PLENTY OF EXCITEMENT AHEAD IN WE

PLENTY OF EXCITEMENT AHEAD IN WEEK 8

There's a veritable smorgasbord of exciting games on tap this week that will whet the appetite of any football-crazed fan.

Some of the top games involving ranked teams outside of the district include the Altoona Mountain Lions (3-3) taking on Bishop McDevitt, ranked second in Class AAAA by PFN. The Crusaders (6-0) are coming off a victory over perennial power Berwick, 28-14.

Manheim Central - the No.2 team in Class AAA - faces Central Mountain (2-4).

As far as state-ranked D-6 teams are concerned, Tyrone (6-0) tangles with Bishop Guilfoyle (4-2); Bishop Carroll (6-0) meets Somerset (0-6), and Blairsville (6-0) hooks up with Marion Center (4-2).

The rushing of Brinton Mingle, Tyler Gillmen and Johnny Franco, as well as the arm of Leonard Wilson lead the Golden Eagles, ranked fourth in Class AA. QB Tom Seasoltz and running backs Nick Perehinic and Sean McConnell pace the Marauders.

The Huskies bring their No. 4 ranking in Class A into battle against a winless Eagles' squad. Paul Forcellini has been the main cog in Bishop Carroll's offense - rushing for 829 yards and nine touchdowns. In addition, Forcellini has four sacks on defense. Teammate Brock Lauer has rushed for 306 yards and passed for 609.

The Bobcats, ranked No. 9 in Class A, bring an undefeated mark and one of the top quarterbacks in the state into their Heritage Conference clash with the Stingers.

Senior Adam Highberger is 67-of-107 for 1,261 yards with 12 TDs on the season. He has thrown only one pick all year. His favorite target is Zack Sabella, who has 18 grabs for 341 yards and four scores. Sabella has also picked up 358 yards and five touchdowns on the ground.

Other leaders for Blairsville include wideout Andy Ostach (17-383-4) and running back Matt Moore (59-268-3). Moore also has 58 tackles and two sacks to lead the defensive unit.

Three D-6 squads in the PFN teams to watch category will be in action when Bishop McCort (6-1) takes on Johnstown (3-3); Bellwood-Antis (5-1) battles Chestnut Ridge (6-0), and Portage (6-0) meets Blacklick Valley (2-4).

The Crushers are paced by the ground attack of Brad Barbin (71-385-5), while the Trojans have Antuwan Reed (70-539-5) and receiver Xavier Thomas (24-402-4). Johnstown QB Brandon Hody has thrown for 746 yards and eight touchdowns. Scott Corson leads the defense with 54 tackles and 4.5 sacks.

In battle for the Inter-County Conference Nittany Division title, the Blue Devils bring the legs of Josh Kleinfelter (135-917-14), the arm of Kyle Drost (31-of-62, 612-7-4), the hands of Dan Kovac (15-333-7) and the tackling of linebacker Tony Delgrosso (72 tackles, two sacks) into the contest against the undefeated Lions.

Other big games on tap include Bellefonte (5-1) taking on Lewistown (3-3); Moshannon Valley (5-1) facing Juniata Valley (5-1); and Forest Hills (5-1) going against Penn Cambria (5-1).

The Red Raiders, coming off a tough loss to Tyrone last week, can wrap up their first Mountain Athletic Conference Seven Mountains Division championship with a victory.

Bellefonte's leaders are quarterback Chris Snare, tailback Josh Gentzel and wide receiver Nate Carson. RBs Chris Tressler and Nick Knable, along with QB Chad Snook, lead the Panther offense.

In the ICC Mountain Division, the championship could be decided by the outcome of the Black Knight-Green Hornet match-up.

Moshannon Valley has out-scored their opponents 205-27 and will be counting on Brandon Murarik to continue his impressive season. The senior has rushed for 922 yards and 14 touchdowns. He also has racked up 52 tackles and three sacks from his linebacker spot.

And the big showdown this week in the Laurel Highlands Conference finds the Rangers taking on the Panthers.

Forest Hills coach Don Bailey has ridden the arm of Travis Rearick and his stingy defense to a 5-1 campaign. The 6-3 junior is 56-of-97 for 937 yards and nine touchdowns, with only one interception. Dan Hendrickson and Mike Zerby lead the defense with five and four sacks respectively.

Penn Cambria's Matt Holsberger has rushed for 364 yards and four touchdowns, while making 68 stops with four sacks on defense.

Carlisle (Dist 3 AAAA 4-2-0) @ Hollidaysburg (Dist 6 AAAA 3-3-0)

Manheim Central (Dist 3 AAA 5-1-0) @ Central Mountain (Dist 6 AAA 2-4-0)

Everett (Dist 5 AA 2-4-0) @ Southern Huntingdon (Dist 6 A 5-1-0)

Northern Bedford (Dist 5 A 4-2-0) @ Claysburg-Kimmel (Dist 6 A 3-3-0)

Tussey Mountain (Dist 5 A 2-4-0) @ Glendale (Dist 6 A 1-5-0)

Bald Eagle Area (Dist 6 AA 1-5-0) @ Philipsburg-Osceola (Dist 6 AA 1-5-0)

Bellwood-Antis (Dist 6 A 5-1-0) @ Chestnut Ridge (Dist 5 AA 6-0-0)

Bishop Carroll (Dist 6 A 6-0-0) @ Somerset (Dist 6 AAA 0-6-0)

Bishop McCort (Dist 6 AA 5-1-0) @ Johnstown (Dist 6 AAA 3-3-0)

Blacklick Valley (Dist 6 A 2-4-0) @ Portage (Dist 6 A 6-0-0)

Cambria Heights (Dist 6 AA 0-6-0) @ Bedford (Dist 5 AA 4-2-0)

Central (Dist 6 AA 1-5-0) @ Central Cambria (Dist 6 AA 2-4-0)

Central Cambria (Dist 6 AA 2-4-0) @ Central (Dist 6 AA 1-5-0)

Forest Hills (Dist 6 AA 5-1-0) @ Penn Cambria (Dist 6 AA 5-1-0)

Huntingdon (Dist 6 AAA 4-2-0) @ Indian Valley (Dist 6 AAA 2-4-0)

Juniata Valley (Dist 6 A 5-1-0) @ Moshannon Valley (Dist 6 A 5-1-0)

Lewistown (Dist 6 AAA 3-3-0) @ Bellefonte (Dist 6 AAA 5-1-0)

Mount Union (Dist 6 A 1-5-0) @ Penns Valley (Dist 6 AA 1-5-0)

Northern Cambria (Dist 6 A 2-4-0) @ Penns Manor (Dist 6 A 0-6-0)

Purchase Line (Dist 6 AA 4-2-0) @ Ligonier Valley (Dist 6 A 3-3-0)

Saltsburg (Dist 6 A 1-5-0) @ Homer Center (Dist 6 A 2-4-0)

State College (Dist 6 AAAA 3-3-0) @ Chambersburg (Dist 3 AAAA 1-5-0)

West Branch (Dist 6 A 1-5-0) @ Williamsburg (Dist 6 A 0-6-0)

Altoona (Dist 6 AAAA 3-3-0) @ Bishop McDevitt (3) (Dist 3 AAAA 6-0-0)

Blairsville (Dist 6 A 6-0-0) @ Marion Center (Dist 6 AA 4-2-0)

Conemaugh Valley (Dist 6 A 5-1-0) @ Ferndale (Dist 6 A 1-5-0)

Richland (Dist 6 A 2-4-0) @ Westmont-Hilltop (Dist 6 AA 3-3-0)

Tyrone (Dist 6 AA 6-0-0) @ Bishop Guilfoyle (Dist 6 A 4-2-0)

United (Dist 6 A 4-2-0) @ Laurel Valley (Dist 6 A 4-2-0)