Football: Week 2 Picks
WEEK 2 FOOTBALL PICKS
New Central Bucks South football coach Tom Hetrick sees Friday night's nonleague matchup against visiting Coatesville, which features a number of swift playmakers, as a shot at redemption.
In Week 2 last year in Coatesville, the Titans fell behind the Red Raiders by 27-0 in the first half and suffered an embarrassing 46-13 defeat.
"We were physically outrclassed," Hetrick, who previously coached the team's offensive linemen and outside linebackers. "They were bigger, faster, and stronger than us."
The good news for C.B. South is that Coatesille no longer has Daquan Worley in its backfield. Now at Penn State, he carried 21 times for 241 yards and two touchdowns in last year's romp.
Hetrick says the Titans, who opened 2014 with a 41-14 road romp over neighboring Central Bucks West are "a lot bigger and stronger" than they were a year ago. "I believe that 100 percent," he said.
C.B. South is spurred on offense by senior tailback Josh Adams. The Notre Dame recruit, who missed the latter part of 2013 with a torn anterior cruciate ligament, carried 14 times for 231 yards and two scores vs. C.B. West.
Said Hetrick: "He's definitelt back to his old self," Hetrick said. "He wants to get to the end zone every time he touches the ball."
Coatesville, ranked No. 7 in Southeastern Pennsylvania by The Inquirer, is keyed on offense by quarterback Jordan Young, tailback Jalen Hudson, wide receiver Jay Stocker, and tight end Amir Ealey.
In last week's opener, the host Red Raiders easily downed Martin Luther King, 45-19. "They definitely try to spread the field on you," Hetrick said.
The Titans suffered a blow in training camp when Deion Clifton, a senior multipurpose threat, went down with a possible season-ending ankle injury.
Pick: Coatesville, 41-27.
Last week: 7-3. Overall: 7-3 (.700).
Also Friday
No. 13 Father Judge (0-1) at Northeast (0-1), 6:30 p.m. The Crusaders and Vikings both suffered heartbraking, one-point losses in Week 1. Pick: Judge, 20-13.
Ridley (1-0) at Conestoga (1-0), 7 p.m. With new bleachers being installed at Ridley, the Central League opener was moved to Berwyn. Pick: Conestoga, 21-19.
No. 12 Archbishop Ryan (1-0) at No. 22 Haverford School, 4:45 p.m. The Raiders' Samir Bullock and the Fords' Phil Poquie are breakaway threats. Pick: Ryan, 17-13.
No. 21 Neshaminy (0-1) at No. 6 Downingtown West (1-0), 7 p.m. Neshaminy looks to rebound from a 42-3 drubbing at the hands of Gonzaga (D.C.). Pick: West, 26-23.
No. 17 West Catholic (1-0) at No. 14 North Penn (0-1), 7:30 p.m. Key for the Burrs is wrapping up Knights tailback Nyfease West and fullback Nick Isabella. Pick: North Penn, 24-14.
No. 25 Pennridge (1-0) at Central Bucks East (1-0), 7 p.m. The Rams' four-week road trip continues against tailback Alex Gibson and the Patriots. Pick: Pennridge: 35-21.
No. 9 West Chester Rustin (1-0) at No. 19 West Chester Henderson (1-0), 7 p.m. Emotions run high, understandably, in this Ches-Mont League cross-conference matchup. Pick; Rustin, 20-14.
Frankford (0-1) at No. 4 Pennsbury (1-0), 7 p.m. The Falcons' defense shined in a Week 1, 28-0 blanking of Council Rock South. Pick: Pennsbury, 34-6.
Holy Spirit, N.J. (0-0) at No. 11 Malvern Prep (0-1), 7:30 p.m. In a contest that will be televised live on The Comcast Network, the rebuilding Spartans, from Absecon, take on the Friars. Pick: Malvern, 31-14.
Saturday
No. 3 La Salle (1-0) at Bergen Catholic, N.J. (0-0), 4:30 p.m. The Explorers must keep close tabs on QB Jarrett Guarantano and main targets Corey Gaarn and Gene Coleman. Pick: La Salle, 31-17.
No. 10 Roman Catholic (1-0) at No. 8 Downingtown East (1-0), 7 p.m. The Cougars lead the series by 2-0, including last year's 13-7 win at Lincoln. Pick: East, 23-21.