PIAA Semis

It will be the Western Finals this weekend for the two remaining  PIAA Football Playoffs.  In Quad A Pittsburgh Central Catholic will face  Cumberland Valley at Mansion Stadium in Altoona.  The kickoff is Saturday at 1pm.  The Aliquippa Quips will face Martinsburg Central at Hempfield  High School Friday night. WBVP-WMBA airtime is 6:30.  Kickoff is at 7pm.   The winners of these games will advance to the PIAA Championships Decenber 18-19 in Hershey.

 

Penguins Struggle In California

The Penguins went 1-3 in California. After beating  San Jose 5-1 Wednesday, they dropped a 5-3 decision  to the Los Angeles Kings Saturday.  Sunday night the Penguins got an early goal from defense man  Ollie Maatta but nothing more as  the Penguins dropped a 2-1 decision to the Anaheim  Ducks.  The Ducks got goals from Corrie Perry and the  game winner from Chris Stewart.  The Penguins are on their way to Denver for a Wednesday game against the Avalanche.  The game is on WBVP-WMBA starting at 8PM.

Here We Go A Bowling

To nobody’s surprise, Clemson,  Alabama, Michigan State, and Oklahoma  are the four schools in the Second Annual College Football playoffs.  The semi-finals have Clemson vs Oklahoma  in the Orange Bowl. Alabama vs Michigan State in the Cotton Bowl.  Locally, Pitt will play Navy in the Military Bowl Monday December 28th at Annapolis Maryland.  Penn State will be in Jacksonville Florida  January 2nd.  They will play Georgia in the Tax Slayer Bowl.  West Virginia will play in the Cactus Bowl on January 2nd.  They will play Arizona State in the Cactus Bowl in Phoenix.

Good News and Bad News for Jim Boeheim

The NCAA has rejected the appeal of Syracuse Basketball Coach. His suspension for academic  miss doings, can start right  now.  The 71-year-old legendary coach will miss six non-conference games and three ACC games.  One of the games will the December 30th against Pitt at the Peterson Event  Center.  He will return for the January 9th game against  North Carolina.  Assistant Coach Mike Hopkins will direct the team.  That starts Saturday against Georgtown.  In other college basketball news. There was a huge  upset Thursday Night.  UCLA knocked off #1 Kentucky 87-77. The Bruins were lead by Thomas Welsh’s 21 points. It is UCLA’ first win over a #1 team since 2003.

City Game Tonight

Coming off their best start in eight years, the Duquesne Dukes face their cross town rival Pitt tonight. It is THE CITY GAME.  The Dukes are 6-1 including a 26-point romp over Penn State a couple of weeks ago.  The Panther are coming off a  loss to #11 Purdue Tuesday night.  The Panthers have won the last 14-games in a row.  Dukes coach Jim Ferry says that has not come up during his preparation for the game. The Game is at the Console Energy Center with tipoff at 7pm.

 

Steelers Injuries for Colts Game

The Steelers may have to start a  rookie at tight end Sunday Night against the Indianapolis.   Penn State graduate Jesse James may start.  Tight End Heath Miller did not practice Thursday. He suffered a rib injury during the Seahawks Game last Sunday.  Matt Spaeth is nursing a knee injury.  James played a little on Sunday . Also not practicing was safety Will Allen (ankle) and linebacker  Sean Spence (hamstring). Ben Roethlisberger and linebacker Ryan Shazier who are in the NFL concussion protocol.  They were concussed in the Seattle.  Both practiced on Thursday.  The Steelers and Colts game is on WBVP-WMBA. The pregame is 6:30

Big Game At Reeves

The  PIAA Quarter Finals in Football start tonight .  The AA Game Aliquippa vs Karnes City will be played at Reeves Stadium Geneva College. WBVP-WMBA airtime is 6:30pm. KIckoff is 7:00pm.  Meanwhile the Aliquippa Girls Basketball Team is in New York City for a weekend tournament.