Sunday, August 25, 2013

Mountain Valley Conference football: Players and games to watch and predictions

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

FROM KEITH GROLLER


In case you missed it in the print edition of today's newspaper:
MOUNTAIN VALLEY CONFERENCE
5 PLAYERS TO WATCH
BRANDON LEAP
QB-FS, Pleasant Valley
The Bears lost a lot of talent, but still have one of District 11’s most accomplished quarterbacks in Leap. Over the past two seasons, he has thrown for 3,473 yards and 36 TDs and has the experience and poise to lead his team through adversity
NIKO PETRONE
RB-SS, East Stroudsburg South
Petrone may be one of the shortest guys in the league, barely hitting 51/2 feet, but he makes a big impact for the Cavaliers. He ran 1,800 yards and 23 touchdowns and averaged a league-best 10.2 yards per carry. He’s hard to find and even harder to bring down.
WILL QUILES
QB, East Stroudsburg North
Quiles only threw the ball 49 times last season for 320 yards and four scores, but he is one of the best athletes in the league and knows the complicated Timberwolves triple-option attack inside and out. With lots of inexperience around him, Quiles may become more of a playmaker this season.
MIKE NIKORAK
QB, Stroudsburg
Last season as a sophomore, Nikorak was asked to manage the game and not make mistakes for the league champs. He complied with just four interceptions among his 151 throws. This year, the brother of former Mounties and Temple standout Steve Nikorak, will be asked to do much more.
BRANDON VIGO
OT-DT, Allen
The Canaries have speed and playmakers, but need to someone to provide space. Vigo, who was a first-team all-league defensive lineman last year, is capable of being a force on both sides of the ball and should provide experience and leadership up front.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR
Check out these key MVC games
PLEAS. VALLEY AT NAZARETH
Friday, Aug. 30
If the Bears are truly going to be MVC title contenders and one of the top teams in District 11 4A, they’ll need to make a statement against the Blue Eagles. Last year, PV led 28-27 at halftime and then was outscored 23-0. Brandon Leap and Austyn Borre are playmakers on offense, but this one will be a good gauge for a rebuilding defense.
E.S. SOUTH AT STROUDSBURG
Friday, Sept. 13
This is the first of two meetings between these rivals and the one that will count in the standings. The Mounties have QB Mike Nikorak back, but have an unproven line. The Cavaliers have an unproven quarterback situation. Something may be proven in this hard-hitting contest.
DIERUFF AT LEHIGHTON
Friday, Sept. 27
The Indians broke through for their first win last season against Dieruff, a 42-0 thumping which was a season-low for the Huskies. This is an opportunity for Dieruff to show that it’s much improved and an opportunity for the Indians to build momentum for the season’s second half.
STROUDSBURG AT PLEAS. VALLEY
Friday, Nov. 1
Just as was the case last year, this regular-season finale between the Mounties and Bears could decide the league championship and also who’s in and who’s out of the District 11/subregional playoffs.
ALLEN AT DIERUFF
Saturday, Nov. 2
Hopefully for the sake of both programs, this is not a battle of winless teams. Both the Canaries and Huskies are trying to build a foundation, gain respectability and this game will be important, regardless of the records, to generate momentum entering the off season.
KEITH GROLLER’S PREDICTED ORDER OF FINISH
1., Pleasant Valley
2., Stroudsburg
3., East Stroudsburg South
4., East Stroudsburg North
5., Pocono Mountain East
6., Pocono Mountain West
7., Dieruff
8., Allen
9., Lehighton

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