Handicapping the high school football season before it starts is always unpredictable. There are so many things that happen during the course of the season, that preseason rankings seem foolhardy.
Be that as it may, here are my thoughts on how the balance of power sits as the 2012 season kicks off tonight.
Class A
1. Port Allegany — Explosive, talented, experienced, the Gators have all the tools necessary to repeat as District 9 champs.
2. Clarion — Old Dominion-bound RB/LB T.J. Armstrong leads a talented cast of characters that should roll through much of the KSAC Small School division.
3. Elk County Catholic — A deep senior class that is loaded at the skill positions, ECC may be the favorites in a balanced AML South.
4. Redbank Valley —Sophomore QB Jake Dougherty, junior RB Mark Strothers lead high-scoring offense attack.
5. Coudersport — Even without Caden Whitman, this is a team to be reckoned with. With him….look out.
Class AA
1. Karns City — Despite the loss of starting RB Glenn Toy to a torn ACL, Gremlins return wealth of talent.
2. Moniteau — Hit hard by graduation, the Warriors will be boosted by 1,000-yard rusher Dustin Geagan and all-state pick Andrew Armagost.
3. St. Marys — St. Marys lost some skill guys to graduation, but return 1,000-yard rusher Cody Baker and a talented group of lineman.
4. Kane — Wolves make the jump back to Class AA with Sean Jordan, Jonah Smith and Loren Kumher leading a strong returning group of players.
5. Brookville — Raiders must replace do-everyting QB Steve Kennedy.
Class AAA/AAAA
1. Clearfield — QB/LB Christian Lezzer, a D-I recruit, leads a typical Tim Janocko-coached team — dangerous on offense with lots of athletes.
2. Bradford — Move to D-10 Region 5 should benefit Owls, who return QB/DB Matt Yurkewicz and FB/LB Sean Siffrinn among others.
3. DuBois — The Beavers lost almost all their offensive production from a year ago, but look to re-load under offensive-minded coach Frank Varischetti.
4. Punxsutawney — Chucks struggled in 2011, but do return talented QB Garrett Zimmerman.
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