Major Upsets May Doom Playoff Hopes
By Joe Stokes
The ninth week of the 2005 Delaware County High School football season finally provided a cool, crisp and dry weekend for some hot contests.
Unlike week eight several playoff contenders were unable to beat back Central League underdogs. Upper Darby dropped from the 7th to the 9th position in the eight team District One AAAA playoff field. The Royals were unable to stop the Ridley Green Raider passing attack in a 32-17 heart breaker at Ridley.
The Central League Champion Conestoga Pioneers struggled and lost to Haverford on a last second field goal 30-28. This loss dropped the Pioneers from the 1st to the 6th position (AAAA) and they now face a must win this weekend against Marple Newtown to assure a post season game this year.
In AAA action the Interboro Bucs came up short in a second half comeback charge at Salesianum. The 27-21 loss drops the Bucs out of the playoff race. However they can play spoiler this Friday when they face 4th ranked (AAA) Chichester in the Del Val League Championship game.
The Strath Haven Panthers ranked 5th in the four team (AAA) playoff field kept their post season hope alive with a 35-6 win over Springfield.
Chichester once again survived a Del Val rival with a 19-14 win at Penn Wood to keep control of their own destiny for post season action.
The playoff race has now reached its final week. The following scenarios await the Delaware County teams still in contention for post season invitations.
Conestoga still appears to be a AAAA lock however they have lost the number one rank and must now defeat Marple Newtown or face an uncertain end to this great season.
Upper Darby no longer controls its own AAAA destiny. The Royals must defeat Penn Wood and hope that either Coatesville or Plymouth Whitemarsh lose their final games. This does not seem likely with both teams facing opposition with inferior records.
Chichester is assured of a playoff slot (AAA) with a victory over Interboro. This will be a hard fought contest with the Del Val Championship on the line.
Finally the Strath Haven Panthers must root for an Interboro win over Chichester while they defeat cross town rival Penncrest in the annual Media Bowl. If this occurs the Panthers return to AAA playoffs after a one year absence.
This week could be the end of the 2005 season for many of our Delaware County teams. It has been an exciting and fun season for many with an equal number of frustrations for sure. The players and fans have shown great sportsmanship throughout the year and have made this yet another season we can all be proud of in our community.