Rick's Picks: Thursday games

The realignment of the Catholic League, with the Class AAAA membership dropping from five teams to four, opened the door for an intriguing Week 6 matchup.

Roman Catholic, seeking to fill a vacancy with a formidable nonleague foe, found one in defending Inter-Ac League cochampion Haverford School.

The Cahillites, 3-2 and ranked No. 9 in Southeastern Pennsylvania by The Inquirer, will visit the No. 6 Fords (3-1) at 3:45 p.m. Thursday.

Roman has won two straight after down-to-the-wire losses against Downingtown East (40-38 in overtime) and Coatesville (24-21). Joe McCourt's squad will begin league play next week against Father Judge.

"We've had a tough schedule," McCourt said. "It's no different with Haverford School. They're big, they're fast, and they're physical."

Haverford School has been on a roll since bowing to West Catholic, 24-19, in its opener. The Fords rebounded with convincing wins over Archbishop Ryan (31-14), Downingtown East (54-26), and Penn Wood (49-7).

The Cahillites have three athletic playmakers: tailback Dimitri Kelly, all-purpose John Chaney, and receiver A.J. Frazier.

"You have to defend the whole field against them," Fords coach Mike Murphy said. "They have so many guys who can hurt you. And what they do, they do it really well."

The 6-foot-1, 200-pound Kelly, who is drawing attention from Villanova and other Division I-AA programs, has rushed for 617 yards and eight touchdowns.

Fords halfback Phil Poquie, who struck for 232 yards on 12 carries against Ryan, is averaging 12.5 yards per carry. The 5-10, 180-pounder will play lacrosse at Penn.

"He's the fastest running back I've ever seen on film," McCourt said. "When he gets to the edge, not too many people are going to catch him."

Roman's offense is aided by a line that features tackles Gavin Wiggins (6-4, 280) and Manny Taylor (6-6, 275). Guard Kabir Basil (5-11, 200) returned last week after being out with a hand injury.

The Fords defense, sure to be tested by Kelly and company, is headed by end Frank Cresta, linebackers Chris Sabia and Mickey Kober, and back Micah Sims.

Pick: Roman, 24-20.

Last week: 7-3. Overall: 35-16 (.686).

No. 13 Central Bucks South (4-1, 2-0 Suburban One National) at No. 22 Neshaminy (2-3, 1-1), 7 p.m. South tailback and Notre Dame recruit Josh Adams (938 rushing yards, 16 TDs) keys a close win at Heartbreak Ridge. Pick: C.B. South, 28-23.

No. 23 Abington (3-2, 0-2 Suburban One National) at No. 17 Pennridge (4-1, 1-1), 7 p.m. The visiting Ghosts are fueled by Juawine Sowell (711 rushing yards, 9 TDs). The Rams are sparked by Joe Unangst (886, 6). Pick: Pennridge, 34-28.

Plymouth Whitemarsh (3-2, 2-0 Suburban One American) at Upper Moreland (4-1, 1-1), 7 p.m. PW's Nyfeese Nasir and the Golden Bears' Tyler Whitmore are breakaway threats. Pick: PW, 28-27.

Conestoga (4-1, 3-1 Central) at Haverford High (3-2, 2-1), 7 p.m. The visiting Pioneers have a solid pass-catch duo in Tim Miller and Martin Dorsey. Pick: Conestoga, 20-14.

No. 12 Downingtown West (4-1) at Great Valley (4-1), 7 p.m. The hosts will need a strong defensive effort to reverse last year's 35-7 loss to the Whippets. Pick: West, 34-20.