October is over, which means on the national scene sports hit a bit of a lull – the NFL season is about at the halfway point; baseball is done; NBA and NHL are each well into their 6-month grind of a season. There’s local excitement, as high school football concludes the regular season (and some squads start playoffs this week as well) – so the Eye will cast a glance at Clearfield and Curwensville football, and also review the World Series and the Penguins’ improbably hot start.
If you watched the Clearfield and Curwensville preseason podcasts, you heard both head coaches worry about replacing graduated talent – in particular Clearfield was worried about having an exceptionally young team. I find it interesting that the teams have mirrored each other in so many ways this season – both teams struggled early, both were 2-2 after four games, both endured excruciating losses (Curwensville to Cameron County, Clearfield to Tyrone and BEA), both followed up tough losses with statement wins (Curwensville beat Brockway and shut down their vaunted passing attack, and Clearfield pounded Penns Valley then shocked state-ranked Central), and since those wins both have gone undefeated. Since the tough loss to CC, the Tide has ripped off five straight wins by a combined score of 157-39, while Clearfield has come through a very tough schedule at 6-3. Both teams also have a lot at stake this weekend – Clearfield can earn a playoff berth with a win, while Curwensville can wrap up the AML and secure a top playoff seed with a win. Aside from that, I’ll leave the game previews in the capable hands of my GANT colleagues Curtis Campman and Dustin Parks.
Both coaches said in August that their goals were a winning season, league title, and making the playoffs – both will have winning seasons, and while Clearfield won’t win the tough Mountain League, both can still win the D-9 title and make the state playoffs. As usual both teams have improved throughout the season, a credit to both coaching staffs. Should be an exciting few weeks for local football!
On to the World Series – The Eye had a good month of prognostication, going 6-1 in postseason series picks and nailing the World Series outcome. This series was very close, though, and could easily have swung the other way. The Phillies blew a golden opportunity in Game 2 when their bats fell silent against a beatable righty, A.J., Burnett…but the death blow was really Brad Lidge’s Game 4 meltdown. Tie game at home in the 9th inning, with (supposedly) your best reliever on the mound, none on, 2 outs…allowing one run in that situation is bad, allowing three is simply unacceptable and cost the Phillies any realistic chance at the series. The Phillies had another great season and losing to this version of the Bronx Bombers is nothing to be ashamed of. They will doubtless look to overhaul their bullpen for 2010, and they still need another starter – but with their offensive core, barring injury they should have a great chance to make the postseason again in 2009.
As for the Yankees, their preseason moves paid off – yes they spent money, but they spent it WISELY. Instead of throwing money around at mediocre-to-decent players, they splurged on the top 1B available in Teixeira, and arguably the top left-hander in the game in Sabathia. Their offense is still an older group, and with Damon and Matsui pending free agents the offense will almost certainly look different in 2010. The Yankees being the Yankees, they will most likely be in the mix for the AL pennant, but I expect some regression next season. For now though, congrats to the hated Yankees and their fans, the best team won.
Finally, a quick look at the Penguins. The Eye predicted a slow start for the Pens – great call, after all they only started a franchise-record 12-3, the last two wins coming without their top scorer (Malkin) and top defenseman (Gonchar) – luckily both are short-term injuries and both should return by Thanksgiving. Some Cup hangover, eh? Clearly their youth has allowed them to rebound quickly from the short summer offseason, and the confidence they are playing with as a team is very impressive. Marc-Andre Fleury gave up a very soft goal Tuesday, and it was the worst he’s given up all year – which shows how he’s improved his consistency as he has matured. In the past after 12 games you could figure him for 6-8 of those ‘softies’. Most of all, though, I think we have to credit the coach – Dan Bylsma has everyone, and I mean EVERYONE on the team buying into his system, putting the team first, and working together.
There will be tough times ahead – they aren’t going to win 80% of their games, and I actually expect them to lose the next two games in California – but right now the Pens are definitely the best team in the NHL. With their young core all locked up for the next 4-6 years it’s tempting to take this for granted, but nothing is assured in sports – watch this team now and enjoy it to the fullest, because you never know when this will end. I remember the 1992-93 Pens being this dominant, then suffering multiple injuries and losing in the second round of the playoffs – the team was never as dominant again. This team reminds me of the ’93 squad in so many ways – star players, a goalie at the top of his game, a top coach (Hall-of-Fame coach Scotty Bowman was at the helm back then), coming off a Cup victory. I cannot stress it enough – watch this team, enjoy them, because before you know it this group’s peak will be gone.
Soon we’ll have winter sports podcasts up, as well as an NFL halfway preview.
Dave Glass can be reached at buggyracer@verizon.net.