The Playoff March Continues                             

 

November 14, 2007

 

By Joe Stokes

 

The first games of the second season opened last weekend and as can be expected a few surprises were mixed in with the expected outcomes. Central Bucks South the top seed in District One AAAA tournament followed star running back Eric Reynolds 260 yards and two touchdowns to defeat Haverford 34-7. However Garnet Valley pounded slight favorite Strath Haven at the AAA level for a 42-6 victory and an all expenses paid trip to take on powerful Unionville in the second round.

 

West Chester Henderson escaped a spirited challenge from Conestoga when John O’Donnell found pay dirt in the last minute of the contest with a two point conversion accounting for the 21-20 squeaker. 

 

Malvern Prep remained number one in Ed Thomas’ Southeastern Pa Top Twenty after defeating undefeated Chestnut Hill Academy 26-18. St Joe Prep, CB South, Ridley and Neshaminy round out Ed’s top five this week.

 

This writer comes off a 50-17 prediction record for 2006 and so far in 2007 has a 38-12 record in the last ten weeks of prognostications. Last weeks results found WC Henderson. Ridley and North Penn winning as predicted with Souderton and Strath Haven falling out of the playoff hunt with unexpected losses.

 

The playoffs move to the second round this weekend and it will be hard not only to predict the outcome but to decide which games to attend. Once again West Chester Henderson has got to be watched throughout the post season. They face Ches-Mont League rival Downingtown East. The regular season contest resulted in a 20-0 win by Henderson. The score will be different but Henderson will continue their playoff run.

 

Prediction:    West Chester Henderson  31  Downingtown East  17    

 

Another great game to watch is a second round face-off between two Delaware County teams. This game features a battle of great running backs. Andrew Hodges rushed for 200 yards last week for the Green Raiders against Interboro, while Bernard Pierce pounded out 159 yards for the Bulls in its win over Perkiomen Valley. The Ridley defense will be the key to victory in this exciting contest

 

Prediction:    Ridley  27  Glen Mills  21

 

The District One AAA playoff will be just as entertaining this year.. Garnet Valley will travel to Unionville in the second round. Quarterback Matt Carroll was injured for the regular season game between these two clubs. He is back and ready to go. Unionville will find a way to another win over Garnet Valley this year.

Prediction:    Unionville  28  Garnet Valley 13

 

Here is the rest of my fearless forecast:

 

Prediction:    Central Bucks South 38  Downingtown West  21

 

Prediction:    St Joseph Prep  23  Cardinal O’Hara  20