Rick's Picks: Week 7

Friday night's clash between No. 1-ranked St. Joseph's Prep and No. 6 La Salle is this weekend's marquee matchup, but there's another key Catholic League Class AAAA contest on tap Saturday.

With significant playoff implications on the line, No. 20 Archbishop Ryan and No. 15 Father Judge will battle at 1 p.m. at Northeast High.

After winning their first four games by a combined 186-37, the Raiders started the Catholic League schedule with back-to-back losses. That puts Ryan in must-win territory against the Crusaders.

"It's huge for us, obviously," said Ryan coach Frank McArdle, whose banged-up squad was surprised by Roman Catholic, 28-16, last week after opening the league slate with a 28-14 loss to La Salle. "We need to get a win."

The good news for Ryan (4-2 overall, 0-2 league) is that senior quarterback Mark Ostaszewki, who sat out vs. Roman with an ankle injury, will return to action.

"That's big," McArdle said. Freshman backup "Matt Romano filled in nicely against Roman, but we're more comfortable with Mark in there."

The overall series between Ryan and Judge is deadlocked, 24-24-3. Last season, in ending a seven-year losing streak, Ryan won in overtime, 32-31.

An interesting subplot to Saturday's game is that Ryan's offensive catalyst, junior tailback Samir Bullock, was a 1,000-yard rusher for Judge last year.

Through six games, the 5-foot-7, 165-pound Bullock has carried 118 times for 1,073 yards and 12 touchdowns.

Guided by first-year coach Mike McKay, Judge (4-2, 0-1) has a dynamic one-two rushing punch in senior Marquis Seamon (79 carries for 537 yards, 6 TDs) and sophomore Yeedee Thaenrat (70 for 535, 8).

The Crusaders have to regain the intensity they had for most of last week's 17-16 loss against La Salle. We're anticipating a nail-biter.

Pick: Judge, 23-20.

Last week: 8-2. Overall: 50-13 (.794).

Central (2-4, 0-3 Public AAAA Gold) at Frankford (3-3, 3-0), 3. Damion Samuels and the host Pioneers have been gaining steam in recent weeks. Pick: Frankford, 26-0.

No. 23 Pennridge (4-2, 0-2 Suburban One Continental) at Central Bucks South (4-2, 2-1), 7. South must forge ahead without RB Josh Adams, sidelined by a knee injury. Pick: Pennridge, 33-21.

Haverford High (3-2, 3-1 Central) at Springfield, Delco (4-2, 3-2), 7. The Fords (Class AAAA) and Cougars (AAA) are seeking repeat trips to the District 1 playoffs. Pick: Springfield, 21-14.

West Chester Henderson (3-3, 1-2 Ches-Mont National) at West Chester East (4-2, 2-1), 7. It's the Warriors' run-oriented attack vs. East's pass-happy approach. Pick: Henderson, 36-20.

Roman Catholic (2-4) at Cardinal O'Hara (2-4), 7. Both squads are trying to put early-season woes behind them. Pick: O'Hara, 23-14.

No. 16 Spring-Ford (4-2, 3-1 Pioneer) at Methacton (3-3, 3-2), 1. The visiting Rams will look to stay on the heels of conference front-runner Pottsgrove (6-0, 5-0). Pick: Spring-Ford, 34-12.

Haverford School (2-4, 0-0 Inter-Ac) at No. 10 Malvern Prep (3-1, 0-0), 2:30. The injury-depleted Fords likely will struggle to keep up with Malvern Prep. Pick: Malvern, 28-7.

No. 5 Archbishop Wood (5-1, 1-0 Catholic AAA) vs. Lansdale Catholic (5-1, 0-1), at Wissahickon, 7. The Vikings' ground game, stymied in the second half against St. Joe's Prep, returns to form. Pick: Wood, 42-7.