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Postseason looks like a WPIAL perfect storm
Friday, December 07, 2007
The Fumbler got to thinking about WPIAL football teams in the PIAA semifinals when the thought hit him -- this could be the season of the WPIAL's perfect storm.

Four WPIAL teams take perfect records into the PIAA semifinals this weekend. If they all win, the WPIAL will have four undefeated teams in the championship games for the first time since the PIAA playoffs started in 1988.

The Fumbler also is following the perfect theme. He was 4-0 in predictions last week, bringing his postseason record to 57-10 (.850 percentage). His overall record is now 535-127 (.805).

Here are his thoughts on this weekend's PIAA semifinal matchups:

Class AAAA

Central Catholic (14-0) vs. Harrisburg (12-1), 1 p.m. tomorow, Mansion Park Stadium, Altoona -- Central Catholic quarterback Tino Sunseri has had the hot hand throwing the ball. It will be interesting to see if the weather will cool him off. Harrisburg is the state capital, but it's not the home of state champions. Winner: Central Catholic.

Ridley (13-0) vs. Parkland (14-0), noon tomorrow, J. Birney Crum Stadium, Allentown -- This could be a defensive struggle. Ridley is the No. 2 defensive team in the state, allowing only 6.2 points a game. Parkland is No. 5 at 6.4. Winner: Ridley.

Class AAA

Thomas Jefferson (14-0) vs. Erie Strong Vincent (11-2), 7 p.m. today, Erie Veterans' Stadium -- Erie Strong Vincent has been on a roll, scoring at least 41 points in its past three games. The Colonels are the No. 6 scoring team in the state, averaging 39.5 points a game. Thomas Jefferson is good, but the Jaguars might have their hands full in this one. Winner: Thomas Jefferson.

Lampeter-Strasburg (12-2) vs. Garnet Valley (12-1), 7 p.m. today, Hersheypark Stadium -- The Fumbler doesn't know much about either team. His only question is this: Did NBA star Kevin Garnett grow up in Garnet Valley? Winner: Garnet Valley.

Class AA

Jeannette (14-0) vs. Wilmington (13-1), 1 p.m. tomorrow, Slippery Rock University -- Wilmington has a standout running back in Chris Burns, a Pitt recruit. But the Greyhounds need maybe three more Chris Burns and some studs on defense to beat Jeannette. Winner: Jeannette.

Loyalsock (12-2) vs. Dunmore (13-1), 1 p.m. tomorrow, Shamokin -- In the quarterfinals, Dunmore knocked off Lansdale Catholic, a team ranked in the top five by the Post-Gazette much of the season. That's enough to convince The Fumbler. Winner: Dunmore.

Class A

Serra (14-0) vs. Kane (14-0), 7 p.m. today, Clarion University -- Kane opened eyes last week by knocking off a pretty good Mercyhurst Prep team, 12-7. Kane comes from District 9, which is never confused as a football hotbed. But The Fumbler's District 9 sources say this Kane team is good enough to knock off Serra. But the Eagles will prevail. Winner: Serra.

Bloomsburg (13-1) vs. Steelton-Highspire (11-3), 1 p.m. tomorrow, Hersheypark Stadium -- Steelton-Highspire seems to be hitting stride after losing three in a row in the middle of the season. The Ramblers have averaged 41 points over the past seven games. Winner: Steelton-Highspire.

First published on December 7, 2007 at 12:00 am