District Six Class AA Football Playoff Preview
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Crimson's Ghost
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District Six Class AA Football Playoff Preview
The Favorite - Central
Central is 9-1, and they come into the playoffs riding a seven game winning streak. The Dragons hold three convincing wins over three teams in the AA playoff bracket, and for that I think it makes them the favorites to take home the title. Central has a balanced offense littered with capable playmakers. The defense has been very good also. They have risen to the challenge all season long, and their only loss was to top seeded AAA team, Clearfield. Central’s offense is orchestrated by senior quarterback, Noah Benton. He has thrown for 1,500 yards and 20 touchdowns while rushing for another five touchdowns. Alex Hoenstine and Justin Helsel are versatile athletes that can make big plays in space. They have a complete team with a stout defense led by juniors Hoenstine, Brice Brumbaugh, and Cam Norris. Overall, they have very few weaknesses and if they are on their game, they are clearly the best team.
The Challenger - Tyrone
41-14. That was the score in week two when Central defeated Tyrone easily. It’s all a matter whether or not Tyrone has closed the gap at all since that night in early September. Either way, they appear to be the top team to give Central a game in this bracket. The Golden Eagles have an impressive aerial attack on offense. Drew Hunter has 1,837 passing yards and 22 touchdowns this season. Cullen Raftery, Parker Mitchell, and Michael Lewis provide him with three dynamic receivers down field. The speedy Gary Weaver III is the perfect compliment as a running back, as he averages 127 yards a game. The Golden Eagles have the offense to light up the scoreboard, but can their defense hold when they face a talented offense?
The Sleeper - Mount Union
Of all the lower seeded teams, I could see Mount Union having the best chance to make some noise in this tournament. The Trojans made it to the final last year before bowing out to Tyrone. A lot of their personnel has changed, but they still have a number of key pieces in place to make a run. The Trojans have won five straight and have played better in recent weeks. Daunte Martin has emerged as the team’s featured back, while the big and bruising back, DJ Bookwalter, can provide a change of pace. It’s not the ultra-speedy team of last year, but they still have weapons on offense to make any game interesting.
The Unknown - Juniata
Juniata is always the team that comes in inconspicuously. The Indians play a schedule mostly comprised of District 3 and 4 opponents, and it can be tough to get a feel for how this team matches up with everyone else. Obviously last year they were upset in round one, and that possibility is still very real. As it stands now, we know this team comes in with a very good reputation with the ability to score the ball. They average 56 points a game as a team, and have even eclipsed the 60 point mark five times, with three of those going for 70 or more. They can be explosive on offense, and it starts with Chantz Swartz, who has 36 offensive touchdowns. Tyler Clark has thrown 24 touchdowns to just 1 interception. So obviously if they can get their offense rolling, they could be a team that could cause havoc.
The Spoiler - Huntingdon
Nothing would please Huntingdon more than advancing to the second round of the playoffs, but it would make extra sweet to take out their arch-rival in the process. Some expected Huntingdon to take the next step this season and build off of last year, but the Bearcats finished with a somewhat disappointing 6-4 record. They could not take down any of the upper-echelon teams on their schedule, but they did give Tyrone a bit of a game. Look out for Huntingdon this week, they could be ready to play the role of spoiler against the Golden Eagles.
The Wild Card - Ligonier
Ligonier is talented and skilled, but come playoff time the Rams have had their share of issues getting out of the first round. They will be presented with a tall task with a solid Mt. Union team coming to Weller Field in the first round. The Rams are often one of those teams that has the talent, but their mostly Class-A schedule doesn’t prepare them for the rigors of the AA playoffs/ Although this year they got to see Huntingdon and Central in the regular season and perhaps it will be just what they need to go out and win some playoff games. Collin Smith is a fantastic player, and he can definitely lead Ligonier to some playoff wins with his talent.
The Deeper Sleeper - Southern Huntingdon
The Rockets have a chance to perhaps win a game or two. They open with a trip to Juniata, and as I have alluded to already - it’s hard to know what to expect from them. Southern Huntingdon has been a program on the rise lately after years of futility. The Carowick’s (Nick and Tyler) have been outstanding on offense this year and they are the team’s two leading rushers. If both brothers are on a roll, they may be able to go in and steal one from Juniata.
The Longshot - Forest Hills
The Forest Hills Rangers have been average most of the season. Some weeks they look good, but others not so much. The .500 record says a lot about where this team is. They have a bright future with Cecere as their QB, but injuries and inconsistency have played a role in how their season has played out this year. They will be heavy underdogs on Friday, but they have some talented guys capable of giving Central some problems. If the Rangers can establish the run and control the clock, they may make the game closer than expected.
The Picks
(1) Central over (8) Forest Hills
(4) Ligonier over (5) Mount Union
(2) Tyrone over (7) Huntingdon
(6) Southern Huntingdon over (3) Juniata
(1) Central over (4) Ligonier
(2) Tyrone over (6) Southern Huntingdon
(1) Central over (2) Tyrone
Central is 9-1, and they come into the playoffs riding a seven game winning streak. The Dragons hold three convincing wins over three teams in the AA playoff bracket, and for that I think it makes them the favorites to take home the title. Central has a balanced offense littered with capable playmakers. The defense has been very good also. They have risen to the challenge all season long, and their only loss was to top seeded AAA team, Clearfield. Central’s offense is orchestrated by senior quarterback, Noah Benton. He has thrown for 1,500 yards and 20 touchdowns while rushing for another five touchdowns. Alex Hoenstine and Justin Helsel are versatile athletes that can make big plays in space. They have a complete team with a stout defense led by juniors Hoenstine, Brice Brumbaugh, and Cam Norris. Overall, they have very few weaknesses and if they are on their game, they are clearly the best team.
The Challenger - Tyrone
41-14. That was the score in week two when Central defeated Tyrone easily. It’s all a matter whether or not Tyrone has closed the gap at all since that night in early September. Either way, they appear to be the top team to give Central a game in this bracket. The Golden Eagles have an impressive aerial attack on offense. Drew Hunter has 1,837 passing yards and 22 touchdowns this season. Cullen Raftery, Parker Mitchell, and Michael Lewis provide him with three dynamic receivers down field. The speedy Gary Weaver III is the perfect compliment as a running back, as he averages 127 yards a game. The Golden Eagles have the offense to light up the scoreboard, but can their defense hold when they face a talented offense?
The Sleeper - Mount Union
Of all the lower seeded teams, I could see Mount Union having the best chance to make some noise in this tournament. The Trojans made it to the final last year before bowing out to Tyrone. A lot of their personnel has changed, but they still have a number of key pieces in place to make a run. The Trojans have won five straight and have played better in recent weeks. Daunte Martin has emerged as the team’s featured back, while the big and bruising back, DJ Bookwalter, can provide a change of pace. It’s not the ultra-speedy team of last year, but they still have weapons on offense to make any game interesting.
The Unknown - Juniata
Juniata is always the team that comes in inconspicuously. The Indians play a schedule mostly comprised of District 3 and 4 opponents, and it can be tough to get a feel for how this team matches up with everyone else. Obviously last year they were upset in round one, and that possibility is still very real. As it stands now, we know this team comes in with a very good reputation with the ability to score the ball. They average 56 points a game as a team, and have even eclipsed the 60 point mark five times, with three of those going for 70 or more. They can be explosive on offense, and it starts with Chantz Swartz, who has 36 offensive touchdowns. Tyler Clark has thrown 24 touchdowns to just 1 interception. So obviously if they can get their offense rolling, they could be a team that could cause havoc.
The Spoiler - Huntingdon
Nothing would please Huntingdon more than advancing to the second round of the playoffs, but it would make extra sweet to take out their arch-rival in the process. Some expected Huntingdon to take the next step this season and build off of last year, but the Bearcats finished with a somewhat disappointing 6-4 record. They could not take down any of the upper-echelon teams on their schedule, but they did give Tyrone a bit of a game. Look out for Huntingdon this week, they could be ready to play the role of spoiler against the Golden Eagles.
The Wild Card - Ligonier
Ligonier is talented and skilled, but come playoff time the Rams have had their share of issues getting out of the first round. They will be presented with a tall task with a solid Mt. Union team coming to Weller Field in the first round. The Rams are often one of those teams that has the talent, but their mostly Class-A schedule doesn’t prepare them for the rigors of the AA playoffs/ Although this year they got to see Huntingdon and Central in the regular season and perhaps it will be just what they need to go out and win some playoff games. Collin Smith is a fantastic player, and he can definitely lead Ligonier to some playoff wins with his talent.
The Deeper Sleeper - Southern Huntingdon
The Rockets have a chance to perhaps win a game or two. They open with a trip to Juniata, and as I have alluded to already - it’s hard to know what to expect from them. Southern Huntingdon has been a program on the rise lately after years of futility. The Carowick’s (Nick and Tyler) have been outstanding on offense this year and they are the team’s two leading rushers. If both brothers are on a roll, they may be able to go in and steal one from Juniata.
The Longshot - Forest Hills
The Forest Hills Rangers have been average most of the season. Some weeks they look good, but others not so much. The .500 record says a lot about where this team is. They have a bright future with Cecere as their QB, but injuries and inconsistency have played a role in how their season has played out this year. They will be heavy underdogs on Friday, but they have some talented guys capable of giving Central some problems. If the Rangers can establish the run and control the clock, they may make the game closer than expected.
The Picks
(1) Central over (8) Forest Hills
(4) Ligonier over (5) Mount Union
(2) Tyrone over (7) Huntingdon
(6) Southern Huntingdon over (3) Juniata
(1) Central over (4) Ligonier
(2) Tyrone over (6) Southern Huntingdon
(1) Central over (2) Tyrone
Re: District Six Class AA Football Playoff Preview
Good points of view, CG.
It ain't over until it's over.
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jayjay6218
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Re: District Six Class AA Football Playoff Preview
I do believe the Tyrone QB is Drew Hunter, not Garret.