Rick's Pigskin Picks: Can Haverford keep streak alive?
Haverford School, spurred by one of the region's top ballcarriers, has won 21 consecutive games. A quick-strike Perkiomen Valley offense, featuring one of the area's best pass-catch duos, is averaging 42 points per game.
Haverford School, spurred by one of the region's top ballcarriers, has won 21 consecutive games. A quick-strike Perkiomen Valley offense, featuring one of the area's best pass-catch duos, is averaging 42 points per game.
The Fords, ranked No. 9 in Southeastern Pennsylvania by the Inquirer, will visit the No. 8 Vikings in an intriguing nonleague matchup at 7 p.m. Friday in Graterford.
Quarterback Stephen Sturm and wide receiver Justin Jaworski have combined for nearly 700 yards and nine touchdowns through the air in PV's 3-0 start.
For 2-0 Haverford School, senior halfback Malik Twyman has carried 43 times for 307 yards (an average of 7.1 yards per carry) and five touchdowns. He is ticketed for Colgate.
Sturm has connected on 53 of 77 passes for 990 yards and 12 touchdowns. The 6-foot-2, 200-pound lefthander threw for 3,200 yards and 31 touchdowns last season.
Sturm converted 18 of 24 passes for 424 yards and five touchdowns in last week's 38-20 nonleague blitzing of Pennridge. Jaworski had nine receptions for 286 yards and three touchdowns.
"We're certainly impressed by the way those two kids play and the chemistry they share," Haverford School coach Mike Murphy said. "We have to limit the open space [Jaworski] is able to find."
The Fords, who last season went 10-0 en route to the Inter-Ac League title, opened with a 43-6 rout of Del-Val Charter. Last week, Twyman rushed 24 times for 184 yards and two scores in a 37-34 come-from-behind win over West Catholic.
Perkiomen Valley, guided by first-year boss Rob Heist, also has a threat in swift halfback David Williams. Chris Jimenez, a 6-5, 250-pound tackle who is headed to Temple, anchors the offensive line.
Haverford School quarterback Tommy Toal, a second-year starter, has hit on 14 of 29 passes for 274 yards and four touchdowns. His main targets are wideouts Aaron Hudson and Sam Lindner.
The Vikings defense is spearheaded by lineman Jon Rotonda, inside linebackers Nick Marren and Noah Shine, and outside linebackers Kyle Beaudoin and Mario Scotese. The unit held Pennridge scoreless in the first half.
The Fords' defensive-line rotation features end Asim Richards and Malik Geathers and tackles Anthony Reginelli, Peter Solomon, and Colin Hurlbrink.
Haverford School's last setback came in its 2014 opener against West Catholic in Wildwood.
Pick Six
Haverford School at Perkiomen Valley, Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Expect plenty of offensive fireworks at Thomas J. Keenan Stadium.
Pick: Haverford School, 41-35.
No. 23 Central Bucks East (3-0) at Central Bucks South (3-0), Friday, 7 p.m. A late Barney Amor field goal is the difference in a taut contest.
Pick: C.B. East, 24-21.
Souderton (3-0) at No. 20 Pennridge (1-2), Friday, 7 p.m. Souderton's Koby Khan has carried 57 times for 336 yards and eight touchdowns.
Pick: Pennridge, 33-26.
No. 22 West Catholic (1-2) at Conwell-Egan (1-1), Friday, 7 p.m. Can promising sophomore halfback Patrick Garwo and the Eagles surprise the Burrs?
Pick: West, 26-13.
No. 17 Roman Catholic (1-2) at Springside Chestnut Hill (1-1), Saturday, 1 p.m. The Cahillites look to rebound from a lackluster showing against Downingtown East.
Pick: Roman, 28-14.
No. 16 Father Judge (2-1) vs. No. 12 Archbishop Ryan (3-0), at Northeast, Saturday, 7 p.m. It's the Catholic League Red Division opener for the bitter Northeast Philly rivals.
Pick: Judge, 21-20.
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