Picks and Predictions: PIAA Semifinals

Standings:

Name; Last Week; Overall

Andy Shay:6-0; 194-52

Andy Sandrik: 5-1; 191-55

Adam Kulikowski: 5-1; 186-60

PIAA Semifinals: 

PIAA Class 6A Semifinal:

Pittsburgh Central Catholic vs. Harrisburg, at Mansion Park in Altoona, November 29, 7 p.m.

Andy Shay: Harrisburg 22, Pittsburgh Central Catholic 20: You have to beat this Cougars team by making their defense uncomfortable and reactive. Nobody has done that this season.

Andy Sandrik: Harrisburg 28, Pittsburgh Central Catholic 26: Maybe I’m severely underestimating PCC, but Harrisburg’s defense has been playing at a championship level this postseason. 

Adam Kulikowski: Pittsburgh Central 28, Harrisburg 27: Two teams with standout defenses and enough firepower on offense to make the other squeamish. Instant classic on tap at the Mansion.

PIAA Class 5A Semifinal: 

Peters Township vs. Bishop McDevitt, at Mansion Park in Altoona, November 29, 1 p.m.

Andy Shay: Bishop McDevitt 28, Peters Township 14: I like this match-up for both teams on so many fronts. Just feels like Township needs a little help from the Crusaders to prevail and if they don’t get it McD is back in the big game.

Andy Sandrik: Bishop McDevitt 30, Peters Township 21: The Crusaders have been playing with a chip on their shoulders for what feels like months now. I think a clean game here is enough to get McDevitt back to the state title game.

Adam Kulikowski: Bishop McDevitt 37, Peters Township 24: Crusaders haven’t truly been tested since August. That says a lot about a Crusaders roster on a mission to defend their state title. 

PIAA Class 3A Semifinal: 

Northwestern Lehigh vs. Trinity, at Exeter Township High School, November 28, 7 p.m.

Andy Shay: Northwestern Lehigh 21, Trinity 10: It will most likely take the full 48 minutes for Northwestern Lehigh to finally scratch out enough offensively to force the Shamrocks offense to win this game. 

Andy Sandrik: Northwestern Lehigh 28, Trinity 21: The undefeated Tigers seem to check all the boxes for a team ready to make a state title run. Of course, you can never count out Trinity and its rock-solid defense.

Adam Kulikowski: Northwestern Lehigh 21, Trinity 20: Everyone knows the Shamrocks defense has been a dominating force all season–and last week we saw the ’Rock’s offense shine in the biggest of moments. It’ll take that kind of effort to play for a state title next week at the friendly confines of Cumberland Valley.