Pius X releases 2012 football schedule

FROM KEITH GROLLER

Pius X football has one of the most interesting schedules in local football because the Royals will play anyone and seemingly anywhere.

Coach Phil Stambaugh sent out the schedule tonight and interestingly, it begins with a rematch of Pius X's 54-25 state quarterfinal loss to Southern Columbia back on Dec. 2.

While the Royals always play an interesting schedule, it will also be interesting to see if record-breaking Pius X quarterback A.J. Long returns to the team. The rumor mill and various sources have him leaving Roseto for a bigger school, perhaps one in the Lehigh Valley Conference.

Assuming the PIAA again looks the way with another athletically-oriented transfer (Again, please take the rule off the books because it's apparently unenforceable) Long would, of course, face stiffer competition in the LVC. That might make him more attractive to college recruiters and we know the young man has Division I dreams.

At the same time, I don't know of anyone in the LVC or elsewhere who offers the complexity and creativity of the offense that Stambaugh runs at Pius X. Just by playing for Stambaugh, Long is preparing himself for the next level every day.

Stay tuned.

Here's the schedule:



Sept. 1 Southern Columbia Tigers (Catawissa, PA) – 1pm ** (Matt Casciano Memorial Game)


Sept. 8 at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Cougars (Baltimore, MD) – 1pm

Sept. 15 Steelton-Highspire Steamrollers (Steelton, PA) – 1pm **

(Anthony Cazassus Memorial Game) Sept. 21 at Marian Catholic Colts (Tamaqua, PA) – 7pm

Sept. 29 Bucktail Bucks (Farwell, PA) * – 1pm

Oct. 6 Wyalusing Valley Rams (Wyalusing, PA) – 1pm **

(Homecoming / Alumni Day) Oct. 13 Garden Spot Spartans (New Holland, PA) – 1pm **

(Knights of Columbus Game) Oct. 20 Nativity B.V.M. Green Wave (Pottsville, PA) *– 1pm **

(Senior Day / Blue & White Game) Oct. 27 at Carson Long Military Warriors (New Bloomfield, PA) *– 1pm

Nov. 3 at Columbia Montour Vo-Tech Rams (Bloomsburg, PA) * – 1pm

*

Denotes All-American League Opponents POST-SEASON

Nov. 9-10 District XI Class "A" Playoffs (First Round)

Nov. 16-17 District XI Class "A" Playoffs (Championship Final)

Nov. 23-24 P.I.A.A. Class "A" State Playoffs (Preliminary)

Nov. 30-Dec. 1

P.I.A.A. Class "A" State Playoffs (Quarterfinal) Dec. 7-8 P.I.A.A. Class "A" State Playoffs (Semi-Final)

Dec. 14 P.I.A.A. Class "A" State Playoffs (Championship Final * Hershey, PA)

http://blogs.mcall.com/groller/