By Joe Stokes

 This week the nation elected a new President and looks forward to a fresh start. Much like the nation the teams that qualified for this year’s playoff get the benefit of a new start.

 The 2008 high school season has reached week eleven but for the playoff squads it is week one. The post season begins with the Ridley Green Raiders defending last years District One AAAA Championship but with an eleventh seed that will be very difficult to achieve. Meanwhile the North Penn Knights must be considered the team to beat with an undefeated season and the number one seed to start this second season. 

 The top ranked teams on Ed Thomas’ Southeastern Pa Top Ten faced some tough competition last week. Except for number two ranked Malvern they all have survived to make a 2008 playoff run. 

Over the last two seasons a little bit of observation and a lot of luck have allowed this writer a prediction record of 105-36. This season is has been a little tough but a 35-15 prediction record going into the eleventh week is fine given how competitive these teams have become this season. 

Last weekend North Penn, Garnet Valley, St. Joe Prep and Neshaminy all won as predicted while the Penncrest Lions lost a high scoring affair to Central League rival Conestoga 56-40. 

The PIAA District One playoffs open with the best contests of this great football season yet to come. Garnet Valley celebrated their first year in the Central League by defeating 2007 champion Ridley 41-28. They open the second season with their first shot at the AAAA level. It will be hard to duplicate last years AAA run to the final in Hershey. However with the two seed they will follow the running attack duo of Tim Keyser and Jared Bonacquisti to a first round victory. 

Prediction:    Garnet Valley  27  Pennridge 12 

The Glen Mills Bulls will ride the Bernard Pierce express to a hard fought opening round win over Abington. 

Prediction:   Glen Mills  28  Abington 10 

Although the Pennsbury Falcons lost their shot at Suburban One National Championship last Friday, they should have better results in their post season opener with Penncrest. They key to victory will be to slow down the Lions tailback Jerry Boyer. Count on the Falcons defense to pull this off 

Prediction:    Pennsbury  31  Penncrest  14 

Here is the rest of the fearless forecast: 

Prediction:    Bayard Rustin  35  Strath Haven  21 

Prediction:    Interboro  27  Pottsgrove  24