The Johnstown Trojans host Somerset Friday night in a crucial game when you talk about postseason hopes and expectations. As we discussed in Numberology, the Trojans and Golden Eagles are each other’s only AAA opponents on their schedule while many of the other teams in the contention in the sub region have more than one AAA opponent (and some AAAA).

Somerset’s offense had been led by Tanner Stull but word is he’s out of the season with a broken arm. He was 26-of-48 for 483 yards and 2 touchdowns to 1 interception. More importantly he was the team’s leading rusher with 315 yards on 51 carries and scored four times. Sophomore Dylan Barmes appears to be the person in line to take over for the injured Stull. Barmes is 2-of-7 for 103 yards and one touchdown while carrying the ball 11 times for 107 yards and two touchdowns in limited duty this year.

Bruce Faulkner (33 carries, 139 yards, 1 TD) and Matthew Boyer (18-124-3) balance out the running game while Raven Beeman is the leading receiver with 8 catches for 181 yards and 2 touchdowns.

Coach Bob Landis’ defense is leady by Logan Eller (55 tackles, one for loss) and Stephen Sujansky (51 tackles, two for loss) while Bryce Mostoller has 4 sacks.

In the kicking game, Samuel Hayward handles kicking off and placekicking. He’s kicked off 21 times for 1,087 yards and six touchbacks. He is 14-for-15 on PATs and 1-for-1 on field goal attempts. Michael VanLenten has punted nine time for 292 yards and has dropped two inside the 20.

Beeman handles most of the kick returns (7 for 170) while Zachary Baker is the man on the punt return scene with six for 27.

Although we have a 4-0 team in Somerset taking on a 2-2 team in Johnstown, I believe the Trojans can take advantage of an inexperienced signal caller, especially in a run heavy (and quarterback run heavy) offense that the Golden Eagles run.

Look for the Trojans to get back on the winning side of the ledger this week.

Now, to the rest of the LHAC:

Central Cambria at Bishop Carroll

A battle of two 3-1 teams that might be too close to call on paper. Add to it a little bit of Ebensburg rivalry and we have the makings of a great one. I’m not sure if the Huskies are back to performing like they did in their prime but this win could definitely have them close. I’ll take BC at home.

Bishop Guilfoyle at Penn Cambria

BG is coming off a big program win against Forest Hills but don’t expect a let down. They will improve to 3-2 over a Penn Cambria squad that is heading in the wrong direction.

Richland at Bishop McCort

It’s probably been a long time this Bishop McCort has started a season 0-5, but I cannot see them pulling the upset at the Point over the high powered Rams.

Cambria Heights at Forest Hills

Mild upset of the week here as I’ll go with the Highlanders over Forest Hills. The Rangers aren’t the team they’ve been in the past, but they’re still a pretty good squad, expect a close one but a CH win.

Bedford at Westmont

Although I would like to think the Hilltoppers are the best of the winless teams in the LHAC (and I do), and despite the game being at Westmont, I still believe the Bisons will prevail in this one on Saturday afternoon.