The Prep’s brutal football slate continues

The Murderer's Row nonleague schedule that awaited new St. Joseph's Prep coach Gabe Infante continues at 7:30 Saturday night against North Penn at Crawford Stadium.

The Hawks started the 2010 season with a 36-25 win over three-time defending Public League champion George Washington. That was followed by a visit to Rutgers Stadium and a 35-7 loss to St. Peter's Prep (N.J.), which came in ranked No. 19 in the country by USA Today.

After playing North Penn, No. 1 in The Inquirer's preseason rankings and now sitting at No. 3, the Prep will host No. 4 and two-time defending District 12 Class AAA champion Archbishop Wood.

While Infante doesn't concede any of the contests, it's a good bet he would be happy (OK, excited) about taking a 2-2 record into the squad's Catholic League Class AAAA opener vs. Father Judge on Oct. 1.

Remember, the Hawks had at least five would-be starters, including 1,000-yard rusher Desmon Peoples, now at Wood, transfer after last year's 9-3 showing.

Mark Casale (25 carries for 158 yards and two scores) is the new go-to ballcarrier. Quarterback Skyler Mornhinweg, who has completed 21 of 34 throws for 265 yards and four touchdowns, is working with a new group of receivers, including Paul McGann (10 catches for 98 yards) and Jim Hurley.

North Penn, which rebounded from a 27-14 loss to La Salle with a 42-0 whipping of neighboring Lansdale Catholic, holds a 4-1 lead in the head-to-head series. Last year, the Knights, rushing for 151 yards and passing for 143, prevailed, 28-14, at Plymouth Whitemarsh.

The Prep, throwing on 17 of its final 25 plays from scrimmage, was held to 37 yards rushing. Mornhinweg hit on 11 of 21 passes for 113 yards.

The quick-to-the-ball defense that frustrated the Prep last year has several starters back, including tackles Dave Jackson and Marcus McGraw, end Chuck Knower, and linebacker Ralphie Reeves. That spells trouble for the Hawks' offense. Pick: North Penn, 34-13.

One of the highlights in Week 3 is the unveiling of No. 9 Cardinal O'Hara's new turf stadium, at 2 p.m. Saturday against Neumann-Goretti. Pick: O'Hara, 42-6.

Last week: 13-2.

Overall: 23-7 (.767 winning percentage).

Pennridge (2-0) at Council Rock South (2-0), 7 p.m. Thursday. The Rams and Golden Hawks meet in a final tune-up for Suburban One League play. Pick: Pennridge, 21-18.

Unionville (1-1) at Avon Grove (2-0), 7 p.m. Thursday. Toughened by their Week 1 loss to Garnet Valley, the Indians prevail in this Ches-Mont League crossover tilt. Pick: Unionville, 23-21.

Frankford (0-2, 0-1) at Pennsbury (1-1), 7 p.m. Thursday. The Falcons hold a 6-0 advantage in the series and have held the Pioneers to an average of just 8.2 points. Pick: Pennsbury, 28-6.

No. 2 Ridley (2-0, 1-0) at Haverford High (1-1, 0-1), 7 p.m. Thursday. The Fords have to slow first-year QB Sean Blundin, who has wideouts Dion Shaw and Norm Donkin at his disposal. Pick: Ridley, 33-7.

Souderton (1-1) at Abington (1-1), 7 p.m. Thursday. The Indians have a stifling defense, led up front by 6-foot-1, 230-pound tackle Joe Stolfi. Pick: Souderton, 23-22.

Norristown (1-1) at Central Bucks South (1-1), 7 p.m. Thursday. Pick: South, 21-12.

Strath Haven (1-1, 1-0) at Radnor (1-1, 1-0), 7:30 p.m. Thursday. Pick: Radnor, 19-13.

Northeast (0-2, 0-0) at Bartram (2-0, 1-0), 3 p.m. Friday. Pick: Northeast, 21-6.

Owen J. Roberts (1-1) at Spring-Ford (2-0), 7 p.m. Friday. Pick: OJR, 27-16.

Glen Mills (1-1) at No. 6 Downingtown East (1-1), 7 p.m. Friday. Pick: East, 34-12.

Bishop McDevitt (1-1) vs. Archbishop Carroll (2-0), at Radnor, 7:30 p.m. Friday. Pick: Carroll, 19-14.

Imhotep Charter (3-0, 2-0) at Bok (2-0, 1-0), 10 a.m. Saturday. Pick: Bok, 25-14.

Malvern Prep (1-1) at Bergen Catholic (1-0), 3 p.m. Saturday. Pick: Bergen, 32-13.