Finals are a feather in the hat

Instead of putting up Christmaslights and watching football this past Saturday, The Fumbler was at the drycleaners getting his suit cleaned and putting together his wardrobe for the PIAA championships.

Don’t get it twisted, The Fumbler would much rather bed ressing comfortably. But in what has become common place, there area bunch of private schools playing for titles, and seeing the words Saint, Archbishop, Prep and Charter always makes The Fumbler feel like he needs to dressup.

The public vs. private school debate has been raging for years. The Fumbler knows that all teams aren’t playing on a level playing field, and he doesn’t feel that’s fair. However, The Fumbler is a realist and knows things won’t be changing anytime soon, so he tries not to let his feathers get ruffled too much.

Speaking of feathers, The Fumbler will have one in his fedora hat this weekend, the perfect complement to his three-piece suit, faux fur coat and shiny shoes. Dressy, yet withs wag.

Aman of mystery, The Fumbler thinks he might have given away too many details.

Remember: Letting the cat outof the bag is a whole lot easierthan putting it back in.

Someone must have cranked up the thermostat because The Fumbler is on fire.He went 12-0 last week, is 17-0over the past two weeks, and is 552-128 (.811) on the season.

Here are his PIAA championship picks…

Class 6A

Pine-Richland (15-0) vs. St. Joseph’s Prep (13-0), 6 p.m. Saturday — To call this amuch-anticipated matchup wouldbe an understatement. Asfar as Pittsburgh-Philadelphia -showdowns go, this has been talked about more than a potential Steelers-Eagles Super Bowl and the fight the cities are involved in to secure Amazon HQ2. Better season: Carson Wentz or Phil Jurkovec? The Pine-Richland star ends his career with a PIAA title. Winner: Pine-Richland.

Class 5A

Gateway (14-1) vs. Archbishop Wood (11-2), 7 p.m. Friday — The Fumbler knows what Gateway coach Don Holl did while working his shift at Home Depot this week.He was busy rounding upthe materials needed to build a wall around a powerful Archbishop Wood offense. Nowthe question is will it holdup? Doubtful. Virginia Tech recruit Nasir Peoples will have a big game running the ball and Wood will win its fifth title in seven years. Winner: Archbishop Wood.

Class 3A

Quaker Valley (13-1) vs. Middletown (14-0), noon Saturday — What a season it hasbeen for Quaker Valley. Its coach resigns less than a month before the first game. Thenew coach comes out of the PA announcer’s booth to takeover. The Quakers ride the “Guss Bus” (Ricky Guss) totheir first WPIAL title and first trip to the PIAA final. Middletown’s last loss was to Beaver Falls in last year’s final. It will fall to a Beaver Valley Conference team again. Winner: Quaker Valley.

Class 2A

Wilmington (14-0) vs. Southern Columbia (15-0), 1 p.m. Friday — The Southern Columbia program is a machine.The Tigers are in the PIAA final for the 16th timein the past 24 seasons. Thisyear’s team might be oneof their best. They are averaging51 points per game and have a running back in Gaige Garcia who has rushed formore than 4,000 yards in his career … and he’s only a sophomore. Wilmington’s terrific season will end with a loss. Winner: Southern Columbia