Football Friday Five to Watch: Haverford, Ridley meet with playoffs at stake

Here are five Delco football games to watch this weekend.

Friday
Haverford (7-1) at Ridley (6-2), 7 p.m.

For the third straight year, Haverford and Ridley go to battle with a spot in the playoffs at stake. The Fords essentially eliminated the Green Raiders from postseason contention two consecutive seasons.

Both squads enter the night riding impressive win streaks. The Fords have rattled off seven consecutive victories. In a 24-12 victory over Radnor last week, senior quarterback Jack Donaghy threw for 183 yards and a touchdown, rushed for a score, kicked a field goal and made three extra-point attempts. Donaghy became the school’s career passing leader, surpassing former New York Jet Steve Joachim, whose record stood for nearly 46 years.

Ridley won its fourth in a row behind the exploits of running back Malik Young, who amassed 117 yards and four touchdowns in a 33-7 decision over Penncrest.

Conestoga (4-4) at Garnet Valley (6-2), 7 p.m.

The Pioneers look to play the role of spoiler against the Jaguars, who are for 14th place in the District One Class AAAA power rankings.

Conestoga dropped a 14-12 decision to Springfield last Friday. Quarterback Tim Miller threw for 159 yards and a touchdown for the Pioneers.

The Jags rushed the ball 76 times for 359 yards to grind out a 40-17 win over Marple Newtown. Running back Derrick West (143 yards, four TDs) and quarterback Matt Hamby (117 yards) each eclipsed the 100-yard mark.

Cardinal O’Hara (1-7) at Bonner-Prendergast (3-5), 7 p.m.

The Lions and Friars are jockeying for position in the Catholic League AAA playoffs, which get under way next week. Four of the five teams will qualify.

O’Hara needs a victory to have any shot at qualifying. A Bonner loss could take it out of contention, as well.

While both programs are rebuilding in 2015, the Lions and Friars still have one of the fiercest rivalries in Delco football.

O’Hara hung around with Archbishop Ryan last week, but suffered a 26-13 loss. Quarterback Tommy O’Hara completed 17 of 30 pass attempts for 141 yards and rushed for 56 yards and a touchdown. Defensive back Alvin Eburuah leads the team with four interceptions.

The Friars fell victim to longtime Catholic League AAA juggernaut, Archbishop Wood. In a 38-14 defeat, wide receiver Jordan Mosley had two catches for 40 yards and a touchdown.

Chichester (3-4) at Interboro (7-1), 7 p.m.

The Eagles look to break out of their midseason funk, losers of three in a row, when they travel to Glenolden to face the streaking Bucs, who haven’t tasted defeat since Week 1.

Kevin Miller accrued 122 yards and two touchdowns for the Eagles in their 48-21 setback to Penn Wood last Saturday.

The Bucs pummeled Chester, 40-18, behind Chris Thomas’ 114 yards rushing and two touchdowns. Interboro relied heavily on its ground attack (52 carries, 308 yards) to wear down the host Clippers.

Saturday
Academy Park (8-0) at Chester (2-5), Noon

The Knights have proven to be the top public school team in the county this year. Their plus-256 scoring differential is the best in the county since 2012, when Episcopal Academy outscored its opponents, 368-35, on the way to a perfect season.

Jermaine Wesley accounted for 145 yards and Jawan Collins had the trifecta of touchdowns (one by run, catch and interception return) in AP’s 33-0 shellacking of Glen Mills last week.

Chester quarterback Jamir Green, in just his third varsity start, threw for 119 yards in three touchdowns in the loss to Interboro.

Wins by Interboro and Academy Park would set up a winner-take-all showdown for the Del Val League title next Friday night in Sharon Hill.