The co-coach system working for Shade

Co-head coaches occasionally pop up in sports like basketball or softball. In football, it's a rare thing.

Rockwood tried it a few years ago.

Shade decided to do the same for the 2012 season. Mike Pribish, who had been the Panthers' head coach the previous two years, was joined by Don Fyfe, who had served as Shade's football coach in the early 2000s.

It's safe to say, the situation has worked well.

Shade is 5-4 heading into the regular-season finale against Rockwood. The Panthers will be the home team in a game played at Somerset.

"They added the 10th week to the regular season, and we were at the WestPAC meeting before the season sitting beside Rockwood," Pribish explained. "Our teams had played for years and rather than scrambling to fill the game, we said, 'Let's play each other at the end of the season.' We thought it would be great to play on turf."

Whether Shade wins or not, the Panthers' season won't end there.

They'll be in the District 5-A playoffs for the first time since 1989.

So, yeah, the co-head coaching system has worked. Of course, it helps that Shade has talent like Brock Medva, Nash Walker and Brian Spangler.

"The way Don and I work together, the players see that and they've responded to it," Pribish said.

Fyfe works with the offense, and Pribish gets the defense.

"We start as soon as we exchange film. Don gets the offensive game plan. I get the defensive game plan," Pribish said. "On Monday, the players lift weights and we look at game film. By the end of Monday, we're in pretty good shape."

Baseball's best of Somerset County

The Somerset County Oldtimers Baseball Hall of Fame Banquet was held Oct. 13 at Berlin Fire Hall and the hall welcomed nine new members.

The committee also honored the best of Somerset County high school baseball in 2012.

From left, Salisbury's Brandon Miller received the "Spirit of the Game" Award given to a player who exemplifies hustle and playing the right way; North Star's Brantley Rice was the Most Valuable Player and Cougars coach Chris Evans was the Coach of the Year.

Photo courtesy of Paul Leonard.

AP column: A win we should all celebrate

In this Oct. 24, 2012 photo, Summerville High School coach John McKissick coaches his team during practice in Summerville, S.C

By PAUL NEWBERRY
AP National Writer
So much football, so many great story lines, both college and pros. Georgia knocks Florida from the ranks of the unbeaten. Notre Dame keeps Irish eyes smiling. The Atlanta Falcons romp to their seventh straight win.
Yet, none of those compare to the biggest gridiron news of the weekend.
Not even close.
In South Carolina, a prep coach was carried off the field the other night with his 600th career victory.
SIX-HUNDRED!
The number is staggering, almost beyond belief. When John McKissick took over at Summerville High School, Harry Truman was wrapping up his term as president and Jim Crow was still the norm in the former Confederacy.
McKissick has coached through integration, the Vietnam War and 9/11, through flower power and disco and hip-hop, through boom boxes and Walkmans and iPhones.
To reach such an epic number, he had to average 10 wins a year for 60 years, which is impressive enough. But what’s even more astounding, he managed to remain relevant from one generation to the next, staying true to his values – a strong running game and stout defense are always a winning combination – even while the world around him was changing at breakneck speed.
We can count up his wins, but we can’t possibly come up with a tally on all the lives McKissick touched along the way.
“Time flies, doesn’t it?” he says.
He’s 86 now, far beyond the age when most of his contemporaries have taken to a rocking chair, if they’re still around at all.
Clearly, he’s not big on change himself. He’s been in the same job since 1952, been married to the same woman, Joan, for about the same amount of time. Surely there were chances to move up to a higher-profile gig or at least move on, but he was always happy where he was. He was content to mold young minds and bodies, to give them a better chance to succeed before they headed off to sell insurance or drive a bulldozer or even to play in the NFL.
“Congrats to coach on his 600th win,” tweeted a former player, Cincinnati Bengals star receiver A.J. Green, after Summerville’s latest victory. “One of the best ever!!!”
One of the best, indeed.
Beyond the Xs and Os, there are lessons we all should heed. It’s not always necessary to keep striving for bigger and better. Contentment is not a bad thing, as long as we’re always striving to be our best.
That’s how McKissick has lived, guiding the Green Wave to 10 state titles while missing out on the fame of coaching at some big-time university or in the NFL. Much like the character George Bailey in the classic holiday movie “It’s A Wonderful Life,” he might just be the richest coach on the planet even though his bank account can’t possibly match up to someone like Alabama’s Nick Saban (who, by the way, is 431 wins behind McKissick).
John T. Curtis Jr., coach of the John Curtis Christian School in Louisiana, has 513 wins. St. John’s (Minn.) coach John Gagliardi is the college leader with 487 victories while Don Shula holds the professional mark with 347 wins.
“I look forward to getting up every morning and coming into work,” the Summerville coach says. “If I didn’t do it, I don’t know what I’d do. I like golf, but I don’t play that much. I never was real good at it.”
Most of us strive for that day when we can quit whatever we’re doing, perhaps the thing we do best, and just do nothing. But McKissick never even talks about retirement, giving him a sense of purpose that is missing in the lives of so many senior citizens. Bear Bryant lasted barely a month after retiring as Alabama’s coach. Who knows how many years McKissick added to his life because he’s always had a place to go every morning?
Sure, there comes a time when we just can’t do the job we once did. Our bodies break down. Our minds struggle to keep up. Even McKissick has heard grumbling around his town of 44,000 from those who think it’s time for someone younger to take over, who aren’t thrilled that the Green Wave is going on 14 years since its last state title.
“Every now and then, you’ll have one who says, ‘Hey, coach, you’re getting too old.’ I’ll have one stop me and stay, ‘Y’all are awful, coach,”’ McKissick says. “My answer to them is always, ‘Did you buy a ticket to get in? ... If you bought a ticket, say whatever you want but don’t get personal. If you didn’t buy a ticket, go on and get out.”’
He starts to chuckle.
“That’s how I handle it.”
McKissick had a heart scare a few years ago, prompting him to get a pacemaker. He doesn’t jog around the practice fields very often, scooting around on a golf cart. Mindful of his limitations, he’s passed off many of his coaching duties to his assistants. He is grateful for their service, for caring as much about Summerville High as he does.
“When you have that, you don’t have any fussing,” he says. “We don’t fuss at each other, just talk, and they respect what I think and I respect what they do.”
Summerville got off to a rough start this season, winning just two of its first six games. But the Green Wave bounced back with a four-game winning streak, capped by a 37-21 win over rival Ashley Ridge that gave McKissick his latest milestone Friday night.
Not that he’s keeping count.
He prefers to keep looking toward the future, not living in the past.
“Well, you know, as a football coach, I count one at a time,” McKissick says. “It’s another win, and if it totals up to 600, that’s great. I feel good for the kids. I feel good for the boys. They tell everyone they were part of the 600th. I think they will be proud of that.”
Who knows? Maybe some youngster in Summerville is just picking up a football for the first time. Maybe, a decade or so from now, he’ll be the one who helps McKissick get win No. 700.
Don’t bet against it.

PA Football News rankings

Class AAAA:
Rank - School - District - Record - Score - Last Weeks Ranking
1. North Allegheny (7) (9-0) Defeated North Hills, 42-0 (1)
2. St. Joseph's Prep (12) (8-0) Defeated Archbishop Ryan, 23-7 (2)
3. Downingtown East (1) (9-0) Defeated West Chester East, 48-7 (4)
4. Ridley (1) (9-0) Defeated Upper Darby, 35-14 (5)
5. LaSalle College (12) (8-1) Defeated West Catholic, 28-26 (6)
6. Gateway (7) (8-1) Defeated McKeesport, 21-6 (7)
7. Central Dauphin (3) (8-1) Defeated Carlisle, 31-10 (8)
8. Wilson (West Lawn) (3) (8-1) Defeated Penn Manor, 14-7 (9) 
9. Pennridge (1) (8-1) Defeated Central Bucks East, 34-24 (OTW)
10. Upper St. Clair (7) (8-1) Defeated Mount Lebanon, 21-19 (OTW)
Others to Watch:
Central Bucks South (8-1)
Delaware Valley (2) (8-1)
DuBois Area (9) (8-0)

Easton Area (11) (8-1)
Harrisburg (3) (7-2)
Haverford Township (1) (8-1)

Penn Manor (3) (8-1)
Plymouth-Whitemarsh (1) (8-1)
Scranton (2) (9-0)
Seneca Valley (7) (8-1)
Spring-Ford (1) (8-1)

---

Class AAA:
Rank - School - District
1. Bishop McDevitt (3) (9-0) Defeated Cedar Cliff, 34-24 (1)
2. Cathedral Prep (10) (9-0) Defeated Erie East, 70-0 (2)
3. Pottsgrove (1) (9-0) Defeated Perkiomen Valley, 42-28 (3)
4. Thomas Jefferson (7) (9-0) Defeated West Mifflin, 28-14 (4)
5. Archbishop Wood (12) (7-2) Defeated Monsignor Bonner/Prendergast, 56-35 (5)
6. Berwick Area (2) (8-1) Defeated James M. Coughlin, 34-7 (6)
7. West York (3) (9-0) Defeated Northeastern, 35-14 (9)
8. West Allegheny (7) (8-1) Defeated Chartiers Valley, 48-0 (10)
9. Montour (7) (8-1) Defeated Moon Area, 42-21 (OTW)
10. Garden Spot (3) (9-0) Defeated Columbia, 44-14 (OTW)
Others to Watch:
Abington Heights (2) (8-1)
Academy Park (1) (8-1)

Central Valley (7) (7-2)
Clearfield (9) (9-0)
Cocalico (3) (8-1)
Conrad Weiser (3) (8-1)
Donegal (3) (8-1)
General McLane (10) (7-1)
Interboro (1) (8-1)
Mars Area (7) (8-1)
Shippensburg (3) (8-1)
Simon Gratz (12) (9-0)
Slippery Rock (10) (8-1)

West Mifflin (7) (8-1) 

---

Class AA:
Rank - School - District
1. Aliquippa (7) (9-0) Defeated Beaver Area, 39-7 (1)
2. Wyomissing (3) (9-0) Defeated Schuylkill Valley, 37-33 (2)
3. Imhotep Charter (12) (9-0) Defeated Communications Tech, 41-8 (3)
4. South Fayette (7) (9-0) Defeated South Allegheny, 42-0 (4)
5. Washington (7) (9-0) Defeated Waynesburg, 69-6 (5)
6. Jeannette (7) (8-1) Defeated Greensburg Central Catholic, 7-6 (6)
7. Richland (6) (9-0) Defeated Central Cambria, 35-7 (7)
8. Bermudian Springs (3) (9-0) Defeated Littlestown, 24-8 (9)
9. Berks Catholic (3) (9-0) Defeated Kutztown, 55-15 (10)
10. Catasauqua (11) (9-0) Defeated Northern Lehigh, 40-7 (OTW)  Others to Watch:

Beaver Area (7) (8-1)

Burrell (7) (8-1)

Biglerville (3) (8-1)
Grove City (10) (8-1)

Hickory (10) (8-1) 

Ligonier Valley (6) (8-1)
Seton-La Salle (7) (8-1)
Tamaqua (11) (9-0)
Trinity (3) (8-1)

Wilmington (10) (7-2)

Wyoming Area (2) (7-2)

---

Class A:
Rank - School - District
1. Clairton (7) (9-0) Defeated Imani Christian Academy, 52-0 (1) (56 Straight Wins)
2. Southern Columbia (4) (9-0) Defeated Central Columbia, 15-7 (2)
3. Bellwood-Antis (6) (9-0) Defeated Glendale, 41-13 (4)
4. Old Forge (2) (9-0) Defeated Holy Cross, 55-8 (5)
5. Port Allegany (9) (9-0) Defeated Brockway, 55-20 (6)
6. Williams Valley (11) (9-0) Defeated Newport, 48-0  (7)
7. Dunmore (2) (8-1) Defeated Mid Valley, 34-12 (8)
8. West Middlesex (10) (8-1) Defeated Lakeview, 41-6  (9)

9. Tri-Valley (11) (8-1) Defeated Pine Grove, 45-20 (10)
10. Sto-Rox (7) (8-1) Defeated Rochester, 25-0 (OTW)
Others to Watch:
Berlin Brothersvalley (5) (9-0)
Bethlehem-Center (7) (8-1)
Brockway (9) (8-1)
Clarion Area (9) (9-0)
Line Mountain (4) (8-1)
Monessen (7) (8-1)
Neshannock (7) (8-1)
Penns Manor (6) (8-1)

Rochester Area (7) (8-1)
South Williamsport (4) (8-1)
Sharpsville (10) (7-1)

Tribune-Democrat football rankings

Regardless of classification ...

1. Richland 9-0 (Class AA)
2. Cambria Heights 7-2 (AA)
3. Bishop McCort 6-3 (A)
4. Berlin 9-0 (A)
5. Ligonier Valley 8-1 (AA)
6. Portage 8-1 (A)
7. Forest Hills 6-3 (AA)
8. North Star 7-2 (A)
9. Somerset 5-4 (AAA)
10. Northern Cambria (A)

Games of the Week

It's the final meaningful week of the regular season for several teams.

Ligonier Valley (7-1) at Northern Cambria (6-2)
The formula is simple for Northern Cambria - win and the Colts claim their first Heritage Conference championship.
For Ligonier Valley, things are a little more complicated but still possible. The Rams must beat Northern Cambria and get help from Homer-Center, which plays Penns Manor. If LV and H-C both win, the Rams win the Heritage. If Ligonier and Penns Manor win, then Penns Manor wins the conference.
Got it? Good.
Ligonier Valley gutted out a one-point win over Homer-Center, and the Rams should be feeling good as the victory came without three of its top players - Ryan Torrance, Stuart Urch and Connor Maust. Torrance is back after he had to sit out the Homer-Center game because of his ejection during the Penns Manor game. Urch, who has 17 sacks, is also back. Maust is out for the season.
Here's a little fact: Northern Cambria has not lost at home. The Colts' losses came at Homer-Center and Berlin. Among Northern Cambria's home wins was one over Penns Manor in Week 1.

Cambria Heights (6-2) at Somerset (5-3)
Somerset knows it's not always easy dealing with the aftermath of a big victory. The Golden Eagles followed their first ever win against Bishop McCort with a loss to Westmont Hilltop in a game Somerset dominated statistically.
Cambria Heights, winners of five straight, are coming off a 21-19 win over Bishop McCort and face an hour bus ride south.
It will be interesting to see how the Highlanders' tough-as-nails defense, led by senior Donnie Contorchick, handles the Eagles' spread offense, led by playmaker Tanner Stull.

Bishop Guilfoyle (7-1) at Bishop McCort (5-3)
The time has come to drop the "surprise" label from Bishop Guilfoyle. The Marauders are flat out good, and figure to be one difficult out in the District 6-A playoffs.
So does Bishop McCort, which has played every team on its demanding schedule a tough time.
This game could be a first-round playoff preview, as it's not entirely out of the realm of possibility that the Marauders and Crushers clash again in two weeks.
Both teams have strong defenses, particularly up front.

North Star (6-2) at Blacklick Valley (6-2)
What do we know about the Cougars and Vikings after eight weeks?
Well, not much to be honest.
North Star has beat up inferior opponents, and the Cougars' lone win against a team with a .500 record or better is a 3-0 victory over Shade. That said, there aren't many playmakers around better than senior standout Tony Strasiser.
Blacklick Valley has its own playmaker in Johnny Sheesley, and he's putting together an all-state caliber season. But, like North Star, the Vikings have yet to beat a team with a winning record.

Fetzer resigns as Penn Cambria coach

Big things were expected from the Penn Cambria football team this season, but a four-game losing streak ended any hopes of winning a Laurel Highlands Athletic Conference champions and has the Panthers clinging to postseason hopes.

Ernie Fetzer went 48-36 at Penn Cambria.

Penn Cambria was the preseason favorite to win the LHAC, which Richland wrapped up last Friday. The Panthers are ranked ninth in the District 6 Class AA playoff standings. The top eight teams make the playoffs.

Now, Penn Cambria (4-4) was dealt another blow before Saturday's game at Westmont Hilltop when Ernie Fetzer resigned as football coach and athletic director on Wednesday, effective immediately.

Assistant coach Tony Tomaselli will serve as Penn Cambria interim coach for the remainder of the season. Penn Cambria Principal William Marshall and Assistant Principal Dane Harrold will fulfill athletic director duties until a replacement is hired.

The news may surprise many, but according to at least one Penn Cambria player on Twitter, Fetzer's resignation was anything but surprising.

Senior linebacker/receiver Mack Behe tweeted Wednesday, "yeah I saw it coming he talked to me and devin all week about how disappointed he was with the season."

Devin Lawhead, another senior standout, tweeted, "Ernie Fetzer has just quit the head coach of the Penn Cambria football team.. #nojoke"

Fetzer planned to retire as football coach and athletic director, which is a part-time position, at the end of the school year.

"We had been anticipating this but we hadn't announced he was planning to retire because he did not want it to be a distraction to the team," Penn Cambria Superintendent Mary Beth Whited said.

Whited said she and other school administrators met with Fetzer on Wednesday to talk him into completing the season.

"(Fetzer) is an outstanding individual of true character who did so many good things," Whited said. "What bothers me most about the timing is we don't want a cloud hanging over him."

Fetzer, who could not be reached for contact Wednesday night, went 48-36 in his eight years with Penn Cambria. The 64-year-old Fetzer compiled an 182-127-3 coaching record with previous stops including Westmont and Somerset.

Patriot-News football rankings

CLASS AAAA -- Record -- Previous rank
1. North Allegheny (7) -- 8-0 -- 1
2. St. Joseph’s Prep (12) -- 7-0 -- 2
3. Gateway (7) -- 7-1 -- 3
4. LaSalle College (12) -- 7-1 -- 4
5. Central Dauphin* (3) -- 7-1 -- 5
6. Easton (11) -- 8-0 -- 6
7. Downingtown East (1) -- 8-0 -- 7
8. Harrisburg (3) -- 6-2 -- 8
9. Mount Lebanon (7) -- 7-1 -- 9
10. Seneca Valley (7) -- 7-1 -- NR
Teams to watch
Cumberland Valley (3) 6-2, Delaware Valley (2) 7-1, Ridley (1) 8-0, Scranton (2) 8-0, Upper St. Clair (7) 7-1, Wilson (3) 7-1.

(Blogger's reaction: Until Gateway wins a district title, not sure how the Gators are ranked this high.)

CLASS AAA -- Record -- Previous rank
1. Cathedral Prep (10) -- 8-0 -- 1
2. Bishop McDevitt (3) -- 8-0 -- 2
3. Archbishop Wood* (12) -- 6-2 -- 4
4. Central Valley (7) -- 7-1 -- 5
5. West Allegheny (7) -- 7-1 -- 7
6. Pottsgrove (1) -- 8-0 -- 6
7. Montour (7) -- 7-1 -- 3
8. Thomas Jefferson (7) -- 8-0 -- 8
9. Abington Heights (2) -- 7-1 -- NR
10. Berwick (2) -- 7-1 -- 9
Teams to watch
Cardinal O’Hara (12) 5-3, Clearfield (9) 8-0, Franklin Regional (7) 6-2, Hampton (7) 7-1, Mars (7) 7-1, West Mifflin (7) 8-0.

(Blogger's reaction: Don't see a dominant team in the WPIAL. When that happens, Bob Palko often leads West Allegheny to big things.)

CLASS AA -- Record -- Previous rank
1. Aliquippa (7) -- 8-0 -- 1
2. Imhotep Charter (12) -- 8-0 -- 2
3. Wyomissing (3) -- 8-0 -- 3
4. South Fayette (7) -- 8-0 -- 4
5. Washington (7) -- 8-0 -- 5
6. Jeannette (7) -- 7-1 -- 6
7. Hickory (10) -- 7-1 -- 7
8. Grove City (10) -- 7-1 -- 8
9. Trinity (3) -- 7-1 -- 9
10. Catasauqua (11) -- 8-0 -- 10
Teams to watch
Beaver Area (7) 8-0, Bermudian Springs (3) 8-0, Mount Pleasant (7) 6-2, Richland (6) 8-0, Seton-La Salle (7) 7-1, Wilmington (10) 6-2.

(Blogger's reaction: Have wondered all season why South Fayette is ahead of Washington in state rankings. Both teams are excellent, but Wash High pummeled South Fayette last year with essentially the same teams. It might not matter, because Aliquippa is by far the best team in the West.)

CLASS A -- Record -- Previous rank
1. Clairton* (7) -- 8-0 -- 1
2. Southern Columbia (4) -- 8-0 -- 2
3. Rochester (7) -- 8-0 -- 3
4. Old Forge (2) -- 8-0 -- 4
5. Dunmore (2) -- 7-1 -- 5
6. Monessen (7) -- 7-1 -- 6
7. West Middlesex (10) -- 7-1 -- 7
8. Sharpsville (10) -- 7-1 -- 8
9. Bellwood-Antis (6) -- 8-0 -- 9
10. Port Allegany (9) -- 8-0 -- 10
Teams to watch
Bishop Guilfoyle (6) 7-1, Line Mountain (4) 7-1, Neshannock (7) 7-1, Penns Manor (6) 7-1, Sto-Rox (7) 7-1, Williams Valley (11) 8-0.

(Blogger's reaction: Have felt Monessen has been overrated all year, but Greyhounds keep pulling out wins. Also wondered why Berlin wasn't at least in honorable mention, especially after the Northern Cambria win. After last week's scuffle against Meyersdale, it's more understandable.)

Berlin vs. Meyersdale shows why sports cliches are true, and so frequently used

From high school to the pros, head coaches spout cliches during football seasons more often than autumn leaves fall to the ground.

"We're taking things one game at a time."

"We have the utmost respect for our opponent. They're a well-coached team."

"We can't look past our opponent."

When you've dealt with coaches as long as I have, the tendency is to roll your eyes or laugh on the inside as the drivel flows.

Then, every so often, there's a stark reminder why coaches have their own language and say the same things almost every week.

It's games like Meyersdale at Berlin on Friday night. The game is a perfect example of why coaches say the same things every week.

I once asked a coach with several district and state championship titles to his credit and who has occasionally coached his team to national rankings what could possibly concern him following an easy first-round playoff victory. The answer surprised me, but it also opened my eyes to an aspect of coaching that is rarely thought of.

"I'm worried that his girlfriend broke up with him today. I'm worried that he failed a surprise pop quiz in sixth period and can't stop thinking about. With teenagers, you never know how they'll respond from day to day."

Who knows what undefeated Berlin was thinking during its 28-27 victory over one-win Meyersdale in a game the Mountaineers trailed by 20 points, but it illustrates why the games are played.

On paper, things aren't close. Besides the disparity in records, Berlin owned quality wins of Northern Cambria, Portage and North Star. Northen Cambria is the only team to beat Penns Manor this year. Meyersdale had scored 15 points in its previous two games.

But ... on the field, on any given day, anyone can win.

How's that for cliche?

The Mountaineers (8-0) faced a 27-7 second-half deficit after Chris Schrock of Meyersdale (1-7) returned the opening kickoff of the third quarter 88 yards for a touchdown. With six minutes remaining, Berlin still trailed by two scores.

But ... the Mountaineers never quit. They believed in themselves. They took it one play at a time.

And now they're in position to land the top seed in the District 5-A playoffs.

PA Football News rankings

Class AAAA:
Rank - School - District - Record - Score - Last Weeks Ranking1. North Allegheny (7) (8-0) Defeated Shaler Area, 35-7 (1)
2. St. Joseph's Prep (12) (7-0) Defeated Father Judge, 42-3 (2)
3. Easton Area (11) (8-0) Defeated Bethlehem Liberty, 31-21 (3)
4. Downingtown East (1) (8-0) Defeated Downingtown West, 35-21 (4)
5. Ridley (1) (8-0) Defeated Springfield (Delco), 7-3 (5)
6. LaSalle College (12) (7-1) Defeated Roman Catholic, 28-14 (6)
7. Gateway (7) (7-1) Defeated Penn-Trafford, 42-0 (7)
8. Central Dauphin (3) (7-1) Defeated Cumberland Valley, 35-28 (8)
9. Wilson (West Lawn) (3) (7-1) Defeated Manheim Township, 21-0 (9)
10. Penn Manor (3) (8-0) Defeated Warwick, 40-6 (10)

Others to Watch:
Central Bucks South (7-1)
Cumberland Valley (3) (6-2)
Delaware Valley (2) (7-1)
DuBois Area (9) (7-0)
Harrisburg (3) (6-2)
Haverford Township (1) (7-1)
Mount Lebanon (7) (7-1)
Pennridge (1) (7-1)
Plymouth-Whitemarsh (1) (7-1)
Scranton (2) (8-0)
Seneca Valley (7) (7-1)
Spring-Ford (1) (7-1)
Upper St. Clair (7) (7-1)

---

Class AAA:
Rank - School - District
1. Bishop McDevitt (3) (8-0) Defeated Red Land, 44-21 (1)
2. Cathedral Prep (10) (8-0) Defeated Central Tech, 61-19 (2)
3. Pottsgrove (1) (8-0) Defeated Pottstown, 33-13 (3)
4. Thomas Jefferson (7) (8-0) Defeated Uniontown, 49-8 (5)
5. Archbishop Wood (12) (6-2) Defeated Archbishop Carroll, 62-7 (6)
6. Berwick Area (2) (7-1) Defeated Pittston Area, 23-20 (7)
7. Central Valley (7) (7-1) Defeated Ambridge, 35-14 (8)
8. West Mifflin (7) (8-0) Defeated Trinity, 35-7 (9)
9. West York (3) (8-0) Defeated Kennard-Dale, 35-0 (10)
10. West Allegheny (7) (7-1) Defeated Montour, 5-3 (OTW)

Others to Watch:
Abington Heights (2) (7-1)
Academy Park (1) (7-1)
Clearfield (9) (8-0)
Cocalico (3) (7-1)
Conrad Weiser (3) (7-1)
Donegal (3) (7-1)
Garden Spot (3) (8-0)
General McLane (10) (6-1)
Hampton (7) (7-1)
Interboro (1) (7-1)
Mars Area (7) (7-1)
Montour (7) (7-1)
Shippensburg (3) (7-1)
Simon Gratz (12) (8-0)
Slippery Rock (10) (7-1)

---

Class AA:
Rank - School - District
1. Aliquippa (7) (8-0) Defeated Beaver Falls, 66-7 (1)
2. Wyomissing (3) (8-0) Defeated Hamburg, 42-6 (2)
3. Imhotep Charter (12) (8-0) Defeated Prep Charter, 47-0 (3)
4. South Fayette (7) (8-0) Defeated South Park, 42-0 (4)
5. Washington (7) (8-0) Defeated Freeport, 60-6 (5)
6. Jeannette (7) (7-1) Defeated Waynesburg Central, 38-7 (6)
7. Richland (6) (8-0) Defeated Penn Cambria, 30-12 (7)
8. Beaver Area (7) (8-0) Defeated Ellwood City, 35-13 (8)
9. Bermudian Springs (3) (8-0) Defeated Hanover, 35-0 (9)
10. Berks Catholic (3) (8-0) Defeated Fleetwood, 42-3 (10)

Others to Watch:
Athens Area (4) (7-1)
Catasauqua (11) (8-0)
Central Columbia (4) (7-1)
Grove City (10) (7-1)
Hickory (10) (7-1)
Seton-La Salle (7) (7-1)
South Allegheny (7) (7-1)
Susquenita (3) (7-1)
Tamaqua (11) (8-0)
Trinity (3) (7-1)

---

Class A:
Rank - School - District
1. Clairton (7) (8-0) Defeated Serra Catholic, 41-0 (1) (55 Straight Wins)
2. Southern Columbia (4) (8-0) Defeated Shamokin, 48-6 (2)
3. Rochester Area (7) (8-0) Defeated Our Lady of the Sacred heart, 41-0 (3)
4. Bellwood-Antis (6) (8-0) Defeated Northern Bedford, 20-0 (4)
5. Old Forge (2) (8-0) Defeated Carbondale, 35-8 (5)
6. Port Allegany (9) (8-0) Defeated Cameron County, 41-0 (6)
7. Williams Valley (11) (8-0) Defeated Juniata, 27-12 (7)
8. Dunmore (2) (7-1) Defeated Western Wayne, 56-21 (8)
9. West Middlesex (10) (7-1) Defeated Kennedy Catholic, 55-20 (9)
10. Tri-Valley (11) (7-1) Defeated Halifax, 47-7 (10)

Others to Watch:
Berlin Brothersvalley (5) (8-0)
Bethlehem-Center (7) (7-1)
Bishop Guilfoyle (6) (7-1)
Brockway (9) (8-0)
Clarion Area (9) (8-0)
Line Mountain (4) (7-1)
Monessen (7) (7-1)
Neshannock (7) (7-1)
Penns Manor (6) (7-1)
South Williamsport (4) (7-1)
Sharpsville (10) (7-1)
Sto-Rox (7) (7-1)

Tribune-Democrat football rankings

Regardless of classification ...

1. Richland 8-0 (Class AA)
2. Cambria Heights 6-2 (AA)
3. Berlin 8-0 (A)
4. Ligonier Valley 7-1 (AA)
5. Portage 7-1 (A)
6. Forest Hills 5-3 (AA)
7. Bishop McCort 5-3 (A)
8. Northern Cambria 6-2 (A)
9. Somerset 5-3 (AAA)
10. North Star 6-2 (A)

Games of the Week

Big weekend in the LHAC ...

Bishop McCort (5-2) at Cambria Heights (5-2)
Two of the premier defensive teams and, possibly, the two most opportunistic defenses in the LHAC meet in one of the bigger games to hit Cambria Heights in recent years.
Offensively, Bishop McCort and Cambria Heights offer contrasting styles.
The Crushers are effective in the passing game as quarterback Zaine Tomkowski leads the area with 1,006 passing yards. Jordan Spangler and Luke DiFrancesco are the primary receiving targets and will attract plenty of attention from the Highlanders' defense.
Cambria Heights, winners of four consecutive, is a run-first, run-second outfit. The Highlanders average 216.1 rushing yards per game with senior Tyler Crawford leading the way with 699 yards and 11 touchdowns. Crawford has 94 tackles.

Homer-Center (6-1) at Ligonier Valley (6-1)
Ligonier Valley appeared headed to a Heritage Conference championship until the Penns Manor defense dominated the normally high-scoring Rams last week.
To complicate matters for Ligonier Valley, leading rusher and starting linebacker Ryan Torrance won't player after his ejection for throwing a punch during last week's loss. Second-leading rusher Connor Maust is out for the season with a knee injury, and word is linebacker Stuart Urch, who has 17 sacks, is also out because of injury.

Richland (7-0) at Penn Cambria (4-3)
A month ago, this game was a Game of the Year candidate but Penn Cambria is one a three-game losing streak.
Richland is averaging 467.7 yards per game and junior runner Tanner Solarczyk is emerging as an Offensive Player of the Year candidate. He leads the area with 1,114 rushing yards. He's also scored 11 touchdowns the past two weeks.
Penn Cambria's ability to get to Solarczyk could determine the outcome of this one, and the Rams are concerned with linebackers Mack Behe and Devin Lawhead.

Somerset (5-2) at Forest Hills (4-3)
Somerset junior quarterback Tanner Stull practiced late this week and, if Stull plays against Forest Hills, it gives the Golden Eagles a dual threat at the quarterback position and a better chance at beating a team they haven't since 1983.
In typical fashion, Forest Hills is playing better football as the season progresses.
The Rangers bring a modest two-game win streak into the game, but some serious momentum. They rallied from a 12-6 deficit with two minutes remaining in last week's game against Penn Cambria to pull out a 20-18 win in overtime.

Column: 'The look on his face was priceless'

From Associated Press sports columnist Jim Litke:

 Two weeks on, the glow has lost none of its warmth.
“We appreciate all the attention, believe me. But none of us ever dreamed it would turn out like this,” St. Clairesville (Ohio) High football coach Brett McLean said Thursday over the phone.
“Being a dad myself, and having a lot of young dads on the staff and around the program, we were all hurting for Logan and his brothers, for the whole Thompson family. There’s no script for what you say to a young kid who’s just lost his dad. So when we sat down that Thursday night to draw up a game plan, we were just looking for a way to do something we probably couldn’t with words.”
Early in the fourth quarter of an Oct. 5 game against rival Richmond Edison on the road, running back Michael Ferns was motoring up the left sideline with only daylight ahead of him when – according to that plan McLean and his staff drew up and shared with a handful of the Red Devils’ skill players – he slowed to a walk and stepped out of bounds at the 1-yard line.
On the next play, the coach inserted Logan Thompson, a freshman receiver who’d lost his father, Paul, two days earlier and hadn’t carried the ball once the entire season, with these instructions: grab the handoff and follow Ferns’ blocking into the end zone. The play worked to perfection.
“Logan had no idea,” McLean recalled. “The look on his face was priceless.”
Yet so few others knew about the plan that “stunned” was the best way to describe the expression on the faces of just about everybody else.
For one thing, the traveling Red Devils’ fans knew McLean almost never plays freshmen. For another, Ferns, a senior who’s already committed to play for Michigan next season, broke through Edison’s line and into the clear with such swiftness that the refs trailing the play never got close. So they just assumed he stepped out after crossing the goal line and signaled touchdown. That’s when Dan Monteroso, who’s headed to play at Boston College next season and among the handful of players in on the plan, ran out to argue with the refs that Ferns didn’t score.
“And they got it right,” McLean chuckled at the memory, “eventually.”
But even as Logan’s teammates wrapped him in a hug, and an explanation for strange sequence of plays rippled through the crowd, McLean’s work still wasn’t finished. St. Clairesville (pop. 5,400) sits hard by Ohio’s eastern edge, just minutes from the state lines of both West Virginia and Pennsylvania – a corner of the country where jobs in the coal mines and steel mills forge toughness and high school football matters more than in most places.
“That touchdown by Logan was our 56th point of the game, and we’d never run up the score. So the moment I could, I grabbed Mike McKenzie, the coach at Edison, to explain what we did,” McLean added. “He was nothing but supportive.”
Afterward, Logan Thompson tweeted, “Looking straight up into the sky after scoring my first varsity touchdown...i know the old man was watching! love and miss you so much daddy” and his youngest brother, Lance, shared the news with their mother, Daniele, in a text. She was back home finalizing arrangements for the funeral later and looking after a houseful of relatives.
“Hopefully, it gave her a second of comfort at the moment,” McLean said. “And his mom has been more than gracious about sharing the story since. The way she put it was, ‘if it helps people treat each other better than they did yesterday,’ she’s all for it.
“But she also knows all the attention will melt away eventually, and she’s been very careful about shielding Logan and his brothers.”
No coach prepares for the role into which McLean was cast, but fate couldn’t have landed on a much better candidate. The oldest of his three sons just turned 5 and started playing competitive sports and his athletic career reads like road map of the football-mad region – he played at a high school a half-hour away and then at Mount Union, some two hours to the north.
“We’d be proud to take credit for how every one of those kids handled themselves that night, but we can’t. That was what their parents taught them. And Paul, he was one of those great dads – usually dressed head-to-toe in our colors, always supportive of all of his kids and the kind of guy a coach loves,” McLean said, “because other than cheering, he never made a peep.”
The unbeaten Red Devils (8-0) have two games remaining on their regular-season schedule, and already are guaranteed a spot in Ohio’s prep playoffs. No matter how long their run lasts, McLean doubts he’ll be at a loss for motivational words.
“I still haven’t been able to wrap my head around it, not completely,” he said. “We like to say as coaches, we’re here to teach kids life lessons, but this has worked sort of the other way around. The team, the coaches, the community – we’ve all learned things about ourselves.”
The best part?
“I’m not sure,” he began, “maybe it was the bus ride home that night. I think we all felt a little bit closer heading home, like we were part of something bigger than a group that gets pulled together just to play 10 football games.”
–––
Jim Litke is a national sports columnist for The Associated Press. Write to him at jlitke(at)ap.org and follow him at Twitter.com/JimLitke.

Road warriors

There a WPIAL teams that must travel through a tunnel or two (click here), but they've got nothing on Chestnut Ridge.

The Lions are the road warriors of District 5, if not the PIAA.

Without a conference to call home (not that Chestnut Ridge hasn't tried to join one), a preseason scramble was made to fill the Lions' schedule. Phone calls were laced as far away as North Carolina in an attempt to get Chestnut Ridge a 10-game schedule.

Fortunately for the Lions, the furthest south they have to drive is Maryland, but they've faced some rather long journeys on their was to a 4-3 record heading into Saturday's game at always tough Fort Hill (Md.).

"We've approached it as a positive. It's an opportunity to see teams outside our region and a chance to represent south central Pennsylvania well," Chestnut Ridge coach Max Shoemaker said.

Chestnut Ridge has played road games at Berks Catholic, located north of Reading, and Kutztown. Each required a minimum three-hour bus ride in one direction.

"On both our long trips, we scheduled a pregame meal at a college campus nearby," Shoemaker continued. "Berks Catholic was near Albright College and, of course, Kutztown University is right there in Kutztown."

Following the pregame meal, the team would tour the campus on foot then head to the game.

There the type of activities most football teams don't get to experience on a Friday.

"We've looked at our schedule as a good thing," said junior quarterback Beau Bosch. "We get to travel throughout the state to places we've never been before."

PA Football News rankings

Class AAAA:

Rank - School - District - Record - Score - Last Weeks Ranking
1. North Allegheny (7) (7-0) Defeated Pittsburgh Central Catholic, 28-0 (1)

2. St. Joseph's Prep (12) (6-0) Defeated LaSalle College, 24-16 (7)

3. Easton Area (11) (7-0) Defeated Northampton, 49-28 (3) 
4. Downingtown East (1) (7-0) Defeated Bishop Shanahan, 37-0 (4)
5. Ridley (1) (7-0) Defeated Lower Merion, 28-0 (6)
6. LaSalle College (12) (6-1) Lost to St. Joseph's Prep, 24-16 (2)

7. Gateway (7) (6-1) Defeated Norwin, 62-14 (8)
8. Central Dauphin (3) (6-1) Defeated Harrisburg, 24-21 (OT)  (9)  

9. Wilson (West Lawn) (3) (6-1) Defeated Lancaster Catholic, 14-7 (10)

10. Penn Manor (3) (7-0) Defeated Manheim Township, 30-6 (OTW)
Others to Watch:

Central Bucks South (6-1)

Cumberland Valley (3) (6-1)

Delaware Valley (2) (7-0)

Downingtown West (1) (6-1)

Mount Lebanon (7) (6-1)

Pennridge (1) (6-1)

Penn Trafford (7) (6-1)

Plymouth-Whitemarsh (1) (6-1)

Scranton (2) (7-0)

Seneca Valley (7) (6-1)

Upper St. Clair (7) (6-1)

---

 

Class AAA:

Rank - School - District
1. Bishop McDevitt (3) (7-0) Defeated Lower Dauphin, 32-14 (1)

2. Cathedral Prep (10) (7-0) Defeated Rochester Aquinas (NY), 34-9   (2)
3. Pottsgrove (1) (7-0) Defeated Owen J. Roberts, 59-7 (3)
4. Montour (7) (7-0) Defeated Blackhawk, 40-35 (4)

5. Thomas Jefferson (7) (7-0) Defeated Belle Vernon, 57-20 (5)
6. Archbishop Wood (12) (5-2) Defeated Lansdale Catholic, 28-14 (6)
7. Berwick Area (2) (6-1) Defeated Williamsport, 54-14 (8)

8. Central Valley (7) (6-1) Defeated Hopewell, 35-17 (9)
9. West Mifflin (7) (7-0) Defeated Indiana Area, 29-0 (OTW)
10. West York (3) (7-0) Defeated Dover Area, 54-13 (OTW)

Others to Watch:

Abington Heights (2) (6-1)

Academy Park (1) (6-1)

Bangor Area (11) (6-1)

Clearfield (9) (7-0)

Cocalico (3) (6-1)

Conrad Weiser (3) (6-1)

Franklin Regional (7) (6-1)

Garden Spot (3) (7-0)

Mars Area (7) (6-1)

Red Land (3) (6-1)

Slippery Rock (10) (6-1)

Springfield (Delco) (1) (6-1)

Warren (10) (6-1)

West Allegheny (7) (6-1)

West Chester Henderson (1) (6-1)

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Class AA:

Rank - School - District
1. Aliquippa (7) (7-0) Defeated Ellwood City, 54-12 (1)

2. Wyomissing (3) (7-0) Defeated Fleetwood, 52-6 (2)
3. Imhotep Charter (12) (7-0) Defeated University City, 47-12 (3)
4. South Fayette (7) (7-0) Defeated Riverside, 68-0 (4)
5. Washington (7) (7-0) Defeated Mount Pleasant, 34-14 (5)
6. Jeannette (7) (6-1) Defeated Shady Side Academy, 31-26 (6)
7. Richland (6) (7-0) Defeated Defeated Westmont Hilltop, 51-23   (7)

8. Beaver Area (7) (7-0) Defeated Mohawk, 35-14 (8)

9. Bermudian Springs (3) (7-0) Defeated Fairfield, 41-7 (9)
10. Berks Catholic (3) (7-0) Defeated Hamburg, 35-7 (10)

Others to Watch:

Athens Area (4) (6-1)

Beaver Falls (7) (6-1)

Catasaqua (11) (7-0)

Central Columbia (4) (6-1)

Grove City (10) (6-1)

Hickory (10) (6-1) 

Schuylkill Valley (3) (6-1)

Seton-La Salle (7) (6-1)

South Allegheny (7) (6-1)

Tamaqua (11) (7-0)

Trinity (3) (6-1)

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Class A:

Rank - School - District
1. Clairton (7) (6-0) Defeated Bishop Canevin, 53-15 (1) (54 Straight Wins)

2. Southern Columbia (4) (7-0) Defeated Bloomsburg, 32-20 (2)
3. Rochester Area (7) (7-0) Defeated Laurel, 35-13 (3)
4. Bellwood-Antis (6) (7-0) Defeated Southern Huntingdon, 39-3    (4)
5. Old Forge (2) (7-0) Defeated Lackawanna Trail, 35-14 (5)
6. Port Allegany (9) (7-0) Defeated Sheffield, 69-30 (6)
7. Williams Valley (11) (7-0) Defeated Tri-Valley, 14-12 (O) (7)
8. Dunmore (2) (6-1) Defeated Lakeland, 22-17 (8)
9. West Middlesex (10) (6-1) Defeated Sharon Area, 20-14 (OTW)

10. Tri-Valley (11) (6-1) Lost to Old Forge, 12-10 (OT) (10)
Others to Watch:

Berlin Brothersvalley (5) (7-0)

Bethlehem-Center (7) (6-1)

Bishop Guilfoyle (6) (6-1)
Brockway (9) (7-0)

Clarion Area (9) (7-0)

Line Mountain (4) (6-1)

Monessen (7) (6-1)

Neshannock (7) (6-1)

Northern Bedford (5) (7-0)

Penns Manor (6) (6-1)

Sharpsville (10) (6-1)

Sto-Rox (7) (6-1)

Patriot-News football rankings

Pennsylvania high school football rankings from the Patriot-News of Harrisburg, with school’s district in parentheses, followed by record and position in last week’s rankings. NR means not ranked.

CLASS AAAA
1. North Allegheny (7) 7-0 2
2. St. Joseph’s Prep (12) 6-0 6
3. Gateway (7) 6-1 3
4. LaSalle College (12) 6-1 1
5. Central Dauphin (P) (3) 6-1 5
6. Easton (11) 7-0 7
7. Downingtown East (1) 7-0 9
8. Harrisburg (3) 5-2 8
9. Mount Lebanon (7) 6-1 10
10. Delaware Valley (2) 7-0 NR
Teams to watch
Bethel Park (7) 5-2, Cumberland Valley (3) 6-1, Ridley (1) 7-0, Seneca Valley (7) 6-1, Upper St. Clair (7) 6-1, Wilson (3) 6-1.

CLASS AAA
1. Cathedral Prep (10) 7-0 1
2. Bishop McDevitt (3) 7-0 2
3. Montour (7) 7-0 3
4. Archbishop Wood (P) (12) 5-2 4
5. Central Valley (7) 6-1 5
6. Pottsgrove (1) 7-0 6
7. West Allegheny (7) 6-1 7
8. Thomas Jefferson (7) 7-0 9
9. Berwick (2) 6-1 10
10. Franklin Regional (7) 6-1 NR
Teams to watch
Abington Heights (2) 6-1, Cardinal O’Hara (12) 4-3, Clearfield (9) 7-0, Mars (7) 6-1, West Chester Henderson (1) 6-1, West Mifflin (7) 7-0.

CLASS AA
1. Aliquippa (7) 7-0 1
2. Imhotep Charter (12) 7-0 2
3. Wyomissing (3) 7-0 3
4. South Fayette (7) 7-0 4
5. Washington (7) 7-0 5
6. Jeannette (7) 6-1 6
7. Hickory (10) 6-1 7
8. Grove City (10) 6-1 10
9. Trinity (3) 6-1 9
10. Catasauqua (11) 7-0 NR
Teams to watch
Beaver Area (7) 7-0, Bermudian Springs (3) 7-0, Mount Pleasant (7) 5-2, Richland (6) 7-0, Seton-La Salle (7) 6-1, Wilmington (10) 5-2.

CLASS A
1. Clairton (P) (7) 7-0 1
2. Southern Columbia (4) 7-0 2
3. Rochester (7) 7-0 3
4. Old Forge (2) 7-0 4
5. Dunmore (2) 6-1 5
6. Monessen (7) 6-1 6
7. West Middlesex (10) 6-1 7
8. Sharpsville (10) 6-1 8
9. Bellwood-Antis (6) 7-0 9
10. Port Allegany (9) 7-0 10
Teams to watch
Bishop Canevin (7) 5-2, Line Mountain (4) 6-1, Neshannock (7) 6-1, Penns Manor (6) 6-1, Williams Valley (11) 7-0.
(P)-2011 PIAA champion. (x) 2011 Class AA champion. Number in parentheses is PIAA district.

Monday morning quarterback

The Richland at Penn Cambria game was supposed to be a clash of unbeaten powers from the Laurel Highlands Athletic Conference with the winner not only claiming a conference championship but the probably top seed in the District 6AA playoffs.

A month ago, this appeared certain.

Then, something unexpected happened.

Bishop Guilfoyle 14, Penn Cambria 8.

Cambria Heights 27, Penn Cambria 20.

Forest Hills 20, Penn Cambria 18 (in overtime).

Three weeks, three consecutive losses for the preseason favorite in the LHAC. For now, Penn Cambria is in the top eight in the District 6AA standings, but a loss to Richland could knock the Panthers from the top eight with a tricky season finale against Somerset looming.

Penn Cambria is averaging 4.85 yards per carry, a rather pedestrian number for a team expected to win a conference championship, and has just one run of 50 yards or more.

* Richland, meanwhile, has had no problem hitting the home-run play, but the Rams can also piece together drives.

With a tailback like junior Tanner Solarczyk, there isn't much an offense can't do.

Solarczyk has rushed for 1,114 yards on 111 carries and has 15 rushing touchdowns. Here's the wild part of Solarczyk's season - he has 11 rushing touchdowns the past two games, including a whopping six Friday night against in Richland's 51-21 win over Westmont Hilltop.

* Conemaugh Valley's Shane Corson is one tough hombre.

* Chestnut Ridge quarterback Beau Bosch has put up some Solarczyk-like numbers the last two games.

Against Kutztown, Bosch rushed for 326 yards and five touchdowns. Two weeks ago, he accounted for four touchdowns (three passing, one rushing).

* Somerset found out it has a quality backup quarterback in Raven Beeman.

* Ligonier Valley rolled through six opponents before running into Penns Manor Friday night.

The Rams offense struggled in a 20-11 loss at Penns Manor. LV's lone touchdown came on a kickoff return and the offense finished with 72 yards.

Adding to the Rams' difficulties was the ejection of senior running back/linebacker Ryan Torrance, who will not be available when Ligonier Valley hosts a tough, one-loss Homer-Center on Friday.

Torrance was ejected for coming in contact with an official. For more details, click here.

* Talk about poise.

Forest Hills sophomore quarterback Joe Donoughe has plenty.

In what has to be one of this season's defining moments, Donoughe, who had missed several games due to injury, guided the Rangers on an improbable 11-play, 77-yard drive with no timeouts and only 2:03 remaining in the fourth quarterback against Penn Cambria.

Forest Hills trailed 12-6 when Donoughe took the field. They forced overtime when, fittingly, Donoughe scored on a quarterback sneak on the final play of regulation.

The Rangers eventually won in overtime.

Tribune-Democrat football rankings

Regardless of classification ...

1. Richland 7-0 (Class AA)
2. Berlin 7-0 (A)
3. Bishop McCort 5-2 (A)
4. Cambria Heights 5-2 (AA)
5. Ligonier Valley 6-1 (AA)
6. Portage 6-1 (A)
7. Somerset 5-2 (AAA)
8. Northern Cambria 5-2 (A)
9. Forest Hills 4-3 (AA)
10. Penn Cambria 4-3 (AA)

A tale of two kickoffs

Before Saturday's WestPAC game between Conemaugh Valley and Rockwood at Rockwood Athletic Field, team captains gathered at midfield for the pregame coin toss.

Rockwood won the toss and, according to head coach Jerry Kaizen, the captains were instructed to defer to the second half. When the players returned to the Rockets' bench, that's what they told there head coach.

So, Rockwood kicked off to Conemaugh Valley to start the game, which the Blue Jays won 25-0 to improve to 3-4.

Trailing 22-0 at halftime, Rockwood took a little extra time in the locker room, in part because several players were part of the homecoming festivities. As they hurriedly prepared for the third quarter, the officials informed the Rockets they would be kicking off to start second half.

Say what?

Didn't Rockwood kickoff to start the first quarter?

"There was a fluke in the coin toss. My kids tells me he deferred," Kaizen said. "The refs says he tells me we want to kick."

That means the team kicks off to start the first and third quarters.

It rarely, if ever, happens.

Kaizen knew the rule and, according to him, when he spoke with the officials after halftime, he asked them why they failed to approach him after the coin toss because as he said, "the ref told me he'd never heard a team do that before."

For a depleted team searching for something, the second-half kickoff added to this season's woes.

"We laid out the whole first series and what we wanted to do," Kaizen said. "It was a little disheartening."

And it made little sense considering Conemaugh Valley ran the football 61 times and the Rockets' defense struggled to get off the field despite a strong effort from its defensive front.

Games of the Week

Ligonier Valley (6-0) at Penns Manor (5-1)
Following a 56-0 win over Saltsburg last week, Ligonier Valley coach Roger Beitel said his Rams would be a decided underdog this week at Penns Manor, which reached the PIAA Class A semifinals.
Not sure people are buying into that notion with the way Ligonier Valley has played, but this Heritage Conference contest is the Rams' toughest test to date and the winner puts itself in position to win the conference title.
The matchup to watch is Ligonier Valley linebacker Stuart Urch, who has 17 sacks for minus-119 yards, against Penns Manor multi-purpose quarterback Danny Ferens.
Ferens has passed for 370 yards and five touchdowns to go with 1,102 rushing yards and 18 scores. Ferens averages 13.6 yards per carry.

Portage (5-1) at Windber (5-1)
A win for Portage not only keeps the Mustangs close to Berlin in the WestPAC standings, it gives Portage a foothold on a second-place finish considering its previous wins over North Star, Blacklick Valley and Shade.
Brothers Cody and Caleb Kephart have been driving forces for Portage. Caleb Kephart, a sophomore, leads a powerful run game with 525 rushing yards. The Mustangs average 277.7 yards per game. Cody Kephart, a senior, has 81 tackles.
A win for Windber helps the Ramblers keep pace with Berlin. Windber's lone loss was in non-conference play against Ligonier Valley.
Junior Devon Tomlinson has done a little of everything for Windber. He's intercepted five passes, rushed for 212 yards and passed for one touchdown in only two attempts. He's also averaging 26.0 yards per punt return.

Greater Johnstown (3-3) at Bishop McCort (4-2)
Records do not matter in this intense rivalry.
Greater Johnstown bounced back from consecutive shutout losses by beating Bedford last week. The Trojans, who've only scored 55 points this season, will want a low-scoring game. That means a ball-control offense and plenty of senior linebacker Dalvin Williams on defense.
Willians is putting together an All-State caliber season. He already has 91 tackles, four sacks, three passes defense, a fumble recovery and a punt block.
Bishop McCort has played well since a Week 3 at Somerset.
An opportunistic defense has been key for the Crushers, who have seven interceptions and six fumble recoveries. Quarterback Zaine Tomkowski has 957 yards passing.

Blue Jays way

Turning a program like Conemaugh Valley into a consistent, respectable opponent is no easy task.

The Blue Jays won a combined three game the previous three season (2009-2011), and they haven't posted a winning season since 2005, when Conemaugh Valley posted a 7-3 record.

Tough games remain against Blacklick Valley and Windber, so posting a winning record will prove difficult.

Yet. at 2-4 and with a game at Rockwood on Saturday at 1 p.m., Conemaugh Valley feels it's headed in a positive direction. Much of that has to do with last Saturday's 13-8 win against Meyersdale.

"(The players) are feeling better and we're getting better," Conemaugh Valley coach Winston Redman said. "I've said all along that our goal is to win four games this year. If we do that, that's a good step."

In order to achieve it's goal, Redman and the coaching staff gutted the team.

The Blue Jays will dress 24 players - two of them kickers - against Rockwood, which is undermanned as well.

"Next year, we'll have 30-35 kids. Probably 35. This year, we cleaned house," Redman said. "A lot of kids just wanted to wear the uniform but not be part of the football environment. We're down to the kids who really want to play football."

The small numbers have meant juggling positions and bringing up freshmen, but Redman sees progress. He hopes it continues at Rockwood, which is coming off a loss to Ferndale. The Rockets' lone win came against United.

"We won't do anything to put a player in harm's way, but we're using some kids who never played varsity before," Redman said.

Patriot-News football rankings

Pennsylvania high school football rankings from the Patriot-News of Harrisburg, with school’s district in parentheses, followed by record and position in last week’s rankings. NR means not ranked.

CLASS AAAA Rec Pvs
1. La Salle College HS (12) 6-0 1
2. North Allegheny (7) 6-0 3
3. Gateway (7) 5-1 2
4. Upper St. Clair (7) 6-0 4
5. Central Dauphin (P) (3) 5-1 5
6. St. Joseph’s Prep (12) 5-0 6
7. Easton (11) 6-0 7
8. Harrisburg (3) 5-1 9
9. Downingtown East (1) 6-0 10  1/4
10. Mount Lebanon (7) 5-1 NR
Teams to watch
Central Bucks South (1) 6-0, Cumberland Valley (3) 5-1, Delaware Valley (2) 6-0, McDowell (10) 2-4, Ridley (1) 6-0, Seneca Valley (7) 5-1, Wilson (3) 5-1.

CLASS AAA Rec Pvs
1. Cathedral Prep (10) 6-0 1
2. Bishop McDevitt (3) 6-0 2
3. Montour (7) 6-0 4
4. Archbishop Wood (P) (12) 4-2 3
5. Central Valley (7) 5-1 5
6. Pottsgrove (1) 6-0 6
7. West Allegheny (7) 5-1 7
8. Cardinal O’Hara (12) 4-2 9
9. Thomas Jefferson (7) 6-0 NR
10. Berwick (2)5-1 10
Teams to watch
Clearfield (9) 6-0, Franklin Regional (7) 5-1, x-Lancaster Catholic (3) 4-2, Mars (7) 6-0, Scranton Prep (2) 5-1, West Chester Henderson (1) 5-1.

CLASS AA Rec Pvs
1. Aliquippa (7) 6-0 1
2. Imhotep Charter (12) 6-0 2
3. Wyomissing (3) 6-0 3
4. South Fayette (7) 6-0 4
5. Washington (7) 6-0 5
6. Jeannette (7) 5-1 6
7. Hickory (10) 5-1 7
8. Wilmington (10)5-1 8
9. Trinity (3)5-1 9
10. Grove City (10)5-1 10
Teams to watch
Beaver Area (7) 6-0, Bermudian Springs (3) 6-0, Catasauqua (11) 6-0, Mount Pleasant (7) 5-1, Richland (6) 6-0, Seton-La Salle (7) 5-1.

CLASS A Rec Pvs
1. Clairton (P) (7)6-0 1
2. Southern Columbia (4) 6-0 2
3. Rochester (7) 6-0 3
4. Old Forge (2) 6-0 5
5. Dunmore (2) 5-1 6
6. Monessen (7) 5-1 7
7. West Middlesex (10) 5-1 NR
8. Sharpsville (10) 5-1 4
9. Bellwood-Antis (6) 6-0 8
10. Port Allegany (9) 6-0 9
Teams to watch
Beth-Center (7) 6-0, Bishop Canevin (7) 5-1, Line Mountain (4) 5-1, Penns Manor (6) 5-1, Williams Valley (11) 6-0.

(P)-2011 PIAA champion. (x) 2011 Class AA champion. Number in parentheses is PIAA district.

PA football news rankings

Class AAAA:

Rank - School - District - Record - Score - Last Weeks Ranking
1. North Allegheny (7) (6-0) Defeated Gateway, 14-3 (1)

2. LaSalle College (12) (6-0) Defeated Father Judge, 35-7 (2)
3. Easton Area (11) (6-0) Defeated Bethlehem Freedom, 25-21 (3)
4. Downingtown East (1) (6-0) Defeated St. Mark's (DE), 26-21 (5)
5. Upper St. Clair (7) (6-0) Defeated Butler, 34-3 (6)
6. Ridley (1) (6-0) Defeated Garnet Valley, 27-17 (7)

7. St. Joseph's Prep (12) (5-0) Defeated Archbishop Wood, 23-10 (8)
8. Gateway (7) (5-1) Lost to North Allegheny, 14-3 (4)  

9. Central Dauphin (3) (5-1) Defeated Mifflin County, 54-6 (9)

10. Wilson (West Lawn) (3) (5-1) Defeated Hempfield, 56-6 (10)

Others to Watch:

Bayard Rustin (1) (5-1)

Cedar Cliff (3) (5-1)

Central Bucks South (6-0)

Cumberland Valley (3) (5-1)

Delaware Valley (2) (6-0)

Harrisburg (3) (5-1)

Lower Dauphin (3) (5-1)

Mount Lebanon (7) (5-1)

Penn Manor (3) (6-0)

Pennridge (1) (5-1)

Scranton (2) (6-0)

Seneca Valley (7) (5-1)

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Class AAA:

Rank - School - District
1. Bishop McDevitt (3) (6-0) Defeated Hershey, 54-10 (1)

2. Cathedral Prep (10) (6-0) Defeated McDowell, 41-27 (2)
3. Pottsgrove (1) (6-0) Defeated Methacton, 27-14 (4)
4. Montour (7) (6-0) Defeated Chartiers Valley, 50-9 (5)

5. Thomas Jefferson (7) (6-0) Defeated laurel Highlands, 45-6 (7)
6. Archbishop Wood (12) (4-2) Lost to St. Joseph's Prep, 23-10  (3)
7. Mars Area (7) (6-0) Defeated Uniontown, 44-0 (8)

8. Berwick Area (2) (5-1) Defeated Tunkhannock, 49-0 (9)
9. Central Valley (7) (5-1) Defeated Moon Area, 42-9 (10)
10. Slippery Rock (10) (6-0) Defeated Warren, 42-20 (OTW)
Others to Watch:

Abington Heights (2) (5-1)

Bangor Area (11) (5-1)

Clearfield (9) (6-0)

Cocalico (3) (5-1)

Franklin Regional (7) (5-1)

Garden Spot (3) (6-0)

Scranton Prep (2) (5-1)

Springfield (Delco) (1) (5-1)

West Allegheny (7) (5-1)

West Chester Henderson (1) (5-1)

West Mifflin (7) (6-0)

West York (3) (6-0)

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Class AA:

Rank - School - District
1. Aliquippa (7) (6-0) Defeated Freedom Area, 45-3 (1)

2. Wyomissing (3) (6-0) Defeated Kutztown, 70-13 (2)
3. Imhotep Charter (12) (6-0) Defeated Delaware Valley Charter, 34-0 (3)
4. South Fayette (7) (6-0) Defeated Quaker Valley, 52-0 (4)
5. Washington (7) (6-0) Defeated Brownsville, 53-0 (5)
6. Jeannette (7) (5-1) Defeated Mount Pleasant, 28-27 (6)
7. Richland (6) (6-0) Defeated Somerset, 47-0 (7)

8. Beaver Area (7) (6-0) Defeated Riverside, 63-28 (9)

9. Bermudian Springs (3) (6-0) Defeated Delone Catholic, 22-7 (10)
10. Berks Catholic (3) (6-0) Defeated Schuylkill Valley, 21-20 (OTW)

Others to Watch:

Catasaqua (11) (6-0)

Corry Area (10) (6-0)

Grove City (10) (5-1)

Hickory (10) (5-1) 

Ligonier Valley (6) (6-0)

Mount Pleasant (7) (5-1)

Pen Argyl (11) (5-1)

Red Land (3) (5-1)

Schuylkill Valley (3) (5-1)

Seton-La Salle (7) (5-1)

Tamaqua (11) (6-0)

Trinity (3) (5-1)

Wilmington (10) (5-1)

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Class A:

Rank - School - District
1. Clairton (7) (6-0) Defeated Brentwood, 42-7 (1) (53 Straight Wins)

2. Southern Columbia (4) (6-0) Defeated Selinsgrove, 50-21 (2)
3. Rochester Area (7) (6-0) Defeated Neshannock, 28-21 (3)
4. Bellwood-Antis (6) (6-0) Defeated Everett Area, 41-14  (5)
5. Old Forge (2) (6-0) Defeated Montrose, 49-7 (6)
6. Port Allegany (9) (6-0) Defeated Smethport, 48-0 (7)
7. Williams Valley (11) (6-0) Defeated Pine Grove, 43-0 (8)
8. Dunmore (2) (5-1) Defeated Honesdale, 41-7 (9)
9. Bethlehem-Center (7) (6-0) Defeated Jefferson-Morgan, 38-7 (10) 

10. Tri-Valley (11) (6-0) Defeated Millersburg, 35-14 (OTW)
Others to Watch:

Berlin Brothersvalley (5) (6-0)

Bishop Guilfoyle (6) (5-1)

Bloomsburg (4) (5-1)
Brockway (9) (6-0)

Clarion Area (9) (6-0)

Line Mountain (4) (5-1)

Monessen (7) (5-1)

Northgate (7) (5-1)

Northern Bedford (5) (6-0)

Penns Manor (6) (5-1)

Sharpsville (10) (5-1)

Sto-Rox (7) (5-1)

West Middlesex (10) (5-1)

Friday night and Saturday afternoon thoughts

When Ferndale defeated Conemaugh Valley, 46-6, back on Oct. 24, 2009, it was the second consecutive win for the Yellow Jackets, who blanked Hancock (Md.) the previous week.
It also marked the last time Ferndale won a football game ... on the field before Saturday's game against WestPAC opponent Rockwood.
And things often weren't pretty.
Ferndale concluded the 2009 season with a 42-0 loss to North Star.
The 2010 season opened with eight consecutive losses, including a 56-8 setback to Meyersdale. A 2-0 forfeit victory over Freedom Academy of Brooklyn interrupted more losing.
In 2011, the Yellow Jackets went 0-9 and started this season 0-5.
All told, Ferndale lost 24 consecutive contested football games.
That streak, one of the longest active ones in the PIAA, can to an end Saturday afternoon as the Yellow Jackets defeated Rockwood, 34-32, in double overtime.
It's one of the feel-good stories of the 2012 season.
"When you work so hard in the summer and do this, you've got to get a little sugar," Ferndale coach Tony Penna Sr. said after the game.
Ferndale's win is exactly that – a just reward for all the players who've stayed with the team through all the losing.
Ferndale and Conemaugh Valley both won games Saturday – something, I point out, that only Tribune-Democrat sports writer Mike Mastovich saw coming. For the Blue Jays, it's their second win of the season.
Bishop Carroll, which played in the PIAA Class A semifinal in 2010, now owns the area's longest losing streak at 11 games.
* Despite the headline in Saturday's Football Extra, Blacklick Valley did suffer a second-straight loss following Friday's setback to Portage.
The Vikings defeated Conemaugh Township in overtime last week.
* Berlin's gritty come-from-behind victory over Northern Cambria was big for the Mountaineers and the WestPAC. The Colts are a quality football team, and it's easily the best win for the WestPAC in a non-conference game this year.
* This just in ... Richland is good.
*Cambria Heights picked up another significant win Friday night when the Highlanders beat Penn Cambria 27-20.
That's Forest Hills and Penn Cambria in back-to-back weeks.
If Heights eliminates some of the penalties and miscues that have hindered them, they could finish the regular season with an 8-2 record, but Bishop McCort, Somerset and Northern Cambria are left on the schedule.
* The guess here is there was some serious pad-popping during the Shade at North Star game. There aren't many 3-0 games any more.
* Dalvin Williams continues his standout senior season.
The Greater Johnstown linebacker had three sacks and was part of a Trojans defense that forced four turnovers against Bedford.
*Windber is 5-1. Portage is 5-1. The two play this week.

Tribune-Democrat football rankings

Regardless of classification...

Richland's Nico Pecora Friday night at Somerset.

1. Richland 6-0 (Class AA)
2. Ligonier Valley 6-0 (AA)
3. Berlin 6-0 (A)
4. Bishop McCort 4-2 (A)
5. Cambria Heights 4-2 (AA)
6. Portage 5-1 (A)
7. Penn Cambria 4-2 (AA)
8. Somerset 4-2 (AAA)
9. Windber 5-1 (A)
10. Northern Cambria (A) 4-2

Top recruit Parker narrows list

Associated Press
CHICAGO – Top high school recruit Jabari Parker plans to make official visits to Duke, Florida, Michigan State, Stanford and Brigham Young.
His father, Sonny Parker, told The Associated Press that no other schools are in the running. 
“He is going to take all those five visits and then he’ll decide,” he said.
Sonny Parker wasn’t sure of the exact dates, although he did say Jabari will visit Duke at the end of the month and Florida in the first week of November.
All five were among the 10 schools Parker said he was considering over the summer. DePaul, Georgetown, Kansas, Kentucky and North Carolina apparently did not make the cut. Nor did Connecticut, which made a home visit even though it was not on that list.
“He likes all the schools,” Sonny Parker said. “He liked all the programs. He liked all the coaches.  ... When he visits, he’ll probably get more of a feel for the campus. He’ll get a feel of the school and the players, the whole curriculum and everything.”
A 6-foot-8 forward, Jabari Parker is one of the most prized recruits to come along in recent years.  He received the Gatorade Boys Basketball Player of the Year after leading Simeon to its third straight state championship while averaging 19.5 points and 8.9 rebounds as a junior.
It’s not hard to see why Parker is so coveted.
He might grab a rebound, bring the ball up the court and try to set up his teammates as he runs the offense. The next possession, he might bury one from the outside or dunk, but he always makes a concerted effort to play within his team’s system.
He comes from the same high school that Chicago Bulls superstar Derrick Rose attended, and his father played six seasons with the Golden State Warriors in the NBA after starring at Chicago’s Farragut Career Academy.
Religion also plays a big role in Jabari Parker’s life. He is a devout Mormon, just like his mother Lola Parker, and he rises at 5 a.m. three days a week to attend a Bible study at his church before school.
Soon, Jabari Parker will have a big decision to make.
“He just wants to win,” Sonny Parker said. “He just wants a relationship with the coach and the players. He just wants to be better as a player, as a person.”

Games of the Week

Richland at Somerset
The lone remaining unbeaten team in the LHAC, Richland (5-0) hopes to be back at full strength offensively this week against Somerset (4-1). Rams coach Brandon Bailey believes receiver Kyle Flick may be ready for the Golden Eagles, and his big-play presence will test a Somerset secondary that has performed well all season.
Somerset coach Bob Landis hopes Flick is able to play this week as well. He said as much on Monday, noting that in big games, you want the best players on the field for both teams.
Richland leads the District 6AA standings. Somerset is second to Clearfield in the District 5-6-8-9 AAA standings.

Northern Cambria at Berlin
It's a non-conference game, or interconference game as some like to call it in these parts, but it's also a big-time measuring stick for both programs.
The game probably means more to Northern Cambria (4-1), which faces a more crowded obstacle course to the District 6A postseason. Still, the Colts have looked awfully impressive of late.
Berlin (5-0) is second to Northern Bedford in the District 5A standings and the Mountaineers are leading the WestPAC.
We'll know a lot more about both teams following this one.

Cambria Heights at Penn Cambria
Both teams have lost to Bishop Guilfoyle and each only managed one touchdown against the Marauders.
This looks like an even matchup.
Cambria Heights (3-2) has looked impressive since losing to Guilfoyle, outscoring Central Cambria and Forest Hills by a combined 58-6. When the Highlanders eliminate mistakes, they're tough to beat.
Penn Cambria (4-1) is coming off its loss to Guilfoyle, and that game was played Saturday night. Whether the 24 fewer hours of prep for Heights affects the Panthers remains top be seen. Penn Cambria has not allowed more than 14 points in a game.

Ligonier Valley gets defensive

Finding a team with a bigger collective chip on its shoulders than Ligonier Valley football is a difficult task.

Standout senior Ryan Torrance, who leads the area with 16 touchdowns and 100 points, spends part of his week being hassled by teammates. They consistently remind Torrance that there's a player on the other team better than him.

It's all part of a team-wide effort, which includes the coaching staff, to get Torrance to play football angry.

Outside linebacker Stuart Urch takes umbrage with perceived slights.

The Rams found some newspaper people that picked Purchase Line to beat the Rams in Week 1. Ligonier Valley won, 47-0. (For the record, The Tribune-Democrat unanimously picked Ligonier Valley).

Well, Torrance and Urch and the rest of Ligonier Valley's defense has taken things out on its opponents.

Through five games, the Rams (5-0) are not only undefeated and the holding the second spot in The Tribune-Democrat's football rankings, they've shutout three opponents and allowed only 33 points - 15 against Blairsville and 18 to Windber mostly in mop-up duty.

"Honestly, I am surprised with how well we've played," said Urch, whose 14 sacks leads the state according to MaxPreps.com. "I thought we could be good, but not this good."

Against Windber, Ligonier Valley swarmed the Ramblers single-wing offense.

"Windber came in averaging 276 rushing yards per game," coach Roger Beitel said. "We held them to 24 yards rushing."

Against Marion Center, Ligonier Valley's defense did not allow a first down. Marion Center finished with minus-41 total yards.

"That's unheard of, especially around here," Beitel said.

The defense will likely be tested in upcoming weeks against Penns Manor, Homer-Center and Northern Cambria in the Heritage Conference and in a Week 10 contest against Bald Eagle Area.

So far, the defense has proven up to all challenges.

Best high school stadiums

Found this neat article with some great pictures on MaxPreps.com. Among the 10 must-see high school football stories according to the article is The Wolvarena, where tradition-rich Woodland Hills showcases its future NFL talent.

Personally, The Pit at Aliquippa is a cooler place to watch a football game, and Parker Field in Jefferson (home of Jefferson-Morgan) offers an eerie feel with a cemetery adjacent to the facility. But the Wolvarena certainly is unique.

To read the article, click here.

Patriot-News football rankings

Pennsylvania high school football rankings from the Patriot-News of Harrisburg, with school’s district in parentheses, followed by record and position in last week’s rankings. NR means not ranked.

CLASS AAAA
1. LaSalle College HS (12) 5-0 1
2. Gateway (7) 5-0 2
3. North Allegheny (7) 5-0 3
4. Upper St. Clair (7) 5-0 4
5. Central Dauphin (P) (3) 4-1 5
6. St. Joseph’s Prep (12) 4-0 6
7. Easton (11) 5-0 7
8. North Penn (1) 3-2 8
9. Harrisburg (3) 4-1 10
10. Downingtown East (1) 5-0 NR
Teams to watch: Cumberland Valley (3) 4-1, Delaware Valley (2) 5-0, McDowell (10) 2-3, Mount Lebanon (7) 4-1, Ridley (1) 5-0, Seneca Valley (7) 4-1, Wilson (3) 4-1.

CLASS AAA
1. Cathedral Prep (10) 5-0 1
2. Bishop McDevitt (3) 5-0 2
3. Archbishop Wood (P) (12) 4-1 3
4. Montour (7) 5-0 4
5. Central Valley (7) 4-1 5
6. Pottsgrove (1) 5-0 8
7. West Allegheny (7) 4-1 6
8. West Chester Henderson (1) 5-0 NR
9. Cardinal O’Hara (12) 3-2 9
10. Berwick (2) 4-1 10
Teams to watch: Clearfield (9) 5-0, Franklin Regional (7) 4-1, x-Lancaster Catholic (3) 3-2, Mars (7) 5-0, Scranton Prep (2) 4-1, Thomas Jefferson (7) 5-0.

CLASS AA
1. Aliquippa (7) 5-0 1
2. Imhotep Charter (12) 5-0 5
3. Wyomissing (3) 5-0 3
4. South Fayette (7) 5-0 6
5. Washington (7) 5-0 NR
6. Jeannette (7) 4-1 2
7. Hickory (10) 4-1 8
8. Wilmington (10) 4-1 9
9. Trinity (3) 4-1 NR
10. Grove City (10) 4-1 10
Teams to watch: Beaver Area (7) 5-0, Catasauqua (11) 5-0, Central Columbia (4) 5-0, Central Martinsburg (6) 4-1, Richland (6) 5-0, Seton-La Salle (7) 4-1.

CLASS A
1. Clairton (P) (7)5-0 1
2. Southern Columbia (4) 5-0 2
3. Rochester (7) 5-0 3
4. Sharpsville (10) 5-0 4
5. Old Forge (2) 5-0 5
6. Dunmore (2) 4-1 7
7. Monessen (7) 4-1 10
8. Bellwood-Antis (6) 5-0 8
9. Port Allegany (9) 5-0 9
10. Bishop Canevin (7) 4-1 6
Teams to watch: Beth-Center (7) 5-0, Line Mountain (4) 4-1, Penns Manor (6) 4-1, West Middlesex (10) 4-1, Williams Valley (11) 5-0.

The secret to Richland's success

Statistically speaking, no team in the area can stack up to the Richland Rams.

The Class AA power - Richland is ranked seventh by PA Football News - and LHAC juggernaut sports a 5-0 record heading into Friday night's game at surprising Somerset, which is 4-1 and a last-second fumble inside the Westmont 5-yard line from a possible 5-0 record.

Quarterback Matt Shaffer has thrown for 10 touchdowns and completed 74.6 percent of his passes. Nico Pecora, who also plays QB, has added four touchdowns. Together, the tandem has thrown for more than 1,000 yards and with a 126 quarterback rating.

Running back Tanner Solarczyk combines toughness and speed. His play keyed a 17-10 victory over Bishop McCort last week, and Solarczyk has rushed for 683 yards and is averaging 9.23 yards per carry.

Receiver Kyle Flick, despite missing last week's game and barely playing against Greater Johnstown, has 429 receiving yards and eight TDs.

And keep in mind that Richland has already played Bishop Guilfoyle and Bishop McCort, arguably the two toughest defenses in the LHAC.

The reason for Richland's success? The Rams are beating teams up front on both sides of the football.

"That's why we've had success," Richland coach Brandon Bailey said. "It all starts with our offensive and defensive lines. They've done a great job all year and we expected them to play well. They're a veteran group."

Josh Dininny - a first-team all-area selection last year as an offensive lineman - anchors the front. Players like Derek Crawford, Ben Verhovsek and defensive end Sam Finotti are also part of the foundation.

"There's no doubt they've helped our young guys in all other positions on the field," Bailey said. "As an offensive line, they know how to work as a group. It doesn't take as long to get the other guys acclimated."

PA Football News rankings

Class AAAA:

Rank - School - District - Record - Score - Last Weeks Ranking
1. North Allegheny (7) (5-0) Defeated Butler Area, 49-0 (1)

2. LaSalle College (12) (5-0) Defeated Archbishop Ryan, 31-0 (3)
3. Easton Area (11) (5-0) Defeated Emmaus, 15-14 (2OT) (2)
4. Gateway (7) (5-0) Defeated Hempfield, 41-13 (4)  
5. Downingtown East (1) (5-0) Defeated Avon Grove, 42-6) (5)
6. Upper St. Clair (7) (5-0) Defeated Baldwin, 47-6 (6)

7. Ridley (1) (5-0) Defeated Harriton, 35-0 (7)
8. St. Joseph's Prep (12) (4-0) Defeated Roman Catholic, 37-7 (8)
9. Central Dauphin (3) (4-1) Defeated State College, 32-7 (9)

10. Wilson (West Lawn) (3) (4-1) Defeated Cedar Crest, 43-0 (10)

Others to Watch:

Abington (1) (4-1)

Bayard Rustin (1) (4-1)

Cedar Cliff (3) (4-1)

Central Bucks South (5-0)

Cumberland Valley (3) (4-1)

Delaware Valley (2) (5-0)

George Washington (12) (5-0)

Harrisburg (3) (4-1)

Lower Dauphin (3) (5-0)

Penn Manor (3) (5-0)

Scranton (2) (5-0)

Seneca Valley (7) (4-1)

---

 

Class AAA:

Rank - School - District
1. Bishop McDevitt (3) (5-0) Defeated Susquehanna Township, 37-14 (1)

2. Cathedral Prep (10) (5-0) Defeated Youngstown Ursuline (OH), 47-7 (2)
3. Archbishop Wood (12) (4-1) Defeated Cardinal O'Hara, 38-14 (3)
4. Pottsgrove (1) (5-0) Defeated Spring-Ford, 26-0 (4)

5. Montour (7) (5-0) Defeated Ambridge, 45-14 (5)
6. Manheim Central (3) (4-1) Defeated Lebanon, 69-7 (7)
7. Thomas Jefferson (7) (5-0) Defeated Albert Gallatin, 50-0  )

8. Mars Area (7) (5-0) Defeated Greensburg Salem, 49-7 (10)
9. Berwick Area (2) (4-1) Defeated Selinsgrove, 17-7 (OTW)
10. Central Valley (7) (4-1) Defeated West Allegheny, 28-14 (OTW)

Others to Watch:

Bangor Area (11) (5-0)

Clearfield (9) (5-0)

Franklin Regional (7) (4-1)

Garden Spot (3) (5-0)

Scranton Prep (2) (4-1)

Selinsgrove (4) (4-1)

Slippery Rock (10) (5-0)

Valley View (2) (4-1)

Warren (10) (5-0)

West Allegheny (7) (4-1)

West Chester Henderson (1) (5-0)

West Mifflin (7) (5-0)

West York (3) (5-0)
 

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Class AA:

Rank - School - District
1. Aliquippa (7) (5-0) Defeated Mohawk, 48-0 (1)

2. Wyomissing (3) (5-0) Defeated Pleasant Valley, 31-27(2)
3. Imhotep Charter (12) (5-0) Defeated School of the Future, 53-0 (4)
4. South Fayette (7) (5-0) Defeated Seton-LaSalle, 51-12 (6)
5. Washington (7) (5-0) Defeated Jeannette, 18-15  (7)
6. Jeannette (7) (4-1) Lost to Washington, 18-15  (3)
7. Richland (6) (5-0) Defeated Bishop McCort, 17-10 (8)

8. Schuylkill Valley (3) (5-0) Defeated Fleetwood (10)

9. Beaver Area (7) (5-0) Defeated Blackhawk, 41-40 (OTW)
10. Bermudian Springs (3) (5-0) Defeated York Suburban, 42-0) 

Others to Watch:

Berks Catholic (3) (5-0)

Burrell (7) (5-0)

Central (Martinsburg) (6) (4-1)

Central Columbia (4) (5-0)

Cocalico (3) (4-1)

Corry Area (10) (5-0)

Grove City (10) (4-1)

Hickory (10) (4-1) 

Ligonier Valley (6) (5-0)

Mount Pleasant (7) (5-0)

Pen Argyl (11) (4-1)

Red Land (3) (4-1)

Seton-La Salle (7) (4-1)

Trinity (3) (4-1)

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Class A:

Rank - School - District
1. Clairton (7) (5-0) Defeated Fort Cherry, 65-0 (1) (52 Straight Wins)

2. Southern Columbia (4) (5-0) Defeated Muncy, 47-7 (2)
3. Rochester Area (7) (5-0) Defeated Western Beaver, 41-6 (3)
4. Sharpsville (10) (5-0) Defeated Farrell, 35-13 (4)
5. Bellwood-Antis (6) (5-0) Defeated Mount Union, 21-0 (5)
6. Old Forge (2) (5-0) Defeated Riverside, 54-7 (6)
7. Port Allegany (9) (5-0) Defeated Otto-Eldred, 42-16 (7)
8. Williams Valley (11) (5-0) Defeated Halifax, 24-0 (8)
9. Dunmore (2) (4-1) Won by forfeit over Holy Cross, 2-0 (9)

10. Bethlehem-Center (7) (5-0) Defeated West Greene, 60-6 (10)

 Others to Watch:

Avella (7) (5-0)

Berlin Brothersvalley (5) (5-0)

Bishop Guilfoyle (6) (4-1)

Bloomsburg (4) (4-1)

Clarion Area (9) (5-0)

Cuurwensville (9) (5-0)

Elk County Catholic (9) (5-0)

Line Mountain (4) (4-1)

Monessen (7) (4-1)

Neshannock (7) (5-0)

Northgate (7) (4-1)

Northern Bedford (5) (5-0)

Penns Manor (6) (4-1)

Sto-Rox (7) (4-1)

Tri-Valley (11) (5-0)

West Middlesex (10) (4-1)