We had not just one perfect score in Week Two, we had three as Christina Pryor, the defending champion, Jim Cushion, and myself all notched 10-out of-10 scores. Kerry Naylor just barely missed out on joining the trio, with a miss on his Lone Ranger pick of Williamsport over Central Mountain, in a game that wasn’t close. Kerry Webster and our guest picker George “Scoop” Sample both were 7-3 for the week. Thanks, Scoop!
For the young season, Cushion (18-2) takes over the lead with a one-game margin over me (17-3). Kerry Naylor is 16-3 with no pick last week in the Tyrone/B-A game, and the guests and Pryor are another game back at 16-4. Kerry Webster is 13-7 after the first two weeks.
This week, our guest panelist is Dan Sprankle, Tyrone grad, sports enthusiast and owner of Dan Sprankle Auto Outlet. Good luck Dan!
Tyrone at Central Mountain: The Golden Eagle defense has performed above and beyond the call in the first two weeks. Now Tyrone travels to Lock Haven University for their game against Central Mountain. The Eagles have ripped through Bellwood-Antis and Huntingdon, two old and bitter foes. Now in the midst of a three-game road trip, the Eagles have flown high on both sides of the ball. Although they did seem a bit sluggish at the beginning of the game last week, it didn’t take long to get on track. Central Mountain (2-0) has defeated Jersey Shore in a shootout, 43-29 and Williamsport in a rout, 48-0.
The picks: Miller Tyrone 27-7, Kerry Webster Tyrone 28-10, Kerry Naylor Tyrone 17-7, Jim Cushion Tyrone 21-20, Christina Pryor Tyrone 21-7, Dan Sprankle Tyrone 28-7.
Claysburg-Kimmel at Bellwood-Antis: The Blue Devils looked horrible at Tyrone and then did a better job last week in taking a 33-21 advantage over a much-improved Everett, only to have to hold on for dear life when the Warriors drove the ball to the BA-22 with Bellwood-Antis clinging to a four-point lead. An interception and two first downs ran out the clock to preserve the win. B-A must continue to improve this week, facing another team which wants to turn around a down swing in recent seasons. Claysburg Kimmel opened with a big win over Williamsburg (27-7), then lost by one TD to currently undefeated Tussey Mountain (7-13).
The picks: Miller Bellwood-Antis 26-7, Kerry Webster Bellwood-Antis 24-13, Kerry Naylor Bellwood-Antis 44-6, Jim Cushion Bellwood-Antis 33-14, Christina Pryor Bellwood-Antis 28-7, Dan Sprankle Bellwood-Antis 42-14.
Indian Valley at Clearfield: Indian Valley lost a ton of talent to graduation and their coach Gawen Stoker retired after a long, successful career. The Indians won their first game 39-10 over West Perry, but last week fell 40-25 to Central. Clearfield knocked the stuffing out of Philipsburg-Osceola last week 35-0, after losing a 35-28 shootout to DuBois in the opener.
The picks: Miller Clearfield, Kerry Webster Clearfield, Kerry Naylor Clearfield, Jim Cushion Clearfield, Christina Pryor Clearfield, Dan Sprankle Clearfield.
Glendale at West Branch: Two 0-2 teams, someone will get their first win. Glendale has fallen to Everett 38-6 and Northern Bedford 21-13 and needs more offense. West Branch continues in a slump, now reaching several years, although a new coach is hoping to advance a few steps at a time. WB has lost to Southern Huntingdon 32-6 and Moshannon Valley 35-0, who are both undefeated after two games.
The picks: Miller Glendale, Kerry Webster Glendale, Kerry Naylor Glendale, Jim Cushion Glendale, Christina Pryor Glendale, Dan Sprankle West Branch.
Cumberland Valley at Altoona: Altoona is 2-0 with a first game win over state-ranked North Allegheny and Chambersburg and has looked good. Cumberland Valley is coming off a 17-14 loss to State College, in which a CV fumble at the State goal line thwarted an attempted comeback. This is a Mid-Penn game with lots riding in terms of league and district crowns, although perhaps it is a little early to talk about it now.
The picks: Miller Altoona, Kerry Webster Altoona, Kerry Naylor Altoona, Jim Cushion Altoona, Christina Pryor Altoona. Dan Sprankle Altoona.
St. Marys at Bald Eagle Area: St. Marys is the defending D-9 champ, but has been thrown into unfamiliar territory in the MAFC. The Flying Dutchmen drilled Lewistown 36-0, last week after falling 24-20 to Bellefonte. Bald Eagle Area is 2-0 for the first time in a long time and building confidence, although held to one first down in the second half last week by Penns Valley in a 14-11 BEA win. The one time they moved the sticks, was a 75-yard TD that settled the win.
The picks: Miller BEA, Kerry Webster St. Marys, Kerry Naylor St. Marys, Jim Cushion St. Marys, Christina Pryor BEA, Dan Sprankle BEA.
Ohio State at USC: Ohio State has been pointing to this game for a year, after getting the you-know-what kicked out of them in successive BCS national championship games. The Buckeyes (2-0) feel they have something to prove. Number-One-ranked USC had an open date last week to prepare for Ohio State and play at home, after massacring Virginia 52-7 in their opener, while the Buckeyes have to travel 2,000 plus miles. Ohio State had a real fight on their hands last week, just getting by Ohio University. Will Beanie Wells be able to play against USC?
The picks: Miller USC, Kerry Webster USC, Kerry Naylor USC, Jim Cushion USC, Christina Pryor USC, Dan Sprankle USC.
Michigan at Notre Dame: Michigan is only 1-1 after a season-opening loss to Utah and a 41-10 win over Eastern Michigan (who?) and is still at least a year away from adapting to Rich Rodriguez’s spread offense. Notre Dame is just a year away from a 3-7 mark and needed a big comeback to win their opener last week against a makeshift San Diego State defensive line. Pick the team that will profit the most from the others incompetence.
The picks: Miller Michigan, Kerry Webster Notre Dame, Kerry Naylor Notre Dame, Jim Cushion Michigan, Christina Pryor Michigan, Dan Sprankle Michigan.
Penn State at Syracuse: Penn State is on a roll piling up the points and yardage, and being stingy on defense. Daryll Clark has looked like he was made for the starting line-up. The Nittany Lion defense is playing as if they don’t even miss Sean Lee in uniform. Syracuse is going backward, falling to Northwestern 30-10 and Akron 42-26. This should be another easy victory (Can you say high scoring Nittany Lions?)
The picks: Miller Penn State 45-14, Kerry Webster Penn State 42-34 (No defense), Kerry Naylor Penn State 42-10, Jim Cushion Penn State 42-10, Christina Pryor Penn State 28-7, Dan Sprankle Penn State 38-7.
Steelers at Browns: Steelers looked really good on all aspects against Texans. The “O” line was certainly what everybody hoped they would be, but weren’t sure about, making it easy for Big Ben and Fast Willie and the rest of the gang. The Browns were held to a TD and a field goal by the Cowboys. Cleveland was able to manage just 91 yards rushing and 114 passing. It is Steelers/Browns and both hate each other
The picks: Miller Steelers 28-14, Kerry Webster Steelers 38-13, Kerry Naylor Steelers 31-30, Jim Cushion Steelers 33-16, Christina Pryor Steelers 28-10, Dan Sprankle Steelers 38-14.
Sports Notes: Congratulations to Tyrone grad Brice Mertiff, who was picked as the Special Teams Player of the Week in the Presidents Athletic Conference for Week One. Mertiff, a freshman, punted seven times for Thiel College, in a 21-18 loss to Marietta College on Saturday, Sept. 6. Mertiff averaged 35.3 yards per kick and placed three punts inside the Marietta 20-yard line for Thiel.
In the summer of 1894, William D. Metcalfe III of Tyrone pitched a no-hitter in a semi-pro baseball game. In the game, Metcalfe struck out 26 of the 27 outs. Billy had offers at the end of the 1894 season from both the New York Yankees and Philadelphia Phillies, but turned down both because he had a dependable job here in Tyrone. The contract was for around $1200.
