The perfect time to give thanks

Being that it’s Thanksgiving week, The Fumbler wants to give thanks.

Thanks to the inventor of hot turkey sandwiches. If it wasn’t for them, your favorite prognosticator wouldn’t need a gym membership.

Thanks to the WPIAL for scheduling playoff games at 7 instead of 7:30. Writers and copy editors thank you, too.

Thanks to Central Catholic kicker John Opalko for providing us with two fantastic finishes. It’s not often you see a high school kicker boot winning field goals two games in a row.

And thanks to Avonworth for giving us one of the season’s best success stories. Seeing a team win its first outright WPIAL title is pretty cool.

After going 1-3 last week, The Fumbler is 548-142 (.794) on the season.

Here are his thoughts on this weekend’s PIAA semifinal games:

Class 6A

Central Catholic (12-1) vs. St. Joseph’s Prep (10-2), 1 p.m. Saturday at Mansion Park Stadium, Altoona — In a lot of ways, St. Joseph’s is Philadelphia’s version of Central Catholic. And while the Vikings have been outstanding, St. Joseph’s has been even more impressive. The Hawks are nationally ranked and have eliminated the WPIAL champion from the PIAA playoffs four of the last six years. Winner: St. Joseph’s Prep.

Downingtown West (131) vs. Central Dauphin (112), 7 p.m. Friday at Coatesville — The Fumbler is a big dog guy, of canines and underdogs. Well, Downingtown West’s nickname is Whippets and its mascot is a dog. They also average 45 points per game. Winner: Downingtown West.

Class 5A

Gateway (12-2) vs. Archbishop Wood (9-3), 3 p.m. Friday at Mansion Park Stadium, Altoona — The last time these two teams got together, Wood took Gateway to the woodshed, handing the Gators a 49-14 defeat in the PIAA championship two years ago. They say revenge is a dish best served cold, and it will be chilly Friday, but The Fumbler doesn’t see Gateway getting the payback it desires. Winner: Archbishop Wood.

Cocalico (11-2) vs. Cheltenham (13-1), 6 p.m. Friday at Hersheypark Stadium — One of Cheltenham’s most famous graduates is a man commonly referred to as Mr. October. The Panthers can now make Reggie Jackson proud by extending their season into December. Winner: Cheltenham.

Class 4A

Thomas Jefferson (14-0) vs. Lampeter-Strasburg (11-3), 1 p.m. Friday at Hollidaysburg — The Pioneers will try to live up to their nickname and become the first Lampeter-Strasburg team to reach the championship. But there’s a problem. Thomas Jefferson is really good and the Jaguars are playing with a ton of confidence after beating three-time defending champion Cathedral Prep. Winner: Thomas Jefferson.

Jersey Shore (11-3) vs. Dallas (14-0), 6 p.m. Friday at Danville — Here’s The Situation: Unless Snooki and Pauly D put on uniforms and start causing chaos, Jersey Shore won’t win this game. Dallas — the Mountaineers, not Cowboys — are destined for the final. Winner: Dallas.

Class 3A

Central Valley (12-1) vs. Bald Eagle Area (11-3), 7 p.m. Friday at Moon — Bald Eagle won each of its last two games, 21-20. The first came to an end when its opponent missed an extra point in overtime. This game will not be as close. The Bald Eagles are no match for the WPIAL champions. Central Valley will punch its ticket to Hershey for the first time since 2013. Winner: Central Valley.

Wyoming (12-1) vs. Tamaqua (12-2), 7 p.m. Friday at Wyoming Valley West — From Yellowstone to Keystone. It’s odd enough that Dallas is a win away from playing for a Pennsylvania state tite. But Wyoming, too? Well, if it’s come this far to do it, there’s no reason to stop now. Winner: Wyoming.

Class 2A

Avonworth (14-0) vs. Wilmington (12-0), 6 p.m. Friday at Slippery Rock High School — Avonworth used a bunch of Jax to become kings of the WPIAL for the first time in 60 years. Jax Miller rushed for 291 yards and four touchdowns last week against Washington. Next up is Wilmington, which has knocked out the WPIAL champ two years in a row. The Fumbler picked against Avonworth last week. He knows better now. Winner: Avonworth.

Southern Columbia (140) vs. Richland (13-0), 7 p.m. Friday at Selinsgrove — Richland is undefeated, has won all but one of its games by double digits, and has a quarterback who has thrown for 40 touchdowns, but the Rams are a humongous underdog this week. Winner: Southern Columbia.

Class 1A

Clairton (11-2) vs. Farrell (12-2), 7 p.m. Friday at North Allegheny — Clairton beat Farrell in the 2008 semifinals to advance to the championship game for the first time. Since then, the Bears have won four titles. The Bears and Steelers have met in the playoffs a few times since, so there is some familiarity. Farrell is the defending champion, but look for the Bears to make another trip to Hershey. Winner: Clairton.

Bishop Guilfoyle (11-2) vs. Lackawanna Trail (103), 1 p.m. Friday at Danville — If Clairton gets to the final, it says here that it will play yet another familiar foe. Bishop Guilfoyle topped the Bears in the title game in both 2014 and 2016. A third meeting awaits. Winner: Bishop Guilfoyle.