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Professor's Proverbs -- November 7, 2008
It's time once again for that madcap derby known as the District 10 football playoffs to commence Friday night. Looking back at the regular season, what are our initial reactions? Well, it was a good regular season but I don't know if it will go down as one of the most memorable in recent yore. It seemed as if we had fewer upsets this year and fewer "classic" games. By the same token, Mercer County only had a handful of lopsided blowouts also.
No doubt that the Greenville Trojans would earn the "Kardiac Kids" award for the locals this year. Teams in District 10 played a total of three (3) overtime games this year and the Trojans played in -- and won -- two of them. Throw in a 12-10 win at North East in the season opener and a 31-26 setback against Sharon and Brian Herrick's squad certainly gave local fans their money's worth.
Without further delay, here are Professor Briggs' predictions for the quarterfinal round of the Class A and AA playoffs this year, along with the "AAA" semifinals.
CLASS A
Friday, November 7
Iroquois (6-4) vs. Mercer (9-1),
Wilmington High School, 7:00 p.m.
COMMON OPPONENTS: Harbor Creek Youth, Mercyhurst Prep, Conneaut Valley
RECORD VS. COMMON OPPONENTS: Mercer 3-0, Iroquois 2-1 (lost to Mercyhurst Prep)
RECORD VS. PLAYOFF TEAMS: Mercer 2-1, Iroquois 2-2
RECORD IN CLOSE GAMES (8 points or less): Mercer 0-1, Iroquois 2-1
*Mercer enters the tournament as the top seed out of Region 1-A while Iroquois
(5-3 R-2) clipped Eisenhower last weekend, 13-10, to earn the final spot in the
District 10 Class A Tournament. The Mustangs have been on a roll since an early
27-20 loss at Linesville. Mercer has abnormally strong depth for a Class A
squad, especially up front. The Mustangs are not a flashy team but they are a
darn good team. They are the epitome of "workmanlike." The Friday night shift is
one that the Mustangs are quite comfortable working.
PREDICTION: Mercer 35, Iroquois 13
Cambridge Springs (7-3) vs.
Linesville (8-2), Edinboro University, 7:00 p.m.
COMMON OPPONENTS: Saegertown
RECORD VS. COMMON OPPONENTS: Both 0-1
RECORD VS. PLAYOFF TEAMS: Cambridge Springs 2-2, Linesville 3-2
RECORD IN CLOSE GAMES: Cambridge Springs 3-1, Linesville 1-1
*It's a rematch of the season opener in which Linesville won at Cambridge
Springs, 44-7. These two longtime French Creek Valley Conference foes now get to
play in Week 11. Cambridge Springs is a prime example of a team winning the
games it should win and not winning the ones it shouldn't. Linesville earned a
three-way tie in Region 1 with Farrell and Mercer but earned the No. 3 seed
based upon tie-breaker criteria. The Lions will be too hot for the Spa.
PREDICTION: Linesville 30, Cambridge Springs 14
Sharpsville (6-4) vs. Saegertown
(10-0), General McLane High School, 7:00 p.m.
COMMON OPPONENTS: Conneaut Lake, Linesville
RECORD VS. COMMON OPPONENTS: Saegertown 2-0, Sharpsville 1-1 (lost to
Linesville)
RECORD VS. PLAYOFF TEAMS: Sharpsville 1-3, Saegertown 4-0
RECORD IN CLOSE GAMES: Sharpsville 2-1, Saegertown 2-0
*There haven't been too many seasons in which the Sharpsville Blue Devils have
been a prohibitive underdog in the quarterfinals of the District 10 playoffs.
For this youthful squad, the 2008 season is one of those years as the Blue
Devils get paired up with powerhouse Saegertown. Saegertown is coached by Sharon
native Ken Achenbach, who has built a real juggernaut in northern Crawford
County. All of the pressure is on Saegertown; Sharpsville has nothing to lose.
Couple that with Sharpsville's excellent veteran coaching staff and the Blue
Devils are one team that you wouldn't want to face in the first round. Professor
Briggs thinks this game is going to be a lot better than most people do -- I
hope so, this the game I'm covering!
PREDICTION: Saegertown 32, Sharpsville 26
Farrell (8-2) vs. Union City (7-3),
Allegheny College, 7:00 p.m. (WPIC 790 and
790wpic.com)
COMMON OPPONENTS: Lakeview, Conneaut Valley
RECORD VS. COMMON OPPONENTS: Both 2-0
RECORD VS. PLAYOFF TEAMS: Farrell 2-2, Union City 0-3
RECORD IN CLOSE GAMES: Farrell 0-1, Union City 0-3
*Two of the hottest teams in the district meet at the facility Formerly Known As
Robertson Field in Meadville Friday night. Farrell opened 0-2, then won eight
straight. Union City won its final four games to grab third place in Region 2-A.
Farrell has had its share of off-field issues -- Professor Briggs wants to
publicly commend head coach Jarrett Samuels and his staff for trying to do the
right thing at all times when it concerns the young men who veer off-track.
Despite all of that, the Steelers are 8-2 and region co-champs. Union City has
also played well down the stretch, having won five of six. The lone loss? A
24-21 setback against Saegertown. Union City has shown it can play with elite
Class A teams. Should be a dandy in the Tool City.
PREDICTION: Farrell 20, Union City 14
CLASS AA
Saturday, November 8
Girard (7-3) vs. Wilmington (9-1),
Slippery Rock University, 7:00 p.m. (WPIC 790 and
790wpic.com)
COMMON OPPONENTS: None
RECORD VS. PLAYOFF TEAMS: Girard 0-3, Wilmington 5-1
RECORD IN CLOSE GAMES: Girard 1-0, Wilmington 0-1
*Girard enters the playoffs on a two-game losing streak. The Yellowjackets (yes,
it's one word for some reason) honked games at home against Fairview and North
East in the last two weeks, which could have given Girard the region title.
Instead, Girard gets to play a Wilmington team that will no doubt be a little
bit salty after losing last week to Karns City, 22-21. Professor Briggs and
longtime pal Joe Klimchak will have the call on this one. Hopefully, the game
notes packet will be thick.
PREDICTION: Wilmington 42, Girard 7
General McLane (8-2) vs. Greenville
(8-2), Edinboro University, 7:00 p.m.
COMMON OPPONENTS: North East
RECORD VS. COMMON OPPPONENTS: General McLane 0-1, Greenville 1-0
RECORD VS. PLAYOFF TEAMS: General McLane 2-2, Greenville 4-2
RECORD IN CLOSE GAMES: General McLane 0-0, Greenville 3-1
*This may very well be the best matchup of the opening round this weekend.
Unfortunately, it is more or less a road game for Greenville as the game is
played within the General McLane School District. That being said, Greenville is
a pretty good road team having gone 4-1 on the road. The Trojans also know how
to win close games while General McLane has not been in a game decided by less
than 11 points all year. Professor Briggs feels that playing in Region 3-AA
toughens a team up. That extra intangible will be enough to push the Trojans
over the top in this "neutral site" game.
PREDICTION: Greenville 28, General McLane 27
Slippery Rock (7-3) vs. North East
(9-1), Erie Veterans Stadium, 7:00 (WLLF 96.7 The River)
COMMON OPPONENTS: Greenville, Fort LeBoeuf
RECORD VS. COMMON OPPONENTS: Both 1-1
RECORD VS. PLAYOFF TEAMS: Slippery Rock 1-3, North East 4-1
RECORD IN CLOSE GAMES: Slippery Rock 0-2, North East 0-1
*Another solid matchup in the quarterfinals of the Class AA bracket. North East
has won nine straight since a 12-10 home loss to Greenville on opening night.
Slippery Rock finished the season with home losses against Wilmington and
Greenville. The Rockets closed the season with four straight home games. The
Rockets are 4-0 on the road this year but did not play anyone the calibre of
North East on the road this year. Now, the Hi-Rockets must travel to Erie County
to face the red-hot Grape Pickers. I have a hunch that this game is going to be
bizarre in some fashion. I can't pinpoint it, but it just has that feel to it.
But what would you expect when the northern-most team in the district faces the
southern-most program?
PREDICTION: North East 22, Slippery Rock 18
Sharon (9-1) vs. Fairview (7-2),
Wilmington High School, 12:00 (WLLF 96.7 The River)
COMMON OPPONENTS: Seneca
RECORD VS. COMMON OPPONENTS: Both 1-0
RECORD VS. PLAYOFF TEAMS: Sharon 3-1, Fairview 2-2
RECORD IN CLOSE GAMES: Sharon 3-0, Fairview 1-0
*Fairview has really emerged in the last few years as one of the top "AA" teams
in the northern half of District 10. Each of the last two years, Fairview has
run into Wilmington, though, and was eliminated. This year, Fairview gets no
easier task as a strong Sharon squad awaits in the quarterfinal round. Sharon
has scored 31 points or more in five games this year. Fairview has been stingy
on defense, yielding 13 points or less in seven of nine games. How will the noon
kickoff affect each team? Professor Briggs feels that the early start is to
Sharon's advantage. Fairview will have to get on the bus at about 8:30 or so to
make the trip to New Wilmington. Sharon has a much shorter trip and is also used
to playing at Wilmington's stellar facility.
PREDICTION: Sharon 34, Fairview 21
CLASS AAA
Friday, November 7
Strong Vincent (10-0) vs. Meadville
(6-4), Erie Veterans Stadium, 7:00 p.m.
COMMON OPPONENTS: Central Tech, Franklin, Warren, Corry, Bradford
RECORD VS. COMMON OPPONENTS: Strong Vincent 5-0, Meadville 4-1
RECORD VS. PLAYOFF TEAMS: Strong Vincent 4-0, Meadville 0-4
RECORD IN CLOSE GAMES: Strong Vincent 0-0, Meadville 2-1
*These teams played last week with Strong Vincent earning a 42-7 victory over
Meadville. Meadville started off Great Gonzos, going 4-0 but faltering down the
stretch.
PREDICTION: Strong Vincent 49, Meadville 13
Cathedral Prep (6-4) vs. Grove City
(7-2), Slippery Rock University, 7:00 p.m. (WLLF 96.7 The River)
COMMON OPPONENTS: Central Tech, East
RECORD VS. COMMON OPPONENTS: Both 2-0
RECORD VS. PLAYOFF TEAMS: Cathedral Prep 2-4, Grove City 1-2
RECORD IN CLOSE GAMES: Cathedral Prep 1-0, Grove City 0-1
*This is a tough one to call. Cathedral Prep is in its first season of not
playing in the largest classification since the District 10 playoff started in
1984 (Division I, then Class AAA, then Class AAAA). The Ramblers certainly have
played a tough schedule this year, including games with Ohio powers Lakewood St.
Edward's and Columbus St. Francis DeSales. Grove City has been playing its best
football in recent weeks. Grove City has historically played well at Bob
DiSpirito Field inside the Bill Lennox Track next to the Jerry Bejbl Weight Room
at N. Kerr Thompson Stadium. This is the hardest-hitting team Grove City has
fielded in quite a while; Professor Briggs is quite confident that the Eagles
will "bring it" Friday night.
PROFESSOR'S UPSET SPECIAL: Grove City 29, Cathedral Prep 28
> Here's what the
Born Power Index has to say about
each game. The team with the higher rating value is expected to win:
Class AAA
Strong Vincent 95.0, Meadville 58.5
Cathedral Prep 74.0, Grove City 62.5
Class AA
Wilmington 84.9, Girard 56.8
General McLane 69.2, Greenville 64.3
North East 68.3, Slippery Rock 62.3
Fairview 62.2, Sharon 62.1
Class A
Mercer 60.3, Iroquois 41.1
Linesville 57.4, Cambridge Springs 41.7
Saegertown 64.4, Sharpsville 44.6
Farrell 67.8, Union City 52.2
> Next time, I'll have second round predictions and another look at the Helmet Project. You can e-mail me at ryanbriggs@zoominternet.net