Rick's Pa. Pigskin Picks
Dave Wood's bid to capture the Central League title in his first year as Ridley's head coach will almost certainly be decided in the next eight days.
Dave Wood's bid to capture the Central League title in his first year as Ridley's head coach will almost certainly be decided in the next eight days.
His surging Green Raiders will host fellow unbeaten Springfield (Delaware County) at 7 p.m. Friday at Phil Marion Field.
If Wood's more experienced squad can beat the upstart Cougars, it will set up a probable winner-take-all showdown next Friday at Marple Newtown.
Ridley, Springfield, and Marple Newtown are all 5-0 overall and 4-0 in Central League action.
Ridley made a big statement when it knocked off host Garnet Valley, 28-20, on Sept. 9. Two of the Jaguars' three touchdowns came on kick returns.
"We've played a lot better on special teams since then," Wood said.
Wood was an assistant at Penn from 2010 to 2014 and in charge at Widener from 2003 to 2009. When he arrived at Ridley, he installed a triple-option offense and 3-4 defense.
The catalysts of a run-happy scheme are quarterback Cade Stratton, fullback Brock Anderson, and halfbacks Malik Young and Ociele Miller. Fullback Tahj McCafferty is also in the mix.
In last week's 42-0 blanking of Penncrest, Stratton carried 11 times for 89 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Anderson returned a punt 92 yards for a score.
"I think we create a lot of matchup problems for other teams," Wood said.
Ridley's defense is spearheaded by middle guard Nick Lapish, ends Nick DePrinzio and Joe Spillman, and linebackers Sean Crowley, Patrick McClintock, Ryan Gricco, and Gregg Kimmel.
Springfield's spread attack is keyed by running back Ja'Den McKenzie. The 6-foot-1, 190-pound junior has carried 60 times for 465 yards and four scores.
McKenzie is joined in the backfield by Phil Shovlin. Quarterback Johnny Fanelly's primary target is wideout Joe Kennedy.
The Cougars' 4-4 defense is led by Kennedy, a cornerback; tackles Justin Shields and Derek Strain; end Kevin Deal; and linebacker Pat Clemens.
Pick Six
Simon Gratz (2-3, 1-2 Public Independence) at Northeast (2-1, 1-1), Friday, 6:30 p.m.
The Vikings have a strong one-two rushing punch in Keith Moore and Amir Paulk.
Pick: Northeast, 21-20.
No. 25 Springfield at No. 16 Ridley, Friday, 7 p.m. The Green Raiders, aided by Stratton's 4-yard TD keeper, won by 25-20 last year.
Pick: Ridley, 28-13.
No. 3 North Penn (5-0, 2-0 Sub. One National) at No. 19 Central Bucks South (5-0, 2-0), Friday, 7 p.m. South wants to christen its new turf field with its second win over the Knights in the last three years.
Pick: North Penn, 38-14.
Glen Mills (3-2) at Penn Wood (4-1), Friday, 7:30 p.m. It's the Del-Val League opener for both squads under portable lights at Kerr Field.
Pick: Glen Mills, 23-12.
No. 23 Conwell-Egan (3-1, 1-0 Catholic Blue) at Lansdale Catholic (1-3, 1-1), Saturday, 3 p.m. Lansdale Catholic's defense needs to stop sophomore Patrick Garwo at the point of attack.
Pick: Conwell-Egan, 26-17.
No. 10 La Salle (3-2, 2-0) at No. 20 Father Judge (3-2, 1-0), Saturday, 7 p.m. Can quarterback Rob King and company find success against the Explorers' improved defense?
Pick: La Salle, 34-21.
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