The Big Picture 02 – Week 7 Update

The BIG Picture

By Paula G.
Ace Sports Reporter

2007 – Week Seven Update
October 14, 2007

LANGHORNE: Has it already been three weeks since my last update? And have we played through seven weeks of the season? Plus are Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas all just a few weeks and months away? With the answer to all those questions being yes, I’d suggest that we all better hunker down and start focusing real closely on this 2007 football year because it’s obviously racing along much too quickly!

But before I talk about my favorite topic – Pennsylvania schoolboy football – I would be remiss if I didn’t give the following cheer: Geaux Tigers! Or maybe I ought to be cheering on the Wildcats after that triple OT 43-37 win over LSU on Saturday (once again, we learn that old lesson – don’t start counting your chickens before they hatch). And by the way, it’s not that I’m a dyed-in-the-wool fan of LSU, it’s really more a uniform thing. Plus the movie too – Everybody’s All-American (starring Dennis Quaid and Jessica Lange who pulled off the 25-year time span covered in the movie as well as any actress going – 20 to 45, that’s tough in two hours).

Further off topic, and taking a moment and reminiscing, does anybody remember the January 1, 1959 Sugar Bowl? If you don’t, let me point out that it was Bill Cannon’s pass to Mickey “The Monster” Mangham that not only won the game (7-0 over Clemson) but also brought LSU their first AP National Championship too. Back to the movie (and the book it was based on by Frank Deford), it’s been suggested that they were both loosely based on Cannon’s 1958 Tigers team (and that the “Grey Ghost” was, in fact, Billy himself – now Dr. Billy Cannon as he went from drilling passes to drilling teeth later in his life).

Okay – getting back on track, things are getting very interesting around the Keystone State and since Bob has told me to keep these things short, here we go.

First, and Up North, if this were a horse race I’d say that the Parkland Trojans are beginning to pull away. Not by a lot, but they are. Close behind is Bethlehem Liberty (man – does BECA have their number) with the likes of Wyoming Valley West, Emmaus and Whitehall also snapping at their ankles. Deserving mention is Easton but they’ve been dinged twice and are really suspect as to being a serious contender at this stage of the game.

Moving Out West you just can’t get away from Pittsburgh Central Catholic (7-0), North Allegheny (7-0) and Gateway (6-1). A couple of hopefuls might include McKeesport and Shaler but that probably rounds out the top 5 (with the top 1, 2 and 3 pretty much clear and convincing favorites). In the Northwest corner I can’t say too much about any real possibilities as the winner up there has to go through D7.

Now as to Mid-state, that’s kinda crazy. And for the record – I consider that area to be anything west of Downingtown to anything east of whatever school is the eastern most member of the WPIAL (you figure it out). Plus after this weekend I’m totally confused. Bishop McDevitt (5-2) lost to Central Dauphin (4-3), 38-29. Central Dauphin East (3-4) beat Cumberland Valley (5-2), 21-16. Then Conrad Weiser (5-2) stops a previously unbeaten Muhlenberg (now 6-1), 22-14. Meanwhile the Harrisburg Cougars get the weekend off and stay at 5-1. Huh? Here’s my solution: Throw Wilson West Lawn, Governor Mifflin, York High, State College and a tough 6-1 Altoona into a bag with the rest of those squads and shake well. Roll them all out like their dice and I think the Lucky Seven is probably Harrisburg.

Now with the rest of Pennsylvania completed, we have finally arrived at D1. What a year this is turning out to be! Plenty of old friends in the mix – and some new ones too. Giving it the overview approach (and leaving the Suburban One National out for just a moment) here’s some clubs that are in anyone’s short list (alphabetically): Bayard Rustin (6-1), Conestoga (6-1), Downingtown East (6-1), Downingtown West (6-1), Hatboro-Horsham (5-2), Ridley (6-0), Souderton (6-1), Upper Dublin (6-1) and West Chester Henderson (6-1). And as to a bubble club I’d think of Central Bucks East.

Closing out with the SOL National Conference, it’s pretty simple – North Penn and Central Bucks South (both at 7-0) and Neshaminy at 6-1. In fact, with three weeks left in that juggernaut of a league, the ‘Skins meet up with North Penn next week while North Penn and CB South see each other for the season ender. That′s a big WOW! (Plus the ‘Skins still have Bensalem and Pennsbury too – you sure have to admit that the SOL just gets hotter as it goes along).

So, friends, that’s probably the group you’re thinking about when it comes to AAAA football in Pennsylvania. And let me point out the this group is a compilation of teams from around the state that are getting some attention by sportswriters and “experts” – so keep in mind it ain’t over till it’s over and they play ’em on the field.

So in summation – with the end of the season just around the bend (and playoff time following immediately) it’s all ours to enjoy. But as it goes by way too fast, don’t miss a moment of it! And since the races are far from over (whether it is for local league titles, playoff slots or the run to Hershey) there isn’t a reason in the world to be anywhere but your favorite school’s stadium for those wonderful gifts we call Friday Night Lights.

(Week of October 14, 2007)