Pete’s Picks: Downingtown East faces stiff test at North Penn
The holiday weekend brings no vacation for football players and coaches as a full slate of games is on tap with some very tough and interesting nonleague contests, including a visit from District 3 power Cumberland Valley to Coatesville, and Downingtown East’s trip to Crawford Stadium to take on North Penn.
Downingtown East at North Penn
Downingtown East head coach Mike Matta is very familiar with North Penn as the Cougars defeated the Knights in the regular season last year, before North Penn knocked the Cougars out of the district playoffs in the second round.
“North Penn is real good this year,” Matta said. “Besides the ability to control the line of scrimmage, their quarterback and skill guys are very good also. They are much more than a one dimensional team and it is also near impossible to play in Lansdale. Throw in that Deck Beck is one of the best high school coaches in the state and it is a very tough game.”
Matta is right about North Penn being balanced as the Knights threw for 205 yards and ran for 204 against La Salle in their 33-24 win. Quarterback Reese Udinski was 14 for 20 for the game and the Knights dropped two long passes that would have went for scores. Wide receiver Ricky Johns will also be a handful for the Cougars. Johns is ticketed for West Virginia University next fall. The matchup between Johns and the Cougars’ Jeremy Jennings should be a treat to watch. This is a matchup of two of the top teams in District 1 but the Knights never seem to lose in Lansdale.
The Pick: North Penn 28, Downingtown East 21
Cumberland Valley at Coatesville
This is the season opener for Cumberland Valley, while Coatesville destroyed Simon Gratz 51-14 in a game where the Red Raiders totaled 462 yards of offense. This game will be won up front as most games are. Coatesville is quicker than the visitors, although Cumberland Valley has more experience.
The Pick: Coatesville 24, Cumberland Valley 21
Wayne (N.J.) at Downingtown West
The Whippets got behind Perkiomen Valley 42-14 before a mad rally made it a 42-41 final. Wayne is good, but the Whippets are not going to go 0-2. Quarterback Kyle Geiser threw three touchdown passes in his first varsity start. I expect the Whippet defense to come out ready to avenge the 42-point output by Perkiomen Valley.
The Pick: Downingtown West 35, Wayne 20
Glen Mills at Bishop Shanahan
Bishop Shanahan blew out George Washington, 56-13, in its opener and if the Eagles can match the Battlin’ Bulls physically then the Eagles air game, led by Nick Skulski, should be enough to get the win. Brendan Dearing had three catches for 93 yards and two scores against George Washington.
The Pick: Bishop Shanahan 24, Glen Mills 14
Octorara at Twin Valley
This is the opener for Twin Valley, which is now coached by former West Chester East and Henderson assistant Dean Owens. Octorara got a four touchdown game from star running back Scott Burridge in their opening week win over Springfiled (Montco). The Braves’ defense held Springfield to just 168 total yards.
The Pick: Octorara 21, Twin Valley 14
Oxford at Avon Grove
Oxford gave up an early lead and dropped a 24-21 decision to West Chester Henderson while Avon Grove rolled over Kennett, 35-7, in a game where the Red Devils rushed the football for 228 yards. Expect more of the same tonight. Avon Grove running back Nate Jones may carry the ball 30 times.
The Pick: Avon Grove 35, Oxford 13
Unionville at Academy Park
Unionville only scored three points in its opening week loss to 6A power Spring-Ford. The Indians now run into the defending District 1 3A champions, Academy Park. The Knights rolled over West Chester East in their opener and ran for more than 300 yards. This is another tough game for Unionville because the Knights rarely lose at home.
The Pick: Academy Park 21, Unionville 14
Chichester at Kennett
Although Kennett suffered a 35-7 loss to Avon Grove in its opener, the Blue Demons moved the football on the Red Devils. Kennett rushed for 109 yards but two lost fumbles really hurt the Demons. Chichester has struggled recently and this is a game Kennett can win, especially at home.
The Pick: Kennett 21, Chichester 13
Great Valley at Owen J. Roberts
Both teams won impressively in Week 1, shutting out the opposition. Great Valley downed Phoenixville, 35-0, while OJR took apart Conestoga, 39-0. Both teams play wide open offense but the Patriots have Ryan Hubley and Nick DeRobertis, two very skilled offensive players. Patriots quarterback Robert Geiss threw for 90 yards and rushed for 90 against Phoenixville and it looks to me like a Great Valley win.
The Pick: Great Valley 24, Owen J.Roberts 20
Radnor at West Chester East
The Vikings lost on the road to a good Academy Park team and now host a Radnor team that was defeated in Week 1. The Vikings had just 18 offensive snaps in the second half against Academy Park, but East should be able to handle Radnor up front better than they did the Knights.
The Pick: West Chester East 20, Radnor 14
Springfield (Delco) at Conestoga
Conestoga was shut out by Owen J. Roberts in the opener and Conestoga did not generate much offense against the Wildcats, which may be bad news. Springfield, which downed Glen Mills, 18-7, has one of the best defenses in the Central League.
The Pick: Springfield (Delco) 21, Conestoga 3
Malvern Prep at St. Augustine Prep (N.J.)
Malvern begins its torturous nonleague slate with a tough game against one of the better prep schools in New Jersey. But, the Friars have plenty of weapons, including talented running backs Zac Fernandez and O’Shaan Allison. Malvern can both run and throw the football and the Friars should control the line of scrimmage here.
The Pick: Malvern Prep 27, At.Augustine Prep 14
