Wide open race to post season

Written by: Joe Stokes on Tuesday, October 11th, 2011. Follow Joe Stokes on Twitter.

The upsets of the old reliable high school football programs continued in week six of District One AAAA season. Very few predicted that it would be Abington, West Chester Henderson, Plymouth Whitemarsh, Council Rock South and Garnet Valley in the lead of the playoff race at this point in the season. Old guard squads Ridley, North Penn, Neshaminy and Souderton are in a strange place as they fight for the lower seeds in this upside down season.

The surprises are also found at the AAA level with Springfield (DELCO), Phoenixville, Marple Newtown and Academy Park rounding out the leader board, while old reliables Strath Haven and Interboro are on the edge of elimination.

The weather was perfect for football last weekend as teams began their final push for a successful regular season. The sixth week of the season was a moderately successful one for this humble prognosticator. This writer’s record was 3-2 as Academy Park, Strath Haven and Malvern Prep won as predicted while Ridley fell to Garnet Valley 21-19 and Downingtown West took on the chin from West Chester Henderson to account for the two setbacks.

The last five years, this future teller has a 231-92 prognostication record while going 17-13 for this season.

As we look toward week seven a Suburban One National contest jumps out as a key game to cover. The Council Rock South Golden Hawks will host the Neshaminy Indians in a game that has both league and playoff ramifications. The Golden Hawks are having a dream season and a win over Neshaminy would be a real feather in their cap. Council Rock South will rely on running backs Ryan Whiteley and Christian Crane to anchor their high powered offense. The Indians will counter with a tight defense and their own running attack led by Corey Majors and Sean Ulmer. However this is the year for the new guard and the home team wins this hard fought match.

Council Rock South 28 Neshaminy 20

The next big game to watch is an old time Central League rivalry featuring two teams that badly need a victory to keep their playoff hopes alive. The Strath Haven Panthers travel down the corner to Ridley. It is unusual to see these teams meet without a league championship on the line. However this year finds both schools with two in the loss column and little chance of league glory. This won’t mean the game won’t be fought out to the last moment as neighborhood bragging rights are big. Jalen Randolph has injury issues but count on him to lead the way to a close win over the Panthers.

Ridley 23 Strath Haven 14

The rest of this week’s fearless forecast:

Interboro 31 Chester 19

Monsignor Bonner 35 Cardinal O’Hara 21

Glen Mills 34 Academy Park 28

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