ProfessorBriggs.com

PROFESSOR'S PROVERBS -- NOVEMBER 18, 2016

It's a unique situation for local high school football as two teams have already advanced into interdistrict play while Wilmington will meet Sharpsville for the District 10 Class 2A crown Saturday night.

This, of course, is the first year of Pennsylvania having six classes for football. So there are some things that are different than previous years. Most people don't like change and have been quick to ridicule the decision since it came down.

One thing that is drawing criticism is the fact that in Class 3A, the District 7 champion will have an off week prior to the state semifinals. This is because District 7, in its lust for having championship games at Heinz Field, wanted to have 3A's title game as part of Friday's quadrupleheader. To do that, District 7 could only take eight 3A teams into the playoffs instead of say 12 or 16. Because of that decision, the District 7 3A title game is effectively a state quarterfinal game now.

The issue that people should be griping about is the fact that District 7 puts Policy ahead of People. District 7's obsession with holding four title games at Heinz Field results in three things:
    1-Some deserving 3A teams in District 7 did not get to participate in the playoffs;
    2-Teams playing the third and fourth game of the day are playing on a chewed up field after having played most, if not all of their games on artificial turf during the season;
    3-The other team reaching the western final in 3A (Hickory, Karns City or the District 6 champion) will be at a disadvantage.

The move to six classes should have been the perfect time for District 7 to end its imprudent infatuation with Heinz Field. Again, teams playing in front of packed houses in the playoffs now get to play in front of 65,000 empty yellow seats. A great crowd is still swallowed up by the vast emptiness.

District 7 should move its championship games. North Allegheny's Newman Stadium, which seats 7,500 people, is centrally located in District 7, has ample parking and, overall, is a top-flight facility. Pine-Richland and Woodland Hills can accommodate crowds of 10,000 or more also. Cupples Stadium holds 8,000 easily. Those would also be excellent choices.

The Pittsburgh City League played its title game at Heinz Field for a while before moving back to Cupples Stadium. Yet, District 7 clings to doing things "the old way," putting its Policy ahead of its People. Already, Classes 1A and 2A are NOT playing at Heinz Field, but instead at Robert Morris's Joe Walton Stadium.

Now, I'll admit to being someone over the years who has regrettably thought that enforcing rules and policies were more important than what was best for people. Being "Captain Rulebook" is not something that I am particularly proud of. A prime example of that would be a couple of years ago in boys basketball, when Kennedy Catholic and Farrell played their state semifinal at Youngstown State instead of Ohio.

I vehemently argued that the game should have been played in Pennsylvania because it was two Pennsylvania schools in a Pennsylvania-based organization. Looking back, the game was a smashing success, with great attendance in a quality venue that was 15-20 miles maximum from the competing schools. What was more important?
    A-Having the teams play close by in a big venue with capacity that could accommodate those who wanted to attend, or
    B-Playing in Pennsylvania, even though local venues couldn't handle that size of crowd and the facilities that could hold that amount of people were 65-plus miles away?

The obvious answer is "A."

You have to have rules, guidelines, policies, etc., in society and sport. A football team can't play with 14 on the field, you can't park in front of a fire hydrant, you can't put your face under the pop fountain at the local convenience store ... But like the local bank commercial says, their customers are more important than their policies. Hearing that during one of our broadcasts was kind of an epiphany for me last March during the basketball playoffs. I am embarrassed that it took me (well) into my 30s to realize that.

What's the moral of this rambling bit? The best interests of people should not take a back seat to rigid procedure. Hopefully District 7 higher-ups will have the same type of epiphany that I did.

Oh, and before you complain too much about six classes in football, our area will have three teams in the state football playoffs instead of only two. In the four-class setup, out of Farrell, Hickory and the Sharpsville-Wilmington winner, all three would not make the state playoffs. Probably only two would go (Class A, Class AA) and potentially only one, depending on matchups, etc.

> It's now time for this week's playoff predictions. After a 4-1 week last week, Professor Briggs is now 20-2 overall in the D-10 playoffs. Last week's misfire earned the ire of some Hickory fans who were quick to tweet at me about picking Sharon as the Upset Special. That upset never materialized as Hickory won convincingly. It's good to know that people are reading.

Will Hickory fans have reason to be salty with me again this week? Let's find out. Hickory faces Karns City, which is coached by Edwin "Ed" Conto. To help with this week's predictions, we'll employ songs from the most famous Edwin in music, the late, great Edwin Starr.

PIAA CLASS 1A PLAYOFFS -- Friday, November 18
Farrell (8-3) vs. Conemaugh Township (10-2) -- Somerset High School, 7:00 p.m.

*Why Farrell Will Win: There's very little pressure on the young Steelers, who have played well over the last month of the season. Fast track on the artificial turf at Somerset favors Farrell. Farrell is 7-0 in its first game of the PIAA playoffs all-time.

*Why Conemaugh Township Will Win: Senior-laden team features physical line and two backs who have combined for over 2,000 rushing yards and 28 touchdowns in Buster Stahl and Cory Myers. Indians have edge in kicking game. Conemaugh played at Somerset last week and should have a good following of fans making the 20-mile trek down U.S. Route 219.

*Did You Know? -- Somerset will be the furthest that Professor Briggs has traveled to call a high school football game. Previous record? Harbor Creek High School in 2004 (82 miles from international headquarters in Pine Township.) For the record, I've gone further for basketball and much greater distances for collegiate football and basketball.

*Edwin Starr Song -- "H.A.P.P.Y. Radio" Expect the radio broadcast to be a H.A.P.P.Y. one.

Professor's Pick:  Farrell, 26-21

PIAA CLASS 3A PLAYOFFS -- Saturday, November 19
Hickory (11-0) vs. Karns City (9-2) -- Slippery Rock University, 1:00 p.m.

*Why Hickory Will Win: Re-energized passing game boosts potent offense. Hickory run defense has been solid in postseason. Special teams always come to forefront with two evenly-matched teams and the kicking game is a Hickory hallmark. Chuck Carr.

*Why Karns City Will Win: Hickory coach Bill Brest says Karns City is the best team the Hornets have played. Is that coach speak? Maybe? But there's an equal, if not better chance that it's the truth. Karns City is a senior-laden, explosive, well-prepared team. Kicking game could rival Hickory's strength in that category.

*Did You Know? -- Karns City assistant coach Jake Dailey is a college classmate and friend of Professor Briggs. Jake made "The Catch" to help Grove City beat W&J in 1997, which means he's permanently etched into Wolverine Lore.

*Edwin Starr Song -- "25 Miles" -- It's 25 miles the way the crow flies from Hermitage to Slippery Rock University. It's only 20 miles from Karns City to SRU by car, but some of the outlying areas of the Karns City district are definitely 25 miles from The Rock.

Professor's Pick:  Hickory, 31-28

CLASS 2A FINAL -- Saturday, November 19
Wilmington (10-1) vs. Sharpsville (8-3) -- Slippery Rock University, 7:00 p.m.

*Why Wilmington Will Win: Greyhounds feature District 10's top defense, statistically. Wilmington already owns a 63-21 win over Sharpsville this season. Wilmington is the healthier of the teams, overall.

*Why Sharpsville Will Win: A talented, well-coached team that is a significant underdog is a very dangerous team. Weather could be bad and that favors the underdog. Bobby Besser and Cameron Prebble are a very good 1-2 backfield combination. Luke Henwood is in his fourth playoff run as a starting quarterback.

*Did You Know? -- The last two overtime games I called or worked involved these teams ... Sharpsville vs. Farrell in the 2015 D-10 Class A title game and Wilmington vs. Greenville in the 2012 D-10 Class AA semifinals.

*Edwin Starr Song -- "Contact" -- With these two programs loving to run the football, there will be plenty of Contact Saturday night.

Professor's Pick:  Wilmington, 31-20

> Keep the cards and letters coming to ryanbriggs@zoominternet.net. Follow me on Twitter @professorbriggs