The third week of the 2009 season featured three days of excellent high school football action. Most games were played Thursday evening with great weather and dry fields.
Once again the predictions went as expected with North Penn, Downingtown West, Ridley and Strath Haven following the script. However Garnet Valley lost a tough match with Conestoga to prevent a perfect week of predictions
The last three years this future teller has a 114-41 prognostication record and with a 2009 first three week record at 12-3 it is hoped we can keep up the pace the rest of this season.
The schedule makers did not save the best games for last this season. Week four may very well be considered the most important when all is counted at the end of 2009. Several undefeated teams will be facing each other and as an added benefit early season league superiority is on the line.
In a Suburban One National League face-off we will all be watching as Abington hosts Neshaminy. Both squads are undefeated with Neshaminy ranked number two and Abington listed as fifth in Ed Thomas’ SE Pa top ten http://www.havenfootball.net/Ed Thomas Wk 4.html Although the Redskins are on top in the rankings they did struggle to defeat Hatboro-Horsham on a wet field two weeks ago. In favor of an Abington Ghost win is home field and being well rested after not having a game last weekend. QB Sam Kind has plenty of weapons including receiver Anthony Hensly and running back Julien Ireland to call on in what looks to be the game of the Suburban One National League season. Look for the Ghosts to find a way to unseat the top ranked Redskins.
Prediction: Abington 36 Neshaminy 21
Moving on to this Friday’s Central League showdown between familiar cross-town rivals as Ridley travels to Strath Haven for the 2009 version of smash mouth football. While Ridley owns a 19-10 lead over Strath Haven in Central League Championships, the Panthers are the only Delaware County team that owns a Pa State Championship crown. However you can throw out all the history when these two squads hit the field. The Green Raiders and Panthers are both 3-0 with Ridley ranked sixth by the infamous Ed Thomas. Strath Haven relies heavily on ball control with Lonnie Richardson being the running back to watch. Ridley has a new coach in former standout quarterback Dennis Decker but it is the same system of fast defense and dual attack offense that will be tough to stop. The current QB Colin Masterson has been sharp in all three Green Raider victories and he along with a swarming defense will be the difference.
Prediction: Ridley 28 Strath Haven 17
Another contest that cannot be ignored is this Saturday’s Del-Val league contest between Interboro and Chester. The Bucs would love to avenge last year’s loss to the Clippers. Interboro looked great last week in a 48-7 win over Donegal Lancaster County. Running backs Charles Bolger and Scott McNeil took control early and will have to make the same effort this week if they hope to handle the Clippers. Chester had a tough loss to powerhouse Downingtown West 19-2 last Friday night. However the game was much closer than the final score. The Clipper defense lead by linebacker Ronell Williams will have to step up again to give Chester a chance. Interboro coach Steve Lennox will figure out a way to win this contest with a razor thin margin of victory.
Prediction: Interboro 20 Chester 19
The rest of the fearless forecast:
Prediction: LaSalle 24 St.Joe Prep 13
Prediction: Penncrest 31 Garnet Valley 17
