Here's a little 'food for thought' to help get you over the hump:
The WPIAL doesn't keep records on such statistics but I think you'd be hard-pressed to see a team ever record 14 sacks as Monessen did against Charleroi.
The Greyhounds used some complicated zone blitzes and even though some of Dumm's passes were designated as three-step drops he still didn't have time.
Two aspects about the game are that you can bet Charleroi spent a lot of time working on protecting its quarterback against the blitz and I doubt if the Cougars will find a quicker defensive front this season than they found against the Greyhounds.
If Mapletown beats Monessen, the conference race could be pretty much over with the Maples having wins over both the Mikes and Greyhounds.
If Monessen wins, the Greyhounds will control their own destiny the rest of the way.
However, that's the same thing that was said about former offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride's offense a year ago.
And the Steelers opened the season 0-3.
Personally, I think the ill feelings are real. Some say the thing was staged because nobody threw any punches. But I think these guys know that they each risk $10 million if one punches the other and a broken jaw or knuckle occurs.
I just think they wanted to choke each other and save the fighting for the money paying customers.
However, before the natives get restless, I'm sure you can make a case for the Leps suffering first-game jitters, plus having so many inexperienced players and throwing in a new system.
I would think anyone who judges Cramer's ability as a coach would certainly have to at least wait out the season and mix in the competition and the Leps' level of talent as well.
Only 17,293 showed up, which translates into the smallest crowd of the season in new PNC Park.
You don't think fans aren't starting to think that even a beautiful park isn't enough to get them out to watch an awful baseball team?
Why didn't the WPIAL evaluate last season's scores⢠Is there anything worse than sitting through a game in the fourth quarter in which one team is winning by 40 points and there are numerous clock stoppages?
Yes, there is one thing worse - playing for the losing team.
There is absolutely no doubt that the mercy rule is needed in the WPIAL just for those situations, no matter how few and far between they may seem.
