It is at this point of the season that we can begin to evaluate what direction the early season favorites are heading. There are several teams emerging with an undefeated record after the third week of action. The quad A schools in that group include Pennsbury, Downingtown West, Coatesville, West Chester Rustin, Abington, Pennridge and Conestoga.
The District One AAA has only a few teams undefeated at this point including Springfield (Delco) and Bishop Shanahan. Both of these schools face challenges this weekend with Springfield visiting Haverford High and Shanahan hosting West Chester East.
Last weekend featured many close contests and that trend seems likely again this week. The last eight years the prognostication record stands at 372-159 while going 8-2 for this season. Abington, Garnet Valley, Coatesville and Archbishop Wood all won as predicted with Haverford School’s win over Downingtown East as the only failed pick. Only top competitive games have been chosen for this fearless forecast.
This Friday night one of District One’s undefeated teams faces a very difficult challenge as Pennridge travels to North Penn in a Suburban One League Nation Conference showdown. The Pennridge Rams are off to a great start and running back Joe Unangst may be one of the main reasons for this early success. Last week he rushed for 142 yards and three TD’s in a 35-23 win over Central Bucks West. Although the North Penn Knights are 1-2 this season their losses are against two of the best teams in Southeast Pa, Archbishop Wood and LaSalle. The Knights will need a great effort by running back Nyfease West to get started in a positive direction now that league play has begun. North Penn will finally see day light and win this weekend.
North Penn 28 Pennridge 23
The next game on the list of picks features another undefeated team listed above and they are the Springfield Cougars of the Central League. The Cougars sit at 3-0 with wins over Interboro, Penncrest and Radnor. They have been impressive on both sides of the line. The Cougar defense has been tight with linebacker Ricky Sterling ready to chase any ball carrier down to keep points off the board. The offense has also been ready, willing and able with steady performances by QB Brian Allen leading the way. This Friday night the Fords of Haverford High will be waiting and hope to show Springfield that a Central League title will be a difficult goal to attain. Haverford lost their first game to Downingtown West 31-2 but have scored 11 TD’s in the next two games with wins over Lower and Upper Merion. The Fords will need the passing attack lead by QB Jack Donaghy and the running game of John Kim to come together to win this key matchup. The overall consistency of the Cougars will prevail.
Springfield 27 Haverford 20
The rest of this week’s fearless forecast
West Chester Rustin 31 Downingtown East 27
Downingtown West 35 West Chester Henderson 24
Archbishop Wood 42 West Catholic 19
4 Responses
Dont forget Upper Moreland as a District 1 AAA undefeated team (4-0, 1-0).
Scott Johnson
It is my bad for not mentioning Great Valley. While doing the research just missed that they are undefeated as well. Will keep an eye on them for future articles.
Thanks for your comment.
Scott Johnson
You may be right on about a change in perception for sure. As you say, the bigger challenge is in weeks four and five with Rustin and D’Town West. The three teams GV have beaten so far are a combined 0-9 on the year. I wish the Patriots well, especially with Dan Ellis out there; he sure entertained me in 1996 for four consecutive playoff games!
AAA….Great Valley right now is the top scoring AAA team in all of Pa and you mention Shanahan over them? Great Valley has always been treated like the red-headed step child. I believe they have the skill positions to change some perception of that this year. While playing Octorara should increase their offensive numbers, the true test will come the following week vs. AAAA Rustin. If GV can turn the American Conference upside down with a victory, it will be interesting to see how much love they get.