Games to Watch – Week 1
La Salle at North Penn
This could be a preview of the Eastern bracket final in 2010. Many expected it to be the matchup last December, but Ridley had other plans, and beat NP in the District 1 final. But, the Knights return a lot a top notch players, including Craig Needhammer (great football name), who rushed for over 1,500 yards in 2009. La Salle, who lost a lot of players, including their all star quarterback and top two receivers, will still return quite a few players to the lineup for their 2010 campaign. Leading the way will be all league two way player Jamal Adbur-Rahman. Still, a lot of questions still remain about the Explorer defense and especially their passing game, which they have relied heavily on for the past several years. I have to believe that La Salle will re-load well this year, but somehow we don’t think they will have enough guns to beat North Penn.
Pick: North Penn by 12
St Joseph Prep at Washington
Yes, the Prep team, with a new coach at the helm for the first time in almost 20 years, and with a team depleted by transfers and graduation, still has to come into this game as the favorite. Washington, the defending Philly Pub champ, will bring some big guns into this game, including newly transferred (from Judge) QB, Tony Smith. But, as good as Washington has been over the past several years, we just don’t see them beating Prep in this game.
Pick: Prep by 8
Frankford at Hatboro-Horsham
On the face of this one, you’d think that Frankford is in a re-building year. They lost 5 first team all pub players to graduation. But, Hatboro-Horsham, coached by Frankford grad, Dave Sanderson, has had some problems over the past few years. Word on the street is that kids up in Hatboro would rather make the golf or bowling teams rather than go out for football. But, if past games are any indication of what will happen in this one, expect it to be a close game, with the Pioneers coming out on top.
Pick: Frankford by 2
Roman v West Catholic
This annual beach bowl game has been exciting nearly every year. This will be the 10th year that these two teams have played in Cape May County. The first two were in Lower Cape May, with the next 7 played in Wildwood. West is coming off two seasons where they went very deep into the state playoffs. Roman is still looking to break through the PCL Red division and get back to their 2007 form, when they were PCL Champs. Both teams got a boost from North Catholic and Cardinal Dougherty, with Roman getting more players, but West getting a good QB, RB, WR and lineman. Most believe West is the best AA team in the state, and those same people expect West to walk through this game. But, something tells us a different story. It’s just a feeling, but Roman could be the sleeper team in the PCL this year.
Pick: Roman by 6
The Rest of the District 12 Games
IMHOTEP over Bristol
Future over Comm Tech
Del-Val over Prep Charter
Bok over Southern
Dobbins over Lincoln
Conwell-Egan over Penn Wood
Furness over Neumann-Goretti
Roxborough over Edison
Olney over MLK
Bartram over West Philly
Bensalem over Overbrook
Central over Franklin
Gratz over Fels
Mt Pocono over University City
Emmaus over Germantown
Pottsgrove over Mastbaum
Northeast over Norristown
Frankford over Hatboro-Horsham
Morriville over Boys Latin
Judge over CR North
Wood over Quakertown
Bonner over Upper Darby
Radnor over Carroll
Perkiomen Valley over Lansdale Catholic
O’Hara over Ryan
(Home team in Bold)
