Days seem to fly by around here. Do you share that feeling. My mother always told me that the older you get, the faster the time goes by. I agree with her, although I didn’t have to wait for any certain age. Time always seems to be flying by. You can either grab on and go with the times, or let time and life pass you by. You can’t experience life by waiting for it to fall on you, unless you are Chicken Little. Then keep looking up! Death and taxes are certain, but everything else is up for grabs.
In the realm of football picks, our overall leader John Harlow and Chris Lash each finished 9-1 in Week Eight. Both picked the Blue Devils in Moshannon Valley’s win over Bellwood-Antis for their only miss.
Harlow retains a two-game lead overall at 63-17, while Lash and the combined guests are second with a 61-19 mark. Last week’s guest picker, Mike Sakash, Kerry Naylor and Bob Miller all came in with 8-2 cards for last week. Kerry Webster choose the underdog in each game last week, but hit only on the Moshannon Valley win.
Miller has a 57-23 record followed by Naylor, who jumps ahead of Webster with a 53-27 mark to Webster’s 51-29.
Thanks again Mike Sakash!
This week the guest picker is Rich Deleo, Sports Director of WFBG radio and play-by-play announcer for Bishop Guilfoyle sports. During the baseball season, Rich is the PA announcer at Blair County Ballpark for all Altoona Curve baseball games.
Penns Valley at Tyrone: The Golden Eagles celebrate Senior Night against Penns Valley. Tyrone has a playoff spot clinched as well as home field advantage up to the district finals at Mansion Park. The Eagles defense has been the leader of an entire team effort that has except for one fumble and Geof Kozak field goal a drive toward another perfect season and going deep into the playoffs. Penns Valley is 3-4 overall, but has battled Bishop Guilfoyle, Chestnut Ridge, Philipsburg-Osceola and Bellwood-Antis in what may be the ICC’s toughest schedule.
The picks: Miller Tyrone 35-6, John Harlow Tyrone 21-7, Kerry Webster Tyrone 35-3, Chris Lash Tyrone 24-0, Rich DeLeo Tyrone 34-7.
Bellwood-Antis at Bishop Guilfoyle: The Blue Devils had their Oct. winning streak going back 27 straight games stopped last week by Mo Valley. The B-A playoff hopes are almost gone, although hope still breathes fire into the hearts of the players and coaches, who will not quit. At stake for the two schools is probably at most one playoff spot. The winner will also wear the ICC Nittany Division crown. Bishop Guilfoyle has a devastating running attack with Matt Georgiana and Josh DeStefano both over 735 yards and they have scored 16 rushing TDs between them. BG plays eight or more in the box to try and force opponents to pass. That may be the way to victory for B-A, but everything must go perfectly.
The picks: Miller Bishop Guilfoyle 24-20, John Harlow Bishop Guilfoyle 27-10, Kerry Webster Bishop Guilfoyle 26-16, Chris Lash Bishop Guilfoyle 20-14, Rich DeLeo Bishop Guilfoyle 20-6.
Moshannon Valley at Chestnut Ridge: Irresistible force meets the immovable object. Ridge lost to Bellwood-Antis in last seconds, Mo Valley held on in last seconds to defeat Blue Devils. A home playoff game could be at stake here, or perhaps a first look at a future playoff matchup. Ridge has an all-junior backfield that could be a year from their best performances. Knights have more than half their starting positions manned by seniors. This might have to be the year for Mo Valley.
The picks: Miller Moshannon Valley, John Harlow Moshannon Valley, Kerry Webster Moshannon Valley, Chris Lash Moshannon Valley, Rich DeLeo Chestnut Ridge.
Hollidaysburg at Huntingdon: Can the Huntingdon juggernaut be stopped by the Tigers? Any team will have a considerable amount of problems with the Bearcats, and that isn’t just because of Geof Kozak. He presents an entire set all by himself. Hollidaysburg has been playing mostly Quad-A opponents and will not go down meekly. The Tigers knocked the stuffing out of State College to show that they have made a lot of improvement since their opening week loss to Altoona.
The picks: Miller Huntingdon, John Harlow Huntingdon, Kerry Webster Huntingdon, Chris Lash Huntingdon, Rich Deleo Huntingdon.
Central at Bishop Carroll: Central has started to do better against Laurel Highlands opponents. Bishop Carroll however is in a class all by itself. The difference in classification-Central is Double-A, while Carroll is Single-A should make no difference. Scarlet Dragons should be in for a long night.
The picks: Miller Bishop Carroll, John Harlow Bishop Carroll, Kerry Webster Bishop Carroll, Chris Lash Bishop Carroll, Rich DeLeo Bishop Carroll.
Bald Eagle Area at Bellefonte: A battle of teams with one win in the Big 8, BEA defeated Lewistown 18-14 in week two, the Red Raiders beat Lewistown 37-20 last week. With that exception, both schools have taken their lumps. The advantage could go with Big 8 leading passer, Nate Heider of Bellefonte, who just two weeks ago completed 18 passes for 242 yards and two TDs against undefeated Huntingdon.
The picks: Miller Bellefonte, John Harlow Bellefonte, Kerry Webster Bellefonte, Chris Lash Bald Eagle Area, Rich DeLeo Bellefonte.
Juniata Valley at Mount Union: The Trojans (2-6) two wins are somewhat deceiving, coming against Carson Long (44-0) and Tussey Mountain (40-0). Sheer lack of bodies hurts, with just 21 players on the Mount Union roster and that’s when everybody is healthy! Juniata Valley (4-3) also has some wins over suspect teams, but has played tough in losses to Mo Valley (14-0), Southern Huntingdon (27-20), and Claysburg (33-20).
The picks: Miller Juniata Valley, John Harlow Mount Union, Kerry Webster Juniata Valley, Chris Lash Juniata Valley, Rich DeLeo Juniata Valley.
Syracuse at Pitt: Panthers got career performances from quarterback Rod Rutherford and wide out Larry Fitzgerald last week against Rutgers, but the defense tried to give it away in a 42-32 win. Is Pittsburgh over Notre Dame and even so can they handle ‘Cuse which defeated Boston College 39-14 last week? Pitt led 42-7 at halftime against Rutgers and had to hang on for the 10-point win.
The picks: Miller Pitt 24-20, John Harlow Pitt 37-31,, Kerry Webster Syracuse 28-21, Chris Lash Pitt 28-24, Rich DeLeo Pitt 22-17.
Penn State at Iowa: Zach Mills is still not 100 per cent yet and questions abound about his performance even when ha has been healthy. First, is he really free of arm or shoulder problems? Can he return to his freshman form, when he dazzled against quality opposition. Michael Robinson will make his third straight start at quarterback. Iowa is rebuilding on offense, but features the number one scoring defense and number three rush defense in the Big 10.
The picks: Miller Iowa 24-17, John Harlow Iowa 27-10, Kerry Webster Iowa 42-6, Chris Lash Iowa 36-14, Rich DeLeo Iowa 27-10.
Rams at Steelers: Steelers coach Bill Cowher hopes to jumpstart the Pittsburgh rushing attack, which has been minimal, by moving “the Bus” into a starting role. Jerome Bettis will get his first start of the 2003 season against St. Louis on Sunday. Cowher is trying to downplay the move, but Amos Zereoue, who has been sharing the tailback position with Bettis rushed for only 15 yards on 10 carries last week. Bettis had 34 yards on 14 carries. The Steelers, who led the NFL in rushing just two years ago are currently 28th in rushing. Quarterback Tommy Maddox has to stop throwing to the other team and the Steelers must solidify their offensive line. Injuries have jammed up the works on the “O Line” until it’s a guessing game to see who is playing where.
The picks: Miller Rams 30-20, John Harlow Rams 34-17, Kerry Webster Rams 45-2, Chris Lash Rams 30-17, Rich DeLeo Rams 31-13.
GOOD SPORTS: Former Tyrone football player Dan Grazier has worked his way onto the kick and punt units at Westminster. Grazier recorded a solo tackle and an assist in a 33-0 Titan victory over Bethany College.
Saint Francis freshman placekicker Dan Graham has booted 10 extra points for the Flash.
Junior strong safety Matt Garner(Bellwood-Antis) leads the Juniata College defense as well as the Middle Atlantic Conference in tackles with 69.
In local college Saturday action involving former Tyrone and B-A athletes, IUP with former Tyrone quarterback Tyler Mertiff, plays at Lock Haven, St. Francis with Graham, hosts Central Connecticut and Juniata College, with Garner and Duane Ehredt (Bellwood-Antis) hosts Wilkes. All three contests are set for 1 p.m. starts.
