Lynn Saternow
Herald Sports Editor
WHEN IS THE PIAA going to do what’s best for the kids and the fans during the football playoffs?
The PIAA insists on playing these upcoming Western Regional playoff games on Friday night rather then Saturday afternoon. Sure, why not?
Just because it will only be about 20 degrees or colder on Friday night, rather than have somewhat warmer temperatures and the possibility of some sunshine on Saturday, why would they want to change the games? That would make too much sense.
Just because it’s more difficult for fans to drive to and from the games at night, with the much greater possibility of slamming a deer on the highway, why should that matter? So what if your chances of death or injury are greater?
Of course that’s only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the PIAA football playoffs.
The Ohio state playoffs wrapped up last weekend. Yet In Pa. we go two more weeks. Why wouldn’t we start the season a week earlier as they do in Ohio and then cut it shorter so we actually hold the state football playoffs before the basketball and wrestling seasons begin?
It’s sad that some schools start their winter sports seasons with a decimated team because many of the same kids they need are still playing football.
Columnists write about it every year. Radio talk shows echo the same sentiments every year, yet the PIAA doesn’t budge.
I was never a big fan of high school football state championships. Sixteen games is way too many for a high school kid to play. A district championship was fine. It’s time for the PIAA to start doing what’s in the best interest of the kids and cut this season shorter.
On top of that — let’s play Saturday afternoons. Give the kids a break, please.
I could probably tell you one District 10 official who would lean toward day games. Kennedy Catholic President Pete Iacino slammed a deer with his car on one Friday night after monitoring a playoff game at Wilmington High.
Last year, I just missed a small herd of deer traveling to a playoff game on a Friday night on Route 79. But I’ve hit 3 deer in my life so it’s nothing new. Of course all were a night, not on a Saturday afternoon. Isn’t that food (venison) for thought?
ä I don’t know if I’ve ever seen a defensive playoff run like that of the Farrell Steelers. The only touchdown they gave up in four games was on a trick play that caught them off-guard. The overall speed and quickness is unbelievable.
Coach Jarrett Samuels gave a lot of credit to the defensive line that at times includes James Strozier, Donté Pinkins, Terry Perfilio, Robert Trudo, Leon Avery and others. Even when they aren’t in on the tackles, they tie up the offensive line and allow the linebackers — Ron Jackson, Danny Odem and Jamar Whitman — to run free.
While Farrell and Clairton both have highly touted offenses, I look for Friday’s game to be a low-scoring affair. Both defenses are loaded with speed and quickness.
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