The eighth week of the high school football season was not a kind one.
Several teams had an opportunity to solidify playoff standing or a conference championship. Ringgold, Waynesburg, South Fayette and Burgettstown struggled with those situations.
The results from Friday indicate that the second round of the WPIAL playoffs won't feature many local teams.
Beth-Center looks like the team most likely to advance. The Bulldogs should be seeded No. 6 in the Class A bracket, barring any last week upsets of teams ranked higher. A winnable home game puts B-C on turf in the quarterfinals, where its talent is better suited to play.
Washington struggled mightily but edged South Allegheny, 14-12. The win clinched a home playoff game for the Prexies, their first since 2001. Washington could be seeded anywhere from 5-7 in the Class AA playoffs and are always a tough team to play at Wash High Stadium. If the Prexies avoid a Beaver County team in the first round, thier chances of advancing are right there with Beth-Center's.
Ringgold hurt its stock with a 38-0 loss at Franklin Regional. The Rams went from a possible top four seed to most likely a No. 8 as long as undefeated FR beats a tough Greensburg-Salem team which is not a given. If Ringgold gets the No. 8 seed, the Rams will likely draw the third-place team from the Parkway Conference. Playing West Allegheny or Blackhawk is one tough draw.
The winner of Friday night's Fort Cherry at Chartiers-Houston game puts itself in a better position to advance than the loser, which finishes fourth and probably plays at a conference champion in the first round.
Given the lack of quality teams in Class AA, South Fayette could advance, but the Lions have struggled offensively against quality teams. Still, a first-round game against a team from the Greater Allegheny Conference is winnable.
13 comments:
How can you place Washington at #5 in your rankings above all but one Beaver County school and then say "If the Prexies avoid a Beaver County team in the first round, thier chances of advancing are right there with Beth-Center's."
Come on man!
Wow, someone is on a crusade. Sorry, Wash High will stay at No. 5.
I never said Washington wouldn't beat a Beaver County team but it doesn't take a genius to know Beaver is a tougher first-round draw than Shady Side Academy or Summit Academy.
Mike,
I know FR may have been better than Ringgold may have been better than Ringgold, but that team was not 38-0 better than Ringgold. We spotted them 3 touchdowns on short fields, and one of the WPIAL's leading rushers did not play. Quad is the life force of that team, and without him they couldn't play. I think Greensburg is going to hit FR in the mouth.
Not positive off top of my head, but if GS beats FR, that could make Ringgold the No. 3 and put them on the road.
If Greensburg Salem wins by 6 or more, the Lions clinch the Keystone title. Franklin Regional would be second and Ringgold third. If the Lions win by 5 or less AND Ringgold wins, FR is first, Ringgold second and GS third.
I think only the top two teams should make the playoffs. Some teams don't deserve to make the playoffs.
Listen all double aa teams can be had. Evidence was the beaver aliquippa game where some came away thinking beaver should have won if not for a few mistakes. Saying all that, Wash High 's chances should be good to advance. They have probably two of the most powerful backs in AA if Kelly's healthy and returns to form. and with the weather changing that could be pivotal. Setons good they have flaws as well. Its goin to be interesting if Beaver Falls finishes fourth and plays a conference champion. They have talent and can win on any given night as well.As far as ringgold/fr I know this: Quad cant be replaced and to not think he would of have made a difference is foolishness. Not saying they would have won but I know it would have been alot closer. That kid would have gotten loose at least 3 or 4 times which could have changed the game. some players just cant be replaced on their respective teams ala peyton manning. heres hoping quad and jaylin and the rest of the kids banged up are back full strength next week in time for the playoffs. Nothing is worse than losing knowing you were not at full strength. Hopefully the county can represent this year.
i agree its a coin flip with alot of these double a schools. its going to come down to who wants it more and who is prepared. washington can play with anyone, dont let the south allegheny game fool you.
@Keith...
Were you at Rams/FR?
If you were, we watched two diff games. FR is that much better than Ringgold - in fact, if their backups didnt fumble twice inside Ringgold's 5, theyre 52 pts better. FR was bigger and stronger and imposed dominated both lines of scrimmage.
I dont discount Quad's absence - but there were zero holes opened by OL. Quad might have left that game more injured than he already is - and if Brown didnt leave the game in early 3rd qtr, the score might have been worse. The Rams defense is porous and has been all season. Dont forget if Salem's QB didnt implode in a five min stretch vs Rams, they would have two losses and be relegated to 3rd place.
The South Fayette team that showed up in the first half against SLS can play with anyone in AA. However, they'll need to find a way to put that together for two halves..which may be a bit difficult due to a lack of senior leadership and a bit of a hindrance at QB.
I think they're capable of beating a Beaver or Beaver Falls (neither of which has been consistently impressive..with Beaver struggling against a winless Brownsville team and BF obviously slipping up a few times). It's hard to really know how good GCC and Jeannette are because that conference is fairly down this year. So, it's really tough to make a call in AA. South Fayette is talented enough to make a run.
Having said that..I think the Lions will have an excellent team next year.
You may be right Sarc, but moral was an issue. Just trust me.
Keith...
I'm with you on only having the top 2 teams make it. But that's a minor issue when I spill my venom towards the WPIAL.
@Keith...
Im aware of the morale issues....Im aware of players changing play calls by Humbert..Players taking off pads because they were mad about playing time and saying they were hurt when they didnt play....Players criticizing play calls on sideline within earshot of Humbert...
They do have bigger issues than blocking and tackling..
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