When I read the invitation on the Archbishop Wood football team's Web site, it made me think of the announcer on the game show program "The Price is Right."
I can hear the late Rod Roddy's distinctive voice calling out to a 6-foot-4, 280-pound lineman, or maybe a fleet 6-0, 175 wide receiver, to "Come on dowwwwwwwwn.!"
Of course, private schools such as Archbishop Wood can legally recruit their athletes, but it is something most rarely talk about. Selinsgrove's opponent in tonight's PIAA Class AAA semifinal puts it right out there.
The Web site contains an invitation to prospective players. If you are interested in playing for Archbishop Wood, complete the brief questionaire, which includes a space for you to list you current school, and click "submit." A representative of the school will contact you.
How many out-of-state license plates do you think we will see in the HersheyPark Stadium parking lot tonight? Some fans might recall the large number of New Jersey plates in Selinsgrove in 2004 when Pius X played Southern Columbia in a Class A state playoff game at Harold L. Bolig Memorial Field.
So, all you guys who are looking for a new football opportunity: "Come on down. You could be the next contestant for Archbishop Wood.
RED AT NIGHT: I have been asked to promote a request by the Selinsgrove Booster Club for Seals' fans to participate in a "Red Out" tonight in Hershey. Fans are asked to wear red to show support for the team. The Seals' Web site says it best: "Red at night, opponents fright" and the headline "Tsealnami predicted for Friday night."
According to the Web site, "Weather forecasters have issued a tsealnami warning for Hershey Stadium at approximately 7 p.m. on Friday evening. Torrents of fans will come crashing through the gates in a sea of red. Opponents are advised to arrive early and seek high ground to avoid being caught up in the raging Seal Sea. Opponents are also advised to bring provisions due to massive food shortages when the Red Sea floods the food stands. Enough said.
R.E.S.P.E.C.T.: Several Seals players took the Aretha Franklin hit (although they probably have no idea what I am talking about) to heart after their thrilling 14-6 win over Berwick last week in the state quarterfinals, their second victory over Berwick this season. Linebacker Matt Heintzelman and several of his teammates were seen long after the post-game handshakes making a trip back to talk with the Bulldogs' outstanding linebacker, Ryan Cordingly.
The gesture was not lost on Selinsgrove head coach Dave Hess. "We have a wonderful bunch of kids and we are blessed here at Selinsgrove. I could tell there was a whole lot of mutual respect between the two teams," Hess said. "I thought that was a terrific situation."
BLOW THE WHISTLE! NO, WAIT: One of the most amazing plays in this game for the ages at Wilkes-Barre Memorial Stadium was when the Seals' fine wide receiver, Ryan Keiser, was seemingly stopped by several Bulldogs after a catch in the third quarter. But, with Seals coaches screaming at the officials (yes, that does happen occasionally) to blow the play dead, Seals left tackle Adam Heintzelman jumped in and pushed Keiser, who kept his legs churning, and the play went for nearly 15 more yards.
GREAT SEASON: Some fans will not be happy without a state championship, and that is certainly what the Mount Carmel players and coaches wanted as well. But there is no shame in the Red Tornadoes' loss in the PIAA Class AA Eastern semifinals.
"We had a great season," Mount Carmel coach Mike Brennan said. "They are great kids and they never quit."
What he meant by that was the Red Tornadoes continued to fight valiantly in the second half after going into intermission with a 21-7 deficit.
"(Lancaster Catholic) was a better team," Brennan said.
When you get this far in the state playoffs, that is always a distinct possibility. Some people just never like to admit it.
NICE JOB: Former Mount Carmel lineman and Susquehanna University offensive coordinator Ronnie Miller has his West York team one win away from a berth in the Class AAA state championship game. The Bulldogs have reached this level in just Miller's third season as the head coach, and it is Miller's first head coaching job. Unfortunately for the Bulldogs, their Eastern final opponent is that juggernaut from Pittsburgh, Thomas Jefferson, the longtime playoff nemesis of Selinsgrove. That would be a tough enough challenge, but West York also goes into the game without its start running back. Brandon Real, who rushed for more than 2,600 yards this season, sustained a season-ending broken collar bone in the previous game, against Garden Spot.
No matter the outcome, congratulations from this corner to Miller, son-in-law of retired Shikellamy teacher and former Susquehanna quarterback Rich Young, who has provided more proof that nice guys don't always finish last.
LEGEND RETIRES: George Curry, who built Berwick into a national football power and became the state's winningest coach, has resigned as head coach at Wyoming Valley West after three seasons as the Spartans' head coach. Curry, who underwent surgery for prostate cancer two years ago, cited health issues as his reason for his retirement.
LAST WEEK, SEASON: 8-4; 264-79, .770.
This week's picks:
Tonight
PIAA Class AAA
Selinsgrove vs. Archbishop Wood -- After beating Berwick last week to advance further than any team in program history, Hess told his players, "This (win) does not define our season." This week the Seals will prove him right, meeting yet another incredible challenge, to advance to their first-ever state final. Selinsgrove 21 , Archbishop Wood 17 .
Elsewhere in the state playoffs: Class A, Schuylkill Haven over Steelton-Highspire (my upset pick of the week), Clairton over Farrell; Class AA, West Catholic over Lancaster Catholic, Aliquippa over Wilmington; and Class AAA, Thomas Jefferson over West York.
n E-mail comments to hraker@dailyitem.com.
