IS IT FAIR to hold a party and invite just three guests?

Because let's face it, the only schools with a shot at winning the Public League's glamour football championship, in Class AAAA, are George Washington, Frankford and Northeast.

Washington not only captured Pub honors in 2008, it pulled a stunner by besting LaSalle, the Catholic League rep, in the resumption of the dead-since-'79 City Title series.

Is a next act in the offing?

"For any Pub program to make some noise in the states, it's going to take a complete commitment, beginning downtown," Washington coach Ron Cohen said, referring to school district honchos. "It starts from the very top. An understanding of what it takes. Our kids need the same kind of support those suburban kids get."

One thing - well, person - Washington has is one of the country's hottest prospects in Sharrif Floyd, a 6-3, 310-pound line beast who will make an official visit this weekend to the University of Florida. Already academically qualified, he's wanted by everybody. Also back is true-grit quarterback Aaron Wilmer.

Northeast boasts a Division I prospect in QB Malik Stokes (Towson and Central Michigan are among his offers) while Frankford offers a blot-out-the-sun lineman in Tauheed Smith (6-5, 350).

In AAA, the suspicion is strong that Murrell Dobbins Tech again will find a way to triumph. Karon James (5-5, 150) is fun to watch, but not to tackle. Roxborough does have a handful of returning stalwarts, however.

With its recent dominance, Edward Bok Tech has earned automatic-favorite status in AA. Ben Franklin and star rusher Marquis White will be shoving with passion, however, and Imhotep Charter could prove dangerous thanks to Christopher Lewis' flingin'.

In A, Communications Tech is still cursing out last June's graduation ceremony. A great early statement has been made by Delaware Valley Charter, which last Saturday traveled to Episcopal Academy and made it all the way to double overtime.

The playoffs will include eight teams in AAAA (of 15 total) and four apiece in the other classes. Two squads have vanished. Freire Charter dropped football and Esperanza Charter 2 weeks ago decided to withdraw from the ever-lovable Pub due to numbers miseries. A patchwork schedule is being attempted.

There are six new coaches: Chris Riley, Northeast; Rich Drayton, Central; Pat O'Hara, West Philadelphia (kinda, he took over in Game 4 last season); Desmin Daniels, Franklin; John Gossett, Communications Tech; and Tony Beaty, Prep Charter. Riley and Drayton were stars for title teams at their alma maters.