Looking ahead to SE Pennsylvania grid playoffs
We've dabbled a bit with football playoffs over the last two weeks, but the postseason will begin in earnest next weekend.
The Public League Class AAA and AAAA title games are scheduled for Saturday afternoon, with the AAA championship (Simon Gratz vs. Dobbins) at noon and the AAAA final (George Washington vs. Northeast) at 3:30. The doubleheader site, expected to be Northeast or Germantown, will be determined Monday.
In the Catholic League Class AAA title matchup, Archbishop Wood will try to defend its crown against North Catholic. Wood downed North, 24-7, in Week 9.
The Catholic League Class AAAA semifinals mirror the last week of the regular season. Roman Catholic is pitted against St. Joseph's Prep (the Hawks won, 34-0, Friday), and Cardinal O'Hara is matched against La Salle (the Explorers prevailed, 24-14, Saturday).
The day, site, and time for all three Catholic League playoff contests will be determined today.
In the PIAA District 1 Class AAAA tournament, two of the more intriguing matchups, both between league foes, are Abington vs. Neshaminy (Suburban One League National Conference) and Penncrest vs. Garnet Valley (Central League).
Neshaminy will seek to avenge a 28-24 loss to Abington, which was led by Sam Kind's 233 passing yards and Anthony Hensley's two touchdown catches, in Week 3. Garnet Valley could have its hands full again with Penncrest. The Jaguars barely beat the Lions, 28-27, in Week 4.
In the District 1 Class AAA and AAAA playoffs, all games are slated for Friday evening, except for the Upper Perkiomen-West Chester Rustin game in AAA; that game is scheduled for 1 p.m. Saturday.
And it's not a playoff, but there will be a playoff-like atmosphere when Chestnut Hill Academy and host Malvern Prep meet Saturday (1 p.m.) at Deacon Field. The Blue Devils (4-0 league) can secure their first Inter-Ac League crown, while the Friars (3-1 league) can create a three-way tie, along with Haverford School (3-1), at the top.
Here are the playoff matchups:
District 1 Class AAAA
No. 16 seed Council Rock North at No. 1 North Penn, 7:30.
No. 9 Abington at No. 8 Neshaminy, 7.
No. 13 Conestoga at No. 4 Downingtown West, 7.
No. 12 Quakertown at No. 5 Avon Grove, 7.
No. 15 Unionville at No. 2 Pennsbury, 7.
No. 10 Council Rock South at No. 7 Ridley, 7.
No. 14 Penncrest at No. 3 Garnet Valley, 7.
No. 11 Downingtown East at No. 6 Norristown, 7.
District 1 Class AAA
