Friday Game Updates

[kmr]

Yes I think he is the youngest Lauer, they had him at wr and he wasn't part of the O. Heres the thing Barzdo wasn't going to be the QB last year if it wasn't for the one kid (forget his name) getting injured in baseball. They tried him at rb and lauer at qb for 1 play last night it was probably their longest rush 4yds. Its just a lack of talent this year.

[CarpeDiem]

After seeing all the talk about Shade on here, I decided to head to Portage last night. Here's what i saw. Portage clearly missed their biggest playmaker in Bimle. The Mustangs were not very crisp on offense and their defense was bending but wouldnt break until the 4th quarter touchdown. This game was a few penalty calls away from turning out in Shade's favor but penalties are part of the game and you'll have them. Shade seemed to have them at the worst moments though. This game also was a few missed plays from Portage routing the Panthers. 3 different times Portage had receivers behind the secondary wide open and Bryja either overthrew them or didnt see them. Overall though, this was a great opener and one of the best places to watch a friday night game in the area. The crowd and atmosphere there was amazing.

[Manfred]

A few week 1 observations. For those couple of you who just have to crow about Richland's "upset". I have said for several weeks that FH would have its season determined by its play on both sides of the line. Last night showed it's gonna be a long season. Congrats to Brandon for getting KING KONG off his back. Now if he can get old man Rizzo to lighten up, all will be rosy in his household. The program last night said Rizzo was 235#. NO WAY IN HE##. He looked like 210-215. And, he showed pretty good quickness legging it away from FH on his runs. On the Ram TD pass- the defender was totally fooled and played for the run, so Flick was w-i-d-e open and only had to run under it to score. FH had -NO- running game. Unger did not play on offense, and only got in on defense late. I didn't think his Jtown scrimmage injury was that serious, or was it? Gdula looked like David Carr a couple years ago, running for his life. One play, he was "in the grasp", had already gone to his knees and put the ball on the ground bracing himself with his hands, and the ball came loose. Richland picked it up, advanced it some downfield, and it was ruled a turnover. SOMEONE tell me the rule. Is he NOT down, on his knees, before the ball came out? With schools and officials so keen to prevent injuries etc., you would think he was downed at that point. Shope was injured after receiving a pass and awkwardly falling. Hopefully it's just a hyperextension, and not a season-ending tear. His older bro's. both had recurring knee problems. I saw a lot of Richland facemask penalties, and a lot of Rams going out with cramps or injuries? Lots of Ram helmets on the turf too. The hitting was certainly there, it wasn't because of lack of effort. Looking ahead to next Sat., with Westy winning, I expect another tough game, and the Rangers better bring their A game, or we could be hoping for a 6-4 season. Moldo said it well, when you are on top, it's tough to stay there for very long. Congrats to all the new coaches on their first victories, specifically BM and Windber. Last night's 50-50 was $ 1550. How's that for fan support on BOTH sides of the field??? Eaglealum- your game should have been GOTW!!!

[Manfred]

BTW- for all the Ranger haters (or is it just OG, Moldo and me that you hate), there were about 20 or 30 others on this board who drank the koolaid and picked against Richland.

[Crimson's Ghost]

Is anyone else excited when section play starts in the LHAC?

Richland,Westmont, and Bishop McCort all made BIG statements to open the year. I think the perception was that Johnstown and Forest Hills could walk to their Week 10 matchup with 9-0 record, as it was last year.

Well in Section II, things got a lot more interesting.
First off, Richland. I heard that Rizzo did lose some weight, so you are right there Manfred. But he is going to have a HUGE year. The two sophomore QB's can certainly make plays, and Kyle Flick is a big time deep threat.

Westmont showed they are not a pushover. I heard the talk all week that Carroll was not as good as last year, but I still thought they would be better than Westmont. But the Hilltoppers have a big line, and a back, in Burnheimer that is coming right at you. And they are tough against the run.

Bishop McCort may have an aerial assault that can rival Johnstown. Cooper has the big arm, and Leech and Wilson are big time athletes that can go get it, and the running game isn't too bad either. And they the Defense did pitch a shutout.

And Johnstown, is well, Johnstown. We all know what they have, what they can do. I'm sure they will put a hurtin on Guilfoyle tonight.

So when the "City Rivalries" are happening between these 4 programs, you can except some good football. Usually McCort or Johnstown runs away with these games, I think we are going to see some close games. We will know more after next week, but needless to say the LHAC is not what we all expected going in.

[jack daniel]

crimson

I can't wait until week 5 rolls around and the Crushers have Richland, Westmont, Johnstown, and Forest Hills in consecutive weeks. But I'm kicking myself over having to go to Philly for a wedding the weekend of the Crushers and Rams. One game this week that really intrigues me is Westy vs FH. FH will not be happy after what happened last night, and Westy will be out to prove their for real should be a good one next Saturday. Also, Richland and Johnstown should be an interesting match up week 4. I just don't know if Richland has enough athletes to keep up with Jtown. As for McCort's passing game. With Cooper under center and Leech, Wilson, Spangler, etc. as his weapons he could have a Jordan DeFrances like season.

[phenom]

After seeing all the talk about Shade on here, I decided to head to Portage last night. Here's what i saw. Portage clearly missed their biggest playmaker in Bimle. The Mustangs were not very crisp on offense and their defense was bending but wouldnt break until the 4th quarter touchdown. This game was a few penalty calls away from turning out in Shade's favor but penalties are part of the game and you'll have them. Shade seemed to have them at the worst moments though. This game also was a few missed plays from Portage routing the Panthers. 3 different times Portage had receivers behind the secondary wide open and Bryja either overthrew them or didnt see them. Overall though, this was a great opener and one of the best places to watch a friday night game in the area. The crowd and atmosphere there was amazing.

I attended this game to and portage is a definately great place to watch a game with a great atmosphere, agreed. But the mustangs definately missed Bimle in the passing game and 18 did a great job of stepping up. This game easily could've been a blowout with portage missing out on alot of oppurtunities. Medva and Edwards are good players. Bryja looked a little out of source in the first half for the stangs missing throws he usually easily makes but did have alot of pressure in his face all game from shade's defene who brings the house almost nearly every play. Credit to shade, they are definately an improved team and will win some games this year!

[Richland_Fan]

I don't think anyone is proclaiming Richland "world beaters" and if you read my post regarding them being under-rated you will see it referred to the play of last night's play only. With that said, they played a heck of a game and the coaches prepared them and put together a pretty successful game plan, so they deserve to be proud of it. It is pretty apparent that a large contingent of the posters have a bias against Richland and B. Bailey. I can presume this is small-town, small minds sort of response since I doubt either the school or Bailey have ever done anything to any of you. I can only hope that you see it for what it is and move towards center a little bit, but if not, hey, being disrespected and the perennial underdog seemed to have struck a cord thus far, so maybe it is for the best. I am hopeful the kids keep playing well, and making those of you who need it, eat crow.

[vman]

BTW- for all the Ranger haters there were about 20 or 30 others on this board who drank the koolaid and picked against Richland.

Not Vman: If you check the fearless Forecst, I had:

McCort
Richland
8)

[vman]

No sure how far Richland is going to get using 3 QB's in the same game with the varsity.

Classic Moldy; they spanked you 35-3 in first half @ your crib and you're questioning their tactics??