High school football teams have been camping the past few weeks, spending their time sharpening skills, learning playbooks and getting into tip-top shape.
So, your favorite prognosticator figured he’d do some camping, too.
Tent. Sleeping bag. S’mores. Cold beverages.
Yeah, Mr. and Mrs. Fumbler were happy campers last week.
Just like you would see at a preseason football camp, there were sprints and blocking drills. The Fumbler bolted when he saw a raccoon walking in his direction. Heck, he felt like he was running as fast as Gateway’s Derrick Davis. That night, he taught a neighboring camper how to properly block himself from nature’s speedy menace, the mosquito. That can of bug spray was almost as effective as Mars tackle Michael Carmody.
The trip was mostly fun and relaxing. Although, just like all of The Fumbler’s previous camping excursions, it was in-tents.
Hey, what’s a tree’s favorite drink?
Root beer.
You might not have found that funny, but do you know who likely did? Thomas Jefferson quarterback Shane Stump.
No, you’re not out of the woods yet.
Did you hear about the camper who broke his left leg and left arm?
He’s all right now.
As The Fumbler gazed at the stars each night, he thought a lot about the upcoming football season. Many questions arose. Here are a few ...
Let’s start with those stars. Which players will shine the brightest this season? It all starts with Westinghouse’s Dayon Hayes, one of the best players to come through the City League in the past two decades. As a bull-dozing defensive end, he might end up with 30-plus sacks. He’s about as unblockable as Aaron Donald. Speaking of the reigning NFL defensive player of the year, his nephew, Elliot Donald, should have a big junior season at Central Catholic. Hey, don’t ever say The Fumbler doesn’t give the linemen any love!
But how about those touchdown makers, the guys who get most of the glory playing under those Friday night lights? Here’s a tip for your WPIAL/City League fantasy football league … draft Sto-Rox quarterback Eric Wilson! He is going to put up huge numbers. The Fumbler is thinking 3,500 yards passing and 40 touchdowns. Norwin’s Jack Salopek is a future Division I quarterback who should be a big producer. The Fumbler sure is looking forward to watching Gateway’s Davis, a running back-defensive back and one of the top juniors in the country. Two of the premier receivers should be Thomas Jefferson’s Dan Deabner and McKeesport’s Deamontae Diggs. Ya dig?
Who among the new coaches will guide their team to the best season? There are 24 new coaches in the WPIAL and City League. Now, many of them aren’t exactly new. Mt. Lebanon’s Bob Palko has won eight WPIAL titles. Seton LaSalle’s Mike Zmijanac has won six. It’s going to take awhile to get used to watching Palko stroll around in the blue and gold. And it’s maybe even more bizarre seeing Zmijanac, the silver-haired fox, pacing the sidelines in green and gold. Upper St. Clair’s Mike Junko (Jim Render) and West Allegheny’s Chris Lucas (Palko) are replacing WPIAL coaching greats. Look for Bethel Park’s Brian DeLallo to lead the Black Hawks to an excellent season. DeLallo took over for the venerable Jeff Metheny.
OK, Fumbler, enough is enough. Which teams will hoist WPIAL/City League championship trophies? Here are his official preseason picks. Wager at your own risk … (Class 6A) Central Catholic, (Class 5A) Peters Township, (Class 4A) Thomas Jefferson, (Class 3A) Aliquippa, (Class 2A) Washington, (Class 1A) Clairton and (City League) Westinghouse. Peters Township has never won a WPIAL title. Westinghouse has not claimed a City League championship since 1996. If Thomas Jefferson wins the title, coach Bill Cherpak would tie Palko for most all-time titles. Well, that’s assuming Palko doesn’t win another this season at Mt. Lebanon.
The forecast for the season is sunny, but The Fumbler asks you, what do clouds do when they become rich?
They make it rain.
First Published: August 21, 2019, 9:00 p.m.