Rick O'Brien: A weather-permitting slate
Now, Week 7 of the 2009 campaign is in serious jeopardy because of a tricky and wicked Nor'easter that began to pummel the Delaware Valley yesterday and could hang around until Sunday.
Since non-turf fields could reach the complete-mess stage sometime today, a lot of tonight's games might be postponed. Tomorrow's slate is likewise up in the air, literally.
While you're keeping your fingers crossed and hoping your neck of the woods doesn't receive a direct Nor'easter hit, be sure to check out philly.com/rally for news about postponements, site changes, and cancellations.
Last week: 12-2.
Overall: 61-16 (.792 winning percentage).
No. 7 Neshaminy (5-1, 2-1) at Council Rock South (5-1, 2-1), 7 tonight. The Council Rock South Golden Hawks are flexing their muscles after last week's upset of Abington. A win here would give South a chance to share the Suburban One League National Conference title with Pennsbury or, possibly, claim it outright.
Pick: Neshaminy, 24-16.
No. 5 Ridley (6-0, 5-0) at Penncrest (4-2, 4-1), 7 tonight. The Penncrest Lions are fresh off a 66-point effort against Springfield (Delco). The negative side of that performance was the 54 points they allowed. Similar defensive lapses will not be tolerated by the bruising Green Raiders.
Pick: Ridley, 26-20.
No. 9 West Chester Rustin (6-0, 2-0) at West Chester Henderson (5-1, 2-1), 7:15 tonight. J. Oscar Dicks Stadium's turf field could make this Ches-Mont League cross-division contest come off as planned. The Warriors will be focused on slowing down Rondell White, a 1,082-yard rusher with 13 touchdowns.
Pick: Henderson, 23-21.
Avon Grove (5-1, 2-1) at No. 6 Downingtown West (6-0, 2-0), 7 tonight. Bret Gillespie, back after a separated-shoulder injury, ironed out some of the kinks in last week's 14-10 victory over Henderson. The Red Devils should also be concerned about the Whippets' fierce defensive line.
Pick: West, 30-14.
Conestoga (3-3, 3-2) at Strath Haven (4-2, 3-2), 7:30 tonight. As it stands now, the Conestoga Pioneers and Strath Haven Panthers are on the outside looking in when it comes to the PIAA District 1 Class AAAA and AAA playoff tournaments, respectively.
Pick: Strath Haven, 14-10.
Other games to watch:
Council Rock North (4-2, 2-1) at Abington (4-1, 2-1), 7 tonight. Pick: Abington, 34-21.
Archbishop Wood (4-2, 1-0) vs. Conwell-Egan (4-2, 2-0), at Harry S Truman, 7 tonight. Pick: Wood, 23-14.
Bartram (5-1, 2-1) at George Washington (4-2, 2-1), 3 p.m. today. Pick: GW, 26-6.
Chestnut Hill Academy (5-0) at Episcopal Academy (2-3), 3:15 p.m. today. Pick: CHA, 33-14.
Germantown Academy (2-2) at Haverford School (4-2), 2:45 p.m. tomorrow. Pick: Haverford School, 20-7.
Norristown (5-1, 2-1) at Upper Merion (3-3, 2-1), 7 tomorrow. Pick: Norristown, 21-6.
Contact staff writer Rick O'Brien at 610-313-8019




