EARLY D6 PLAYOFF PREVIEW

[lhacbigfan]

It's been awhile since I have made a worthwhile post, so I am going to try and breakdown the playoff situations for thew upcoming D6 playoffs. I know there are still 4 weeks left in the regular season but things are starting to shape up a little bit.

AAA
CURRENT STANDINGS (OPEN ENTRY)
1. HOLLIDAYSBURG (3-3) 370 PTS
2. JOHNSTOWN (4-2) 330 PTS
3. BELLEFONTE (1-5) 110 PTS
4. INDIAN VALLEY (1-5) 110 PTS

With only four teams in AAA and two of them at 1-5, there could easily only be two teams in this year's field. With the records that IV and Bellefonte have, I don't see them entering the playoffs. Therefore we would have a rematch between Johnstown and Hollidaysburg. Even if one of those teams do enter, the Golden Tigers and the Trojans are far more superior teams and would have no problem advancing.

DEFENDING CHAMPION: HOLLIDAYSBURG
SLEEPER: none
FINALS PREDICTION: JOHNSTOWN VS HOLLIDAYSBURG

AA
CURRENT STANDINGS (TOP 8 make playoffs)
1. CENTRAL (6-0) 760 PTS
2. TYRONE (5-1) 730 PTS
3. FOREST HILLS (6-0) 690 PTS
4. RICHLAND (5-1) 600 PTS
5. PENN CAMBRIA (5-1) 560 PTS
6. HUNTINGDON (4-2) 530 PTS
7. LIGONIER VALLEY (4-2) 370 PTS
8. PHILIPSBURG-OSCEOLA (3-3) 350 PTS

ALSO IN CONTENTION
CENTRAL CAMBRIA (3-3) 320 PTS
LEWISTOWN (2-4) 240 PTS
SOMERSET (2-4) 210 PTS

The AA field could be the most exciting of them all with 7 teams having at least a 4-2 record through 6 games. How many teams actually have a legit shot? The top six all look like contenders. Central, Tyrone, and Forest Hills look like the teams to beat but Richland, Penn Cambria, and Huntingdon, as well as Central Cambria if they get in, could all propose serious threats to the top 3. Even in the first round 3 of the 4 matchups should be good ballgames, and I wouldn't be surprised to see an upset or two in the first round. FH although being undefeated is currently below Tyrone mostly because of the Golden Eagles wins over AAAA Central Mountain and AAA Clearfield and Saint Marys. Central will also play Clearfield and St. Marys, so FH could actually go undefeated and be the 3 seed if Tyrone beats Central in week 10 and they both finish 9-1. Home field advantage I think will be key in the 2-3 matchup and could very well determine the winner. Although losing at home last year in the playoffs, Tyrone is a very tough place to play and FH would probably much rather be at home against them or against Central. Tyrone or Central will most likely be the number 1 seed barring either team getting upset before their matchup in the last week. I'm going to say that Central beats Tyrone at home and gets the 1 seed with FH and Tyrone being 2 and 3 respectively. I think FH with the much bigger team, would be able to knock off Tyrone in Sidman so I'll give the Rangers the win and the rematch with Central in the finals. Central could have a tough semifinal game against either Richland or PC, but I think they should be able to come out on top.

DEFENDING CHAMPION: CENTRAL
SLEEPERS: PENN CAMBRIA, HUNTINGDON
FINALS PREDICTION: CENTRAL VS FOREST HILLS

A
CURRENT STANDINGS (not sure how many make it I think maybe anyone with a winning record?)
1. BISHOP MCCORT (6-0) 830 PTS
2. PORTAGE (6-0) 790 PTS
3. BELLWOOD (6-0) 780 PTS
4. UNITED (5-1) 680 PTS
5. MOSHANNON VALLEY (5-1) 640 PTS
6. MARION CENTER (5-1) 630 PTS
7. PENNS MANOR (5-1) 620 PTS
8. MOUNT UNION (5-1) 600 PTS
9. BLACKLICK VALLEY (4-2) 480 PTS
10. GLENDALE (4-2) 470 PTS
11. HOMER CENTER (4-2) 450 PTS
12. BISHOP GUILFOYLE (3-3) 390 PTS
13. JUNIATA VALLEY (3-3) 360 PTS

Although there could be more than 12 teams in the field, it really comes down to 3 teams. McCort, Portage, and Bellwood all look like they will finish unbeaten. The Crushers will get the 1 seed but the 2 seed is up for grabs between the Blue Devils and the Mustangs. BA finishes the season with 3 teams that are currently at .500 or better, while the Mustangs play 4-2 Berlin, but also 2-4 North Star and winless Conemaugh Valley. But the looks of it, Bellwood should finish with the 2 seed and have home field throughout, meaning we should have a Portage at Bellwood-Antis semifinal. Although a lot of people think Portage is McCort's biggest challenger, remember folks that BA lost by 4 to McCort in last years semis while Portage lost by 35. BA also beat Tyrone earlier in the year to show everyone that they are for real this year. With that, and the game being at Bellwood, I'll give BA the victory in a thriller. You can guarantee that it will be a packed house for that one. No one else really has much of a chance, that being shown by Bellwood's 38-0 drubbing of Moshannon Valley, who is probably the 4th best team in the field. Looks like another rematch for McCort and Bellwood, but this time at Mansion Park.

DEFENDING CHAMPION: BISHOP MCCORT
SLEEPER: MOSHANNON VALLEY
FINALS PREDICTION: BISHOP MCCORT VS BELLWOOD-ANTIS

Hope everyone enjoys this. Feel free to leave your own thoughts and I'm anxious to hear some other people's opinions.

[underdog1]

AAA:
Johnstown avenges the losses of past few years and knocks off Hollidaysburg
AA:
This is the one that intrigues me, I'm not sold on FH and believe either PC or Richland, most likely Richland, will beat them in the regular season. I think seeding goes Central, Richland, FH, Tyrone, PC, LV, Huntington, and CC. Semis are Central hosting Tyrone, and Richland hosting FH, comes down to Central and Richland, with the Dragons winning their second straight D6 title
A:
Well obviously its the big 3 McCort, Bellwood, Portage. Bellwood will be the two and IMO beat Portage in the semis, and then fall in a hard fought tight game at Mansion Park in the D6 A title game.

[D6Guru]

Great post, I agree with a lot that you have to say. Speaking of McCort, how many teams in your D6 rundown and assessment would be favored to beat them in a game. I think maybe Hollidaysburg and Central...maybe?

[Opinionguy]

I'm not sold on FH and believe either PC or Richland, most likely Richland, will beat them in the regular season.

Seriously? Not a chance. Now, I am not suggesting FH is the best team in the D6AA field, but I am saying no way either of these teams handle them. First, if you are going to beat FH you better be balanced. PC's strength is running the ball, and that is very difficult to do against the Green and Gold.
Richland is going to get abused up front similarly to what happened to them a few weeks ago at the point. The only difference will be the score won't nearly be as high scoring as the Rangers don't have any burners such as a Seidel.

There aren't many good teams on this side of the Mountain this year.

The real contenders for AA are obviously Central, FH, and Tyrone, but I also agree with LHBigfan about Huntingdon. I think they are dangerous 2nd round matchup for anyone. Like I said before, I really don't think Richland or PC have a chance getting out of the 2nd round if they make it there. The top four in this bracket are IMO Central (have to give them their due respect), FH (hasn't played their best game yet), Tyrone (seems to be hitting a little drought of talent lately), and Huntingdon.

As for single A, it's more like a two horse race than a three horse race. It is Bellwood, McCort and then everyone else. This matchup may end up being the most exciting game in D6 of the year. Mostly because McCort will not be challenged until then. Thank goodness FH/McCort remuses next year.

The more I see/hear about McCort I really like the change of offense they implemented last year. It seems to really fit their personnel. I think some coaches are hesitant to make changes such as this. That's pretty good foresight on their part, although I think their lack of a true passing game will hurt them in the state playoffs.

[Eaglealum]

......... Tyrone (seems to be hitting a little drought of talent lately), .....

Ha,ha,ha opinions are like a......oles,...ha,ha...read the depth charts, Templeton is a junior(dad and uncle played for Joepa,he keeps comin' on,he may too)Franco is a soph, Patton is a soph,Getz is a soph, J.romano and N. Romano are sophs,M.Mills is a frosh,Pannebaker is a soph, Murray is a junior(i think).Most people would sell their 1st born for that kind of drought.

[D6Guru]

Tyrone has to play to its own standards, which is very high. Therefore they have played down last couple years. Losing to Bellwood doesn't help, but the Devils may be just really good this year. But, the future looks bright because there is a ton of potential in that line-up. There are a lot of coaches and fans that would like to go through a "drought" like this.

I forgot about Huntingdon being AA. How close are they to being AAA? They definately could make things interesting in AA.

[Eaglealum]

That's true, and why I think the original post is pretty close to being on at this point. However, I think the Rangers and Eagles will hold the top 2 positions when the playoffs start. The rest of Centrals schedule is a murderers row, they are capable of running the table and might, but me being a homer, and will never sell my own guys short will have us winning the showdown in week 10.How the playoffs shake out will be fun to watch. Central still has to be the favorite no matter what happens the rest of the way,as Ric Flair said"To be the man, you gotta beat the man.." Tyrone has what it takes but lacks big game experience, the majority are underclassmen and their seniors haven't made it out of the 2nd round so Advantage Central.

[underdog1]

I'm not sold on FH and believe either PC or Richland, most likely Richland, will beat them in the regular season.

Seriously? Not a chance. Now, I am not suggesting FH is the best team in the D6AA field, but I am saying no way either of these teams handle them. First, if you are going to beat FH you better be balanced. PC's strength is running the ball, and that is very difficult to do against the Green and Gold.
Richland is going to get abused up front similarly to what happened to them a few weeks ago at the point. The only difference will be the score won't nearly be as high scoring as the Rangers don't have any burners such as a Seidel.

There aren't many good teams on this side of the Mountain this year.

The real contenders for AA are obviously Central, FH, and Tyrone, but I also agree with LHBigfan about Huntingdon. I think they are dangerous 2nd round matchup for anyone. Like I said before, I really don't think Richland or PC have a chance getting out of the 2nd round if they make it there. The top four in this bracket are IMO Central (have to give them their due respect), FH (hasn't played their best game yet), Tyrone (seems to be hitting a little drought of talent lately), and Huntingdon.

As for single A, it's more like a two horse race than a three horse race. It is Bellwood, McCort and then everyone else. This matchup may end up being the most exciting game in D6 of the year. Mostly because McCort will not be challenged until then. Thank goodness FH/McCort remuses next year.

The more I see/hear about McCort I really like the change of offense they implemented last year. It seems to really fit their personnel. I think some coaches are hesitant to make changes such as this. That's pretty good foresight on their part, although I think their lack of a true passing game will hurt them in the state playoffs.

Now I've only seen FH once this year, and it was the McCort scrimmage, but from what I've heard from people who I know who follow them and seen in scores of games I'm not sold on them which is what leads me to believe they can be beaten by PC or Richland. Now PC if you stop Newton you win, but that is definately easier said then done, and Richland that passing attack is very very hard to stop and they have some what of a running game in Rizzo and I believe they can knock off FH. Also I agree a zillion percent on McCort/FH, the LHAC really should put McCort and the Rangers in the same section. In single A I agree with you its a two horse race and if anyone is gonna knock off McCort its Bellwood, but unless something changes ,i.e. injuries, suspensions, etc., I don't see it happening. As for teams in D6 any class I think that could knock off McCort, I would say Central, and possibly FH, Tyrone, Hollidaysburg, or Bellwood, but I would deffiantely take McCort over anyone of them. And for the McCort "O", it was a smart move, but lack of passing could hurt come state palyoff time, but I believe McCort has a good enough line it shouldn't matter that much.

[kingdomofcrush07]

what offenses are central and Tyrone running? seems like tyrone has a heck of a lot of sophs playing so they should keep getting better game after game!

[Eaglealum]

We don't change. Same offense different year. Difference this year....mudhole,rainstorm, lil'Franco goes 13/16 for 4tds and 200 yds against what will probably be the d-9 AAA champs.Go ahead Bailey, water down your field for the semi's....we like mud.