Are you ready for some football?
Welcome to the official forum on high school football for the 2025 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.
1,528 Responses
@ Dennis.
Landsdale Catholic has a QB that apparently committed to Akron. He can really throw the ball around and likes to run. I haven’t seen SCA or Landsdale play this year, however I think it will be all SCA in the 2nd half. This game has my interest. I’ll be taking a ride down to Lehighton.
Southern vs Lansdale Catholic What do you guys think about that one.
Earlier in the season I said the talent on this years Southern team wasn’t on par with their other state champ teams. While I still stand by that, they are still playing and I think they will handle Lansdale Catholic. I couldn’t believe how bad they beat Steel High.
Lansdale has good size up front and can throw the ball, Southern on the other hand runs the wing t as well as anyone and appears to be rolling at this point. Probably give Southern the edge in a game that could end up being closer then people may think.
Gimme Southern all day. They definitely suited their strength of schedule exactly for matchups like these and have wonderful discipline. I’m not familiar with Lansdale’s offensive/defensive schema but Southern’s only loss came to Wyomissing, another user of the Wing T offense who knew Southern’s seemingly unusual strategy.
Jim Roth is 22-1 in State Semifinal games. He is the Maestro of PA HS coaches. He will figure out a way to slow down Lansdale Catholics passing game.
Pine-Richland = Philadelphia Eagles??
Peters Twsp. = Dallas Cowboys??
Sadly, this is the final D2 Notes of the season. Let’s talk about it. It looks like they didn’t listen to the hosts of MXC when they said “Don’t get eliminated”.
3A: Dominant game this weekend by the NW Lehigh Tigers. Expected, but wish this was a better game.
4A: A no contest in Whitehall. North Pocono’s unbeaten streak had to end at some point. It was pretty much all O’Hara. North Pocono will be better next year, with many skill players returning.
1A: In probably the most shocking outcome, we saw Trail get eliminated by Belmont Charter. I didn’t expect 52-40, let alone a Tiger win. I’m not even sure how to break it down. Quite an upset involving a PPL team.
Other Observations
1A: What a crazy weekend this was. Westy held BG to 7. Laurel held Clairton to 8. Greenville stunned Port A. This was a wild weekend, & much needed in a predictable one at that. Still believe BG/Clairton is the final, but can Belmont be a diet version of a Small School Imhotep?
3A
– Nice upset by Trinity over N-G. I wonder how they match up against Northwestern.
– I expected Penn Cambria to win, but not like that. Was much more low scoring.
– Avonworth sent Imani to the woodshed.
– Yeah, we’re going to see a rematch.
4A
– We knew Quip would give OC their farewell in the playoffs.
– What a thriller we saw with Shamokin & Solehi
– Twin Valley controlled that game last night & took care of a good Susq. Township team. Really expected it to be closer than the score we got.
– I think we’ll get Solehi vs. Aliquippa, but would be fascinated in a Solehi-TV game, too.
2A
– Southern dominated Steel-High. Good lord.
– Williams Valley couldn’t quite get past a good Lansdale Catholic team. I’m not sure what they have for Southern though.
– Farrell did their thing.
– Seton & Steel Valley played a pretty nice close game. Will be curious to see how SLS fares against Farrell
5A & 6A
– We knew the outcomes of the three public vs. Private games involving PCL/PCC
– I was wrong in D1 on both ends. Very strong Springfield Delco & North Penn teams. Felt the opposite way heading in. If there’s such a thing as a miracle, either makes the state final, but that most likely won’t happen.
– I do wanna give credit to Solanco for giving a decent fight to McDevitt. They came out of nowhere in districts. Any chance they’ll be a strong contender next year or is this a flash in the pan Linsanity run?
I’ll give my 1-3-5A predictions tomorrow & 2-4-6A on Wednesday.
Great job with your D2 notes!!
A Close 2nd would be Neumann Goretti giving up 2 Touchdowns in the last minute to lose the game after shutting down Trinity for almost the entire game. 2 personal foul penalties also helped NG lose the game on the last drive.
Why do I think we’re store for 3 Championship game rematches in less then 2 weeks. 3A – 5A – 6A.
St. Joe’s won in 6A for 2024. But I do agree. Likely to be Roman vs. McDevitt and NW Lehigh vs. Avonworth.
Both NWL and Avonworth will win very comfortably and either or both of those games could be a mercy rule, I would be surprised if both don’t win by at least 3 scores, the teams both played last week are better than the teams they are playing this week, and both won in convincing fashion last week.
3A and 5A and rematch of opening week in 6A??? 🙂
I have a hunch you are going to be right, although that Peters vs. McDevitt game should be very competitive, as will Harrisburg vs. PCC, I could definitely see Harrisburg winning that game.
Kevin x …N Penn vs LaSalle at CB West that probably good for you huh
Is it at CB West or CB South?
Mike D…THe PIAA has it at CB South…https://www.piaa.org/assets/web/documents/2025_Football._6A_Brax.pdf
My Bad!!! Big time brain fart!!!! Just so use to them being there 🙂
Well we still don’t have a repeat wpial champ in the 10 year history of 5A after a stunning second half comeback by Peters to shock PR 20-19. PR totally dominated the first half and led 19-0 at halftime as Peters had no passing yardage as QB Nolan Diluccia was 0-4 and had less than 50 yards of offense PR was just manhandling them physically. The second half started much the same way as Peters had to punt but then forced a 3 and out by PR and got the ball back at their own 25 yard line. On their first play RB Cole Neupauer broke a 75 yard run to make it 19-6 and the comeback was on. Peters defense continued to stymie PR’s offense and Neupauer eventually had another rushing td a few minutes into the fourth to make it 19-13. PR got conservative on offense and thought they could win the game with their defense but Peters kept coming and completed a big pass on fourth and 4 from around midfield that led to the go ahead td a few plays later with just under 4 minutes to go and Peters held on for the win. I am still in shock Peters came back and won just a stunning turnaround they were totally dominated in the first half and looked lifeless and dispirited no question TJ Plack totally out coached Jon LeDonne in the second half and must have given one helluva halftime speech to his team.
SOUTHERN VS LANSDALE CATHOLIC ANY COMMENTS OR PREDICTIONS
$10 cash at the gate at acrisure got you into all 4 games if you wanted to stay for them all. I watched the first 2 on TV and got here for the Avonworth – Imani game and will stay for the nightcap pretty good deal seeing 2 championship games for $10 cash! Avonworth is winning 17-0 at half they are on a collision course with NWL in what should be a tremendous game in 2 weeks.
Killing me with that 4 games for $10 cash. I could probably make it thru 2 games, but that is about it. Also, for perspective, the PCL 6A title game with La Salle and St.Joe’s at Villanova a few weeks ago was $20 on-line tix only. I didn’t go, but they may have accepted cash for those in a pinch.
But what about parking??
Ironically parking around the stadium was $20 at the lots I saw. however, Rivers Casino is right down the street, and they have a 10 story parking garage with free parking, so I parked at the casino for free and walked 2 blocks further than if I parked in a stadium lot. I couldn’t make it through all 4 games either, watched the first 2 on TV and then went to the last 2 at the stadium.
Very sloppy but entertaining game in the wpial 2A final it was scoreless at half after Seton LaSalle stopped steel valley on goal to go twice in the last 5 minutes of the second including at the half yard line with 14 seconds to go. SV then returned the opening kickoff 85 yards for a TD and then the Seton QB fumbled on their first play at their own 37 and 2 plays later in was 14-0 only 44 seconds into the half. On their next drive the Seton QB fumbled again and SV recovered in their own territory but 2 plays later Seton LB Will Martin made a leaping int to change the momentum. He subsequently had a TD run out of the wildcat to make it 14-7. It stayed that way until Martin had another TD run out of wildcat with 4 minutes to go in the game then forced a SV punt and Martin scored his third TD of the game on the ensuing drive with 40 seconds to go to lead Seton LaSalle to a 21-14 victory for their first wpial title since 2004.
Steel valley had 19 penalties for a whopping 127 yards very hard to win when you do that. Seton will be an underdog to Farrell next week but that game may be more competitive than I expected.
Interesting factoid in the 25 year history of Heinz/Acrisure stadium the Baltimore Ravens have the most victories by a visiting team with 9 in the 1A final today Clairton won their 10th game to surpass the Ravens.
Clairton holds on to defeat laurel 8-6 in a penalty filled defensive struggle and were fortunate to get the win they recovered a fumble on the 15 yard line with 2 minutes left in the 4th when laurel was getting in position to take the lead. Laurel played almost the entire first half on the Clairton side of the field and missed two 40 yard field goals wide right. I have no idea who the favorite is now in 1A maybe Belmont.
4-1 as it turned out with NG getting stunned by Trinity late but otherwise a dominating performance by the PCL like you said.
Trinity is a Catholic school west of Harrisburg. PCL did go 4-0 against public schools on Friday night.
My bad, did not realize Trinity was a Catholic school, the Trinity in the WPIAL is a public school that lost to the Quips in the first round of the 4A playoffs.
I was just as surprised when I found out the WPIAL Trinity was a public school. It’s such a classic Catholic school name.
Surprised Belmont charter not only beat Trail but put up 50 points even more surprised Greenville beat port Allegheny I thought Port would win that game by 3 scores or more. Clairton is beating laurel 8-0 at half on a TD in the last minute of the half. BG only squeaking by Westinghouse 7-6 last night was also a big surprise lots of wild stuff last night in 1A.
While district 11 had a mixed bag last night, going 2-2, the Colonial league had a great night going 2-0. I didn’t get to see any of the Williams Valley game so I won’t speak to that but I did watch the other 3.
A note on the Colonial League, while generally the league is top end heavy with a few mid tier teams, Ive been around the youth league and NW and SL almost solely play for championships throughout the years and that is reflected once they get to varsity. Its not a coincidence that these teams have been so successful when you look at their youth programs and coaching at the hs level.
3A – NW had no problem Scranton Prep, the first quarter ended 7-7 but after that it, it was all Tigers. Prep put a lot of guys in the box to stop NW’s running games which was pretty effective, about 3 ypc. However, the importance of being a balanced team cannot be stressed more this time of the year. NW went to the air like Mifflinburg did against Prep and Leh with his weapons were on point, just an excellent game. Prep on the flip side, less balanced, wasn’t running effective enough with their penalties and turnovers so when they got behind, by 2 or 3 scores, it was well out of reach. I dont expect NW to have any problem with Trinity next week.
4A – Wow, what a game. SL did their best to lose this game between penalties, turnovers and questionable coaching at times. First half was very balanced, SL had a kickoff called back to start 2nd, then went down a score, Steckert, their do it all guy left for a play the drive after, pick 6 by Steele and down 2 scores with Steckert hobbled, I thought SL was done. However, SLs defense dug in, shut down Shamokin the rest of the game, rode Steckert the rest of the game on offense, 39 carries, defense and special team, despite being banged up and missing a bunch of plays. It may have been one of the most gutsy performances I’ve ever seen, he willed them victory. SL converted a late 4th down inside the 10 and then scored with a minute left. Just a phenomenal game, Shamokin was the real deal, great team but they were very run heavy as well, if they had a true QB, they win that game. SL needs to find someone else to carry the ball and spell Steckert some though, almost 80 carries over 2 playoff games and playing both ways, I know they are young but you are asking to get the kid hurt. I think the game against Cardinal O’Hara will be another great one, super close.
6A – I watched this game the least of the 3 but Easton played a tough first quarter, then the 2nd quarter happened and the game just got away from them. Easton was a very good team but asking them to beat LaSalle just wasn’t going to happen, too many athletes, too much size and speed. LaSalle also knew Easton was a primary run team from the RPO and they did a great job stopping it. Easton threw more than usual because of that but they just arent a very efficient passing team. Great season by Easton but teams that are just on different levels.
Are there any comments about the Belmont – Trail game?
regarding the sarcasm aimed at the d2 guys just because you played with an unfair advantage and lost in the quarter final does not absolve the wrongdoing.more likely is that they never would have gotten this far to begin with. i have to believe that no one is ignorant of this, only playing ignorant to score a point. (but maybe!!!).
The Philadelphia Catholic League, how do they say it, had themselves a night against those public schools last night:
4-0
Aggregate final score 165-40
Aggregate halftime score 110-13
4-1 as it turned out with NG getting stunned by Trinity late but otherwise a dominating performance by the PCL like you said.
Trinity is a Catholic school.
Kevin x …Scranton Prep will have to increase their payroll next yr all those players they have been getting from far and wide were not enough last night. A few people will be partying in the streets up in District 2. You know they have been waiting for this moment for the entire season
Evidently Scranton Prep didn’t get the memo, that they were suppose to beat a public school last night. They were the only Catholic school to loose to a public school statewide last night. The rest of the Catholics went 7-0 against our tax payer funded public schools.
Then the D2 folks woke up with a nasty hangover with the realization that their 2025 high school football season is over for them. PIAA hoops season starts in earnest the week of December 1st.
NG lost late so the Catholic/privates were 7-2.
7-1 🙂
Trinity-26-Neumann Goretti 22 Fireworks in the last minute of the game as Trinity scored twice, the last TD with 11 seconds left after recovering an onsides kick. NG was leading 22-14 and it looked like the game was over as Trinity struggled on offense the entire game. Trinity hit some big passes in the last minute to score a TD and they went for 2. A penalty negated a successful 2 point play and they failed on the 2nd 2 point try. 22-20 NG leads, Trinity recovered an onside kick with less than a minute to go, they drove down to the 3 yard line and on 4th down initially trotted out the fieldgoal team, NG calls timeout to ice the kicker and Trinity then decided to go for it on 4th down with no timeouts left, they scored on a QB sneak to win the game. Whats funny is the fieldgoal kicker for Trinity looked ill when they ran out the fieldgoal team, I think Trinity’s coach sensed this and decided to run the ball instead.
Good luck next week.
Cya next year district 2
so i guess jc only want’s to talk actual football games ,at least that is his statement. he was done talking about district 2 also. Yet here he is referencing d2 unprovoked and recently he was rearranging north schuykill’s schedule and league affilliation.
Here is my take on district 2 and no disrespect. Your football teams are down right now. Wyoming area was the last great team and had a nice 2 year run. Your hanging your hat on Lackawanna trail and they lose to teams every year in the state playoffs that people are shocked by, they shouldn’t be. Scranton prep gets abused for recruiting but if there recruiting there not doing a good job or the talent is just not there to recruit from because they lose in the state playoffs every year. Your district is down and sinking further.
I wouldn’t mind them in district 2 dominating the district
@Jc
At least I can confidently say I don’t feel as bad that Lakeland lost to Lansdale Catholic the way they did. Lansdale looked pretty awesome again with their 33-7 Beat down of Williams Valley a solid Williams Valley that was tearing through their path on their way to their eventual demise
Mark this down in your note books
This will be most likely the first time that I will support a catholic or private school when Lansdale faces Southern Columbia next
Good luck Lansdale you’re gonna need it. You have a wild buzz saw Heading your way. Better get ready for Southern Columbia. They’re hungry.
So you root for whoever beats your Alma mater even if it’s a catholic school and after you cry about there recruiting in all of Philadelphia even though you know nothing about where they get there kids from. When you quit school in 8th grade you missed alot. Wherever Lakeland is they should deport you to shenandoah.
We are all marking it down in our notebooks, thanks for the heads-up what would we all do without this kind of riveting analysis.
YAYYYY 🙂
The Scranton Preparatory lost
Northwestern Lehigh won
Best of luck winning the gold again
I used to do these previews for PaPreps, don’t have a good place to put them anymore, so enjoy.
Easton vs. LaSalle
Easton State Playoffs: 1991 (SF), 1993 (SF), 2003 (SF), 2004 (SF), 2009 (QF), 2010 (QF)
LaSalle State Playoffs: 2009 (champs), 2010 (finals), 2011 (SF), 2012 (SF), 2015 (QF)
History: 2009 – LaSalle 17 Easton 14 (state quarters) / 2010 – LaSalle 19 Easton 7 (state quarters)
The 2009 game was a classic, with Easton racing out to a 14-0 lead, but LaSalle engineered a TD drive, then Easton fumbled the ensuing kickoff and LaSalle scored to tie the game at 14 before halftime. The second half was played in driving snow, with neither team really able to move the ball much, but LaSalle’s Mike Bennett hit one of the great field goals in PIAA history, 38 yards in the snow to win 17-14. Easton had the ball at the LaSalle 20 in the fourth quarter, but threw an interception to end the game. Easton partisans like myself would tell you that was the de facto state final as LaSalle crushed Ridley in the semis and State College in the finals. In 2010, Easton took a 7-3 lead into halftime, after holding the ball for nearly the entire second quarter on a 10 minute TD drive, but LaSalle took a 12-7 lead in the third quarter and then after Easton crossed the 50 with five minutes left, Jamal Abdur-Rahman took an interception 65 yards for the clinching score.
LaSalle College High School
QB: Gavin Sidwar (Sr. 6’3 190; Missouri): 186-264, 2,771 yards, 32 TDs
RB: Ahzir Nelson (Jr. 5’9 190)*: 119 carries, 689 yards, 12 TDs
WR: Joey O’Brien (Sr. 6’4 190; Notre Dame)*: 66 catches, 977 yards, 16 TDs
WR: Owen Johnson (So. 5’10 180): 52 catches, 728 yards, 8 TDs/2 carries, 55 yards, TD/2 Return TDs
WR: Jimmy Mahoney (5’8 160)*: 23 catches, 428 yards
TE: John-Patrick Oates (Sr. 6’3 220; James Madison): 30 catches, 440 yards
LT: Grayson McKeough (Sr. 6’8 290; Notre Dame)
LG: Chris Bernesky (Jr. 6’3 290)
C: Jacob Jackson (Sr. 6’2 250)
RG: Andrew Sorge (Jr. 6’2 290)*
RT: Danny Lawyer (Sr. 6’3 285)
DE: John-Patrick Oates (Sr. 6’3 220; James Madison): 30 tackles, 5 TLF, 2 sacks
DT: Jemel Williams (Sr. 6’2 270; Albany): 51 tackles, 7 TFL, 2.5 sacks
DT: Kyree Mitchell (So. 6’0 270): 16 tackles, 4 TFL, 2 sacks
DE: Ryan Fandozzi (Sr. 5’11 210): 48 tackles, 6 TFL, 1.5 sacks
LB: Cooper Heilig (Sr. 6’2 210; Ohio State – lacrosse)*: 78 tackles, 6 TFL, 2 sacks, FF
LB: Trey Hopkins (Jr. 6’2 195): 22 tackles, 2 TFL
DB: Aidan Christy (Sr. 5’10 175): 29 tackles, 2 TFL
DB: Joey O’Brien (Sr. 6’4 190; Notre Dame)*: 42 tackles, TFL, INT, FF
DB: Lucas Johnson (Sr. 5’10 175): 28 tackles, INT
DB: Josh Simmons (Sr. 5’10 185): 18 tackles
DB: Keenan Stahl (Sr. 6’0 185): 20 tackles,
DB: Jimmy Mahoney (Sr. 5’8 160): 24 tackles, TFL, 2 INTs
Not Playing (PIAA Transfer Rules)
LB: Zykee Scott (Jr. 6’2 220)*: 58 tackles, 6 TFL, FF
All State Candidates: Gavin Sidwar (QB), Joey O’Brien (WR/FS), Greyson McKeough (OL), John-Patrick Oates (TE), Jemel Williams (DT), Cooper Heilig (LB)
The offense is obviously what pops out to you when looking at LaSalle. Three year stater at quarterback who can really spin it and is going to play in the SEC. He’s got the best stable of receivers in Pennsylvania with O’Brien as probably the 6A Player of the Year, Johnson is one of the better sophomores in the state, and I think Oates really gives them a different look in the passing game. They’re massive up front, when your runt of a lineman is 6’2 250 you’re just a different beast in high school. Which is why it surprises me they don’t run it more, I think you’d want to get those big boys down hill, but they just don’t commit to the run. Nelson has only carried it 15 times or more in four games all season, but last week’s 19 for 181 against Imhotep could be a sign of things to come in the playoffs? On defense, they’re not as physically imposing as they are on offense, with only JP Oates going both ways up front. They’ve got the two big tackles, with Williams being an All State caliber plug in the middle. But without Zykee Scott they’re a little light in the back seven, but make up for that by being really fast. O’Brien is obviously a problem playing centerfield.
They’re going to attack Easton through the air aggressively, and really put pressure on Easton’s secondary. McPeek vs. O’Brien is an interesting match up from body types, with O’Brien obviously being more talented, but he’s not going to see a lot of other 6’5 corners. Defensively, it’s all about discipline in the RPO game and forcing Ordway to make sub-optimal decisions in the option game. If they can get Easton off of the field quickly, it could be a long night for the Red Rovers.
Easton
QB: Cole Ordway (Sr. 6’0 180)*: 84-132, 1,191 yards, 16 TDs, 5 INTs/201 carries, 1,828 yards, 34 TDs
RB: Chris Martinez (Sr. 5’9 180): 265 carries, 1,319 yards, 7 TDs
RB: Trevon Tyler (Sr. 5’7 160): 37 carries, 389 yards, 3 TDs
WR: Andrew Biddle (Sr. 5’11 165): 38 catches, 420 yards, 2 TDs
WR: Sean McPeek (Jr. 6’5 215): 13 catches, 340 yards, 5 TDs
WR: Skyler Fowlin (Sr. 5’11 170): 10 catches, 226 yards, 4 TDs
TE: Kurtis Crossman (Sr. 6’3 230; Stonehill): 7 catches, 69 yards, TD
TE: Justin Cosover (Jr. 6’1 200): 4 catches, 22 yards, TD
LT: Algee Macon (Sr. 6’2 225)*
LG: Anthony Diaz (Sr. 6’2 220)
C: Gavin Crossman (Sr. 6’0 290)
RG: Matt Kirchner (Sr. 5’9 200)
RT: Elijah Grovesnor (Sr. 6’3 240)
DE: Kurtis Crossman (Sr. 6’3 230; Stonehill)*: 57 tackles, 10 TFL, 4 sacks, INT, 3 FF
DT: Elijah Grovesnor (Sr. 6’3 240): 25 tackles, 6 TFL, sack
DT: Anthony Diaz (Sr. 6’2 220): 37 tackles, 9 TFL, 3 sacks
DE: Algee Macon (Sr. 6’2 225): 51 tackles, 16 TFL, 8 sacks
LB: Sean Kilpatrick (Sr. 6’1 220)*: 101 tackles, 13 TFL, 3 sacks, FF
LB: Justin Cosover (Jr. 6’1 200): 42 tackles, 4 TFL, INT
DB: Skyler Fowlin (Sr. 5’11 170): 69 tackles, 5 TFL, sack
DB: Trevon Tyler (Sr. 5’7 160): 52 tackles 2 TFL, INT
DB: Sean McPeek (Jr. 6’5 215)*: 40 tackles, 2 TFL, 6 INTs, 4 DEF TDs
DB: Andrew Biddle (Sr. 5’11 165): 34 tackles, TFL, 5 INTs
DB: Jayden Foreman: 35 tackles, FF
All State Candidates: Cole Ordway (QB), Algee Macon (OL/DE), Kurtis Crossman (DE), Sean Kilpatrick (LB), Sean McPeek (DB)
Easton’s bread and butter all year has been the RPO, with a heavy emphasis on the zone-read between Martinez and Ordway. Martinez does a nice job getting little chunks and falling forward, while Ordway is a 4.5 40 yard dash guy who can hit the home run when you finally crash on Martinez. That’s been the formula all year, though last week against Parkland they showed more designed QB run than I’ve seen all year to get Ordway behind an extra blocker with the running back leading on QB counter. The offensive line is not big, but has a bunch of multi-sport athletes, including the two tight ends who are really effective in the run game. Offensive line coaches Mike Fleming and Bob Stroble were both good college linemen with fabulous line coaches (Fleming was an All American at East Stroudsburg for Mike Santella, Stroble was a three-year starter at Lafayette for the fantastic Bob Heffner) and both learned under the legendary Scott Byrd at Easton. The technique and physicality of the o-line play has been the biggest single change in the Senneca era and it’s been what’s driven the program to the 25-2 record over the last two years. They’re going to need to play their absolute best tonight to have a chance. Easton’s passing game is kind of a mystery. Ordway threw for 2,000 yards as a junior, but they’ve been so successful running the ball this year that they just haven’t put it in the air a ton. That said, the biggest plays last week were throws Ordway made, including the back-breaking 45 yard bomb before halftime that was right on the money when Parkland walked their safeties up into the box. He’s going to need to make 5-8 big throws tonight, think third down conversions, some kind of chunk plays, for Easton to have a chance. Andrew Biddle has the most catches, but Sean McPeek and Kurtis Crossman I think are the targets he’ll need tonight, both big bodies (6’5 215 and 6’3 230) who can make contested catches. Fowlin is the guy who can take the top off of the defense. And the wild card is Trevon Tyler, their fastest player who didn’t get any carries until week nine, but has been used as a change of pace back and has hit big home runs the last two weeks.
Defensively, this is a massive challenge for Easton. Like I said above, McPeek has the size to at least have a chance with O’Brien, and he’s not going to totally stop him, but he has to slow his production down. He’s an All State candidate himself and a Division I athlete (I’ll believe he plays lacrosse over football when I see it), but he can’t run like O’Brien. The rest of Easton’s secondary is fine, but there isn’t a Jarred Holley, Dominique Price, or Shane Simpson back there who is a true difference maker on an island. It’s an 11 man effort. The real match up to watch is Easton’s front four against LaSalle’s big old offensive line. Crossman and Macon are Easton’s best players on defense, by a lot. LaSalle is massive up front, but outside of McKeough (which, other than that, how was the play Mrs. Lincoln) they don’t have blue chip guys there. My question is always, how does the 290 pound tackle who is not a Division I athlete match up with the 225 pound end who can run like hell? Last week, Macon abused Parkland’s 305 pound tackle. Can Easton get pressure on Sidwar? I don’t think they can cover forever behind the pass rush, to it’s going to be all about how they can make Sidwar get rid of it before he wants to. That’s kind of the whole football game.
Outlook
I think LaSalle is a solid, solid favorite tonight. If you look at the Born Index power rating, they have LaSalle as a 14 point favorite and I think that’s a pretty good line. The Massey Index thinks it’s a laugher, with a predicted score of LaSalle 42-14 and a 92% chance of winning. I think something like LaSalle 35 Easton 21 is probably where this one settles. For Easton to win, they’re going to have to control clock on offense and get a real pass rush on defense. If Easton can get to 28, they’re in the ballpark, but historically, that’s been the struggle in playoff games. That’s all Steve Shiffert/Bob Shriver era, and in Senneca’s biggest true talent-equated playoff game, his team just scored 42 points. So we’ll see. Hoping I’m wrong, but making an unbiased prediction, that’s where my money would be.
Rover nation 05 you always give great info in your posts,remember these from papreps. Hope you do this more here in the future
@RoverNation05 – always enjoyed reading your writeups on the PA Preps site, very thorough and excellent analysis. Good luck to your Rovers tonight, I too see them losing by a couple of scores, they can make it interesting if they get some turnovers and create some pressure on Sidwar and get him out of rhythm and control the clock on offense. I went to the LaSalle vs. PCC game at the Wolverana in week 0 (I’m a Woodland Hills guy), and was very impressed with Sidwar, he really throws a nice ball and has a plethora of good receivers, and O’Brien is all over the field on defense. Tall task for sure, but I think Easton has a better shot to hang in with LaSalle than the D1 winner does next week.
Regarding the 09 classic between these teams, that was sort of the de facto championship game, because Woodland Hills was decimated with injuries in their brutal 10-0 victory over Gateway in the WPIAL final, one of the most physical football games I have ever seen in person on any level. Talk about winning the battle but losing the war of attrition, Woody was missing numerous starters including Lafayette Pitts and a host of others when they played the following week, a fully healthy WH would have beaten State College and would have given either LaSalle or Easton a battle in the state final.
Best of luck —————
North Pocono
Lackawanna Trail
Northwestern Lehigh
KEEP MAKING DISTRICT 2 HAPPY 🙂
Three D2 teams left. Here’s my predictions. I’ll give the rest later on.
1A: Lackawanna Trail vs. Belmont Charter: This is going to be fairly predictable game, but it’s going to be interesting to see how Belmont handles Trail. They have not played a team like this all season. I’ll take Trail comfortably 31-14.
3A: Scranton Prep vs. Northwestern Lehigh: This is the marquee game of the three in D2. The defending state champs take on a team that wants to dethrone. I feel this will be a close game for a half & we’ll see the NWL team we know show their strength late. NW Lehigh over the Jesuit Giants 35-21.
4A: North Pocono vs. O’Hara: North Pocono is a dangerous team, but we don’t know much about O’Hara. Recent history says D2 fares okay against the 4A D12 opponents & sometimes will beat them. I’ll go against recent trends, as O’Hara will play the D4/11 rep, but it’ll be pretty close: 28-20.
It looks like Belmont took out Trail easily.
North Pocono got hammered by O’Hara tonight.
It looks like Belmont handled Trail easily.
O’Hara North Pocono was not close as O’Hara won with little trouble.
The rest of the state
D2’s likely opponents
– 1A: Bishop Guilfoyle vs. Westinghouse: It’s not going to be the most marquee of the bunch, but it’s still a noteworthy game, all things considered. Westy is down this year & I sense a repeat of last year. BG takes it 42-14.
– 3A: Neumann-Goretti vs. Trinity: I haven’t gotten to look at both teams this season too much. My guess is that the PCL will be the favorite. I’ll go with N-G 29-16.
– 4A: Southern Lehigh vs. Shamokin: Oh, this is a beaut! Both teams are some of the best in the East & legit contenders for a title. If you had to ask me, I think Shamokin makes it to the semis in a 31-21 win.
The rest
1A
– Laurel vs. Clairton (WPIAL Final): I’m sad that we won’t get Sieg vs. Clairton. But I’ll give credit to Laurel. They deserve every ounce of credit. I’ll take Clairton 46-10, but we’ll remember Laurel for their great run.
– Greenville vs. Port Allegany: This is a neat D9/10 game up in Route 6 territory. Port A over a good Greenville team 44-21 is my prognostication.
2A
– Southern Columbia vs. Steel-High: Here we go, folks. Two of the best small school programs in the state. The winner here has a shot at making it to the Chap. I’ll take Southern 42-21.
– Lansdale Catholic vs. Williams Valley: I’m not sold on Williams Valley in this one, but they have a solid program that can find a way to compete with the big dogs. Let’s go with LC 34-21
– Seton vs. Steel Valley (WPIAL Final): This is a very interesting game. Haven’t seen much SLS, but I know Steel Valley will give their all. I’ll go Seton 31-16.
– Richland vs. Farrell: Man, do we have a nice matchup here. Richland came through & stole a win over McCort, but Farrell is no joke. The Stillers gahnta the West Final, 31-20.
3A
– Avonworth vs. Imani: This was expected in the 3A playoff battle. The question is: Does Imani have the roster needed to dethrone a good Avonworth team? I say no. The Lopes repeat in a 38-20 win.
– Penn Cambria vs. Sharon: It’s been a bit since Hickory didn’t take the D10 title. The 96.7 crew must be very excited to see this one, but I think D10’s 3A states run ends as fast as it starts. I’ll take Penn Cambria 31-19.
4A
– Susq. Twp. vs. Twin Valley (D3 Final): Man, did we luck out as football fans. Township is such a dangerous team, but Twin Valley is going to fight back. This’ll be like a boxing match. I’ll take Township over TV 31-28, last score wins.
– Quip vs. Oil City: Quip is the Kansas City Chiefs. The Boogeyman. You can’t knock them off. Doubt them & they prove you wrong. Quip should roll 42-10 against an OC team that’s happy they made it this far.
5A
– Hollidaysburg vs. Roman: I’ll take Roman in a 49-13 win. I don’t think we need to cover much here. We know the outcome.
– Delco vs. Chester (D1 Final): Of all the final predictions I got right in the large school classes, am I glad to have called this? This result will be for the “D1 sacrifice” game that Roman will play this year. I’m going to stick with my word. I’m taking Chester over Delco in a 28-27 victory between two schools divided by Strath.
– Solanco vs. Bishop McDevitt: So, what’s this Solanco team we have here? Not the team I expected to make it to the final. But we know McDevitt is locked & loaded. It’s a shame that the private school will dominate this one, but I’m excited to see how either do against P-R/Peters. McDevitt 33-7.
– Pine-Richland vs. Peters (WPIAL Final): Oh, it’s these two again. Probably the marquee game of the week in the state. The Rams have state title aspirations, as does Peters. I’ll take P-R 31-20.
6A
– La Salle vs. Easton: Ah, the annual PCL Rep Charity Game. I think we all know what’s going to happen here. La Salle controls this game 42-13. Can we put D11 in the West for a year so we can see how it goes, for once?
– Pennridge vs. North Penn (D1 Final): It’s big when we get an all-SOL 6A final. What a good one we have. Pennridge has made a great case to run the table in D1, while NP has been solid forever & is looking to get back to glory. I’ll go with the 1-seed, but I may regret it. Rams over Knights 21-14. Either way, this should be fun!
– State College vs. PCC: This could offer the sleeper to win it all. I like both teams to go on a run to Chapman, but I don’t see either beating La Salle. I’ll go with a good PCC team, 28-21, giving a fun 6A West final for the fans.
– Central York vs. Harrisburg (D3 Final): This is a quality matchup. CY has the pieces to win, but Harrisburg is a public school power & I don’t see CY taking this one. I’ll take this H’burg 38-19.
Shamokin will not beat southern lehigh
I like most of your WPIAL picks, but I’ll add a little commentary
1A – Laurel is for real, they will give Clairton a battle tomorrow in the opening game at Acrisure, they have an excellent defense that I think will limit Clairton somewhat. Clairton’s defense has looked mortal the last 2 weeks, giving up 33 to Jeanette (a team they shut out in the regular season), and 22 to Canevin last week, so I think Laurel will score some points, I’ll take Clairton 34-21
2A – this should be a very competitive game, Steel Valley was preseason #1 in the WPIAL, and the last several weeks they looked like a #1 team, this game is a tossup and could go either way, I’ll give SV the slight edge 21-19, the winner will definitely be an underdog to Farrell next week, assuming they beat a good Richland team tonight.
3A – Avonworth has played a much tougher schedule than Imani, they are in a tougher conference, and they played 4A powers Aliquippa and TJ. I expect Imani to keep this game close for a while, maybe well into the 2nd half, but Avonworth is too physical and eventually wears them down, I’ll take the Lopes 34-20.
4A – like you said the Quips will roll over Oil City setting up a matchup with the D3 winner next week.
5A – agree this may be the marque game of the weekend, at least as far as state title contenders are concerned, before the playoffs started I figured PR would win this game by a couple of scores, but after watching Peters dominate a very good USC team last week I’m not so sure. Peters has the best LB duo in the WPIAL with Reston Lehman going to Pitt and his counterpart Lucas Shanafelt who is going to Stanford, they are also big factors on offense. This game could go either way, Moon figured out how to shut down PR’s passing attack last week, as QB Aaron Strader only completed 2 of 5 passes for 30 yards, but they dominated on the ground with Strader rushing for almost 200 yards. You can bet the Peters coaching staff took a lot from how Moon shut down their passing attack, and I think Peters will do a much better job against the run than Moon did, I would not be surprised if Peters won this game, but I’ll take PR 28-24. There has not been a repeat champ in WPIAL 5A in the 9 years the class has existed, so we’ll see if PR will become the first team to repeat.
6A – I think PCC will handle a solid SC team and don’t think this game will be as close as you predicted, I’ll take PCC 42-21, I also like Harrisburg to beat CY and set up a rematch with PCC next week in the western final, looks like PCC will be playing at Mansion Park in Altoona 2 weeks in a row.
I would love to know what north Schuylkills administration and athletic director is waiting for in leaving the Schuylkill league. The heartland conference is clearly the logical move. What are you waiting for? You now have a 2 year cycle in football where you play Notre Dame of green pond, which is a 1 1/2 hour drive, Williams valley which is a 30 minute drive itself but also a class a school next year, and an open date in week 5. You also play pine grove and panther valley who are non competitive teams who have no business playing them. You also play jersey shore which will be an hour drive also but that’s who would be on your heartland schedule anyway. Mt. Carmel, shamokin, southern Columbia already share boundaries with you, why do you owe the Schuylkill league anything? You owe your student athletes and your school. Get your heads out of your a$$.
I know people were complaining about travel time or distance for the Colonial/Schuylkill co-op but generally it put schools of like sizes against each other and had good matchups. Since Lehighton and JT have left the Schuylkill League for the Colonial League, NS needs to get out, they will be 4A with pottsville and BM but thats really it, a lot of smaller programs.
I am bummed for NW, they play Catasauqua and Salisbury next year, that does absolutely nothing for them, at all. Ive said it before, the CL needs to follow what the EPC did in allowing up to 3 out of league games to start the season, still allows for teams to schedule from D11 that are better matchups or out of district games.
I always wonder why NS doesn’t play Shamokin or Southern. Pretty sure NS never played Southern and I can’t remember them playing Shamokin but I could be wrong. Could have had some great games, especially over the last couple years. I also have no idea why Southern and Shamokin stopped playing each other.
North Schuykill and Southern played each other in the 90’s and Southern destroyed them. To quote the NS coach the last time they played, “playing Southern is like being tied to a railroad track and a train is coming but there is nothing you can do about it.” Southern and Shamokin played each other for several years during the last decade and it was never a contest as Southern beat them every year. I think the conference makes the schedules up each year anyway so the teams don’t have a lot to say about who they play.
North schuylkill played shamokin every year in the 80’s and early 90’s. They played them 2 times in the 2000’s. A schedule of , danville, shamokin, selingsrove, shikellamy, jersey shore, mount carmel, mifflinburg, blue mountain, pottsville and montoursville would make sense.
Predictions:
NG vs Trinity?
Trail vs Belmont?
North Pocono vs Cardinal?
Anyone see these teams in person this year?
Trinity’s defense is very good, don’t see NG scoring much on them. Trinity Will be attending this game as Exeter is only 10 minutes from me.
Phil Public league teams…..except Imhotep fair poorly in the State Playoffs Trail
North Pocono is big and tough up front, their offensive/Defensive tackle is as large as many pro tackles. However, they got lit up in pass coverage by Shanahan. This is a very difficult pick, I say N. Pocono wins in a tight battle.
North Pocono got hammered last night.
I’ll be surprised if trinity beats Neumann goretti
@Irish 1 for someone who does not care you got a lot to say. of course you respond without addressing what has been said.
Bub, i have addressed it many times and I’m done talking to two clueless people who don’t talk football , you both have an agenda I know what’s about. Have a guy commenting about Lansdale Catholic getting players from all over Philly region..He couldn’t find the school if he had a map.
So what are the chances, and your thoughts, that assuming La Salle beats Easton, that a 6A semi final game with La Salle against either North Penn or Pennridge would actually be held at either North Penn or Pennridge, if it is suggested and all parties involved agree?? Either at the home field of the winner, or the other (loosing teams) facility?? My fear is that game is going to be held at the NE SS. I would think La Salle would be fine with playing at either location, even if it’s the home teams field, especially if it’s North Penn. Two of the nicest facilities in the Bux Mont area, no need to pay a third party for usage, convenient for La Salle and those associated with the school. To me it makes sense, I guess there in lies the problem, it makes sense.
Kevin X….yes it makes too much sense so they wont do it. I would go if it happens to be at North Penn, I think North Penn will beat Pennridge Friday. Have to think that the game would draw a much larger crowd if played at North Penn. But its probably wishful thinking on our parts.
A big ask I know, and a good amount of admitted selfishness on my end. Also, assuming Roman wins, I wouldn’t be surprised that the 5A eastern semi game would also be at a Philly Supersite. Both would be no go live in person games for me. One interesting potentially local game in a week and a half if no local 5A or 6A games could be 4A semi game with Southern Lehigh and O’Hara. I would imagine that game would be nearby to me.