WPIAL will be well represented in Hershey
The Fumbler is a history buff, from WPIAL football to ancient history and just about everything in between.
Here are a few fun facts for you. Did you know that at least one WPIAL or City League team has made it to the state championship every year since the playoffs began in 1988? At least two teams have reached the final all but one year.
This bodes well for The Fumbler, who has a feeling he would suffer from separation anxiety if he had no WPIAL teams to watch when he makes his annual pilgrimage to Hershey.
Oh, and here’s an ancient history tidbit for you. What do Alexander the Great and Winnie the Pooh have in common? The same middle name. After a 5-0 week, The Fumbler is 540-128 (.808) for the season.
Here are his thoughts on this weekend’s PIAA semifinals:
Class 6A
Pine-Richland (14-0) vs. Manheim Township (121), 1 p.m. Saturday at Mansion Park Stadium, Altoona — A certain quarterback gets most of the praise when talking about Pine-Richland’s passing game, but shout out to an outstanding group of receivers that includes Raymond Falcone, Jason DeFrancisis and Dawson Goltz. That crew will have another big game against the alma mater of pro golfer Jim Furyk. Winner: Pine-Richland.
Coatesville (13-1) vs. St. Joseph’s Prep (12-0), 7 p.m. Friday at Downingtown West — People have been hyping up a Pine-Richland-St. Joseph’s Prep final since the preseason. That matchup is about to become reality. Winner: St. Joseph’s Prep.
Class 5A
Gateway (13-1) vs. Manheim Central (13-0), 7 p.m. Friday at Mansion Park Stadium, Altoona — Move over Antonio Brown. Business is boomin’ for Courtney Jackson, too. Gateway’s star receiver has 81 receptions for 1,691 yards and 24 touchdowns. With him and Brady Walker playing pitch and catch, the Gators are a force offensively. There will be lots of fireworks in this one. Winner: Gateway.
Archbishop Wood (102) vs. Unionville (13-1), 7 p.m. Friday at Northeast Philadelphia Supersite — Archbishop Wood is one of three defending champs still in contention. Led by Florida-bound tight end Kyle Pitts, Wood will lay the wood to Unionville. Winner: Archbishop Wood.
Class 4A
Berks Catholic (13-0) vs. Erie Cathedral Prep (12-0), 7 p.m. Friday at Somerset — The Fumbler didn’t even do any research on Berks Catholic. He saw what Cathedral Prep did to Thomas Jefferson, and that was all he needed to make this pick. Winner: Erie Cathedral Prep.
Imhotep Charter (12-1) vs. Bethlehem Catholic (122), 7 p.m. at Germantown Supersite — For the longest time and for no reason, The Fumblerhas referred to Imhotepas “IHOP Charter.” The Panthersare about to pancake Bethlehem Catholic. Winner: Imhotep Charter.
Class 3A
Quaker Valley (12-1) vs. Sharon (10-3), 7 p.m. Friday at North Hills — Winning a WPIAL title was brand new for Quaker Valley. Now the Quakers will play their first PIAA playoff game. There will be jitters, but look for Ricky Guss to make some clutch plays and get the Quakers to the final. By the way, Sharon is quarterbacked by sophomore Lane Voytik, cousin of former Pitt quarterback Chad Voytik. Winner: Quaker Valley.
Conwell-Egan (7-6) vs. Middletown (13-0), 1 p.m. Saturday at West Chester Rustin — Wait ... a 7-6 team in the semifinals? Yup. Conwell-Egan started 1-3. Middletown, the runner-up to Beaver Falls in 2016, has given up more than a touchdown only once this season. Winner: Middletown.
Class 2A
Wilmington (13-0) vs. Washington (13-0), 7 p.m. Friday at Slippery Rock University — The late, local sports statistician Deuce Skurcenski would refer to Slippery Rock as Slimy Pebble. Well, The Fumbler thinks Wash High got a slimy deal when it comes to location of this semifinal. Wilmington is playing at Slippery Rock University for the fourth time in five games. Just saying. Winner: Wilmington.
Southern Columbia (140) vs. Dunmore (14-0), 7 p.m. Friday at Danville — Who has done more than Dunmore? Few in Class 2A, but count Southern Columbia as one. The Tigers have been terrific and will return to the final for the third year in a row. Winner: Southern Columbia.
Class 1A
Jeannette (13-1) vs. Farrell (11-2), 7 p.m. Friday at Seneca Valley — After winning an exciting WPIAL final, Jeannette gets to play the Steelers. No, not those Steelers … the Farrell Steelers. Even if Jeannette played the NFL team, The Fumbler might not count them out. Robert Kennedy gives the Jayhawks a chance against anybody. Winner: Jeannette.
Homer-Center (12-1) vs. Steelton-Highspire (11-2), 7 p.m. Friday at Hollidaysburg — Props to Homer-Center, which slayed a giant last week when it took down three-time defending champion Bishop Guilfoyle. Another upset is coming this week. Winner: Homer-Center.