Thursday Night Specials

Written by: Joe Stokes on Tuesday, September 10th, 2013. Follow Joe Stokes on Twitter.

We enter the third week of the high school football season and league play begins for several area teams. Local fans are treated to three days of football with some games being played on Thursday night as many districts observe Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement.

Now that the third week of the 2013 season is upon us, it is time to dive right in with predictions on five of the most competitive contests this week.

Week two predictions went very well with 4 out 5 game winners. Neshaminy, Academy Park, Episcopal Academy and Coatesville all coming through while Ridley fell one point short in overtime to Conestoga to account for one missed call.

The last seven years the prognostication record stands at 321-130 while going 4-1 for this season.

The last several years the Central League Champion often comes down to the Garnet Valley vs. Ridley game and this year may be no different. The Garnet Valley Jaguars enter the Thursday night contest at 2-0 with wins over Unionville and Upper Darby. However Ridley suffered a rare early season loss to Conestoga 22-21 in overtime last Friday. The Jags have always been in the running for top spot in the Central League since joining this group. Since 2005 they have an impressive 72-15 record. The Ridley Green Raiders are the defending title holders in the Central League and they always seem to rise to the occasion when a challenge is on the line. Jag running backs Jake Irving and Mike Bruette carried much of the load in a hard fought 27-20 win over Upper Darby last weekend. Ridley QB Collin Wright lead the way for the Green Raiders and had them leading in overtime only to see Conestoga pull out a one point victory on a two point conversion in overtime. This contest will be a struggle and will most likely come down to a fourth quarter drive. Count on the Garnet Valley run game to come out the winner.

Garnet Valley  31  Ridley 28

In most years the North Penn Knights are the threat for State Championship consideration. The early season showdown with St. Joseph Prep is a barometer for both these teams each season. North Penn is off to a difficult start with losses to LaSalle and Archbishop Wood. The St Joe Hawks are 1-1 but their two opponents are considered national power houses. The Prep defeated Dallas Jesuit, Texas but fell to Don Bosco Prep, New Jersey. The Hawks have too much depth for the Knights this year and will coast to an easy win.

St. Joseph Prep  42  North Penn  16

The rest of the fearless forecast:

Downingtown East  23  Pennsbury  21

West Chester Rustin  28  West Chester East  17

Chichester  27  Delaware County Christian  13

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One Response to “Thursday Night Specials”

1. Daryle Dobos says:
   September 12th, 2013 at 7:56 pm

   Why do you not have your weekly contest as in past years? I see the Panel section but nothing for a contest.