Welcome to playoff football. It is win or go home this time of the season and all of the teams are vying for a chance to play for a national championship. Only one team can be crowned champion.


# 7 Slippery Rock (9-2, 7-0 PSAC West) @ # 2 LIU Post (10-0, 9-0 NE-10)

When: November 17th, 12:00 PM

All-Time Series: Post leads the series, 2-1-0

Common Opponents: Shippensburg

@ Shippensburg 25 Rock 21
Post 41 @ Shippensburg 39


Slippery Rock Playoff History

7th playoff appearance

5-6 overall record

1-0 against the NE-10


LIU Post Playoff History

6th playoff appearance

3-5 overall record

1-2 against the PSAC

Slippery Rock Scouting Report:

Slippery Rock won the PSAC West regular season title before falling to West Chester in the championship game. The Rock was riding an eight-game winning streak headed into the PSAC championship game and both of their losses this year were to PSAC East opponents. It is their first playoff appearance since 2015 when they won the region and advanced to the quarterfinals.

The offense is led by all-conference quarterback Roland Rivers III. He was a late addition to the roster and has excelled in the starting role. Rivers has thrown 22 touchdowns to just nine interceptions. He will handle the ball off to Wes Hills who amassed over 1,000 yards this season. His receivers include Henry Litwin, Jermaine Wynn, Jr., Austin Scott and Mike Merhaut. Zach Cirillo is a threat from the tight end position. Chris Larsen, Ryan Podgorski, Austin Wayt, Colten Raabe ad Steve Gaviglia will protect Rivers and open holes for the backs.

The Rock defense is anchored by their linebacking core. Brad Zaffram, Tim Vernick and Trysten McDonald are the three leading tacklers and seem to be around the ball on every play. The front four of Chad Kuhn, Trey Blanford, Jeff Marx and Zach Bader can get to the quarterback with ease. Kyle Hall leads the secondary with five picks. Dalton Holt and Tyree Sprearman will also look to limit the vertical game of Post. Jake Chapia will handle the kicking duties and has missed only one point after this season.

LIU Post Scouting Report:

LIU Post finished the regular season with a 10-0 record and 9-0 in the NE-10. It is the second time in the past three seasons that the Pioneers have completed an undefeated regular season. It was not easy as they withstood a large target on their backs over the last three weeks of the season.

The Pioneer offense is led by Chris Laviano. The graduate transfer has been solid as the signal caller and is a dual threat in the offense. He can sling the ball downfield or tuck it and run for solid yardage. His two backs, Malik Pierre and Jonathan DeBique also have the ability to break off the long run. Both are also comfortable with grinding out the tough yards. The receivers are deep and talented. Michael Richardson, Deon Mash, Michael Hartgrove and Jake Bofshever can stretch the field or catch the slant pass. The offense line of Damien Caffrey, Ronin Guerra, Chris Coles, James Louison and Greg Amato are big and physical.

The defense has several players that are making plays all the time. The front line of Kevin Petit-Frere, Anthony Lavio, Chika Ewulu and Joseph Abel are quick and capable of getting to the quarterback with ease. Jake Carlock, Patrick Williams and Connor Farrell patrol the entire field and are always near the ball. Jahmel Johnson, Nazir Streater, Kasim Thomas and Zach Cofrancesco do not allow big passing plays. Joey Tolgyesi handles all of the kicking duties for Post.

Slippery Rock Keys to the Game:

1. Get pressure on Laviano
2. Use their playmakers to make plays
3. Get the lead early

LIU Post Keys to the Game:

1. Not allow Rivers to feel comfortable in the pocket
2. Score in the red zone
3. Play mistake free

So, who wins and why:

Both teams are solid on both sides of the ball. They can mix in the run and pass on offense and have solid defenses capable of holding the other opponent in check. But this is playoff football and points are always scored. The weather forecast will be nice and sunny after a storm through the area on Thursday.

The Rock will come to Long Island and score some points. But I expect Post to counter that with more points. This game will be one that the scoreboard operator will demand a raise. Both teams will score but Post will find a way to score more.

Prediction: Post 48 Rock 38



# 6 New Haven (8-2, 8-1 NE-10) @ # 3 West Chester (10-0, 6-0 PSAC East)

When: November 17th, 1 PM

All-time Series: New Haven leads the series, 8-6-1

Common Opponents: Bentley

West Chester 44 @ Bentley 6
@ New Haven 31 Bentley 27


New Haven Playoff History

7th playoff appearance

8-6 overall record

5-2 against the PSAC


West Chester Playoff History

13th playoff appearance

10-12 overall record

4-1 against the NE-10


New Haven Scouting Report:

New Haven finished in second place in the NE-10 after losing to LIU Post last weekend. The Chargers are in the postseason for the first time since 2012 when they last won the league title. They have bookended two losses with eight straight victories in between and are ready to make some noise in the postseason.

Ajee Patterson is the main reason for the Chargers getting to the playoffs. The graduate player was outstanding this year with 26 touchdown passes to just eight interceptions. He is capable of throwing the ball into tight spaces and then finding the receiver down the field. Ryan McCarthy and Chris Liggio have split the handoffs and are both capable of the big play. Ju'An Williams is the main threat down the field as he caught 10 touchdowns this year. AJ Greene, Damon Rodgers and Brett Huber will also see passes thrown their way. Jonathan Badyna can block and catch the ball when needed. Gavin Dowd, Dan Iannone, Hubert Bakowski, Mike Zecchin and Osaro Eromosele will handle the duties in the trenches.

The defense swarms to the ball and does not let opposing teams put up too many big numbers. Mcprecia Remy, CJ Fitzpatrick and Markel Johnson will see a lot of plays from the linebacking positions. Scott Lavelle, Devon Nzepuome and Christian Sullivan will work the trenches and control the line of scrimmage. Mark Clements, Miles Pease, Shawn Tafe and Jonathan Shumaker will have their hands full with the West Chester receivers. Francis Palmer will handle the punting while Michael Stalenyj will handle the place kicking.

West Chester Scouting Report:New Haven Keys to Victory:

1. Contain AJ Long.
2. Time to throw in the pocket
3. Limit turnovers.

West Chester Keys to Victory:

1. AJ Long being AJ Long
2. Pressure Patterson
3. Using home field to their advantage

So, who wins and why?

Both teams have long and storied traditions in the playoffs. Both teams have advanced deep into the postseason and no stranger to playing at this time of the year. But West Chester is a very talented team. They could easily be the top seed in the region and sitting out the bye this weekend.

They will have a chip of their shoulder that they were third in the region and out to prove that ranking was not justified (see Shepherd in 2016). They have the experience to make a deep run in the playoffs and will use that chip on their shoulder to make big plays and win this weekend.

Prediction: West Chester 35 New Haven 17