{"id":74434,"date":"2013-10-30T13:46:13","date_gmt":"2013-10-30T13:46:13","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/rcntv.rcn.com\/?p=74434"},"modified":"2023-04-14T19:23:41","modified_gmt":"2023-04-14T19:23:41","slug":"the-sportstalk-shop-anti-poll-small-schools-regular-season-wrap","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.astound.com\/atvn\/the-sportstalk-shop-anti-poll-small-schools-regular-season-wrap\/","title":{"rendered":"The SportsTalk Shop: ANTI-Poll Small Schools Regular Season Wrap"},"content":{"rendered":"

 <\/p>\n

ANTI-Poll Small Schools Regular Season Wrap<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Last week, we broke down the playoff possibilities and reviewed the regular season performances for the larger schools in the Lehigh Valley. This week, we\u2019ll examine the Class A, 2A and 3A teams in the RCN coverage area.<\/p>\n

PIUS X<\/strong> \u2013 The Royals have once again battled a very challenging independent schedule and find themselves in the fourth and final playoff spot in the Class A District standings. They enter their regular season finale against Colombia-Montour on Saturday. They have gotten great efforts by sophomore quarterback Tre Jordan and senior back Dashon Russell. Jordan is completing nearly 60 percent of his passes and has thrown for over 1,200 yards; while Russell eclipsed the 1,000 yard rushing mark in Pius\u2019 game against Carson Long. Their chief competitors, Williams Valley, Tri-Valley and Schuylkill Haven all have some very strong skilled-position players themselves. The Class A playoffs just might be the most competitive race of any within District XI this fall.<\/p>\n

PEN ARGYL<\/strong> \u2013 For the second consecutive year, some people started counting out the Green Knights after they picked up their second loss early in the season. That was before they had to battle Catasauqua and Northwestern in consecutive weeks. Pen Argyl also had significant injuries during the first four weeks of the season which resulted in some underclassmen gaining valuable \u2018under-fire\u2019 experience. As of today\u2019s standings (not including their traditional rivalry game with Bangor this weekend), Pen Argyl would play Pine Grove in the first round of the playoffs, and then the winner between Catasauqua\/Palisades for the title. Here\u2019s the issue: I think Pen Argyl has a great shot at advancing to the championship game, but must beware of a rejuvenated Slater ball club this Friday. Bangor is playing much better than they did in the first half of the season and just missed upsetting the Tigers last weekend. It\u2019s one of the most passionate rivalry games in Eastern Pennsylvania and Pen Argyl still needs to get a win to clinch a playoff spot. That being said, they can\u2019t leave Bangor with any big injuries if they want to extend their season beyond next weekend.<\/p>\n

BETHLEHEM CATHOLIC<\/strong> \u2013 The Hawks had a major struggle beating Freedom last weekend. The win meant a \u201cChristmas City Championship\u201d and guaranteed spot in the district playoffs. I think this Becahi team has the talent to go deep in the state playoffs – IF they play the way they did in the first half of the season and the way I saw them battle in the first half of their game against Whitehall. The team has already rejuvenated the Hawks fan base with its five wins so far. They have an opportunity to really deliver a message to all detractors if they can remain focused on the team-concept for the next month.<\/p>\n

SOUTHERN LEHIGH<\/strong> \u2013 The Spartans continued to steamroll their opponents in the Colonial League by defeating a very strong Palisades team last Friday night. Their offensive line, which was a question mark at the beginning of the season, played about as well as any line in the league. It has proved to be protection for Travis Edmond, Jacob Del Priore and company to have excellent seasons. Southern Lehigh has been knocking on the door of a championship for some time. Any letdown by the Golden Hawks should pave the way for the Spartans to capture a long-awaited title.<\/p>\n

CATASAUQUA<\/strong> \u2013 We have spent a ton of time and blog space this year discussing the Rough Riders, and rightly so. They have easily disposed of every team on their schedule this fall and are coming off another shutout, 40-0, over Northern Lehigh last Friday. Every week we get emails on RCN Sports Talk asking us to analyze this team and give our opinions of whether this team is good enough to win a state title. We received another one last week and we\u2019ll address it on our October 31 RCN Sports Talk<\/strong><\/em> show at 6:00 PM. In the meantime, I want to give a shout-out to the Catty offensive linemen for their outstanding efforts so far this season. With exceptionally skilled guys like Burton, Bradley, Marshall, Stopay and others seeing their names in the spotlight (both for their offense and defense), the guys up front have been buying time for their teammates to do what they do best. They are a huge reason why this team will likely come home with at least one, if not more, championships this fall.<\/p>\n

Which teams do you feel will bring home district gold medals in two weeks? Which players from our \u201csmall schools\u201d in the RCN region deserve some extra mentions? Email your comments to RCNSportsTalk@rcn.com<\/a> and we\u2019ll respond to your insights on RCN Sports Talk<\/strong><\/em> every Thursday at 6:00 PM. During the district playoff season we\u2019ll have special guests break down each of the playoff match-ups.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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