http://www.philly.com/inquirer/columnists/rick_obrien RSS Feed for Inq Col Rick O'Brien en-us Mon, 23 Nov 2009 08:02:25 GMT http://www.philly.com/inquirer/columnists/rick_obrien/20091123_Rick_O_Brien__Zuzek_s_switch-up_powered_West_Catholic_win.html Some of West Catholic's supporters might not have been breaking out in a sweat over Bok's 7-0 halftime lead in Saturday's PIAA District 1-12 Class AA Subregional championship game, but Jake Zuzek clearly saw the possible end to West Catholic's season and his high school playing career. http://www.philly.com/inquirer/columnists/rick_obrien/20091122_Rick_O_Brien__Rating_the_area_s_top_cornerbacks.html We're nearing the end of our position-by-position tour of the local football scene. This week, we rank the top cornerbacks in Southeastern Pennsylvania. http://www.philly.com/inquirer/columnists/rick_obrien/20091120_Rick_O_Brien__Showdown_s_outcome_may_hinge_on_injury.html The outcome of tonight's PIAA District 1-12 Class A subregional championship football game between St. Pius X and Calvary Christian will hinge heavily on the status of Pius quarterback and free safety Cole Parkinson. http://www.philly.com/inquirer/columnists/rick_obrien/20091119_Rick_O_Brien__Taking_a_look_at_the_area_s_top_linebackers.html This week, we rank the top linebackers in Southeastern Pennsylvania. In compiling our top-15 list, we took into consideration the following: instincts, open-field tackling ability, range from sideline to sideline, skill at stopping the run and defending the pass, and strength at blitzing and pressuring the quarterback. http://www.philly.com/inquirer/columnists/rick_obrien/20091116_Rick_O_Brien__GW_s_Sellers_turns_in_stellar_performance.html Seemingly shot out of a cannon, George Washington's Simba Sellers played an incredible 8 minutes, 29 seconds of defense during the first half of Saturday's Public League Class AAAA championship game vs. Northeast. http://www.philly.com/inquirer/columnists/rick_obrien/20091115_Rick_O_Brien__Tackles__middle_guards_power_the_defense.html Continuing with our position-by-position tour of the local football talent, this week we rank the top 15 interior defensive linemen (tackles and middle guards) in Southeastern Pennsylvania. http://www.philly.com/inquirer/columnists/rick_obrien/20091113_Rick_O_Brien__Central_League_rivals_clash_in_District_1_game.html 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. http://www.philly.com/inquirer/columnists/rick_obrien/20091112_Rick_O_Brien__North_Penn_pushes_title_quest.html There are 21 football playoff contests on tap this weekend. We'll provide game-by-game predictions tomorrow, including selections in three championship games: Public League Class AAAA and AAA, and Catholic League AAA. http://www.philly.com/inquirer/columnists/rick_obrien/20091108_Rick_O_Brien__Devlin_is_tops_on_decade_list_of_QBs.html Pat Devlin didn't step quietly onto the high school football stage. In October 2003, as a 6-foot-3, 190-pound sophomore for Downingtown East, Devlin completed 31 of 46 passes for a then single-game state record of 511 yards and five touchdowns in a 53-34 home loss to Ches-Mont League rival West Chester East. http://www.philly.com/inquirer/columnists/rick_obrien/20091109_Rick_O_Brien__Get_set_for_a_weekend_of_league_showdowns.html We've dabbled a bit with football playoffs over the last two weeks, but the postseason will begin in earnest next weekend.