Random Thoughts: Mid-Season report
Written by: David Mika on Sunday, October 2nd, 2011. Follow David Mika on Twitter.
It is hard to believe we are half way through the regular season. Before we get started on this topic I need to vent a little about a topic in District 11.
Up in the slate belt area in District 11 you have Bangor (5-0), Pen Argyl (5-0) and Pius X (5-0). Bangor and Pen Argyl play in the Colonial league and cannot play teams outside their league. Pius X finally got into a different league (All-American), but they play teams not in their area. They even have to travel to Pittsburgh to play a team. It would be nice to see these teams play for a slate belt trophy every year.
In 2010, the Colonial league voted 8-4 against admitting the Royals. This decision is not just about football. Pius X would play all sports in the Colonial league each year. Now they have to travel a far distance to play games.
What is the Colonial league’s reasonings behind this? I will have to answer that another day. But for now it is a shame they do not play for a slate belt trophy. I hope some day they do!
Okay, enough venting, I will take a look at each class at the mid-season point.
AAAA: There are a lot of good teams in the East and no one seems to be stepping up as the team to beat in the East. There are ten undefeated teams left and 27 teams with a 4-1 records.
In District one it is a wide-open race on who will be number one. Teams to keep a eye on that should battle for the district title are Abington, Downingtown West, Downingtown East, Coatesville, Neshaminy, Ridley, Unionville and North Penn.
In District two it seems to be a three team race, Delaware Valley, Wyoming Valley West and Wallenpaupack.
Cumberland Valley once again is leading the way in District 3. Keep a eye out for these teams, Wilson, Central Dauphin, Central Dauphin East, Cedar Cliff, Daniel Boone, Exeter Township, Central York, Governor MIfflin and Manheim Township.
Nazareth Area and Freedom are on top in District 11. They are set for a show down on Oct. 14th to see who is the beast of District 11. Keep a eye on Whitehall, Liberty, Easton Area, Emmaus, Parkland and Stroudsburg. Do not be surprised if all the LVC teams end up with two losses.
District 12, like the rest of AAAA is wide-open. LaSalle could be the last one standing when it is all over. But keep a eye out for these teams: George Washington, Father Judge, Archbishop Ryan, Roman Catholic and St. Joseph’s Prep.
Undefeated teams: Abington, Bethlehem Freedom, Cumberland Valley, Daniel Boone, Delaware Valley, Downingtown West, Exeter Township, George Washington, Nazareth Area and Wyoming Valley West
AAA: In the pre-season, the power teams in the state seem to come from this classification: Archbishop Wood, Bishop McDevitt and Allentown Central Catholic. Wood has shown they are one of the top teams in the state regardless of classification. After starting the season 1-2, McDevitt has reeled off two straight wins and seems to be getting better each week. The defending state champs, Central Catholic barely has a pulse and is off to a 2-3 start with tough games ahead against Whitehall, Parkland and Emmaus.
Springfield-Delco’s 5-0 record leads the way in District one. With some of the power teams down this year keep a eye on these teams: Academy Park, Marple-Newtown, Octorara Area, Phoenixville and Strath Haven.
Valley View is the team to beat in District two. But Dallas and Crestwood might have something to say about that.
District three is loaded with talent. Who will be the last team standing? Keep a eye out for Bishop McDevitt, Conrad Weiser, Dover Area, Hershey, Palmyra, Shippensburg, Garden Spot, Lampeter-Strasburg, Manheim Central and West York.
Bangor, yes Bangor is leading the way with a 5-0 record. After an easy first half schedule they play teams like Catasauqua, Northern Lehigh, Northwestern Lehigh and finish the regular season with Pen Argyl. Other teams to keep a eye on are Allentown Central Catholic, Bethlehem Catholic and East Stroudsburg North.
In District 12, Wood is the heavy favorite to win their district. But keep a eye on Cardinal O’Hara and West Philadelphia.
Undefeated teams: Bangor, Conrad Weiser, Dallas, Dover Area, Hershey, Palmyra, Shippensburg Area, Springfield-Delco, Valley View and West Philadelphia
AA: The defending state champs West Catholic started the season 0-3. Some of you may say they are done and have no chance to win back-to-back state championships. I dare any team to play the three teams they played, Roman Catholic, Archbishop Wood and LaSalle. Just like last year there are a lot of really good teams that could hoist the golden trophy.
Springfield-Montco is leading the way in District one and should win their district.
Wilkes-Barre GAR and Lakeland are heading for another show down in district play. GAR won the two meetings last year and Lakeland won 34-31 this year. Other teams to watch are Susquehanna Community and Wyoming Area.
After an early exit last year in District three playoffs, Lancaster Catholic is eager to prove they are the team to beat in 2011. But teams like Delone Catholic, Wyomissing Area and Trinity might have something to say. Other teams to watch are Bermudian Springs and Littlestown.
The best district for AA last season was District four. This year is shaping up to be the same. This district is deep in talent with teams like Athens, Lewisburg, Mifflinburg, Mount Carmel, Bloomsburg, Danville, North Penn and Towanda. It will be another war to see who comes out as the district champ.
Northern Lehigh is the defending District 11 champs. But North Schuylkill, Pen Argyl, Pine Grove, Catasauqua and Northwestern Lehigh will challenge them this year.
Bok Vo-Tech may be leading the way, but watch out for Bishop McDevitt, Comm Tech and Imhotep Charter. But when the dust settles look for West Catholic to come out as District 12 champs.
Undefeated teams: Athens, Bermudian Springs, Catasauqua, Delone Catholic, Edward Bok Vo-Tech, Lancaster Catholic, Mifflinburg, Mount Carmel, North Schuylkill, Northern Lehigh, Pen Argyl, Pine Grove, Springfield-Montco, Wyomissing Area, Bloomsburg and Towanda.
A: In Class A Its a three team race in 2011, Dunmore, Southern Columbia and Pius X. These teams have combined for a 15-0 record at mid-season.
District one is a two team race, Calvary Christian and Delaware County Christian School.
Dunmore seems to be the team to beat in District two. But keep a eye on Lackawanna Trail who moved to 5-0 after an impressive win over Lakeland Friday night.
Columbia leads the way in District three. Watch out for Halifax, Millersburg or York Catholic to challenge them when the playoffs starts.
One of the toughest single A districts in the east is District four. Southern Columbia is on top, but keep a eye on Canton Area, Line Mountain, Bucktail and Sayre.
Can Pius X finally break through and win their district? Time will tell. Keep a eye on these teams: Minersville, Mahanoy Area, Nativity BVM, Shenandoah Valley and WIlliams Valley.
Undefeated teams: Dunmore, Lackawanna Trail, Pius X, Southern Columbia and Delco-Christian
Who are YOUR pretenders and contenders?
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October 8th, 2011 at 1:31 pm
Southern is dominating right now and should make a good run at another State Title…Brad Fegley, Tyler Levan, & Matt Moore are all have All-State caliber years!
October 7th, 2011 at 4:09 pm
North Schuylkill is in trouble. Tamaqua is whole different team on homecoming. I’ve also never seen a Blue Raider team this hyped for a game. And another thing, North Schuylkill might not be 100% focused because of a game @ Mount Carmel next week.
October 5th, 2011 at 9:20 pm
To all you fans:
Be aware, a lot of games will be played this Thur. night ( 10/6) instead of Fri. due to yon kippur. Many, if not most, of the public schools in Suburban One & Chesmont will be doing that.
October 5th, 2011 at 4:38 am
Why so surprised at Bangor being top. Have you seen these boys. They are big strong and fast. Watch out they will surprise you more as the season plays out.
October 5th, 2011 at 2:09 am
i still think ACC has somethin left for the AAA they have gotten better defensively each week and their offense still puts up 35 a game despite their bad defense they could be 4-1 and gave nazareth everything they could handle however i feel that game was lost with bad clock management if they straighten up the rest of the year on defense continue to put up points theres no reason for them not to roll the rest of the year
October 3rd, 2011 at 10:25 pm
In DISTRICT I (AAAA) Abington (5-0) looks like the team to beat. The Galloping Ghosts still have five Suburban One National games remaining in the regular season. They have to face Pennsbury and Council Rock South at home, both 4-1, and travel to Truman, Bensalem and Tennent.
October 3rd, 2011 at 10:21 pm
So far, Abington (5-0) looks like the team to beat in District I (AAAA). The Ghosts still have five Suburban One National games remaining in the regular season. They have to face Pennsbury and Council Rock South at home, both 4-1, and travel to Truman, Bensalem and Tennent.
October 3rd, 2011 at 8:18 pm
I think Paupack has too many weak areas of the game to be a contender. WVW and DV look to be the favorites