The faint smell of chocolate
Written by: Joe Stokes on Wednesday, November 28th, 2012. Follow Joe Stokes on Twitter.
The turkey is gone even the leftovers and the teams left in the playoff hunt can now smell the dessert. The road to Chocolate Town and the Pa State football title is getting shorter by the week. The dream is now within reach but the level of difficulty increases at each step along the way.
Last week high school football fans were stuffed with both playoff and Thanksgiving Day action. This weekend offers no rest for the few squads that survived that test.
Week thirteen predictions took another hit as this future teller went 2-3. Haverford and Coatesville won as predicted however Pennridge, Spring-Ford and West Chester Henderson dropped hard fought contests that accounted for the three failed predictions. Confusion may arise on that Spring-Ford loss because the pick was for the Rams to win on T-Day but lose the playoff game with Pennridge; of course the reverse occurred and killed the predictions.
The last six years the prognostication record stands at 307-125 while going 40-20 for the 2012 season.
This fourth week of the playoff season offers another great set of games for local fans to check out. Let’s get right on with the predictions
How can anyone explain the rise of the Interboro Bucs to win the AAA District One Title with two straight upset victories. The Bucs used a fourth quarter surge to avenge a regular season loss to De-Val League rival Academy Park for a 22-21 win in round two of the D-1 playoffs. They followed up with another unexpected win by out lasting West Chester Henderson 14-12 last Friday night to capture their first District One Championship. Some would argue that Coach Steve Lennox designs the best game plans each week. Others may argue that the Bucs just don’t give up no matter how bad it looks. In that debate both sides would be correct. If Coach Lennox figured it would take a hardnosed defense and an opportunistic offense to squeak out wins over teams favored to win he would be right on the mark. Of course running backs Austin Quiah and Quran Mottenon followed the lead of the offensive line to keep the clock running while protecting a 2 point half time lead over WC Henderson. The Interboro defense never lost focus and they stopped a last minute Henderson drive to save the night. The Bucs just never give up.
This week they face another uphill challenge when they take on the high powered offense of Archbishop Wood. The Vikings are the defending AAA state champions and are loaded with talent again this season. Wood will depend on running back Andrew Guckin to carry the heaviest load and so far along with his offensive line they have delivered. If anyone can slow down the Wood offense it is the Interboro defense but once again it is tough to see the Bucs pulling this one off.
Archbishop Wood 38 Interboro 27
In the finals of AAAA District One Spring-Ford faces Coatesville at Downingtown West High School on Friday night. The Spring-Ford Rams are another team that few expected to get this far in the playoffs. Their run is likely to end as the Coatesville Red Raider offense has scored 143 points in the last 3 playoff games and just won’t slow down.
Coatesville 41 Spring-Ford 26
In another AAAA showdown District 12 Champion LaSalle will host District 11 Title holder Parkland at Northeast High School on Saturday afternoon. This is the game so many fans have looked forward to seeing this season. Many believe the winner of this contest will be 2012 state champs. LaSalle rides to a hard fought win in this game.
LaSalle 31 Parkland 20
Taking a shot at some big games out west as playoffs progress.
Erie -Cathedral Prep 34 West Allegheny 24
The class A playoff run should not be ignored. The Dunmore Bucks are on a roll
Dunmore 28 Bristol 13
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November 30th, 2012 at 10:53 pm
Coatesville cruises to 59-28 win that wasnt that close. Bring on lasalle!
November 29th, 2012 at 7:44 pm
Rob,
Dunmore would play the winner of the District 3/6 quarterfinal game between Bellwood-Antis (12-1) and Delone Catholic (9-3).
November 29th, 2012 at 7:37 pm
Can anyone tell me who Dunmore would play if they beat Bristol friday ?
November 29th, 2012 at 3:56 pm
I hope Bristol is prepared to be hit and hit hard. Dunmore keeps coming defensively and doesn’t quit. They keep hitting and hitting and hitting. Bristol will get smacked in the mouth. Dunmore doesn’t throw often. I think Dunmores clock control will be the outcome in the game. If Dunmore scores on long drives that eat up a lot of the clock, it will limit the number of times Bristol gets the ball and if Bristol is primarily a run team their drives will eat up time as well. Dunmore put up 35 on SCA, however 4 scores were off short fields or turnovers (28 yd drive after a punt return, 32 yd drive after a kickoff return, 22 yd drive after fumbled kickoff, and a punt block return TD. Dunmore only drove the ball 1 time for a score.
November 29th, 2012 at 11:05 am
Kevin: 11/24/2012 (last Saturday)
Bob: I think you are going to be in the minority on that prediction. But you’ve got spunk!!!
November 29th, 2012 at 9:56 am
@Bob don’t make the mistake that Dunmore is slow.Watched Bristol on utube really dont think they are faster than Dunmore, and I know it hard to tell on tape, but i see a lot of match ups that favor Dunmore.But these are kids so who knows, good luck Friday
November 29th, 2012 at 8:06 am
No one ever expects them to make it past first round maybe? I can’t remember the last time Bristol actually beat district 11 team.
November 28th, 2012 at 11:49 pm
I agree with you, but let me first state that this coaching staff isn’t going anywhere! They say all that stuff in the newspapers about the old coach as a way of letting him drift off into the sunset. If that school lets him come back after seeing this time win more games than it probably ever has than they should just shut the school down. These coaches have this team on a whole new level. Bristol has always had the athletes but never had the leaders. IMO, it seems like these teams are evenly matched. They both are a run first team and they both have pretty demanding backs that could take over the game. Dunmore has the size but seem a little slower. If Bristol uses its speed wisely and the good ol defense comes to play, you might be seeing another upset. My prediction… The Warriors gut the Bucks 28-14. Come back to this post after the final !
November 28th, 2012 at 6:12 pm
Bernie
I think there are several factors regarding Bristol and their fine accomplishments this season. Historically the Warriors are the best 1A program in D1, but there are only five 1A teams in the district. A new coach this year has also apparently worked well, but the interim-permanent status of the coach has not been publicized as to date. In past playoff history the Warriors have struggled at the level they are now facing. Perhaps this is the beginning of a power program for Bristol, but it is not known for sure as yet. This season’s accomplishments stand for themself thats for sure.
November 28th, 2012 at 4:39 pm
Why is no one respecting the things being done outta Bristol?