It is time for the final edition of the Numberology column for the 2008 season.  As the regular season ends, the playoff picture is set and there is nothing more to discuss.

Hollidaysburg continued it's roll through their schedule and completed their 9-1 season with a 26-13 win over DuBois.  After a season opening thumping from the hands of State College, they went on a nine-game winning streak.  Although the critics may say they have a watered down schedule, I'll have to use an all too often used sports cliche:  it is what it is.  The Golden Tigers can only be asked to play the teams in front of them and I can't take anything away from these young men and their coaches and their play this year.  They all still practice all week and break down film to prepare to win.  I can't hold it against them that maybe so of their opponents weren't the best.  In a way, what they've done could say it is even more impressive because it's much easier to motivate players for a game against a team that is deemed a "tough opponent".  The "us against the world" mentality can be played and you can really be successful playing with a chip on your shoulder.  The mark of a really good team, in my eyes, is one that not only beats quality opponents but goes out and takes care of business in games that are "supposed to win".  It is for that reason that I congratulate Hollidaysburg on their fantastic season.

For the second season in a row, the Johnstown Trojans finished the regular season on a three-game winning streak in order to finish at 7-3.  The big difference, of course, in this season is that the Trojans are moving on to the postseason while unfortunately last year at this time, the feeling was bittersweet as they would be home for the playoffs.  Although the playoff scene invited all four AAA teams to the postseason (even though only three will play and we'll get to that later), the Trojans were playing at a disadvantage this year when it came to accumulating points.  Previously, they had Somerset as a fellow AAA team in their section of the LHAC.  However, the Golden Eagles dropped to AA this year and therefore the Trojans were left as the lone AAA team in the league and they have a schedule filled with only AA and A teams.  So the amount of points potential gained is always going to be less when compared with Hollidaysburg, Indian Valley and Bellefonte who play schedules laden with AAA and even some AAAA teams. 

To this season and the Trojans they have two big pluses in their favor.  First of all, they get a home playoff game.  They are 2-1 at District 6-AAA games played at Trojan Stadium and in this district, where travel to and from Cambria County is longer in the tooth, having home field advantage is truly an advantage.  The other advantage is that the team is entering the postseason on a high note with the afore mentioned three-game winning streak.  During the Trojans' last postseason season, 2006, the team jumped out to a 6-0 start but then lost three of their final four regular season contests.  They finished the regular season on a two-game losing streak and dropped a home playoff contest to Hollidaysburg.  I would much rather a team have a hot streak entering the playoffs than at the beginning of the season.  This shows a team is coming together at the right time.

To third place, and the final playoff qualifier, Indian Valley.  It was a roller coaster season for first-year head coach Tom Shearer as the Warriors started the season off 2-2 but then lost four straight and were on the verge of eliminating themselves from postseason until they pulled off the improbable and upset Bellefonte in week nine.  That victory, along with a 40-14 drubbing of rival Lewistown in the game for the Old Iron Kettle catapulted the squad into third place and earned them the right play Johnstown in the first round.  They enter the contest with a 4-6 record. 

Last but not least, the Bellefonte Red Raiders who also ended the season on a 4-6 mark, but it was a much more sour note than IV played.  Also under a first-year head coach in Zachary Wynkoop, the team also started out 2-2 but they somewhat imploded, losing four of their last six, including the above referenced loss to Indian Valley but also a devastating Week Ten loss to Bald Eagle Area which knocked them out of contention.

So, here's a final look at the wins-losses-points:

1.  Hollidaysburg, 9-1, 1,440 points
2.  Johnstown, 7-3, 750 points
3.  Indian Valley, 4-6, 520 points
4.  Bellefonte, 4-6, 480 points

Here's what the first week in the postseason will look like in District 6-AAA:

Hollidaysburg enjoys a first round bye

Indian Valley (4-6) at Johnstown (7-3) on Friday, November 7th.

I look for the Trojans to win this contest with IV and to make their way back to Mansion Park in Altoona with a chance to win a District 6-AAA title.