Are you ready for some football?
Welcome to the official forum on high school football for the 2018 season.
During the off-season let’s talk about players, recruiting news, teams and everything about high school football.
During the season each week let’s talk about match-ups and how teams did. Let us know what player(s) stood out each week.
881 Responses
@ Uncle T – completely agree with your assessment, the only team in the “east” that has a chance to keep Coatesville from Hershey is GV. Barring some unforeseen circumstances it appears we’re headed for Coatesville-SJP round 2, but this time for the state title. I think SJP has too much for Pine Richland this year and will beat them in the “west finals”, expect PR to beat NA for the WPIAL title and then beat SC in the quarterfinals, just like last year.
Starting to smell like a C’Ville/Harrisburg week #1 re-match for the D1/D3 6A state semi final. That stinks IMO, nothing against those two teams, I just hate post season re-matches of regular season contests. At least these two games would be as far apart on the football calendar as you could get. Pretty sure if this game does come to fruition, this will be a much more competitive Harrisburg team and game overall. Speaking of, anyone know who (district) will host this game (regardless of the D1 and D3 reps), D1 or D3?? Guessing if D3 the game will be at Hershey, D1 maybe, hopefully at D-Town (if not DTE playing, already ruled out DTW).
uncle T, that’s about right. NP should win 1st playoff game, then it’s over
@ Bleed Red & Black, Chief, et al…
I’ll say this: Coatesville is obviously the team to beat in District 1- they are more talented on offense than any team in the state (including SJP). But they have gotten some very, very weak competition so far. D-West looked thoroughly psyched out with their game plan, and the Whippets defense was boneheaded with some of the things they did (jumping offside on a 4th and 5 with Coatesville’s punting team on and no hard count?). I don’t want to take anything away from the Ville since they can play with anyone, but some of the things I’ve seen in their opponents are simply not what they are going to see in the later rounds of the playoffs.
In my opinion, North Penn is overrated. They have gone down big in games against some above average SOL competition, and teams like Coatesville and Garnet Valley will simply run them off the field if that situation occurs in D1. But NP’s remaining schedule means they will almost assuredly win out and be the 1 seed, which is tough for you guys because GV is the only team I think can give ‘Ville a serious challenge in the new “eastern” side of the bracket. The GV defense is big, athletic, very well-coached, and deep, and that time-consuming running attack is kryptonite to a team with Coatesville’s overwhelming offense. If they both win out, it will be a district semi’s matchup. They are even in playoff points now and have just about identical remaining points available, so home field would come down to how the teams on their schedules do. That’s the D1 final in my eyes, and GV is the only team in the way of Coatesville being in the state finals.
Harrisburg defeats State College 32-17.
@Jeff H
Sure Dtown has a chance if they can get off to a quick start which is something they haven’t done the last 2 games. The didn’t score until early in the 2nd quarter last week against Avon Grove and were clinging to a 21-14 lead in the 3rd the week before to a not so good 1-5 Great Valley team.
Obviously, this will be the best offense DTW has seen all year, and if they start off slow it might be similar to last year’s 42-7 score. Howard has made remarks that he has had this game circled on the calendar and wants to prove what he is capable of doing. He isn’t very athletic so if the Coatesville front of Kirk, Holmes, Limper and LB Thompson can get in his face he will get uncomfortable. Howard is athletic but he isn’t really a threat to run the ball. They need to get a balance going early with RB Lewis so all the pressure isn’t solely on Howard’s arm.
For Coatesville, they just need to keep doing what they have been doing all year with the addition of one thing. Aaron Young needs to get 2X as many touches as he has been getting all year. Ortega had more rushing attempts last week than AYoung. Being one of the best RB’s in the state I would expect a little more than 11 carries a game. I understand all the games the starters have been out before the start of the 4th quarter but Coach Ortega, Coach Cantafio need to recognize he is the most dangerous weapon on the team and let him get 20 touches. I don’t get if it’s 20 carries or incorporating him into the passing game, which is something we haven’t seen all year. I think 20 touches is possible, but Ricky calls his own number a little too many times in the read option. I expect a high scoring game and a ton of penalties to be called on Coatesville like there always are but Coatesville comes out victorious.
Ricky has yet to lose a Ches-Mont game in 2+ years and I don’t see that changing. It’s the Homecoming game for Coatesville so the players might be a little more amped up. Biggest game of the year in Chester County so far this year so expect a packed house. Although I’m loyal to the Red and Black I kinda wish this game was at Downingtown. Hands down the best place to view a game in district 1 and always a treat when Coatesville and either of the Downingtown schools face off against one another.
Anyone think Dtown West has much of a chance against Coatesville tomorrow night? I think West is a bit overrated and not as good as their record, expect them to score some points but not nearly enough to keep pace, I see the final being something like 49-28.
Another big 6A game tomorrow is State College at Harrisburg, with SC looking to avenge last years thumping. Harrisburg has been on a roll since their season opening loss to Coatesville, but I think SC has too many weapons on offense and wins a close one. Harrisburg appears to be the favorite to win D3, although defending champion Manheim Township might have something to say about that,while SC again seems headed for a quarterfinal match-up against the WPIAL winner, which will either been Pine Richland or North Allegheny, at this point I give the edge to PR.
Has anyone heard anything the SOL possibly starting a small schools division? With the BAL teams enrollments being down and Teams like Springfield-Montco, New Hope and Lower Moreland would leave Bicentennial League and join.
North Penn is getting some good work during this regular season. They have been tested a few times and have won 2 double OT games. Good for preparing for the district playoffs.
@Knight Time
I agree, they do have some weapons. I am also curious as to what Intrieri can add when he’s healthy. The have lacked a tight end which is something they have had dating back to Ralph Reeves. Reeves, Earle, Vasger, Thomas have all been weapons from the tight end position is recent years. Hopefully Beck can get it figured out because I do like the potential of this team. Especially with Robinson’s ability to run. He is their best running threat at QB since Hearns. They have plenty of games to try and develop so here’s to hoping.
@Knight Time
You are spot on with your overall assessment of North Penn. Beck was working on the passing game when they were up by 28 points. North Penn has the receivers to get the job done. Jon Haynes, Shamar Edwards (when they go to multiple receivers), Evan Spann and Kaleem Corbin can make plays but lets hope the qb Solomon Robinson can get in sync. He has a good arm but needs to be more consistent with his accuracy. If he cleans that up the sky is the limit because North Penn would be well balanced with their strong running game already in place.
@Knight Time
NP should definitely run the table and I think that should be enough to give them the 1 seed despite what Coatesville and Garnet Valley do. Same goes for the Downingtowns I believe. That would be extremely important for North Penn. They would still have to beat at least one VERY good team on their way to the final if they are to get there though and that is definitely not a given. They need to continue to develop that passing game. It has shown some flashes but is not consistent enough. You can tell Beck is trying to work on it though. When Pennridge started coming back they went back to pounding the ball, which they do very well, but it will take more than that.
@Mgguy – because I don’t think there’s a 6A team in D3 that’s going to beat Coatesville, that’s why. I realize there are multiple state champions from D3, but not many at the highest classification, if memory serves me correctly CV in 1992 and CD in 2011 are the only teams from D3 to win at the highest classification, and I just don’t see it happening this year, that’s all.
I know the North Penn faithful will disagree, but I don’t like their chances in a game against Coatesville, even at home, we’ll see, that’s why they play the games.
@Friday Night Lights
Book it now. North Penn runs the table during the regular season and will get #1 seed.
Wilson West Lawn had Manheim Central on the ropes until the beginning of the 4th quarter when the Bulldogs fell apart terribly. Their QB was somewhat comfortable in first half but exploded in the second half. He appears only to focus on one receiver and then when pressure comes he gets rattled and that’s when miscues happen and they are costly turnovers into the opposing team to score. It happened in the first game and now the fourth game. Wilson needs to reevaluate their QB issue NOW……………. People tell me that they have a sophomore QB that has good potential. Maybe it’s time for a change. They have at least 3 tough games ahead with Manheim Township (Away), Warwick (Away) and Hempfield home sort of. This game is being played at the Reading Phils baseball complex. A change may well be what this team needs for the future.
So why do you assume that D3 is “bye” and D1 wins. Multiple D3 State Champions.
@ Uncle T – I tried to post earlier in the day but guess the moderator didn’t like the verbiage I used, so I’ll try again. District 11 got the short end of the stick with the bracket realignment, they still have to play SJP in the quarterfinals, and the winner of that game will take on the WPIAL winner, which will either be PR or North Allegheny. That’s assuming the WPIAL winner beats State College in the quarterfinals, which is no sure thing as SC is very good this year and expect their game against the WPIAL winner to be very competitive. So, for the D11 winner to get to Hershey they would have to beat SJP in the quarterfinals and then likely the WPIAL winner in the semi-finals.
The District 1 winner will play the District 3 winner in the eastern semi-final, as both districts enter the state playoffs in the semi-final round. At this point the DI winner will definitely be favored to get to Hershey, especially if it’s Coatesville.
As I stated before I have no inside information on how the PIAA operates, but the rumors I’ve heard were DI and especially D3 lobbied the PIAA to change the bracket and flip the D12/D11 winner to the west and the D3 winner to the east, makes no sense geographically but that’s how the PIAA operates.
@Uncle T
Quakertown is not in the same conference as North Penn. They’re in the conference with all the teams you listed on their schedule.
@ Uncle T North Penn and Quakertown aren’t in the same conference for Football. All other sports they are (since those are based solely on geography).
@Uncle T – District 11 got screwed, they still play SJP in the quarterfinals, the winner of that will take on the WPIAL winner in the semi-final, assuming they beat State College in the quarterfinal, which is no sure thing because SC is very good this year. So, in order to just make it to Hershey the D11 winner would have to beat SJP in the quarterfinals and then the SC-WPIAL winner in the semi-finals. The D1 winner will play the D3 winner in the other semi-final, and right now the D1 winner would be the favorite in that game, especially if it’s Coatesville.
Like I stated previously I have no inside information but sure seems from the outside the PIAA was getting pressure from D1 and particularly D3 to flip D12 to the western side of the bracket and D3 to the eastern side, of course it makes absolutely no sense geographically but that’s PIAA logic for you.
@Uncle T
My understanding is that non-PIAA schools classifications are set using the PIAA standards, so Middletown South should be classified as a 6A school due to their enrollment. The NJSIAA has them as a Group IV classification (Group V is the highest) in the state with an enrollment of 1,096.
As I mentioned in a previous post they only play 8 games during the designated PIAA 10 week season so Coatesville will likely be impacted by that in regards to bonus points, unless run the table and go 7-1.
Ok, I’ll bite…
I will preface this by saying I am a North Penn fan through and through. Coatesville can be beat. I will say it again, Coatesville can be beat. Now, that being said, I must be honest when I say they are the definitive favorite in D1 and for a team to beat them in districts it will take a monumental effort with just about everything going right. I also think it will take a team that can play a physical style ball and control the clock to beat them. North Penn and Garnet Valley come to mind. One thing North Penn has been able to do this year is run the ball. If North Penn can go on long, clock consuming drives and limit the number of possessions Coatesville has then maybe they can keep it manageable with a shot to win in the end. North Penn does have somewhat of a three headed monster in the run game With a dangerous QB when he runs, a very good back in Shamar Edwards, and a tough running fullback in Julian White. NP is starting 5 new O linemen this year so it is reasonable to think they will continue to improve. Getting the 1 or 2 seed in Districts would also be important. I would much rather play Cville at Crawford Stadium on the grass if we are able to earn our way there. In the end, Coatesville is extremely talented and I for one recognize that talent. I would love to see NP get a shot at them but at the same time I would certainly be worried. Coatesville deserve a lot of respect.
Uncle T
Quakertown is in the American Conference of the Suburban One League. The teams you listed ARE their conference.
You D2 guys still out there?? Two big games this week, Scranton Prep @ Valley View and Berwick/WVW. Is this the week someone is finally going to score on Prep?? Thoughts/predictions??
Uncle T, Q-Town is not in the same conference as North Penn. They are in with UDub, P-W, Wiss, UMoreland, H-H, and Cheltenham. You would think geographically they would be in with the likes of NP, Pennridge, the Central Buckes (mmm, spelling??) and Soudy.
Also, and if someone can actually confirm this, I believe, based on the “preliminary” proposed brackets that I saw some time ago for 6A, unfortunately for the the EPC teams, they (D11) still get D12 in state quarters. Then the D11/12 winner gets the winner of the D7/D2-6-8-10 (did I miss anyone??) in the semis. D1/D3 meet in the other semi. 5A is laid out in similar fashion, now D1 gets D3 in the semis (hey no more Wood in the semis for D1!!!) and D7 meets (I’ll just say the rest of 5A) in the other semi final. 4A appears to be the same as the last 2 years, which is looking like it is going to be a lot of deja vu all over again……