Thanksgiving 2014 was full of family fun, local football rivalries and of course that feast of turkey and all the trimmings. So this morning it is time to loosen that belt and get back to the excitement of high school playoff action
The third round games in District One and Twelve were played in bone chilling conditions last weekend. This week saw the first snow storm of the season for some of us in eastern Pennsylvania. The fields will be cleared and dry by game time but bundle up if you can attend.
The last eight years the prognostication record stands at 407-174 while going 43-17 for this season. Great Valley, Pennsbury, Coatesville, St Joseph Prep and Archbishop Wood all won as predicted providing for that rare 5-0 accomplishment. Time to focus on this week’s action.
Great Valley vs Archbishop Wood @ Northeast High School
The Great Valley Patriots battled the previously undefeated Springfield Cougars last Friday night and they came away with a 21-0 victory and an AAA District One Title. This win came on the legs of Nasir Adderly who made the difference with two TD punt returns. The Pats face a much different opponent this week in the Vikings of Archbishop Wood. They won the District Twelve Philadelphia City championship with a 42-34 win over Imhotep. Wood is a big physical team from top to bottom running backs Alex Arcangeli and Jaret McClenton carrying most of the rushing load. It is hard to find a way that Great Valley could win this game but they are sure to show up and give it their best effort.
Archbishop Wood 47 Great Valley 13
Pennsbury vs Coatesville @ Souderton Area High School
The Coatesville Red Raiders are the top seed in this District One AAAA playoff season. So far they have shown that they deserved that position with hard fought wins over Haverford, West Chester Henderson and Downingtown East. Coatesville will continue to ride the arms and legs of QB Jordon Young along with running back Jalen Hudson and receiver James Clark. The second seed Pennsbury Falcons have been equally impressive with playoff wins over Downingtown West, Garnet Valley and Upper Dublin. The Falcons don’t fly, they depend on a hard pounding running attack. It is all run all the time with Charles Snorweah, Victor Delgado and Raheem Thompson all in the mix. This is a very tough call but will pick the dual attack Red Raiders over the ground bound Falcons.
Coatesville 42 Pennsbury 30
Parkland vs St Joseph’s Prep @ Bethlehem High School
The Hawks of St Joe’s Prep won the AAAA District Twelve championship with an impressive win over Benjamin Franklin last Saturday. The talent loaded Hawks are led by QB Jack Clements and wide receiver John Reid (possibly injured). This contest is a rematch of the St Joe’s 21-10 win in last season’s playoff. The Parkland Trojans offer quite a challenge to the Hawks hope to defend their AAAA state title. Parkland will need the best efforts of QB DeVont Cross to pull off a victory over the high flying Hawks.
St. Joseph Prep 39 Parkland 26
The Rest of the Fearless Forecast :
Dunmore 28 Neumann-Gorretti 17
Wilson West Lawn 20 Central Dauphin 16
