Stage Is Set For Exciting Playof

Stage Is Set For Exciting Playoff Action

The prologue is over. The first and second acts have played out. Now it's time for act three - the playoffs.

The District 6 post season kicks off Friday and Saturday with a slate of 10 games on the schedule.

In Class AAA, top seeded Bellefonte (8-1) tangles with defending champ Johnstown (4-5) on Friday, while Huntingdon (7-2) meets Lewistown (5-4) on Saturday.

In Class AA, Tyrone (9-0), ranked fourth in the state by Pennsylvania Football News, battles Penn Cambria (6-3) and Forest Hills (8-1) takes on Westmont-Hilltop (6-3) on Friday. Saturday finds Bedford (7-2) meeting Bishop McCort (7-2) and Chestnut Ridge (8-1) going against Marion Center (7-2).

The Class A schedule for Friday has unbeaten and fourth-ranked Bishop Carroll (9-0) against Conemaugh Valley (7-2) and Portage (9-0) taking on United (7-2). Southern Huntingdon (8-1) faces Blairsville (8-1) and ninth-ranked Bellwood-Antis (8-1) takes on Juniata Valley (8-1) in Saturday games.

The Red Raiders have speed and loads of talent at the skill positions and that talent makes big plays - lots of them.

Quarterback Chris Snare (637 yards rushing, 601 passing), running back Josh Gentzel (157-1,169-16) and receiver Nate Carson (20-386-5) lead the Bellefonte attack.

Carson, a 2004 PFN all-state selection, is a multi-talented threat who has scored in every way imaginable - receiving, rushing, returns and defensively.

If the Trojans, 35-7 winners over the Red Raiders in the 6-AAA finals a year ago, hope to stay in the game - they must contend with the big three and prevent the big play.

Johnstown must run right at the heart of the Bellefonte defense to have a chance. Sophomore tailback Antuwan Reed (113-733-7) will be key to the Trojan offense. The defense is in the capable hands of Pitt recruit Scott Corson. The senior linebacker has 82 tackles and 6.5 sacks on the season.

Huntingdon has won six straight after starting the season 1-2 and own a 34-0 regular season victory over Lewistown.

Bucky Culberston has rushed for 1,260 yards and 11 touchdowns, while QB Kyle Kyper (954-10) and tight end Zach Reed (18-212-5) figure prominently in head coach Jim Zauzig's offensive scheme.

Lewistown capped off its first winning regular season since 1975. Under the direction of Allen Muir, the Panthers have qualified for the district playoffs for the first time in school history.

Chris Tressler (129-763-4) and Nick Knable (104-495-5) are the spark plugs of the Panther offense. Chad Snook is a capable leader at quarterback and will have to protect the ball if Lewistown hopes to stay in the game.

Some things never change. The Golden Eagles come into the playoffs the top seed and head coach John Franco is looking for his eighth district crown.

Tyrone is loaded with talent on both sides of the ball. The offense features a trio of dangerous game-breakers - senior Brinton Mingle (153-936-20), junior Tyler Gillmen (55-477-5) and sophomore Johnny Franco (46-366-5).

Leonard Wilson is arguably the best quarterback in D6 and his senior leadership is one of the main reasons Tyrone is unbeaten. He has thrown for 1,129 yards and 13 touchdowns with only one interception. In addition, he has picked off four passes on defense.

The Panthers will need the dual skills of Matt Holsberger if they hope to have a chance with the Golden Eagles. The junior has rushed for 496 yards and five scores, while accumulating 104 tackles and five sacks on defense.

Forest Hills brings to the table one of the best quarterbacks in the state in Travis Rearick. The junior is 87-of-143 for 1,501 yards and 19 TDs.

His favorite targets are seniors Adam Trout (43-860-13) and Jake Oswalt (23-362-3). Senior Will Lazaration (118-607-7) leads the Ramblers' ground attack.

The Hilltoppers, who lost to Forest Hills 30-3 in the regular season, will rely on the legs of Brad Kanuch. The senior has rambled for 1,022 yards and 13 touchdowns. QB Paul Vrabel (53-116-954-4) and receiver Max Khuri (22-434-2) can also be troublesome for the Ramblers defense.

Bishop McCort comes into the playoffs already owning a 28-7 regular season victory over the Bison. The Crushers feature a balanced attack and a strong defense that outscored opponents 269-91 on the season.

Juniors Brad Barbin (101-510-7) and Scott Lewis (54-467-4), along with senior Frank Rizzo (49-335-3) key the ground attack. QB Mike Sheridan has thrown for 681 yards and 14 touchdowns and Mike Spangler has caught 31 balls for 335 yards and three scores.

Bedford will need to play tight defense and establish the run if it wants to beat the Crushers.

Linebackers Dave Hyatt (122 tackles) and Trevin Kensinger (91 tackles) and end Monroe Hickey (60 tackles, 12 sacks) will be counted on to stop McCort.

The Bison backfield of John Marshall (54-598-7), Jesse Feaster (47-462-4), Cory Miller (76-369-5) and quarterback Kyler Ford (349 rushing, 921 passing) will need to control the clock and the tempo.

Bishop Carroll brings its version of the dynamic duo into post-season play against Conemaugh Valley.

The duo - running back Paul Forcellini and quarterback Brock Lauer - are the cogs in Craig Sponsky's offensive machine. Forcellini has rushed for 1,238 yards with 13 touchdowns, while Lauer has gained 586 yards with seven scores on the ground and 872 yards through the air. He has nine TD passes.

Forcellini, a three-time 1,000-yard rusher, is the leader of the defense with 62 tackles, six interceptions and four sacks.

The Blue Jays leader is tailback Vince Turner. The senior has rushed for 1,001 yards and nine scores, while registering 123 tackles from his linebacker position. Turner's backfield partner, Robert Gunby, has racked up 651 yards and scored 12 touchdowns.

Gunby, a junior, is a solid defensive back that has five picks on the season. Rory Marshall has picked off eight passes for the stingy Blue Jay secondary.

Portage, fresh off its season-ending victory over then unbeaten Windber, will bring its vaunted Wing-T attack into the playoffs against United.

The offense scores at a 36-point per game clip and the backfield is the catalyst. Wayne Gathers (110-835-11), Ryan Fuller (85-654-8), David Murphy (43-358-6) and Chris Willinsky (42-354-7) are the linchpins of the attack.

The Lions win by a stout defense, consistent running game and a passing attack that makes key plays when needed.

United gives up only 5.5 a game and part of the reason is the play of Kevin Wissinger (85 tackles), Zach Stefanko (four sacks) and Ernie Vogel (four sacks).

Offensively, Adam Mack (168-683-7) and Stefanko (84-449-6) spark the ground game, while Sean Domer (671 yards, 10 TDs) is the signal caller.

The Blue Devils - winners of seven in a row and defending district champs - have one of the top backs in the Keystone State in the person of Josh Kleinfelter.

The senior ran for 1,601 yards and 23 touchdowns during the regular season. Linebacker Tony Delgrosso (95 tackles, three sacks) is the leader of the Bellwood defense.

Blairsville will showcase a top-flight passing attack in its first-round game with Southern Huntingdon.

Quarterback Adam Highberger has thrown for 1,184 yards and 18 scores on 109-of-186 passing. Receiver Andy Ostach (40-670-5) and Zack Sabella (26-504-7) are his favorite targets. Sabella is the leading rusher on the team with 431 yards and seven TDs.

Class AAAA will decide its playoffs teams after the weekend.

Williamsport (Dist 4 AAAA 4-5-0) @ Altoona (Dist 6 AAAA 4-5-0)

Bald Eagle Area (Dist 6 AA 1-8-0) @ Punxsutawney (Dist 9 AAA 0-9-0)

Claysburg-Kimmel (Dist 6 A 4-5-0) @ Moshannon Valley (Dist 6 A 5-4-0)

Conemaugh Valley (Dist 6 A 7-2-0) @ Bishop Carroll (Dist 6 A 9-0-0)

Johnstown (Dist 6 AAA 4-5-0) @ Bellefonte (Dist 6 AAA 8-1-0)

Juniata Valley (Dist 6 A 8-1-0) @ Bellwood-Antis (Dist 6 A 8-1-0)

Mount Union (Dist 6 A 1-8-0) @ Everett (Dist 5 AA 3-6-0)

Penn Cambria (Dist 6 AA 6-3-0) @ Tyrone (Dist 6 AA 9-0-0)

Penns Manor (Dist 6 A 2-7-0) @ Williamsburg (Dist 6 A 0-9-0)

Philipsburg-Osceola (Dist 6 AA 2-7-0) @ Central Mountain (Dist 6 AAA 3-6-0)

Richland (Dist 6 A 3-6-0) @ Ligonier Valley (Dist 6 A 5-4-0)

State College (Dist 6 AAAA 6-3-0) @ Hollidaysburg (Dist 6 AAAA 3-6-0)

United (Dist 6 A 7-2-0) @ Portage (Dist 6 A 9-0-0)

Westmont-Hilltop (Dist 6 AA 6-3-0) @ Forest Hills (Dist 6 AA 8-1-0)

Bishop Guilfoyle (Dist 6 A 5-4-0) @ Central (Dist 6 AA 2-7-0)

Bishop McCort (Dist 6 AA 7-2-0) @ Bedford (Dist 5 AA 7-2-0)

Blairsville (Dist 6 A 8-1-0) @ Southern Huntingdon (Dist 6 A 8-1-0)

Lewistown (Dist 6 AAA 5-4-0) @ Huntingdon (Dist 6 AAA 7-2-0)

Marion Center (Dist 6 AA 7-2-0) @ Chestnut Ridge (Dist 5 AA 8-1-0)