Playoff upsets rock the boat

Written by: Joe Stokes on Wednesday, November 18th, 2009. Follow Joe Stokes on Twitter.

The opening round of the District One playoffs featured rain, wind and several surprising upsets of high seed squads. The number two, three and six seeds at the AAAA level all fell in the first week of playoff action. However the top four seeds at AAA level all held service and will advance to the second round. 

The second week of playoff action will not face weather problems and fan attendance is sure to rebound this Friday and Saturday night. 

Last week the predictions went well with a 4-1 call. The Penncrest three point win over third seed Garnet Valley spoiled what could have been a perfect week while Interboro, Ridley, Avon Grove and Neshaminy all followed the script and won as predicted. 

The last three years this future teller has a 145-50 prognostication record and with a 2009 first eleven week record at 43-12 it is hoped we can keep up the pace with playoff call. 

Once the playoffs begin predicting the outcome is always tough and this year will be no exception.  

What may well be the closest contest this round features fourteenth seed Penncrest traveling to eleventh seed Downingtown East on Saturday night. These two teams fought through wet and windy conditions to upend higher ranked Garnet Valley and Norristown. The Penncrest Lions (8-3) may have lost three regular season games but these set backs were single digit losses to eventual playoff teams Downingtown West, Ridley and Garnet Valley. The Lions offense led by QB Matt Atkinson, running back Jerry Boyer and receiver Phil Barbieri can score from anywhere on the field. Downingtown East’s coach Mike Matta will probably rely on running back Drew Harris for ball control and hope his defense can some how slow the fast paced Penncrest offense. On a dry field this won’t happen.  

Prediction:    Penncrest  41  Downingtown East  34 

Another intriguing contest has upstart Unionville facing the Ridley Green Raiders in Ridley on Friday evening. Ridley swept to a 40-15 win over Council Rock South and Unionville pulled the upset of the week by shocking number two seed Pennsbury 12-7. The victory secured a spot in Ed Thomas’ SE Pa Top Ten http://www.havenfootball.net/ and all expenses paid trip Phil Marion Field. The Indians (8-3) are another team that is clearly better than their three losses would indicate. QB Conner Gades was able to squeeze out twelve points while the Unionville defense held Pennsbury to just one early TD. However Ridley is red hot and home for the second round and it will be tough to stop QB Colin Masterson, running backs Jalen Randolph and receiver Dion Shaw from lighting up the scoreboard. 

Prediction:    Ridley  34  Unionville  16 

The rest of the fearless forecast: 

Prediction:      North Penn  38  Neshaminy  21 

Prediction:      Downingtown West  35  Avon Grove  20 

Prediction:      Interboro  28  Owen J Roberts  26     

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