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

The Steelers (11-0) are ranked No. 1 by the Pennsylvania Football News and No. 3 by the Harrisburg Patriot-News.

McDowell (No. 7, Class AAAA), Cathedral Prep (No. 8, AAA), Wilmington (No. 6, AA) and General McLane (No. 8, AA) also are ranked by the Patriot-News.

Meanwhile, the Pennsylvania Football News ranks the following D-10 teams (in addition to Farrell): Cathedral Prep (No. 9, AAA), General McLane (No. 4, AA) and Wilmington (No. 5, AA).

For complete state rankings, click below:

Harrisburg Patriot-News
CLASS AAAA
Rank    Team (previous)    Record
1.    Bishop McDevitt (3)    10-0
2.    Gateway (7)    11-0
3.    North Penn (1)    11-0
4.    Woodland Hills (7)    10-1
5.    St. Joseph’s Prep (4)    9-1
6.    La Salle College (5)     9-1
7.    McDowell (7)    8-2
8.    Downingtown West (9)    10-1
9.    Easton (10)    10-1
10.    Bethel Park (HM)    10-1

CLASS AAA

Rank    Team (previous)    Record
1.    Thomas Jefferson (1)    11-0
2.    Selinsgrove (2)    11-0
3.    Wilson Area (3)    11-0
4.    Manheim Central (4)    11-0
5.    Hopewell (5)    11-0
6.    Bayard Rustin (6)    11-0
7.    Pottsgrove (7)    11-0
8.    Cathedral Prep (8)    9-2
9.    Allentown CC (9)    10-1
10.    Inerboro (10)    11-0

CLASS AA
Rank    Team (previous)    Record
1.    Dunmore (1)    11-0
2.    West Catholic (2)    9-2
3.    Beaver Falls (4)    10-1
4.    Aliquippa (5)    10-1
5.    Lancaster Catholic (6)    10-1
6.    Wilmington (7)    10-1
7.    Breensburg CC (HM)    9-2
8.    General McLane (9)    11-0
9.    Keystone Oaks (10)    10-1
10.    South Fayette (8)    10-1

CLASS A
Rank    Team (previous)    Record
1.    Clairton (1)    10-1
2.    Rochester (2)    11-0
3.    Farrell (3)    11-0
4.    Bishop McCourt (4)    10-0
5.    Laurel (5)    10-1
6.    Steelton-Highspire (6)    8-2
7.    Bellwood-Antis (8)    10-0
8.    Portage (9)    10-0
9.    North Catholic (HM)    9-2
10.     Sharpsville (HM)    9-2

Pennsylvania Football News

CLASS AAAA
Rank, School    District    Previous
1. North Penn    1    11-0    1
2. Bishop McDevitt    3    10-0    2
3. Gateway    7    11-0    3
4. Woodland Hills    7    10-1    4
5. St. Joseph’s Prep    12    9-1    5
6. LaSalle College    12    9-1    6
7. Easton Area    11    10-1     7
8. Wilson (West Lawn)    3    10-1    9
9. Bethel Park    7    10-1    OTW
10. Avon Grove    1    10-1    OTW
Honorable Mention
Central Dauphin    3    9-2
Cumberland Valley    3    9-2
Downingtown West    1    10-1
East Stroudsburg South    11    10-1
George Washington    12    8-2
McDowell    10    8-2
Neshaminy    1    9-2
Norristown    1    9-2
North Allegheny    7    9-2
Penn Manor    3    9-2
Pennsbury    1    9-2
Ridley    1    10-1
Shaler Area    7    9-2
State College    6    9-2

CLASS AAA
Rank, School    District    Record    Previous
1. Thomas Jefferson    7    11-0     1
2. Manheim Central    3    11-0    2
3. Selinsgrove    4    11-0    3
4. Wilson Area    11    11-0    4
5. Hopewell    7    11-0    5
6. Bayard Rustin    1    11-0    6
7. Pottsgrove    1    11-0    7
8. Allentown Central Catholic    11    10-1    8
9. Cathedral Prep    10    9-2    9
10. Interboro    1    11-0    10
Honorable Mention
Abington Heights    2    10-1
Cocalico    3    9-2
Conrad Weiser    3    9-2
Dallas Area    2    10-1
Daniel Boone    3    9-2
Hershey    3    9-2
Littlestown    3    9-2
North Pocono    2    9-2
Owen J. Roberts    1    10-1
Punxsutawney    9    9-2
Schenley    8    9-1
Susquehanna Township    3    10-1
West Allegheny    7    9-2
West York    3    10-1

CLASS AA
Rank, School    District    Record    Previous
1. Dunmore    2    11-0        1
2. Aliquippa    7    10-1    2
3. Lancaster Catholic    3    10-1    3
4. General McLane    10    11-0    4
5. Wilmington    10    10-1    5
6. North Schuylkill    11    11-0    6
7. Beaver Falls    7    10-1    9
8. West Catholic    12    9-2        OTW
9. Greensburg Central Catholic    7    9-2        OTW
10. Forest Hills    6    11-0    OTW
Honorable Mention
Central (Martinsburg)    6    10-1
Delone Catholic    3    10-1
Edward Bok Vo-Tech    12    10-0
Hughesville    4    10-1
Karns City    9    8-2
Keystone Oaks    7    10-1
Lewisburg    4    10-1
North East    10    9-2
Northern Lehigh    11    9-2
Panther Valley    11    9-2
Richland    6    9-2
South Fayette    7    10-1
Towanda    4    11-0
Tyrone Area    6    9-2

CLASS A
Rank, School    District    Record    Previous
1. Farrell    10    11-0     1
2. Rochester Area    7    11-0    2
3. Bishop McCort    6    10-0    3
4. Laurel    7    10-1        4
5. Clairton    7    10-1    5
6. Portage Area    6    10-0    6
7. Bellwood-Antis    6    10-0    7
8. Steelton-Highspire    3    8-2    10
9. Pittsburgh North Catholic    7    9-2    OTW
10. Southern Columbia    4    7-4    OTW
Honorable Mention
Calvary Christian Academy    1    9-1
Cameron County    9    10-1
Conemaugh Township    5    9-1
Curwensville    9    9-2
Line Mountain    4
Linesville    10    9-2
Mercer    10    8-3
Millersburg    3    8-3
Northwest Area    2    8-3
Penns Mano    6    9-1
Pius X    11    9-2
Sharpsville    10    9-2
Upper Dauphin    3    9-1
Windber    5    8-2

Vote in the poll at upper right. We’ve added one player from Friday and several players from Saturday.

The winner will be announced Tuesday on the Varsity blog and will be featured in Friday’s sports edition.

Josh Niswonger, General McLane: 4 receptions, 49 yards; TD catches of 10, 18 and 5 yards, including the game-winner in the closing seconds.

Courtney Harden-Pullium, Strong Vincent: 4 receptions, 170 yards, including a 64-yard TD catch

Josh Rzepecki, Harbor Creek: 9 receptions, 125 yards; TD catches of 3, 3, 13 and 7 yards.

Braidy Westfall, Corry: 3 receptions, 132 yards, including TD catches of 80 and 49 yards. Also caught a two-point conversion pass.

Justin Wiley, Cathedral Prep: 8 carries, 91 yards; TD runs of 6 and 49 yards, 12-yard TD receptions — all in the first half Saturday

Ryan Myers, Union City: 80-yard TD reception, 74-yard kickoff return for a TD, 8-for-12 passing for 106 yards, 2-point conversion pass

Dan Odem, Farrell: 20-yard interception return for TD, 5-of-8 passing for 85 yards and and four touchdowns, 11-yard TD run

Chris Kurzik, Mercyhurst Prep: 18 rushes for 122 yards and a TD.

Matt Stapleford, Warren: 16-of-24 passing for 227 yards and 2 TDs, two-point conversion pass, TD runs of 3 and 10 yards

Note: North East’s Jimmy Bailey and Mercyhurst Prep’s Aaron Horton were previous winners and were not eligible to win this week.

The Steelers are first in Class A and the Greyhounds, PIAA champions in 2008, in Class AA. They are the only District 10 schools ranked in PFN’s four polls.

District schools which received honorable mentions were McDowell in Class AAAA, Bradford, Cathedral Prep and Strong Vincent in Class AAA, General McLane in AA, and Linesville and Mercyhurst Prep in A.

– Mike Copper

Pennsylvania Football News High School Football Rankings

Class AAAA

Rank School (District) Record Previous

1. North Penn (1) 2-0 1

2. State College (6) 2-0 2

3. Bishop McDevitt (3) 2-0 3

4. LaSalle College (12) 2-0 4

5. Neshaminy (1) 2-0 6

6. Pittsburgh Central Catholic (7) 2-0 7

7. St. Joseph’s Prep (12) 2-0 9

8. Gateway (7) 2-0 10

9. Downingtown West (1) 2-0 OTW

10. Central Dauphin (3) 2-0 OTW

Others to watch: Abington (1) 2-0; Cardinal O’Hara (12) 2-0; Downingtown East (1) 2-0; Easton  (11) 2-0; Garnet Valley (1) 2-0; McDowell (10) 2-0; McKeesport  (7) 1-1; North Allegheny (7) 2-0; Parkland (11) 2-0; Pennsbury (1) 2-0; Quakertown (1) 2-0; Ridley (1) 2-0; Upper St. Clair (7) 2-0; Wilson (West Lawn) (3) 1-1; Woodland Hills (7) 1-1

Class AAA

Rank School (District) Record Previous

1. Thomas Jefferson (7) 2-0 1

2. Manheim Central (3) 2-0 2

3. Selinsgrove (4) 2-0 3

4. Wilson (11) 2-0 4

5. Hopewell (7) 2-0 5

6. Abington Heights (2) 2-0 6

7. Berwick  (2) 2-0 7

8. West York (3) 2-0 8

9. Bayard Rustin (1) 2-0 9

10. Pottsgrove (1) 2-0 10

Others to watch: Allentown Central Catholic (11) 2-0; Blue Mountain (11) 2-0; Bradford (9) 2-0; Cathedral Prep (10) 1-1; Chartiers Valley (7) 2-0; Cocalico (3) 2-0; ELCO (3) 2-0; Hershey (3) 2-0; Owen J. Roberts (1) 2-0; New Castle (7) 2-0; Northern York (3) 2-0; Strath Haven (1) 2-0; Strong Vincent (10) 1-1; Susquehanna Township (3) 2-0; West Mifflin (7) 2-0

Class AA

Rank School (District) Record Previous

1. Wilmington (10) 2-0 1

2. Lancaster Catholic (3) 2-0 2

3. Aliquippa (7) 2-0 3

4. West Catholic (12) 2-0 4

5. Dunmore (2) 2-0 6

6. Beaver Falls (7) 2-0 7

7. Jeannette (7) 2-0 8

8. Montoursville (4) 2-0 OTW

9. Central (Martinsburg) (6) 2-0 10

10. Burrell (7) 2-0 OTW

Others to watch: Brockway (9) 2-0; Center (7) 2-0; Ford City (7) 2-0; Forest Hills (6) 2-0; GAR Memorial (2) 2-0; General McLane (10) 2-0; Greensburg Central Catholic (7) 1-1; Hanover  (2) 2-0; McGuffey (7) 1-1; Palisades (11) 2-0; Panther Valley (11) 1-1; Seton-LaSalle (7) 2-0; Shady Side Academy (7) 2-0; Sto-Rox (7) 2-0; Tamaqua (11) 2-0

Class A

Rank School (District) Record Previous

1. Farrell (10) 2-0 1

2. Rochester  (7) 2-0 3

3. Bishop McCort (6) 2-0 4

4. Schuylkill Haven (11) 2-0 5

5. Springdale (7) 2-0 6

6. Laurel (7) 2-0 7

7. Clairton (7) 1-1 8

8. Southern Columbia (4) 1-1 2

9. Steelton-Highspire (3) 1-1 9

10. Portage  (6) 2-0 10

Others to watch: Avonworth (7) 2-0; Bellwood-Antis (6) 2-0; Bloomsburg (4) 2-0; Cameron County (9) 2-0; Clarion (9) 2-0; Conemaugh Township (5) 2-0; Fort Cherry (7) 2-0; Line Mountain (4) 2-0; Linesville (10) 2-0; Mercyhurst Prep (10) 2-0; Northwest (2) 1-1; Old Forge (2) 2-0; Serra Catholic (7) 2-0; South Side (7) 2-0; Upper Dauphin (3) 2-0; Williams Valley (11) 2-0

Two other District 10 teams are ranked No. 2 statewide. Wilmington, the defending Class AA champion, moved up one spot to No. 2 in AA. Farrell remained at No. 2 in Class A.

For complete rankings, click below:

Pennsylvania high school football rankings from The Patriot-News of Harrisburg for the week of Monday, Sept. 14, with school’s district in parentheses, followed by the school’s record and last week’s ranking. NR means not ranked. Honorable mention teams listed alphabetically.

CLASS AAAA
1. Pittsburgh Central Catholic (7) 2-0 1
2. La Salle College (12) 2-0 2
3. Bishop McDevitt (3) 2-0 3
4. State College (6) 2-0 4
5. North Penn (1) 2-0 5
6. Gateway (7) 2-0 6
7. St. Joseph’s Prep (12) 2-0 7
8. McKeesport (7) 1-1 8
9. Downingtown West (1) 2-0 9
10. Neshaminy (1) 2-0 10
Honorable mention
Abington (1) 2-0, Bethel Park (7) 2-0, Cardinal O<Hara (12) 2-0, Central Dauphin (3) 2-0, Cumberland Valley (3) 1-1, McDowell (10) 2-0, North Allegheny (7) 2-0, Parkland (11) 2-0, Pennsbury (1) 2-0, Wilson (3) 1-1, Woodland Hills (7) 1-1.
—-
CLASS AAA
1. Thomas Jefferson (7) 2-0 1
2. Selinsgrove (4) 2-0 2
3. Wilson Area (11) 2-0 3
4. Cathedral Prep (10) 1-1 4
5. Manheim Central (3) 2-0 5
6. Abington Heights (2) 2-0 6
7. Hopewell (7) 2-0 7
8. Pottsgrove (1) 2-0 8
9. Bayard Rustin (1) 2-0 9
10. Berwick (2) 2-0 10
Honorable mention
Allentown Central Catholic (11) 2-0, Chartiers Valley (7) 2-0, Strath Haven (1) 2-0, Strong Vincent (10) 1-1, Susquehanna Twp. (3) 2-0, Upper Moreland (1) 1-1, West York (3) 2-0.

CLASS AA
1. Lancaster Catholic (3) 2-0 2
2. Wilmington (10) 2-0 3
3. Beaver Falls (7) 2-0 4
4. Dunmore (2) 2-0 5
5. Keystone Oaks (7) 2-0 6
6. West Catholic (12) 2-0 NR
7. Martinsburg Central (6) 2-0 7
8. Montoursville (4) 2-0 8
9. Aliquippa (7) 2-0 9
10. General McLane (10) 2-0 10
Honorable mention
Honorable mention: Bok (12) 2-0, Brockway (9) 2-0, Jeannette (7) 2-0, Northern Lehigh (11) 1-1, Palisades (11) 2-0, Sto-Rox (7) 2-0.
—-

CLASS A
1. Rochester (7) 2-0 1
2. Farrell (10) 2-0 2
3. Bishop McCort (6) 2-0 3
4. Southern Columbia (4) 1-1 4
5. Serra Catholic (7) 2-0 5
6. Laurel (7) 2-0 6
7. Clairton (7) 1-1 7
8. Steelton-Highspire (3) 1-1 8
9. Schuylkill Haven (11) 2-0 NR
10. Portage (6) 2-0 10
Honorable mention
Bellwood-Antis (6) 2-0, Bloomsburg (4) 2-0, Cameron County (9) 2-0, Old Forge (2) 2-0, South Side Beaver (7) 2-0, Springdale (7) 2-0.

If you can’t join us at noon, check back here on the Varsity blog later in the day or over the weekend to read the blog and get our views on the upcoming season.

It’ll be the first of many Football Central live blogs we will have during the 2009 season. Starting Sept. 4, we’ll cover action throughout D-10 every Friday night on Football Central.

Here are the 10 questions we’ll chat about today:

1. Can Strong Vincent reload enough to repeat as District 10 Class AAA champions?
2. Who will emerge as the top player in Erie County this season?
3. Which team(s) have a shot at winning a PIAA championship?
4. Will District 10 allow McDowell to become a football-only member of the WPIAL?
5. Can McDowell replace the offensive tandem of A.J. Fenton and Alex Schmude?
6. Is there a Class A or AA team in District 10 that can knock off Farrell and Wilmington?
7. Who are some of the early candidates for the top quarterback in District 10?
8. Which defense in all of District 10 is the fastest and most effective?
9. Which team from the highly competitive Region 4 will emerge as the champion?
10. Which teams will make the most improvement this season in District 10?

Kayla McBride, Villa Maria's all-state guard

I ran my state playoff record to 29-4  with a perfect 11-0 second round. As the playoffs march on the teams  get better and the predictions get tougher. Here is what I think will happen tonight at Slippery Rock’s Morrow Field House.

Boys

Class A

Kennedy Catholic 52, Sewickley Academy 50

Class AAA

Farrell 65, Greensburg Salem 58

Girls

Class AA
Villa Maria 58, Bishop McCort 52

– Tom Reisenweber