11/2/09

Wow, it's Wednesday!  I'm really sorry about this but it's one of those times that real life gets in the way.  I had some personal business to attend to Friday and Saturday, then I was out of state on business Sunday through Tuesday so although this column is still called "Monday Morning Ramblings", this week it comes to you on Wednesday night!

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Again, all I can say is wow.  Having not seen the game in person, you can't help but be greatly impressed with the Trojan defense holding Zak Newton to just 15 yards on the ground Friday night.  Great job all around.

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I really feel this team is hitting its stride right now.  They should pick up a seventh win in Ebensburg Friday night against Central Cambria and go into the district championship game very even with Hollidaysburg.  Some might feel the Trojans are still an underdog with the Golden Tigers, but it's not nearly what I thought it might be at the beginning of the season.

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A couple of marching band notes:

First, I understand the alumni band at JHS was quite entertaining Friday night.  I'm looking forward to seeing a video of this performance.  Second, I was watching the late replay of the State College/Bishop McDevitt game on PCN and I want to give props to a fantastic performance by the State High band.  They concluded their show with a great rendition of "Thriller" complete with the zombie dance from the video!

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I'll give more specifics in the soon to be posted Bullet Points, but congratulations to LaRod for scoring his first NFL touchdown in a contest Sunday. 

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This is very abbreviated this week and again, I apologize.  There will still be a Bullet Points and Scouting Report.  They will just be delayed, possibly until Thursday night where I'll post Tale of the Tape together for a triple play if you will.

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I am going to do my LHAC recaps now, and I'll included Johnstown this week since I didn't go to the game and these mirror what I post on my PennLive blog.

Johnstown 36, Penn Cambria 8
LaQuinn Stephens-Howling rushed for 115 yards while QB Jon Siciliano rushed for 75 yards as both young men enjoyed a great senior night on their last regular season game at Trojan Stadium.  The JHS "D" was particularly stout, holding Zak Newton far below his average yards per game.  Newton had just 15 yards on 12 carries.

Bishop Carroll 26, Bishop Guilfoyle 22
Shawn Perich rushed the ball 30 times for 121 yards and in workman-like fashion helped led the Huskies over BG in a close one.  Huey Ehredt had 144 yards for the Marauders in the loss.

Bishop McCort 48, Bedford 13
In what-else-is-new fashion, the Crushers roll, finish their regular undefeated with a share of the LHAC title and will enjoy a first round bye in the Class A playoffs after dismantling the Bisons.  Wearing their all red unis, the Crushers were too much as Josh Seidel (102 yards) and Chaz Merriman (100) led the ground attack for the Crushers.

Central Cambria 17, Somerset 8
Erik Espey scored both Red Devil touchdowns and Austin Crimmins kicked a 33-yard field goal in the CC win.  Dylan Cramer scored a touchdown and two-point conversion with less than a minute left to keep the Golden Eagles from getting shut out.

Richland 52, Cambria Heights 19
Gino Ramires passed for 211 yards and three touchdowns in the Rams' blowout win over the Highlanders.  In the losing effort, Ian Vescovi had another fine showing with 279 yards passing and 2 touchdowns as CH remains winless.

Forest Hills 46, Westmont 6
The Rangers close out week nine in high style with an afternoon win at Price Field.  Nick Dudukovich scored five touchdowns and had 129 yards rushing as the Rangers stay undefeated on the season.

I'll close out the week with a few 6-AAA capsules:

Indian Valley 48, Bellefonte 8
All IV in this one as Mitchel Fultz rushed the ball 21 times for 276 yards and two scores while QB Will Long rushed for two scores, passed for three and had a pick six on defense to boot.

Williamsport 39, Hollidaysburg 6
Golden Tiger QB James Muir scored the only points for his team on an 80-yard touchdown run as they traveled east to Williamsport and got their butts handed to them by the Millionaires.
 

Trojan Nation 2009