RON TARVER / Staff Photographer
North Catholic's Tre Stone-Davis hit the heart of the Archbishop Wood defense in a game last month. The teams are scheduled to meet again tonight in the Catholic League Class AAA final.
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Post a commentRick O'Brien: Central League rivals clash in District 1 game
If the relentless rain that pounded the Atlantic Seaboard yesterday doesn't hit the Philadelphia area with the same ferocity this weekend, possibly forcing postponement of some games, playoff contests will be everywhere.
Contact staff writer Rick O'Brien at 610-313-8019 or robrien@phillynews.com.
That said, let's cross our fingers when it comes to the weather and get right to our predictions.
Last week: 11-3.
Overall: 110-28 (.797 winning percentage).
District 1 Class AAAA
No. 14 seed Penncrest (7-3) at No. 3 seed Garnet Valley (9-1), 7 tonight. The Central League rivals meet again. The Garnet Valley Jaguars eked out a 28-27 win in Week 3. Facing an undersized but rugged defense, the Lions won't reach their 41.9 points-per-game scoring average.Pick: Garnet Valley, 23-14.
No. 11 Downingtown East (8-2) at No. 6 Norristown (9-1), 7 tonight. The host Eagles will have their hands full with sophomore tailback Drew Harris and junior quarterback Trey Lauletta.
Pick: Downingtown East, 34-13.
No. 12 Quakertown (8-2) at No. 5 Avon Grove (9-1), 7 tonight. The Avon Grove Red Devils have been the surprise of the area. We think they'll succeed at pounding the ball at the Panthers.
Pick: Avon Grove, 21-14.
No. 10 Council Rock South (8-2) at No. 7 Ridley (9-1), 7 tonight. For South, QB Billy Fleming has averaged 5 yards per carry. The Golden Hawks' defense has been spearheaded by tackle Derek Schatz and linebackers Hunter Shull and Andrew Haviland. Problem is, winning at Phil Marion Field is a daunting task.
Pick: Ridley, 35-14.
Class AAA
No. 8 Upper Moreland (5-4) at No. 1 Pottsgrove (10-0), 7 tonight. The Golden Bears sneaked into the playoffs and must face explosive rushers Maika Polamalu and Terrell Chestnut. That spells trouble.Pick: Pottsgrove, 42-14.
No. 5 Upper Perkiomen (7-3) at No. 4 West Chester Rustin (10-0), 1 p.m. tomorrow. Good luck to the Upper Perk Indians in their attempt to slow down the Golden Knights' Rondell White.
Pick: W.C. Rustin, 24-7.
District 1-12 Class AA Sub-regional
No. 4 Lower Moreland (7-3) vs. No. 1 Bok (10-0), at Southern, 12 p.m. tomorrow. Bok can't overlook Mike Trentalange (1,261 rushing yards, 13 TDs) and the run-happy Lions.Pick: Bok, 26-14.
District 1-12 Class A Sub-regional
No. 4 High School of the Future (6-4) vs. No. 1 Calvary Christian (7-1), at Bristol, 1 p.m. tomorrow. We think that Calvary wins here behind QB Mike Reichenbach and tailback Ian Richardson but loses to St. Pius X in an all-District 1 final.Pick: Calvary Christian, 14-12.
Public League Class AAA final
Simon Gratz (5-4) vs. Dobbins (6-2), at Northeast, 12 p.m. tomorrow. The deciding factor is the Dobbins defense anchored by outside linebacker Terrence Stafford and back Joshua Bangora.Pick: Dobbins, 20-12.
Catholic League Class AAA final
North Catholic (5-4) vs. Archbishop Wood (8-2), at Northeast, 7 tonight. We think the timing is right for Eugene Byrd and company to notch the upset.Pick: North Catholic, 23-20.
Inter-Ac League
Chestnut Hill Academy (9-0) vs. Malvern Prep (5-4), 1:30 p.m. tomorrow. Behind 1,700-yard rusher Ibraheim Campbell, the Blue Devils clinch their first Inter-Ac title.Pick: CHA, 14-10.
Contact staff writer Rick O'Brien at 610-313-8019 or robrien@phillynews.com.
