Rick's Picks: Week 8
It's Week 8 of the football season and - no surprise - a number of contests have league-title implications. At or near the top of the list is Friday night's Central League showdown between Garnet Valley, ranked 14th in Southeastern Pennsylvania by The Inquirer, and No. 24 Springfield (Delco).
It's Week 8 of the football season and - no surprise - a number of contests have league-title implications.
At or near the top of the list is Friday night's Central League showdown between Garnet Valley, ranked 14th in Southeastern Pennsylvania by The Inquirer, and No. 24 Springfield (Delco).
The Jaguars (6-1 overall, 6-0 league) are trying for their third outright championship in the last four seasons. Host Springfield (7-0, 6-0) seeks its first crown since 1994.
The big subplot in this one is the absence of Garnet Valley's Mike Ricci. The 28th-year coach took a two-week leave of absence after grabbing a player's face mask and briefly losing consciousness in last Friday's win over Penncrest.
Offensive coordinator Rich Boyd will take over for Ricci. The Jaguars have won six straight since an 8-6 loss to Unionville.
Garnet Valley has averaged 38.3 points in its six victories. Derrick West has carried the ball 124 times for 725 yards and 12 touchdowns.
A triple-option scheme also features quarterback Steve Flanagan and running backs Zach Nelson and Brendan Williams.
Springfield, which escaped Upper Darby by 34-33 last Friday, is sparked by dual-threat quarterback Brian Allen, running back Collin Braconnier, and wideout Quideer Wimes.
Among the headliners for the Jaguars' 4-4 defense are end Joey Granahan, outside linebacker Connor Faith, inside linebacker Tom Hourican, and safety Jack Diggory.
A Cougars defense yielding 11.4 points per game is keyed by inside linebackers Adam Krauter and Ricky Sterling.
Pick: Garnet Valley, 23-14.
Last week: 9-1. Overall: 50-21 (.704).
Other Friday games
No. 18 Pennridge (5-2, 2-2 Suburban One National) at No. 10 Central Bucks South (6-1, 4-0), 7. The visiting Rams' catalyst is Joe Unangst (1,270 rushing yards, 11 TDs); the Titans counter with Josh Adams (1,358, 22). Pick: C.B. South, 45-21.
No. 15 Unionville (5-2, 3-0 Ches-Mont American) at No. 11 West Chester Rustin (6-1, 3-0), 7. After sitting out last week with an injury, star rusher Terry Loper is expected back for the hosts. Pick: Rustin, 28-13.
No. 3 Archbishop Wood (6-1, 2-0 Catholic AAA) vs. No. 25 Bonner-Prendergast (7-0, 2-0), at Upper Darby, 7. Can QB Collin DiGalbo and the Friars pull off an improbable upset? Pick: Wood, 49-13.
No. 4 Pennsbury (7-0, 4-0 Suburban One National) at No. 13 North Penn (4-3, 3-1), 7:30. The visiting Falcons seek payback for last year's District 1 Class AAAA quarterfinal loss to the Knights. Pick: Pennsbury, 37-20.
Saturday
No. 1 St. Joseph's Prep (3-3, 1-0 Catholic AAAA) vs. No. 21 Father Judge (4-3, 0-1), at Northeast, 1. Judge might be without QB Zack Carroll, who suffered a concussion last week against Roman Catholic. Pick: Prep, 38-14.
Del-Val Charter (7-0, 3-0 Public AA) vs. Prep Charter (6-0-1, 3-0), at Southern, 1. This is almost certainly the first of two meetings between the Warriors and Huskies. Pick: Prep Charter, 26-20.
No. 17 Springside Chestnut Hill (6-0, 1-0 Inter-Ac) at No. 7 Haverford School (5-1, 1-0), 2. The visiting Blue Devils' defense needs to tighten the screws after giving up 585 scrimmage yards in a shootout win over Penn Charter. Pick: Haverford School, 31-21.
No. 12 Roman Catholic (4-3, 1-0 Catholic AAAA) vs. No. 2 La Salle (5-2, 0-1), at Plymouth Whitemarsh, 2. If QB Phil DiWilliams can't return from a shoulder injury, Roman will turn to Anthony Butler. Pick: La Salle, 30-14.