Rick O'Brien: Southeast Pa. high-school football playoff predictions
You want playoffs? We got playoffs!
Week 9 is highlighted by six Public League playoff tilts, including championship games at the Class A and AA levels, and the Catholic League AA semifinals.
In the Public League AAAA quarterfinals, Northeast takes aim at its first league title since 1983. George Washington is shooting for its third straight crown, and Frankford is trying to end up king of the hill after a two-year drought.
Contact staff writer Rick O'Brien at 610-313-8019 or robrien@phillynews.com.
In the Catholic League AA tournament, West Catholic again is a prohibitive favorite. The Burrs have beaten the three other playoff qualifiers by a combined score of 127-38.
Last week: 10-2.
Overall: 87-22 (.798 winning percentage).
Today's Public League Class AAAA quarterfinals
Southern (4-3, 4-0) at George Washington (5-2, 3-1), 3 p.m. A regular-season loss to Northeast left the Eagles fuming. That's not good for running back Sean Allen and the upset-minded Rams.Pick: Washington, 41-0.
Central (6-1, 3-1) at Bartram (6-2, 2-2), 3 p.m. Under first-year coach Rich Drayton, Central has made significant progress. Not enough, though, to win this matchup with the Red Division's third-place qualifier.
Pick: Bartram, 18-6.
Frankford (3-5, 2-2) at Germantown (5-2, 4-0), 6 p.m. The overtime win against Northeast gave the Pioneers a much-needed boost of confidence going into the postseason. The Bears come in with a five-game winning streak.
Pick: Frankford, 30-12.
Martin Luther King (3-5, 3-1) at Northeast (4-3, 3-1), 6 p.m. In 1983, Vikings first-year coach Chris Riley was part of the program's last championship. That makes this bunch, which lost to Washington in last year's three-OT final, especially hungry.
Pick: Northeast, 28-8.
Tonight's Catholic League Class AA semifinal
Cardinal Dougherty (4-4, 1-3) vs. West Catholic (6-2, 4-0), at Harry S Truman, 7. Talk about a daunting challenge for the Cardinals! The Burrs romped to a 57-19 victory two weeks ago.Pick: West, 38-7.
Tonight's Central League showdown
Penncrest (5-3, 5-2) at Strath Haven (4-4, 3-4), 7:30. When it comes to the playoffs, the Lions (AAAA) control their own destiny, and the Panthers (AAA) are currently on the outside looking in at an eight-team tournament.Pick: Penncrest, 34-14.
Tomorrow's Public League Class AA final
Imhotep Charter (5-1, 3-1) vs. Bok (8-0, 4-0), at Southern, 11. Bok is averaging 37.1 points per game and seeking a repeat title. Imhotep is out to avenge a 30-0 loss during the regular season.Pick: Bok, 36-6.
Tomorrow's Public League Class A final
High School of the Future (5-3, 2-1) vs. Del-Val Charter (6-2, 3-0), at Simon Gratz, 3. Del-Val has an elusive runner in QB Sean Williams. Future is a big-time underdog after bowing to the Warriors, 50-0, in the regular season.Pick: Del-Val, 41-12
Tomorrow's Catholic League Class AA semifinal
Archbishop Carroll (3-4, 2-2) vs. Bishop McDevitt (6-2, 3-1), at Plymouth Whitemarsh, 12. The Lancers, spurred by QB Drew Siegfried, are trying to get back on track after two straight losses.Pick: McDevitt, 17-14.
Contact staff writer Rick O'Brien at 610-313-8019 or robrien@phillynews.com.
