The 2013 PIAA playoffs kick off this week in District One and the best football of the year will unfold this weekend. The weather promises to be fairly chilly but dry throughout the Southeast portion of Pa.
The seeds are set and there is no place to hide.
It is now time to dive right in with predictions on five of the most competitive contests this week.
Week nine predictions went well with four of five teams winning as predicted. Upper Darby, Haverford, Downingtown West and Council Rock North won as projected while the Neshaminy pick did not pass the test.
The last seven years the prognostication record stands at 346-145 while going 29-16 for this season.
Time to tackle the Upper Darby @ Pennsbury contest. The Upper Darby Royals are not frequent visitors to post season play with only three appearances since Coach Rich Gentile has led the program. Running back Cyrus Barlee and QB Chris Rossiter were the keys to success in the playoff clinching win over Penncrest last Friday night. While the Royals had to overcome three early season losses to sneak into the 14th seed the Pennsbury Falcons were playing for a possible top seed and Suburban One National Conference championship last Friday night against the previously undefeated Neshaminy Redskins. This game turned into a 31-3 rout before more than 8,000 fans at Fairless Hills. The Falcons have fourteen underclassmen in the starting lineup including running backs Rob Daly and Charles Snorweah. The Royals will have a difficult time staying close in this contest and may have to settle for another one game experience similar to their last playoff showing in 2006.
Pennsbury 36 Upper Darby 17
The next playoff showdown to watch involves the 11th seed North Penn Knights traveling to the 6th seed Coatesville Red Raiders. The Knights also faced an uncertain future after three early season losses. However Coach Dick Beck was able to rally the troops to a 44-14 win over Souderton last Friday night for a 7-3 record and shot at District One glory. QB Austin Shearer was key to this resilient effort by the Knights. Coatesville has suffered a devastating injury to Penn State bound running back Daquan Worley two weeks ago. This set back was followed by a 24-7 loss to Downingtown West the marked their first defeat of the season. Red Raider Coach Matt Ortega will need to come up with a great game plan to keep Coatesville from a first round playoff exit.
North Penn 28 Coatesville 13
The rest of the fearless forecast:
Garnet Valley 31 Council Rock North 23
Glen Mills 38 Springfield 13
Academy Park 26 Interboro 16
