A new feature we’ll unveil this week is the Triple Option. Three games. Two prognosticators. One weekly showdown.

In Triple Option, high school beat writer Tom Reisenweber and sports editor Jeff Kirik will make predictions about three D-10 football games they disagree on each week. See which games they pick, why they picked them and then track to see who gets them right.

This week, Tom and Jeff face off on the Conneaut-Girard, Sharon-Farrell and Mercyhurst Prep-Central Tech games.

Also, if you sign up for Varsity Letter before Friday, you’ll get a chance to win free Kickoff magazines from 2012, 2011 and 2010. Just go to GoErie.com/section/newsletters and click on Varsity Letter.

As always, Varsity Letter will provide readers with District 10 sports news, commentary and schedules, along with links to photos, video and blog posts.

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Farrell has a few experienced players back to lead a young team. Lance Messett is a first-team wide receiver and a developing college prospect. He caught 27 passes for 354 yards and six touchdowns as a junior. On the other side of the formation will be fellow wideout Dewayne Burns, a second-team defensive back. Burns caught 12 passes for 148 yards last season. Also back are Jalen Scott and Rasheem Harrison for the Steelers. Farrell, for the most part, is young this season and could go through some rebuilding pains. Samuels has the experience to find talented players and put them in the right spots, but how quickly his team develops will determine the Steelers’ fate this year. Farrell opens the season with rival Sharon in the annual Steel Bowl before two huge games in September against West Middlesex and Sharpsville. The Steelers also have Hickory and Wilmington on the schedule, meaning if they can get to the playoffs, they will certainly be battle-tested.

Schedule
August
31 Sharon 7
September
7 Kennedy Catholic* 7
14 at West Middlesex* 7
21 at Redbank Valley 7
28 Sharpsville* 7
October
5 at Lakeview* 7
12 at Hickory 7
19 Conneaut* 7
26 at Mercer* 7
November
2 Wilmington 7
*Region 1 games

Saturday: Fort LeBoeuf

– Tom Reisenweber

McDowell, which competes in the WPIAL Northern Seven Conference, is ranked ninth in Class AAAA.

Grove City, the 2010 District 10 Class AAA runner-up, is No. 8 in AAA. Cathedral Prep, the two-time defending D-10 AAA champ, is listed under teams to watch.

General McLane is ranked No. 10 in AA after a 10-2 season in 2010. Meanwhile, Mercyhurst Prep is No. 10 in Class A.

Other D-10 teams to watch are Hickory and Sharon in AA and Farrell in A.

Click below to see the state poll:

CLASS AAAA
Team (District) 2010 record, Last ranking
1. Pittsburgh C.C. (7) 11-1 5
2. North Penn (1) 13-2 3
3. North Allegheny (P) (7) 15-1 1
4. Upper St. Clair (7) 6-4 NR
5. Neshaminy (1) 12-2 10
6. LaSalle College HS (12) 13-2 2
7. Bethlehem Liberty (11) 7-5 NR
8. Council Rock South (1) 11-2 9
9. McDowell (10) 7-3 NR
10. Cumberland Valley (3) 12-3 4
Teams to watch: Bayard Rustin (1) 11-2, Coatesville (1) 8-3, Downingtown East (1) 9-3, Easton (11) 12-3, Father Judge (12) 8-3, Ridley (1) 10-1, Whitehall (11) 10-3, Woodland Hills (7) 9-4.

CLASS AAA
1. Archbishop Wood (12) 13-1 3
2. Allentown C.C. (P) (11) 16-0 1
3. Montour (7) 12-1 8
4. Bishop McDevitt (3) 13-3 2
5. Thomas Jefferson (7) 10-2 NR
6. Central Valley (7) 10-4 6
7. Valley View (2) 7-5 NR
8. Grove City (10) 11-1 9
9. Abington Heights (2) 12-1 NR
10. Susquehanna Twp. (3) 9-3 NR
Teams to watch: Cardinal O’Hara (12) 9-2, Cathedral Prep (10) 9-5, Clearfield (9) 13-1, Greater Johnstown (6) 10-2, Greencastle-Antrim (3) 11-1, Hopewell (7) 12-1, Selinsgrove (4) 7-5, Strath Haven (1) 12-2.

CLASS AA
1. West Catholic (P) (12) 13-2 1
2. Aliquippa (7) 12-1 3
3. Lancaster Catholic (3) 11-1 NR
4. Lewisburg (4) 14-1 4
5. North Schuylkill (11) 11-1 NR
6. Seton-LaSalle (7) 9-3 NR
7. Mount Carmel (4) 8-4 NR
8. Trinity (3) 12-2 8
9. Tyrone (6) 12-1 NR
10. General McLane (10) 10-2 NR
Teams to watch: Beaver Falls (7) 10-2, Bloomsburg (4) 8-3, Forest Hills (6) 13-2, Greensburg C.C. (7) 9-1, Hickory (10) 10-3, Lakeland (2) 10-2, Northern Lehigh (11) 13-1, Sharon (10) 11-3.

CLASS A
1. Clairton (P) (7) 16-0 1
2. Southern Columbia (4) 10-3 8
3. Rochester (7) 12-1 3
4. Dunmore (2) 7-5 9
5. Sto-Rox (7) 8-3 NR
6. Pius X (11) 8-4 NR
7. Riverside (2) 14-2 2
8. Springdale (7) 10-2 NR
9. Bishop McCort (6) 8-5 NR
10. Mercyhurst Prep (10) 12-1 6
Teams to watch: Bishop Carroll (6) 11-3, Curwensville (9) 11-2, Farrell (10) 13-2, Juniata Valley (6) 8-2, Line Mountain (4) 10-2, Northern Bedford (5) 11-1, North Star (5) 9-4, Shenandoah Valley (11) 6-5.

Cathedral Prep leads all D-10 teams with a No. 4 ranking in Class AAA. The Ramblers are coming off a trip to the PIAA Class AAA semifinals and return record-breaking junior quarterback Damion Terry.

Defending District 10 AA champion Sharon is ranked 10th in AA.

Meanwhile, listed among “others to watch” are the following D-10 teams: Grove City in AAA, General McLane, Hickory and Wilmington in AA, and Farrell, Linesville and West Middlesex in A.

Click below for the complete rankings:

Pennsylvania Football News preseason state rankings

CLASS AAAA
Rank, Team (District)
1. Pittsburgh Central Catholic (7)
2. North Penn (1)
3. LaSalle College (12)
4. Neshaminy (1)
5. Upper St. Clair (7)
6. Bethlehem Liberty (11)
7. North Allegheny (7)
8. Coatesville (1)
9. Council Rock South (1)
10. Ridley (1)
Others to watch: Bayard Rustin (1), Boyertown (1), Central Dauphin (3), Cumberland Valley (3), Daniel Boone (3), Delaware Valley (2), Downingtown East (1), Easton Area (11), Mount Lebanon (7), Parkland (11), Roman Catholic (12), Wilson (3), Woodland Hills (7), Wyoming valley West (2)

CLASS AAA
1. Allentown Central Catholic (11)
2. Bishop McDevitt (3)
3. Archbishop Wood (12)
4. Cathedral Prep (10)
5. Montour (7)
6. Valley View (2)
7. Thomas Jefferson (7)
8. Abington Heights (2)
9. Susquehanna Township (3)
10. Hopewell (7)
Others to watch: Cardinal O’Hara (12), Central Valley (7), Clearfield Area (9), Crestwood (2), Dallas Area (2), Greater Johnstown (6), Greencastle-Antrim (3), Grove City (10), Manheim Central (3), Strath Haven (1), Lampeter-Strasburg (3),

CLASS AA
1. West Catholic (12)
2. Lancaster Catholic (3)
3. Lewisburg (4)
4. Aliquippa (7)
5. Trinity (3)
6. Seton-LaSalle (7)
7. Mount Carmel (4)
8. North Schuylkill (11)
9. Tyrone Area (6)
10. Sharon (10)
Others to watch: Beaver Falls (7), Bloomsburg (4), Delone Catholic (3), Forest Hills (6), General McLane (10), Greensburg Central Catholic (7), Hickory (10), Montoursville (4), Northern Lehigh (11), Towanda (4), Wilmington (10), Wyomissing (3), GAR Memorial (2)

CLASS A
1. Clairton (7)
2. Southern Columbia (4)
3. Rochester (7)
4. Pius X (11)
5. Dunmore (2)
6. Springdale (7)
7. Line Mountain (4)
8. Shenandoah Valley (11)
9. Sto-Rox (7)
10. Bellwood-Antis (6)
Others to watch: Avonworth (7), Bishop Canevin (7), Bishop Carroll (6), Curwensville (9), Farrell (10), Lackawanna Trail (2), Ligonier Valley (6), Linesville (10), Marian Catholic (11), North Star (5), Port Allegany (9), Schuylkill Haven (11), Steelton-Highpire (3), West Middlesex (10), Williams Valley (11)

Schedule
September
12 at Sharon 7:15
13 Commodore Perry* 7:15
15 Lakeview* 7:15
20 at Reynolds* 7:15
22 Jamestown* 7:15
27 at Kennedy Catholic* 7:15
29 Sharpsville* 7:15
October
3 New Castle 7:15
4 at West Middlesex* 7:15
6 at Commodore Perry* 7:15
11 at Lakeview* 7:15
13 Reynolds* 7:15
18 at Jamestown* 7:15
20 Kennedy Catholic* 7:15
25 at Sharpsville* 7:15
27 West Middlesex* 7:15

Later today: Fort LeBoeuf

– Tom Reisenweber

Kevin Brodie was one of the top athletes in District 10 last season and was named the all-district team at the all-purpose position. Brodie graduated as well as all-district lineman Robert Trudo, who is at Syracuse. The two will be tough to replace as well as first-team all-region linebacker Jamar Whitman and all-region members Malcolm Hailstock (defensive line) and Donte Pegues (defensive back).

A big positive for the Steelers is the return of quarterback Forrest Wested. Wested started 14 games last season and has developed into a leader for Farrell. He threw for 682 yards and 12 touchdowns as a sophomore while rushing for 83 yards and two TDs. Wested will be important when helping the underclassmen develop, which his backfield could be full of. The only returning running back that had more than 100 yards last fall is Jason Pinkins (743 yards, 5 touchdowns).

Farrell’s high-flying defense will have several key members back. Lewis was the Steelers’ third-leading tackler with 87 tackles, while Pinkins recorded 85. Junior Billy Carthorn had three sacks last fall, while Anthony Perkins and Ryan Green each had 2 1/2 sacks.

There are a few question marks for the Steelers with a new coach and new system. The biggest hole to fill will be replacing Brodie. Brodie led Farrell in rushing (1,405 yards, 20 touchdowns), receiving (15 catches, 319 yards, 4 touchdowns), interceptions (9), fumble recoveries (5), punt returns (13 returns, 407 yards), kickoff returns (4 returns, 90 yards) touchdowns (33) and scoring (200 points). Farrell always has speed to burn but it will need to find a player to be the “X” factor that Brodie was last year. The Steelers will also need to develop a solid line in camp to support the depth at the skill positions.

Farrell and new coach Scarvel will find out how good they are in the first month of the season. The Steelers start with the annual “Steel Bowl” against rival Sharon before later taking on up-and-coming Mercer on Sept. 16. Mercer has consistently beat Farrell in the regular season in recent history. A week later, the Steelers will be tested by another Mercer County-power Hickory.

Schedule
September
2 at Sharon 7
10 at Kennedy Catholic* 12
16 Mercer* 7
23 Hickory 7
30 Conneaut Valley* 7
October
7 at Linesville* 7
14 West Middlesex* 7
21 at Sharpsville* 7
28 Lakeview* 7
November
4 Bye

Saturday: Fort LeBoeuf

– Tom Reisenweber

CLASS A
Friday
Semifinals
Bishop McCort (13-0) vs. Tri-Valley (9-4) at State College, 7 p.m.
Farrell (14-0) vs. Clairton (13-1) at N. Kerr Thompson Stadium, Slippery Rock, 7 p.m.
Championship game
Dec. 18
At Hersheypark Stadium
Semifinal winners, 1 p.m.
———
CLASS AA
Saturday
Semifinals
Wilmington (13-1) vs. Greensburg Central Catholic (12-2) at N. Kerr Thompson Stadium, Slippery Rock, 1 p.m.
Lancaster Catholic (13-1) vs. West Philadelphia Catholic (12-2) at Coatsville HS, 1 p.m.
Championship game
Dec. 19
At Hersheypark Stadium
Semifinal winners, 1 p.m.
———
CLASS AAA
Friday
Semifinals
Archbishop Wood (11-2) vs. Selinsgrove (14-0), at Hersheypark Stadium, 7 p.m.
Manheim Central (14-0) vs. West Allegheny (12-2) at Mansion Park Stadium, Altoona, 7 p.m.
Championship game
Dec. 18
At Hersheypark Stadium
Semifinal winners, 7 p.m.
———
CLASS AAAA
Saturday
Semifinals
LaSalle College (12-1) vs. Ridley (13-1) at Northeast HS, Philadelphia, 1 p.m.
State College (11-2) vs. Cumberland Valley (12-2) at Mansion Park Stadium, Altoona, 1 p.m.
Championship game
Dec. 19
At Hersheypark Stadium
Semifinal winners, 7 p.m.

This will be our final football Breakout Player of the Week vote of the season, but the basketball version of the award will begin soon.

Vote for your favorite in the poll at upper right. Voting will continue through Monday night.

Here are the three nominees:

Shyquawn Pullium, Cathedral Prep: In the final game of his high school career, Prep’s star quarterback rushed 16 times for 145 yards, including TD runs of 1, 10 and 64 yards.

Sutton Whiting, Wilmington: Rushed 15 times for 77 yards, including TD runs of 4, 1 and 2 yards, in Wilmington’s dramatic quarterfinal win.

Jamar Whitman, Farrell: Rushed 16 times for 152 yards, including TD runs of 39 and 8 yards. His 8-yard run in the fourth quarter was the game-winner.

Justin Wiley, Cathedral Prep: 12 rushes, 139 yards; TD runs of 5, 17 and 39 yards. One reception for a 16-yard touchdown.

Sutton Whiting, Wilmington: Rushed 17 times for a team-leading 117 yards and all three of the Greyhounds’ touchdowns. His TD runs covered 1, 20 and 4 yards.

Preston Jefferson, Farrell: Recovered a fumble for a touchdown and scored on a 54-yard reception.

Voting in the poll at upper right will end Monday night. The winner will be featured in Friday’s Times-News sports section.

The Greyhounds finished 2008 at 15-1, including a thrilling double overtime win in the state championship over West Catholic, 35-34. Greenville is the other D-10 team in the Class AA rankings as a team to watch.

Rivals Strong Vincent and Cathedral Prep are ranked in the top 10 in Class AAA. The Colonels won the District 10 Class AAA championship over the Ramblers in ’08. 28-0. Vincent lost several starters but has a solid offensive and defensive line coming back. The Colonels are ranked No. 6 in the state, while their playoff-rival Thomas Jefferson is No. 1.

Prep is ranked No. 9 despite having an average year in ’08. The Ramblers created a buzz around the state by hiring Mike Mischler to return as head coach coupled with the heavy recruiting by Division I schools of Shyquawn Pullium has Prep at a top 10 spot.

In Class A, Farrell and Linesville are ranked No. 6 and No. 9, respectively. The Steelers made a deep run into the PIAA playoffs in ’08 before losing to Clairton and Pitt recruit Kevin Weatherspoon. The Lions had an outstanding season last year but lose to Farrell in the District 10 championship.

Mercer and Sharpsville, two teams that could surprise some teams in Class A, are both listed as others to watch.

For the complete rankings, click below

– Tom Reisenweber

Pennsylvania Football News Preseason Rankings
Class AAAA
Rank School (District)
1. Bethlehem Liberty (11)
2. McKeesport Area (7)
3. North Penn (7)
4. Downingtown West (1)
5. Bishop McDevitt (3)
6. Gateway (7)
7. State College (6)
8. Wilson (West Lawn) (3)
9. Neshaminy (1)
10. LaSalle College (12)
Others to Watch: Abington (1), Cumberland Valley (3), Easton Area (11), Emmaus (11), Garnet Valley (1), George Washington (12), Hazleton (2), Parkland (D-11), Penn Hills (7), Penncrest (1), Pennsbury (1), Pine-Richland (7), Pittsburgh Central Catholic (7), Ridley (1)

Class AAA
Rank School (District)
1. Thomas Jefferson (7)
2. Selinsgrove (4)
3. Archbishop Wood (12)
4. Wilson Area (11)
5. Manheim Central (3)
6. Strong Vincent (10)
7. Hopewell (7)
8. Abington Heights (2)
9. Cathedral Prep (10)
10. West York (3)
Others to Watch: Allentown Central Catholic (11), Blackhawk (7), Brashear (8), Clearfield Area (9), ELCO (3), Greater Johnstown (6), Hollidaysburg (6), West Allegheny (7), Bayard Rustin (12)

Class AA
Rank School (District)
1. Wilmington (10)
2. Aliquippa (7)
3. Dunmore (2)
4. Central (Martinsburg) (6)
5. Beaver Falls (7)
6. Lancaster Catholic (3)
7. Greensburg Central Catholic (7)
8. Jeannette (7)
9. Karns City (9)
10. Tyrone Area (6)
Others to Watch: Brockway (9), Center (7), Forest Hills (6), Greenville (10), Lakeland (2), Lampeter-Strasburg (3), Moniteau (9), Palmerton (11), Pottsville (11), Salisbury Township (11), Shady Side Academy (7), Sto-Rox (7)

Class A
Rank School (District)
1. Clairton (7)
2. Steelton-Highspire (3)
3. Rochester Area (7)
4. Bishop McCort (6)
5. Southern Columbia (4)
6. Farrell (10)
7. Schuylkill Haven (11)
8. Riverside (2)
9. Linesville (10)
10. North Catholic (7)
Others to Watch: Bellwood-Antis (6), Bloomsburg (4), Brentwood (7), Cameron County (9), Coudersport (9), Curwensville (9), Line Mountain (4), Marian Catholic (11), Mercer (10), Portage Area (6), Serra Catholic (7), Sharpsville (10), Springdale (7)

Region 1
Region Overall
w-Mercer 7-1 10-2
w-Farrell 7-1 12-3
w-Linesville 7-1 10-3
z-Sharpsville 5-3 6-5
West Middlesex 4-4 6-4
Lakeview 3-5 4-6
Conneaut Lake 2-6 2-8
Kennedy Catholic 1-7 1-8
Conneaut Valley 0-8 0-10
w-co-region champions
z-qualified for playoff spot

Key 2009 games: Sept. 11 Mercer at Farrell, Oct. 2 Farrell at Linesville, Oct. 30 Mercer at Linesville
Predicted champion: Farrell

Dion Eilam

Coach: Jarrett Samuels
2008 overall record: 12-3
2008 region record (place): 7-1 (Region 1 co-champion)
Playoff results: Won the District 10 Class A championship; advanced to the PIAA semifinals before losing to Clairton 24-21.
Top players lost: OL/DL Terry Perfilio, RB/LB Lamont Hailstock, WR/DB Donte Pinkins, OL/DL James Strozier, WR/DB Terrell Jackson, TE/DE Norman Blue
Top returning players: WR/DB Dion Eilam, QB/S Dan Odem, RB/LB Ron Jackson, WR/DB Preston Jefferson, OL/DL Robert Trudo, RB/LB Ramon West.
Key games: Sept. 4 at Sharon, Sept. 11 vs. Mercer, Sept. 19 vs. Reynolds, Oct. at Linesville
Outlook: The Steelers were one of the best Class A teams in the state last season and were a field goal away from advancing to the PIAA championship. What’s scary about Farrell is that it didn’t lose that much from last year’s team. Dan Odem emerged as a solid quarterback when he was on the field last season and seemed to find the open receiver every play. Odem is also a double-threat when he takes the snap with enough speed to burn defenses. Odem did lose a few targets in Donte Pinkins, Terrell Jackson and Norman Blue, but with Dion Eilam and Preston Jefferson returning, Farrell should be fine. As far as the running game, the Steelers never really solidified their offense around one back. Whether it was the reason the offense was potent or not, Farrell won’t be crushed by graduation with a few of its platooned running backs returning. The bread and butter of the Steelers’ run to the D-10 title was their defense. The defense was intense, fast and tough. After Farrell’s season-opening losses to Sharon and Mercer, a stretch where half of its starters weren’t on the field with different reasons, the Steelers allowed 61 points in their final eight regular-season games. During the District 10 playoffs, Farrell allowed a touchdown to Linesville in the championship but finished outscoring its opponents 84-7. The Steelers finished with five shutouts in 2008 and could have a stronger and quicker defense this season.

Schedule:
September
4    at Sharon, 7
11    Mercer*, 7
19    Reynolds, 7
25    Conneaut Valley*,7
October
2     at Linesville*, 7
9    West Middlesex*, 7
16    @ Sharpsville*, 7
23    Lakeview*, 7
30     at Conneaut Lake*, 7
November
7     at Kennedy Catholic*, noon

* Region 1 game

Friday: Region 1: Kennedy Catholic