Haverford-Garnet Valley has playoff implications
Here are five games to watch on the Delco football schedule this weekend:
Friday
Haverford (6-2) at Garnet Valley (6-2), 7
The Fords and Jaguars stand in the way of one another’s goal of reaching the District One Class AAAA tournament. A win by either team team would give them comfort in knowing they are alive and well in the playoff hunt. A loss, however, could prove extremely costly.
The Fords have reeled off four straight wins. Wide receivers Dan Boyle and Nick Costello both had four catches and a touchdown from quarterback Jack Donaghy in last week’s 38-27 decision over Marple Newtown. Donaghy continued his season-long streak of solid performances by completing 12 of 21 attempts for 178 yards.
The Jaguars suffered a 7-0 defeat to Springfield last Saturday, yielding sole possession of first place in the Central League to the Cougars. Quarterback Steve Flanagan was 12-for-13 with 125 yards and running back Derrick West churned out 81 yards. Linebacker Tom Hourican and end Joey Granahan led the way for a defense that limited Springfield to 225 total yards.
Marple Newtown (4-4) at Springfield (8-0), 7
The Tigers are fighting for their playoff lives in the District One Class AAA standings. Tied with Glen Mills for the eighth and final slot, the Tigers face an enormous challenge as they try to accomplish two things: 1) snap a two-game slide, and 2) become the first team to figure out how to beat Springfield.
Adrian Sapnas eclipsed the 200-yard mark for the sixth time this season in last week’s loss to Haverford. With 1,595 yards, Sapnas needs 397 to tie Steve Coyle’s single-season school record set 31 years ago. He’ll be up against Springfield’s fast and aggressive defensive front that prides itself on stopping the run.
Springfield’s “D’ was at its best against Garnet Valley, but the Cougars might not have won if it wasn’t for wide receiver Brett Sheeran, who caught a Brian Allen pass and dashed 87 yards for the game’s lone score.
The Cougars boast a plus-seven turnover margin over the last four weeks.
Interboro (4-4) at Glen Mills (4-4), 7
The Bucs and Battlin’ Bulls are fighting for their postseason lives. A win would do wonders for either club, who are vying for District One Class AAA playoff seeding.
Interboro won for the fourth time in five weeks with a 39-13 trouncing of Chichester. Senior wide receiver Mark Everton finished with five catches and season-high 102 receiving yards. He caught a pair of touuchdown apsses from quarterback Sean Menold, who was 6-for-8 with 112 yards through the air. Mike O’Chuida (123 yards) and Chris Thomas (97) both enjoyed career days on the ground.
The Bulls are riding a three-game winning streak and proving again they are very difficult to beat in October. Glen Mills is 16-5 in the month of October since 2010.
Last week, the Bulls forced six turnovers en route to dispatching Penn Wood, 41-14, led by defensive end Marquel McKay’s big day. They’ll look to improve to 3-0 in the Del Val League going into next week’s showdown with Academy Park, who hosts Penn Wood Saturday.
Springside Chestnut Hill Academy (7-1) at Episcopal Academy (5-3), 7
Junior running back Dee Barlee set an Episcipal Academy single-game record with 296 yards and five touchdowns in last Friday’s 41-26 victory over Penn Charter. Barlee ranks second in Delaware County with 1,013 yards.
Senior quarterback Ryan Whayland has passed for a county-high 1,325 yards
SCHA looks to bounce back from last week’s blowout loss to Inter-Ac League frontrunner and Super 7 No. 1 The Haverford School.
Sunday
Bonner-Prendergast (7-1) at Cardinal O’Hara (1-7), 12:30
This is more than a tuneup for the Friars before the Catholic League Class AAA postseason. Bonner-O’Hara is big every year, regardless of won-loss records. O’Hara has a chance to make its season by upseting the visiting Friars.
They may not live up to 2013’s game, when the Lions stormed back from a two-touchdown deficit in the fourth quarter and won in overtime, 36-35. Or two weeks later, when they met again in the league semifinals and the Friars trailed 35-7 at halftime, only to come out victorious, 41-38.
Quarterback Brandon Laughlin threw for a touchdown pass and Max Ferguson amassed a career-high 174 yards rushing in O’Hara’s 51-6 loss to Archbishop Ryan last week. Bonner-Prendie was no match against Archbishop Wood, falling 56-7 to the reigning PIAA Class AAA champions.
