After tracking several non-conference games, it's apparent that a few teams that looked like contenders going into the 2011 must make improvements in order to live up to expectations.
Ringgold's 21-14 loss at Hampton might be the most surprising result of the young season.
Hampton was shut out by a good Blackhawk team in its season opener, but the Talbots held Ringgold's high-scoring offense to two touchdowns, both coming on runs from quarterback Quad Law.
The Rams open conference play this week against Joe Montana Stadium against Hollidaysburg, and follow with a road game at Greensburg-Salem. Winning both game will be imperative to the Rams' chances of hanging with Franklin Regional in the Keystone Conference. FR is the Observer-Reporter's No. 3 team in Class AAA.
The injury bug took a bite into Fort Cherry during its 34-12 home loss to Rochester as the Rangers' top three receivers were all affected in some fashion. Still, Rochester served notice to anyone who believed the Rams weren't worthy of being a top-five team in Class A.
* That said, Chartiers-Houston put together the weekend's most impressive victory.
The Bucs scored 20 points on only 14 offensive plays during the first half in winning at Shenango, 20-6, Saturday night. In the second half, C-H dug in on defense and held off a Shenango run game that produced some first downs, ate up clock bu couldn't find the end zone.
Coaches dread Saturday games, particularly night ones following a long road trip.
* We'll find out a lot about Washington the next two weeks. First, the Prexies get Seton-La Salle Friday night at Chartiers Valley and will be decided underdogs. Then, it's home to play rival South Fayette.
* Don't look now but Burgettstown is the area's second-highest scoring team behind Beth-Center. The Blue Devils are getting significant contributions from quarterback Ryan Dupain, running back Mike LaRocka and multi-purpose player John Dugas.
A win at home against South Allegheny would make Burgettstown 3-0 before the schedule gets much more difficult.
* Uh, Monessen has yet to surrender a point.
* Trinity's home game against Belle Vernon Friday night could be the Hillers' most important of the year.
Assuming Thomas Jefferson is the class of the Big Eight Conference, Trinity must find a way to beat Belle Vernon or West Mifflin, and take care of business against the other teams to solidify a playoff standing.
Considering Belle Vernon nearly won at Hopewell the week before the Vikings knocked off Montour, the Leopards must be better than people thought heading into the season.
* Funny how an identity can change from one year to the next.
In 2010, California threw the football, then threw it some more. This year, the Trojans are doing it with defense and the run game. It produced a solid 15-6 win at Carmichaels to move to 2-0 in a game that should go a long way in determining the Trojans' standing in the Tri-County South Conference.
* Canon-McMillan is 0-2, yet has been outscored by just three points and allowed only 28.
3 comments:
I think this loss will do more good for Ringgold than bad. They needed this loss to be humbled a little bit. Quad Law couldn't do it all out there, but he almost did. Affinito did a fine job as well, but that was it. Missing Louis and Fred Johnson hurt them, because they were able to key in on Law.
Rochester and Fort Cherry are both bad football teams. Honest. Sometimes the truth hurts. Fort Cherry has 0 team speed. Tanner Garry, when pressured, cant do a blessed thing. Rochester is very small. If those two are two of the best Class A has to contend with Clairton then you might as well hand Clairton the title right now. I drove to Beaver County to watch Clairton on Saturday after watching that "game" in McDonald Friday night...Clairton is on another planet compared to both of those teams. It really is sad...
Burgettstown's real season begins when conference play begins. I have patted them on the back thus far and have predicted that they would improve from last year. However, I still think that 4 wins is the max. A win on Saturday versus S.Allegheny is very possible. The predicted 4th win will be against Q.Valley.
I do hope that I am proven wrong!
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