm man-cave?
Call 610-624-4111 and push #2 so the game can be selected as the game of the week. This will help it to be televised Friday night..
@Colin
Here’s one for you. One of the best games I have ever seen in person. Hershey Stadium, Class 3A Eastern Final 1994 – Manheim Central 13-0 versus Berwick 12-1. An early fumble recovery lead to a 7-0 edge for the Berwick Dawgs. Manheim Central (MC)answered with the best short-passing game I have ever seen! Matt Nagy may have been the MC QB; as he was in 1995 a senior All-State MC selection. Dave Robbins was the Dawgs’ QB. With mostly a succession of short, very quick-release darts, MC went down and scored, 7-7. The next score was MC again, the same way, with a 2-pt PAT, 15-7 MC. Next the Barons’ held the Dawgs’ to a 4th down at the MC 6 or 7. The Dawgs’ converted a FG, 15-10 MC. Later QB Robbins hit a receiver right between two defenders for a great catch and TD; they missed a 2-pt PAT; 16-15 Berwick. With the Dawgs’ now well aware of the short passing game, MC broke off a 60-yard off-tackle type run and another 2-pt conversion. At the half 23-16 MC. Berwick had deferred its second half decision and got the kickoff, drove the field, kicked a PAT and it was 23-23. A tighter “D” got the Dawgs’ a 29 (PAT sailed right) to 23 lead in the fourth quarter. But, with a little over two minutes left in the game, MC again scored and with the PAT took a 30-29 lead. The Dawgs’ then had a fine kickoff return aided by a 15-yard penalty on MC. Robbins then hit a long pass, and 2-pt PAT and it was 37-30 Berwick, but the potent MC offense had 1:18 left to gain a tie or lead with a 2-pt PAT. And they drove the length of the field in that time. With 23 seconds left in the game the Barons’ were on the Dawgs’ 4-yard line. Then, a pass to the end zone was grabbed by number 90; but he was in white and blue, a Berwick pick; which finally won the game. A tremendous ball game!
Before certain people start condescending, the brackets are updated.
Cheers Dave.
Lets not get crazy on last weeks games, it the playoff all you have to do is win.Dont start comparing scores of games, Berwick might have got caught looking ahead.Both Abington and Berwick will be ready for Saturday game should be a great match up
here in D2
i like
Wyoming Valley West over Scranton
Abington over Berwick
Lake lehmann over Lakeland
Dunmore over OldForge
Should be a great weekend of high school football
Just to chime in on the E.C playoffs their so much history their i hope that they never go away away
OL Coach, EC is a great way for younger teams on the way up to get 1/2 extra games or Seniors who may never play again 1/2 more games. Drill down deeper than the records and look at the factors that don’t show up in the W L collum. Help us understand the slap in the face argument? Ask any player, hey you guys were on the bubble to make the playoffs, raise your hand if you want to play 1 or 2 more games. Every hand would go up. It’s about the kids, not the adults.
OL Coach, EC is a great way for younger teams on the way up to get 1/2 extra games or Seniors who may never play again 1/2 more games. Drill down deeper than the records and look at the factors that don’t show up in the W L collum. Help us understand the slap in the face argument? Ask any player, hey you guys were on the bubble to make the playoffs, raise your hand if you want to play 1 or 2 more games. Every hand would go up. Are you Ritchie Incognito’s OL coach?
Quick question, is anyone else NOT getting an updated bracket on this website or is it just me again?
Anyone EXCEPT Jive or OL Coach can answer. Of course, they’ll be the only ones that do answer:)
@ Perk Valley:
I didn’t know PV has been in existence that long?
When did they form?
@ OL Coach
While looking up info. about the EC playoffs and team records, you neglected to mention the many schools in District playoffs that support a .500 record or less. How many schools in District playoffs have a worse record than EC playoffs. Let the kids get some experience. From 1988 till 92, District 2 teams went to the EC and the consolation playoffs were Districts.
As for Eastern Conference… Anything that gives kids something to play for and fans to cheer for in November/December is a W in my book.
This might count as an upset. In AA… 2006 Wilson Warriors over the Terrelle Pryor led Jeannette Jayhawks 29-28
@ Buddy
Perk Valley @ CB West should be very entertaining and high scoring. I would love for PV to come out on top. These teams haven’t played each other since 1985 in the old Bux-Mont League. West holds a 13-2 series advantage and in 1971 (yeah, that’s a looong time ago) they gave PV their worst defeat, 56-0. It’s time for a little payback! I will be in the crowd on Friday night!
GO VIKINGS!!!!!!!
OL Coach
The Eastern Conference is a great thing. Think of it like the NIT Tournament of PA high school football. It rewards teams that have decent years, but didn’t make the offical playoffs. And it has nothing to do with the PIAA. It is a great way for teams to get an extra week or two of practice. And the only way a 4-6 team can make the EC, is if it will complete the four team bracket.
Also, keep in mind that there are no Thanksgiving day games left in D2. This is how we get the extra games after week 10.
Kmac, I like it. Something new never hurts. Just thought id throw a curve. Some of the banter get a little old in here 🙂
@Colin
You were talking about some “new” topics regarding memorable upsets in past playoffs. I will have to dig a bit for that one; but here’s a thought I had – who are the two best teams (talking 4A first)to have never sniffed Hershey since the 1988 beginning of state championships? My vote – east – Easton; west – Gateway.
@Everyone,
Lets try to jog a few memories. In any playoff there will always be upsets. Who wants to share any thoughts of a memorable upset that they may have witnessed in past PIAA playoffs? Doesn’t matter if it was a state final or a first round game. Would love to hear some thoughts…Heck even if you didn’t witness it talk about it anyway lol
You could be right Tsaf………From top bottom D7 is probably the best district. Ya never know from week to week what team may play over their head and knock off one of the western big boys. Maybe someone who knows Wilson can shed some light. LAst year they were not competitive against NA. 2 Years ago Central Dauphin upset NA so you never know
@OL Coach, the Eastern Conference at one time was the biggest conference in PA, and winning it was as big a deal as winning the WPIAL. It was basically coal region ball, known for the toughest teams out there at the time. When the PIAA playoffs came along the EC became almost an afterthought. It is actually larger now as far as number of schools, but the PIAA playoffs get the first dibs. The best of the rest are then eligible for the EC playoffs. It has become a great way for teams on the cusp to get some playoff experience and an extra game. Quite a few teams use it as a springboard to the PIAA district playoffs. Don’t like it, don’t watch it. The teams that make it look upon it as a reward.
Someone please explain this “Eastern Conference” to me.
Here are the regular season records of the teams in this thing:
4 – 6: 1 team
5 – 5: 5 teams
6 – 4: 4 teams
7 – 3: 6 teams
PIAA playoff games are a reward for teams who have had success during their season and deserve a reward.
What success did these teams have with records like the above? Why reward teams who can’t even attain a .500 record?
Personally, I think these teams still playing is just a slap in the face to the programs who were successful this season. Maybe it’s time to mothball this thing.
@ Perk Valley:
I agree. Springford is damn good! Huge team also.
Will have hands full with Neshaminy at heartbreak ridge though. I see a real tight match. Might have to give slight nod to Neshaminy only due to home field. An upset wouldn’t shock me though.
What’d you think about your alma mater against CB West?
@ Ron
By that statement, AH should have lost to Berwick last season. Who won that contest? The worst thing to do is use comparative wins by points. In your case, Southern Columbia should beat Berwick because Southern beat Selingsgrove by more points. You are neglecting all the details!
Berwick crushed Crestwood first game of the season, 49-7 and what happened last week. 14-13.
Scranton Prep beat AH 21-14 during the regular season. What happened on Friday?
Berwick may win and go all the way to the Eastern Finals however don’t make an argument over who beat who and by how many. Injuries, preparation and the fact that these teams are kids playing makes a huge difference from outcome to outcome. Good thing Coach Curry doesn’t think like that and overlook opponents. I know he and Coach Repshis will have their kids ready to go. Should be a great game to see.
@ Jive
Sorry, I thought you were trying to get an uproar from the others that do not believe there is any advantage at all in a bye week in PIAA playoffs. It appears that this case is a prime example for the playoffs. I hope the QB isn’t injured and would be back for this weeks game with Franklin however it is an opportunity to rest him and get him ready to take on the D11 champ.
@ Colin
I agree, the teams in D7 do not look as strong in AAAA from the observations of games played. However, they could also be on another level competitively in the sense that the winner may just as well do what N.A. did last season. We will see at the end. N.A. did barely beat Woodland Hills last season in the D7 final. Maybe Wilson (West Lawn) is for real and can compete with the D7 champ. I hope our eastern rep. can take home the championship.
@littleguyscoach,
I too have a sneaky suspicion that the FKD/PREP game could be closer that anticipated. ON paper it shouldn’t be much of a game. But as Chris Berman would say “that’s why they play the games”. In the end I think PREP will win. But just a hunch here that says it could be close…..OK now everyone can kill me 🙂
@tsaf,
I wasn’t trying to bait you on that one. Your views on the bye week popped into my head when I heard about the injury. Got me thinking, actually adds a lot more validity to your point.
@football fan, one should at least attempt to be a gracious loser. You came on here yapping Rustin over and over; take your lumps and go home graciously.