District 12 Playoffs - Part II

District 12 Playoffs – Part II

Ok, we’re in the thick of the playoffs now. At the AAAA and AAA levels, the universe is peaceful, with teams winning and moving on, and losing teams packing it in for the year. But, the A and AA divisions is like a second chance bonanza. Teams lose and move deeper into the playoffs, while other teams have to beat the same team more than once in the same playoffs. We’ll explain the easy brackets first before moving on to the more complicated and dumb bracketing of the A and AA divisions.

AAAA

In the Philly Pub, it’s all down to two teams now. With Northeast’s thumping of Frankford in the Pub Semi-finals (21-9), the Vikings will now take on Washington for a re-match of last years exciting Public League final. Last season, the Eagles of Washington needed three overtime periods to finally dispatch the Vikings, 41-34. In their regular season meeting this year, Washington bested Northeast 14-12, in a very good game in week 5. This championship game is expected to be a real humdinger.

The PCL AAAA playoffs are just beginning this week, with two semi-final game scheduled. In the first, St Joseph Prep, the AAAA division winner, will meet Roman Catholic, who made the playoffs to the surprise of many around the league. These two teams played last week, with Prep easily winner 34-0. Don’t expect much different next week. In the other AAAA semi-final, LaSalle and O’Hara, who played last week, will once again play in this first round playoff game. LaSalle rested their All-Catholic running back, Jamal Abdur-Rahman, for the playoffs, but were still able to get past the Lions by a score of 24-14. With Abdur-Rahman in the lineup, this could get uglier for the Lions in the playoffs.

AAA

This is the only bracket where the PCL and PPL are on the same schedule. In the Pub, Dobbins beat Mastbaum 20-12, and Gratz upset Roxborough 12-6. Dobbins beat Gratz in the regular season, 28-16, but don’t expect Gratz to roll over for this one. The winner of this public league final will meet the PCL champ in week 12 for the District championship.

The PCL had two classic games in their semi-finals. Archbishop Wood, who beat Lansdale Catholic in the regular season, 31-8, had to come from behind with a 4th quarter touchdown to beat the Crusaders, 22-19. In the other semi-final, Conwell-Egan jumped out to a 17-0 half time lead, and seemed to have Northeast Catholic on the ropes. But, a defensive touchdown and some fourth quarter heroics by the Falcons, led to Northeast Catholic pulling out a 20-17 win. Wood and Northeast Catholic will meet to decide the PCL AAA champion. In week 9, Wood beat North 24-7 in a mistake filled game for the Falcons. Despite that, expect this game to be a classic championship match up.

AA

Here’s where things start to get a little muddled. In the Pub, Bok wrapped up the Public League championship in week 9, with a 32-8 win over IMHOTEP. While Bok enjoyed a week off, West Catholic was dispatching Bishop McDevitt in the PCL AA championship game, by a score of 35-7. This was the second time in two weeks that West beat McDevitt. In week 8, West beat McDevitt by a score of 28-12 in their final regular season game of the year. But, it doesn’t stop here. Because of the wacky PIAA playoff system, West will play McDevitt for the third time in 4 weeks, as the two teams will meet for one of the two district 1/12 sub-regional playoff games. Bok will play District 1 champ, Lower Moreland, in the other semi-final. The winner of these two games will meet in the District 1/12 sub-regional championship game. Expect to see West and Bok play in this game.

A

The PCL doesn’t have any A teams, so the Pub will send two teams to the state playoffs. It’s expected that Del-Val, who beat School of the Future in week 9, by a score of 34-20. This was the second meeting of these teams. They met in the regular season, with Del-Val prevailing by a score of 50-0, in week 6. The wacky part of this playoff is that if Del-Val and Future can both win this week, they will play each other again in week 12.

Commentary

I might be a little old-fashioned, but I’m still of the belief that when a team loses in a playoff game, they are done for the year. After all, isn’t that the definition of playoff? In week 11, you’ll see two teams (Bishop McDevitt and School of the Future) who have lost playoff games, still alive and well, and still competing for a state championship. The good folks at the PIAA really need to re-evaluate this system and change it so we don’t see losing teams pop up in later rounds. It’s not only wrong, but it makes a joke out of the playoff system. But, like I said, I just may be a little old-fashioned.

Games to Watch - Week 10

Recap of Week 9

There weren't any "wow" results in week 9, but we're hoping for some exciting games in week 10. The Pick 'em panel was a perfect 4-0 in week 9, bringing the season total to 27-9. This week, we'll be picking all of the playoff games in District 12. The further we get into the playoff season, the tougher these picks will be. But, we'll give it out best shot.

Playoff Games - Week 10

Philly Pub AAAA

Frankford at Northeast, Saturday, 3:00PM (10th & Bigler)

This should be the most exciting playoff game in District 12 this weekend. These teams went to OT during the season, and this game should be no different.

Our Pick: Frankford 28 - Northeast 20

Bartram at Washington, Saturday, 6:00PM (10th & Bigler)

Washington should, once again, roll into the championship after this game.

Our Pick: Washington 35 - Bartram 6

Philly Pub AAA

Mastbaum at Dobbins, Saturday, 3:00PM (Gratz)

Our Pick: Dobbins 20 - Mastbaum 6

Gratz at Roxborough, Saturday, 6:00PM (Gratz)

Our Pick: Roxborough 20 - Gratz 12

PCL AAA

Lansdale Catholic at Archbishop Wood, Saturday, 7:00PM (Truman)

Should be an easy one for the Vikings, as they earn yet another championship bid.

Our Pick: Wood 35 - Lansdale Catholic 6

Conwell-Egan at Northeast Catholic, Saturday, 7:00PM (Plymouth-Whitemarsh)

This is one of the 2 or 3 good match ups for this weekend. These two played the full 4 quarters a couple of weeks ago, with the Falcons holding on to a 19-15 win.

Our Pick: Northeast Catholic 21 - Conwell-Egan 12

PCL AA

Bishop McDevitt at West Catholic, Saturday, 7:00PM (Northeast)

One of the more lopsided PCL championship games. We don't think McDevitt has a shot here.

Our Pick: West Catholic 35 - Bishop McDevitt 6

Next week, the PCL AAAA playoffs begin, the AAA teams will be in their league championships and the AA teams will be playing for the District crown and state playoffs. It should be interesting.

District 12 Playoffs - Part I

District 12 Playoffs

Commentary

In the AAAA bracket, all is well in the universe. The top four teams in the Philly Pub are in the semi-finals. The surprise team in the mix is Bartram. You see, the Pub has several tiers of ability, with Washington, Frankford and Northeast generally at the top of the food chain. In the second tier, you have teams like Bartram, Overbrook, Central, Germantown, and sometimes a surprise team, all depending on the year. The third tier is pretty much everybody else. This year, the top teams are indeed playing in the playoffs. The winner of this playoff will meet the PCL champ. The PCL teams are all set for the playoffs, with only the order of finish to be determined. Prep has a lock on first place, by virtue of their wins over both O'Hara and LaSalle. Roman has a lock on fourth place. The second place slot, like it matters, will be determined by the outcome of the LaSalle/O'Hara game. These two teams will play each other again a week later, so this game only decides which of the two teams will be considered the home team in that semi-final game.

The AAA bracket is just getting started, with semi-finals in both leagues this week, finals next week, followed by the District championship in week 12. The District champ will get a week off or play a non-league Thanksgiving Day game during week 13, and then move on to the state quarter-finals.

At the AA level, Bok has won the Pub championship, and will wait for the winner of West Catholic and Bishop McDevitt. But, the loser of the West Catholic/McDevitt game will still have life, as they will most likely move on to play the top District 1 team and could conceivably play the District 12 champion in week 13. It's strange, but it's also a very likely scenario.

The A bracket, which only exists in the Pub in District 12, has two teams finished and waiting for the state playoffs. Del-Val, the champ, and School of the Future, both qualify for the District 1/12 playoff bracket. If both teams win, it would set up a re-match of the District 12 championship in week 12. This is stranger than the AA level, but not as likely a scenario.

AAAA

Pub - Semi-finals (Double Header at Southern. Saturday Oct 7)

(3) Bartram at (2) Washington - 6:00PM

(4) Frankford at (1) Northeast - 3:00PM

PCL

Next Week

AAA

Pub - Semi-Finals (Double Header at Northeast. Saturday, Oct 7)

(4) Mastbaum at (1) Dobbins - 3:00PM

(3) Gratz at (2) Roxborough - 6:00PM

PCL

(4) Lansdale Catholic at (1) Archbishop Wood, Saturday, 7:00PM (Truman)

(3) Conwell-Egan at (2) Northeast Catholic, Saturday, 7:00PM (Plymouth-Whitemarsh)

AA

Pub

Pub Champ, Bok, is idle, and will play winner of West Catholic/Bishop McDevitt for District 12 Championship

PCL - Final (Northeast HS. Saturday, Oct 7)

(2) Bishop McDevitt at (1) West Catholic 7:00PM

A

(1) Del-Val and (2) School of the Future idle until state playoffs in week 11.

District 12 Rankings - Week 10

District 12 - Top Ten

1. St Joseph Prep (7-1, 5-0) (1) Last Week: Beat Bonner 38-0 - Prep has secured the top spot in the PCL AAAA division and will play Roman in the semi-finals.

2. LaSalle (7-1, 4-1) (2). Last Week: Beat Roman 45-7 - It's simple for the Explorers. Beat O'Hara, secure 2nd place. But, we're not too sure O'Hara is going to make it that easy. Like Prep/Roman, LaSalle and O'Hara will likely play each other two weeks in a row. Should be exciting.

3. Cardinal O'Hara (8-1, 4-1) (3). Last Week: Beat Judge 49-10 - O'hara is a team that definitely deserves to be in the top 3 teams. With an 8-1 record and their only loss being a 7 point come from behind loss to Prep, O'Hara gets a chance to make a statement against LaSalle. Actually, they will have two chances to prove themselves, as LaSalle is their likely opponent in the PCL semi-finals.

4. Archbishop Wood (7-2, 4-0) (4) Last Week: Beat North Catholic 24-7 - The Vikings once again secured first place in the AAA division. They will now play Lansdale Catholic in the semi-finals. Wood beat LC 31-8 in week 8, so we don't expect much different this week.

5. West Catholic (7-2, 4-0) (5). Last Week: Beat Dougerty 44-0 (PCL Semi-Final) - The Burrs will make yet another run at a state title, with a rematch game with McDevitt in this week's PCL AA Championship game. West beat McDevitt 28-12 in week 8, but this could be a closer game if the Lancers play up to their potential.

6. Washington (6-2, 3-1) (6). Last Week: Beat Southern 42-0 (Pub Quarter-Finals) - The Eagles have shaken off the mid-season loss to Northeast by winning three straight by a combined score of 106 - 6. This team seems to be on a mission, so I wouldn't want to be Bartram, who is this week's victim of the Eagles. Washington beat Bartram 36-0 in week 7.

7. Bok (9-0, 4-0) (8) - Last Week: Beat IMHOTEP 32-8 (Pub Championship)- Bok is doing what Bok does best this time of year. They are running through their public league opponents. Bok beat IMHOTEP to win the Public League championship, but they will have the week off as they prepare for the PCL champion in week 11. They'll need the week off, as their opponent will most likely be West Catholic. Get the rest while you can.

8. Frankford - (4-5, 2-2) (9) - Last Week: Beat Germantown 35-14 (Pub Quarter-Finals) - The Pioneers secured a spot in the Pub semi-finals with a big win over Germantown. This sets up what is likely going to the be the best of the playoff games this week, when Frankford plays Northeast for the right to play in the Pub Championship. In week 8, the Pioneers got by Northeast 40-34, in Overtime. Don't expect this game to be any different. Frankford always seems to find a way to make it to the title game.

9. Northeast (5-3, 3-1) (10) - Last Week: Beat MLK 19-0. - The Vikings, Red Division champ, seem to be sliding, while Frankford seems to be on the upswing. With a loss to Frankford in week 8 and a not so impressive win over MLK, the Vikings will need to dig deep to win this week's semi-final against Frankford.

10. Bartram (7-2, 2-2) (NR) - Last Week: Beat Central 21-7 (Pub Quarter-Final) - The Maroon Wave is on a roll. After losing to Washington in week 7, they have beaten Overbrook and Central the past two weeks. But, now they must get past Washington, whom they lost to 36-0 that week 7 game. It's a tall order, and one we don't hold out much hope for this week.

Under Consideration: Bonner, McDevitt, North Catholic, Roman

AAAA - Top 5

1. St Joseph Prep (7-1)

2. LaSalle (7-1)

3. Cardinal O'Hara (8-1)

4. Washington (6-2)

5. Frankford (4-5)

AAA - Top 5

1. Archbishop Wood (7-2)

2. Northeast Catholic (4-4)

3. Conwell-Egan (5-4)

3. Dobbins (6-2)

4. Conwell-Egan (4-4)

5. Gratz (5-4)

AA - Top 5

1. West Catholic (7-2)

2. Bok (9-0)

3. Bishop McDevitt (7-2)

4. Cardinal Dougherty (4-5)

5. Archbishop Carroll (3-5)