Rick's Week 8 picks

In addition to Friday night's Downingtown West-Downingtown East clash, Week 8 features a number of pivotal league showdowns.

The Public League Class AAAA Gold Division crown, and the No. 1 seed in a four-team playoff, will be decided when Frankford (5-2, 5-0) and George Washington (6-1, 5-0) square off at 6 p.m. Saturday at Northeast High.

In Delaware County, the Central League's top spot will be on the line when Garnet Valley (6-1, 6-0) visits unbeaten Springfield (7-0, 6-0) at 7 p.m. Friday.

Washington, coming off a 49-28 win over Northeast, relies heavily on senior tailback Hakeem Sillman. The 5-foot-8, 190-pounder has rushed for 1,200 yards and 20 touchdowns.

Frankford, under first-year coach Will Doggett, is passing way more than it did under ex-boss Mike Capriotti. Junior Tim DiGiorgio has thrown for 1,300 yards and 20 scores. His main targets are wideout Savoy Martin and tight end Aaron Allison.

The Pioneers are out to avenge two losses to the Eagles last season, including a 13-9 decision in the league semifinals.

Pick: Sillman, on a major tear lately, flourishes on the turf and Washington clinches the regular-season title with a 26-18 victory.

Garnet Valley has won six straight since falling to Unionville, 35-28, in the season opener. Fullback Justin Pyle (940 rushing yards, 10 TDs) fuels a triple-option offense averaging 37.1 points.

Springfield's Rob Murphy (763 rushing yards, 10 TDs) missed last week's 21-7 triumph over Upper Darby with an undisclosed injury. Cougars first-year coach Tim Kline said the junior halfback will be a game-time decision.

Pick: Even if Murphy plays, we like the Jaguars to take a huge step toward a championship with a 37-20 win.

Last week: 8-2. Overall: 60-22 (.732).

Here are the weekend's other games to watch:

West Chester Henderson (5-2, 3-0) at No. 5 Coatesville (6-1, 3-0), 7. Against Dae-Hon Cheung (1,205 rushing yards, 14 TDs) and the Red Raiders, the Warriors hope to bounce back from a 30-28 loss to West Chester Rustin. Pick: Coatesville, 21-19.

Ridley (5-2, 4-2) at Harriton (4-3, 3-3), 7. Ridley has the pass defense to make things tough for Pat Moriarty (1,591 passing yards, 17 TDs). Pick: Ridley, 27-7.

Souderton (4-3, 3-1) at No. 8 North Penn (5-2, 4-0), 7:30. Can the surging Indians put a dent in North Penn's bid for a fourth straight Suburban One League Continental Conference title? Pick: North Penn, 30-14.

Glen Mills (3-4, 2-0) at Interboro (5-2, 2-0), 7:30. The Battlin' Bulls have been toughened by playing the likes of Downingtown East and Archbishop Wood. Pick: Glen Mills, 26-6.

Penn Charter (4-2, 1-0) at No. 4 Malvern Prep (5-1, 1-0), 2. The hosts will celebrate the dedication of the $2.5 million Pellegrini Athletic Complex, named after longtime football coach Gaspare "Gamp" Pellegrini. Pick: Malvern, 33-12.

No. 7 Roman Catholic (5-2, 2-1) vs. St. Joseph's Prep (5-2, 1-1), at Plymouth Whitemarsh, 7. The Cahillites can beat you via the air (QB Mike Keir, wideouts William Fuller and Taishan Tucker) or ground (Marcus Kelly). Still, we smell an upset. Pick: Prep, 28-23.

Monsignor Bonner (4-3, 1-0) vs. No. 1 Archbishop Wood (6-1, 1-0), at William Tennent, 1. Bonner will look to ride the momentum gained from Saturday's 20-13 win over Cardinal O'Hara. It will take a lot more than that to stop the red-hot Vikes. Pick: Wood, 41-7.