Quick analysis of E-town vs. Lebanon

OK gang, let me just start by saying that I do not know the first round District Three playoff matchups yet. There are still some games to be played tomorrow (most notably Bishop McDevitt), so the bracket won't be finalized until then. Of course, when it is, you can find it here, because I will post it immediately.

For those who spent the night with the kids trick or treating or handing out candy, the Bears lost to Lebanon 28-21 tonight. It was a good game throughout, with both teams coming out firing and running to a 14-14 tie at the end of the first quarter. But then the defenses showed up and slowed down the offenses. Lebanon picked off three passes in the first half and that went a long way to them holding off the Bears. E-town ended up turning the ball over 4 times, but still had a chance to win. That tells me two things: 1. Lebanon cannot expect to have a ton of success in the playoffs with forcing 4 turnovers and not blowing a team out. 2. E-town can hang its hats on having that many TOs and still finding itself in the game late in the fourth. That said, the Bears absolutely can't turn it over that many times in the playoffs, or they won't make it far.

So, yeah, based on my calculations (for what it's worth), the Bears are in. I think they would've been in no matter what, but Township's loss to Hempfield definitely helped the cause. If I were to pose and early GUESS on who the Bears would play next week, I'll say McDevitt or Cumberland Valley, but I'm leaning toward McDevitt. Don't hold me to that, but that's my thought. We'll know for sure after tomorrow.

E-town did an OK job limiting the Lebanon offense tonight. Any time you keep the Cedars from scoring inside the 5, you're doing something. E-town did it twice. But turnovers killed the Bears tonight. Much like video killed the radio star. I'll get more into the game after we know who E-town will play next week, though. But let me just say this. Lebanon QB James Capello impressed me tonight. He did make a couple bad throws, but the 44-yard TD pass he threw to Jordan Clentimack off his back foot with pressure in his face might be the best throw I've ever seen a high school kid make. The kid can play. Probably not major DI, but he's got I-AA stuff.

Again, more on the brackets as soon as I get them. Don't stray too far, they'll be here soon.

Off to bed for me.....good night and, as always, stay classy Elizabethtown.