Week 2 Notes

Week 1 RECAP

Well, the staff at PhillyD12.com went 2-2 in our games to watch picks. We had Parkland beating Washington, but we thought Washington would have at least scored in this game. We also correctly picked West Catholic over Roman, but the actual game was a bit closer than we expected. We thought the Frankford-Hatboro Horsham game would be close, but we picked Frankford to win at home. The Hatters squeaked out a 7-0 win in this close game. We will admit that we were flat out wrong when it came to the Prep-McKeesport game. With Prep's history of letdowns in the early season against top teams, and the long hike out to West Virginia to play, we didn't expect the Hawks to come out on top of this one. Looks like Prep may be back in 2009.

Week 2 - GAMES TO WATCH

Malvern Prep at LaSalle (Plymouth-Whitemarsh)
Malvern Prep is coming off a perfect 10-0 season and LaSalle is the defending PCL champs. The question is this....which team returns more top players. The answer to that is LaSalle. Malvern was off last week, but LaSalle handed P-W a 56-0 thumping. We don't see LaSalle slowing down until they meet Prep or Judge later in the season.
Our Pick: LaSalle 35 - Malvern 14

Judge at Northeast
The Crusaders and Vikings have been playing this preseason game for the past 4 years, with the team splitting those games. Last year, the Vikings came out on top despite the fact that some expected Judge to make it to the PCL championship game, which they did. The line on the Crusaders this year is that they will have a rebuilding year, especially losing most of their line to graduation. But, it looks like Judge is in reload mode and are picking up where they left off last year. The PCL AAAA division looks to be real competitive this year.
Our Pick: Judge 42 - Northeast 6

St Joseph Prep at St Peter Prep (Rutgers University)
In week 1, St Joe played one of the premiere teams in western PA. This week, they travel to Rutgers, NJ to play one of the premiere teams in N. Jersey. This will be St Peter's first game of the year, and they will definitely have their hands full with a St Joe team that has just as good of a chance to be state champs in PA as St Peter's does in NJ. This should be the second of 3 straight powerhouse games for St Joe's.
Our Pick: St Joseph Prep 21 - St Peter's Prep 17

Cardinal Dougherty at Springfield (Montco)
The Cardinals are coming off their first win in 17 tries (not counting the forfeit win against Frankford a couple of seasons ago). Springfield has also seen limited success over the past several seasons. This game is not being added because it will decide the outcome of anything, but rather because it's between two teams who have pretty much seen the same amount of disappointment over the past several years. Both teams are about the same level of talent, so we do expect a decent game.
Our Pick: Cardinal Dougherty 13 - Springfield 6

DISTRICT 12 TOP 10

1. LaSalle (1-0) - The Explorers are picking up where they left off in 2008, as a dominate team in SE PA. They are motivated this year due to their disappointing loss in the District 12 Championship Game, so expect them to vent their frustration out on anyone they play.
Last Week: Beat Plymouth-Whitemarsh 56-0
This Week: Malvern Prep (P-W)

2. St Joseph Prep (1-0) - The Prep, after beating Western PA powerhouse, McKeesport, looks to be back in top form. Don't be surprised to see Prep and LaSalle playing for the PCL title this year.
Last Week: Beat McKeesport 27-26
This Week: At St Peter's Prep (Rutgers)

3. West Catholic (1-0) - The Burrs may not have the talent they had in 2008, but they certainly have enough talent to make another run at the AA level.
Last Week: Beat Roman Catholic 22-18
This Week: Penn Charter

4. Cardinal O'Hara (1-0) - The Lions no longer seek out top teams in PA,OH and NJ to fill their preseason schedule, so it's sometimes hard to gauge how well they are playing. But, after soundly beating a pretty good AAA team in Wood in Week 1, we'll give them the benefit of the doubt for now. Loaded with talent, so our expectations are high for 2009.
Last Week: Beat Archbishop Wood 35-14
This Week: At Germantown

5. Father Judge (1-0) - The Crusaders have a couple of things to prove in 2009. First, that the 2008 run for the championship (lost to LaSalle in Final) was no fluke. Second, they will put a quality team on the field despite losing alot of key players to graduation. Look for the Crusaders to make another run at the title in 2009.
Last Week: Beat Council Rock North 35-21
This Week: At Northeast

6. Frankford (0-1) - The Pioneers lost a close one in week 1 to Hatboro-Horsham. But, despite that loss, we feel Frankford will be right there at the end of the year in the Philly Pub. We were a little concerned that the Pioneers couldn't put any points on the board against the Hatters.
Last Week: Lost to Hatboro-Horsham 7-0
This Week: At Pennsbury

7. George Washington (0-1) - The Eagles lost to a very good Parkland team, but the thing that surprised us was the fact that Washington was shut out. No matter who they play, the Eagles can usually put points on the board. There is no reason why Frankford is #6 and Washington is #7, as opposed to vice versa, other than someone had to be higher. We'll see what happens when these two teams get going during the season.

8. Roman Catholic (0-1) - Hanging with a very good #3 West Catholic squad in week 1 earn the Cahillites a little respect from the entire staff here. It was good enough to earn them a spot in our top 10. Now, it'll be up to Roman to prove that they deserve to be here.
Last Week: Lost to West Catholic 22-18
This Week: St Augustine (NJ)

9. Archbishop Wood (0-1) - The Vikings lost pretty convincingly to a #4, Cardinal O'Hara, last week. But, the expectation is that Wood will make another run at the AAA title in 2009, with seemingly only North Catholic in their way. We'll see how they fare against CHA this week.
Last Week: Lost to Cardinal O'Hara 35-14
This Week: Chestnut Hill Academy

10. Northeast (0-1) - We all know that Northeast is usually one of the top 3 or 4 teams in the Philly Pub. When they take on Judge this week at home, we'll see if they will remain one of our top 10 teams. The Vikings have to prove that despite losses to graduation, they can still field a quality team. Their game this week will answer a lot of questions for both teams.
Last Week: Lost to Norristown 32-24
This Week: Father Judge

Under Consideration: Bok (1-0), Bonner (1-0), Northeast Catholic (0-1)

AAAA Top 5

1. LaSalle - (1-0)
2. St Joe Prep - (1-0)
3. O'Hara (1-0)
4. Judge (1-0)
5. Frankford (0-1)

AAA Top 5
1. Wood (0-1)
2. North Catholic (0-1)
3. Roxborough (1-0)
4. Conwell-Egan (0-1)
5. Lansdale Catholic (0-1)

AA Top 5
1. West Catholic (1-0)
2. Bok (1-0)
3. McDevitt (1-0)
4. Franklin (1-0)
5. Carroll (0-1)