Rick's Picks: Week 7
Finally, in Week 7, Inter-Ac League football action begins. And there's a can't-miss opener, with defending cochampions Malvern Prep and Haverford School squaring off at 3:30 p.m. Friday at Haverford's Sabol Field.
Finally, in Week 7, Inter-Ac League football action begins.
And there's a can't-miss opener, with defending cochampions Malvern Prep and Haverford School squaring off at 3:30 p.m. Friday at Haverford's Sabol Field.
The Friars (2-3) are trying to gain some footing after suffering back-to-back losses against powers La Salle and St. Joseph's Prep. The Fords (4-1), ranked sixth in Southeastern Pennsylvania by The Inquirer, have been on a major roll since dropping their opener to West Catholic.
Last year's meeting was a thriller. Overcoming six turnovers and a 14-point halftime deficit, Haverford managed a 34-31, double-overtime triumph.
Malvern's spread offense is fueled by Pittsburgh-bound quarterback Alex Hornibrook. The lefthander has completed 73 of 129 passes for 1,009 yards and 12 touchdowns.
Friars running back Dymond Wright sat out last week with an undisclosed injury and is questionable to play Friday, Malvern coach Aaron Brady said.
The Fords, who have averaged 43.8 points in their last four outings, are sparked by fleet halfback Phil Poquie, quarterback Kevin Carter, and receivers Dox Aitken and Derek Mountain.
Poquie, who will play lacrosse at Penn, has carried 62 times for 743 yards and nine TDs. Carter has been a dual-threat field general, throwing for seven scores and running for two more. The 6-3 Aitken and 6-5 Mountain have combined for five TD catches.
The Friars defense, which yielded seven scores to St. Joe's Prep, needs to tighten the screws. The unit is headed by linebackers Trevor Morris and Pat Finley, end Nick Zarkoski, and backs James Keating and Rashon Lusane.
Haverford has been keyed on defense by linebackers Mickey Kober (two interceptions last week vs. Roman Catholic) and Noah Lejman and backs Aitken, Micah Sims, and Lane Odom.
Pick: Haverford School, 37-24.
Last week: 6-5. Overall: 41-21 (.661).
Other Friday games
Ben Franklin (5-0, 3-0 Public Independence) at George Washington (4-2, 3-0), 3 p.m. After last week's game against Lincoln was postponed because of a bomb scare, Franklin is eager to get back to work. Pick: Franklin, 35-12.
Plymouth Whitemarsh (4-2, 3-0 Suburban One American) at No. 24 Upper Dublin (4-1, 3-0), 7 p.m. The host Cardinals seek payback after bowing to the defending champs by 28-23 last year. Pick: Upper Dublin, 28-27, in OT.
No. 10 Central Bucks South (5-1, 3-0 Suburban One National) at Abington (3-3, 0-3), 7 p.m. The host Ghosts' bid to snap a three-game losing streak hinges on slowing red-hot rusher Josh Adams. Pick: C.B. South, 46-28.
No. 23 Council Rock North (5-1, 3-0 Suburban One Continental) at Harry S Truman (3-3, 1-2), 7 p.m. Under first-year boss Jon Craig, Truman has not made the going easy for any opponent. Pick: C.R. North, 34-13.
Saturday
No. 21 Downingtown West (4-2, 1-1 Ches-Mont National) at Bishop Shanahan (4-2, 1-2), 1 p.m. Led by QB Tyler McNulty, the visiting Whippets bounce back from an OT loss to Great Valley. Pick: West, 26-19.
Spring-Ford (3-3, 3-2 Pioneer Athletic) at Methacton (4-2, 4-1), 2:30 p.m. The visiting Rams have a solid pass-catch duo in Brandon Leacraft and Brandon Barone. Pick: Spring-Ford, 31-20.
No. 18 Springside Chestnut Hill (5-0, 0-0 Inter-Ac) at Penn Charter (5-1, 0-0), 2:30 p.m. The host Quakers' defense will try to put the clamps on QB Paul Dooley and RB Syaire Madden. Pick: Springside Chestnut Hill, 38-20.
No. 15 Pennridge (5-1, 2-1 Suburban One National) at No. 3 Pennsbury (6-0, 3-0), 7 p.m. With fullback Charles Snorweah as the catalyst, the bruising, host Falcons average 46.7 points. Pick: Pennsbury, 36-14.