PIAA "A" and "AA" Previews

A

For the first time in 14 years Southern Columbia won't be in the Eastern Final. Who is the win against Steel-High and Bloomsburg? I got to see Bloomsburg once this season live against Lackawanna Trail and saw them on film against Mount Carmel. Bloomsburg is big and physical and they have some speed. Their schedule was tough and they are playoff tested on with this season alone. The key aspect of the game will be how the Panther defense contains Jeremiah Young. If Bloom gives up more than three runs over 70 yards this game will be all Steel-High.

For those of you holding the MCA game as a barometer for the Panthers, they played without four starters that night. That game also was nearly three months ago. One thing the Panthers don't have like Southern brought to the table every year is AAA depth. One or two key people going down with injury could spell trouble for Bloomsburg.

My Pick - Steel High - running game and speed.

AA

Dunmore returns to Kemp Memorial Stadium for the first time since 1975 where they lost the Class A (Big School) championship to Shamokin Area. Loyalsock has come out of nowhere in 2007 with two wins over Montoursville. Don't use the loss to Bloomsburg as a measuring stick in this one. The Lancers played Bloom on the road in a rainstorm. Bloom looked like they wanted to be there, Loyalsock didn't.

I seen Loyalsock twice this season. In the regular season finale against Lewisburg and last week against Delone. I am impressed with their ability to get guys open in the secondary and their lines' ability to get off the ball on both sides. Austin Knighton with yards after being hit is really impressive.

Dunmore has a big win against West Scranton in week 3. The Bucks also had the speed to keep up with Lansdale Catholic and wore them down in the end. This could be a very physical contest.

My pick - Dunmore in a tight one - knocking out District 11 in AA is huge and schedule may have been a shade better.

NOTES

The last time a District II team made the state final was 1997 with Berwick in AAA. Dunmore won the 1989 A state championship scoring 57 points, still a PIAA record in the finals. A member of that team was former Notre Dame and Miami Dolphin standout center, Tim Ruddy.