High school football playoffs are now such a part of the tradition of Lehigh Valley sports that it might be hard to believe that they didn't always exist.
It's hard to believe, but prior to 1984, you just played your season -- which sometimes included a Thanksgiving Day game -- hoped you won a league championship and that was about it.
The district and state playoffs have taken over as the most anticipated stage of this sport, trumping even the importance of the league races and nearly wiping Thanksgiving football completely off the map, which, to me, is sad.
You can't argue, however, that districts hasn't provided a lot of great memories over the past 30 years. Some real dramatic games and upsets, too.
Here's a look at some of those upsets that come immediately to my mind:
1987 -- On the same frigid weekend, Lehighton shocked Easton 12-0 and Bangor whipped Bethlehem Catholic 28-7. I don't think I saw either game because I was all tied up with the Lehigh-Lafayette game that weekend. It was the last game ever at Lehigh's Taylor Stadium and it was the coldest Lehigh-Lafayette game on record. I am sure the cold affected the quality of the play everywhere that weekend, but neither Lehighton, coached by Dave Parsons, nor Bangor, led by the legendary Paul Farnan, seemed to mind. That was a great year for Slaters sports because the boys basketball team, led by current AD Bron Holland, went on to win the league and district titles.
1988 -- Pocono Mountain 20, Easton 17 in the district title game at Cottingham Stadium. Frank Scagliotta's finest hour as a coach in either football or basketball.
1995 -- North Schuylkill 27, CCHS 20. I covered this one at J. Birney Crum Stadium and I remember the Spartans and their coach were all fired up because a lot of people, including me, didn't give them much of a chance against the Vikings who were coming off two straight district titles. That must have been one heck of a bus ride back up to Schuylkill County. If I remember correctly, turnovers did in the Vikes.
1996 -- Dieruff 47, East Stroudsburg 25. It's never a shock to Lehigh Valley people when an East Penn/Lehigh Valley Conference school beats a Monroe County team, but this was one a stunner because the Cavaliers featured the great James Mungro, who had led his team to the district title the year before.
1999 -- Easton 7, Parkland 6 in the district semis. It's also never a shock when Easton wins a big game, but the Red Rovers were routed by the Trojans 42-13 just two weeks earlier in the MVC title game. A similar blowout was expected. However, YaYah McGurn ran for 181 yards and the Rovers defense rose to the occasion to post a stunning upset of the state's No. 2 ranked team in Orefield.
2009 -- East Stroudsburg South 49, Liberty 29 -- The Hurricanes had struggled with injuries in the season after their state championship, but few expected them to give up 49 points in the subregional opener.
2012 -- Pen Argyl 26, Catasauqua 20 --This 2A title game loss is the one that has haunted the Roughies for nearly a year. Tonight's their chance to avenge that defeat and chase away the demons.
I am sure you have your favorite upset that you can add to the list.
Any upsets tonight? Of course there will be. This is high school sports. But figuring out just where the upset(s) will come, that's the challenge.
I was 19-3 last week, bringing my season record to 175-48.
My personal "Dandy Dozen" looks this:
- Parkland
- Whitehall
- ES South
- Easton
- Southern Lehigh
- Emmaus
- Catasauqua
- Stroudsburg
- Pennridge
- Nazareth
- Beth. Catholic
- Liberty
And now the picks:
District 2-11 Class 4A subregional:
ES South 35, Scranton 28 -- Scranton won this matchup a year ago when Cavs coach Ed Christian admitted he did not give the ball to speedy back Niko Petrone enough. He won't make that mistake twice.
Whitehall 42, Pleasant Valley 20 -- This is where I'll be. You can get updates on Twitter @KeithGroller. The Bears offer a talented quarterback in Brandon Leap and some very good skill-position talent, but PV has struggled to stop good offenses all year and Whitehall has a very good offense.
Parkland 35, Stroudsburg 7 -- It has come to my attention that I predicted Stroudsbug in our prediction grid this morning. That was NOT the pick I intended. This has a good chance to be a blowout and not in the Mounties' favor. Get ready for Trojans-Zephyrs Part II next week.
Easton 27, Wyoming Valley West 21 -- Tempted to go with the upset here because WVW is very good and Easton was shaky against Nazareth last week and lost to Whitehall the week before. Somehow, though, Steve Shiffert and Co. will find a way to get his team to the semis.
Eastern Conference 4A
Emmaus 33, Delaware Valley 14 -- The Green Hornets are the best team not in the subregional playoffs. Del Val began the season in the Lehigh Valley with a 50-8 thumping at Parkland on Labor Day weekend and will end the season in the Valley with a similar pounding.
Nazareth 34, Pocono Mt. East 27 -- It would be a nice story if the Cardinals could get at least one postseason win after what they have been through. Corey Castillion will gain yards against Nazareth. Just don't know if Frank Scagliotta's defense can get enough stops against Jordan Gray and Co. The Weave is going with his boys in blue 44-23.
District 11 3A Semifinals
Bethlehem Catholic 33, Lehighton 21 -- Again, tempted to go for the upset because the Indians are a tough, rugged, physical football team that has come a long way. But speed generally beats power and the Golden Hawks have plenty of quicks. Lehighton will need to play a game of keep away and frustrate Becahi to have a chance.
Southern Lehigh 27, Pottsville 14 -- The Tide's first-year coach Tom McGeoy knows his way around the Lehigh Valley since he was an outstanding linebacker at Lehigh. He'll have his team ready to pull a surprise, but this -- finally -- may be the Spartans time to shine in districts.
Eastern Conference 3A
Saucon Valley 34, Jim Thorpe 20 -- The Olympians showed some spunk by coming back against Lehighton last week after digging a huge early deficit. Their comeback just fell short. However, just like Lehighton, Saucon Valley is a very rugged team that will likely take it to the Carbon County club in the trenches.
District 11 2A Semifinals
Pine Grove 34, Palisades 20 -- Some have challenged the caliber of schedule the Cardinals have played, but at the very least Pine Grove knows how to win. The Pirates have had a nice season under Kevin Ronalds, but the injuries have taken a toll down the stretch.
Catasauqua 35, Pen Argyl 13 -- Perhaps the most anticipated game of the night because of what happened last year and what happened to the Roughies last week. I see the Roughies, despite their injury woes, being on a mission. In some regard, what happened against Northwestern was a blessing because it probably got everyone refocused and energized for the task at hand.
Eastern Conference 2A
Northwestern 28, Nanticoke 14 -- The Tigers have a rising coaching star in Josh Snyder, who came up with a great game plan to beat Catty last week. As long as they're not content with just pulling off the upset of the year, I see Northwestern continuing through here with some solid performances to set the stage for an even more exciting 2014.
District 11 Class A
Pius X 32, Williams Valley 28 -- I am out on a limb here, as usual, with the Royals. I just believe Phil Stambaugh and his kids live for this time of year and the challenge of going into hostile territory and performing well under pressure. The Royals record isn't overly impressive at 6-4 and some of those wins are against some very poor competition. However, Pius X has also played some very good teams (Southern Columbia for example) and won't be overwhelmed by the talent level on the other side.
Eastern Conference Class A
Muncy 27, Marian Catholic 20 -- Been a very streaky year for the Colts, who started out with three straight losses, regouped with five straight wins and have now lost two straight.
That's it. Bundle up as you get out to these games and drive home safely.
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