Football Friday: Garnet Valley leads a crowded contingent of Delco teams in district playoffs

The District 1 playoffs have arrived and almost everyone is invited. It may be easier to list the teams that are sitting at home this weekend.

Ten Delaware County teams, including three with overall records of .500 or worse, have made their respective tournaments.

Looking at the Central League, seven of the 12 teams qualified. Garnet Valley (Class 6A) and Strath Haven (5A) are considered favorites. Four of the five members of the Del Val League advanced to the postseason.

Here is a breakdown of all District 1 first-round games involving Delco schools. All games listed, with the exception of Academy Park’s and Chester’s, are scheduled for 7 p.m. Friday. AP and Chester hosts their playoff contests Saturday at 1 p.m.

Class 6A

No. 16 Haverford at No. 1 Garnet Valley

The Fords (5-5) locked up the 16th and final playoff berth with a 55-0 bludgeoning of Academy at Palumbo last Friday.

Led by junior quarterback Tommy Wright, one of the top passers in Delco, and big-play wide receiver Ethan Mahan, the Fords managed to overcome a 2-4 record to win three of their final four decisions.

The Jaguars (10-0) enter the postseason scoring 49 points per game. Only porous weather conditions (wind and heavy rain) slowed the Jags a bit in last week’s 38-14 trouncing of Lower Merion. Senior quarterback Max Busenkell has passed for 1,384 yards with 21 touchdowns and zero interceptions.

In the teams’ meeting Oct. 17, the Jaguars cruised to a 55-14 win at Moe DeFrank Stadium. Wide receiver Sean Gallagher broke a school record with four touchdown catches.

No. 10 Conestoga at No. 7 Ridley

This is a rematch of last weekend’s thriller at Phil Marion Field. The Green Raiders (9-1) recovered from a 28-15 deficit in the fourth quarter to win, 29-28. Tahir Mills ran for 230 yards and two TDs, including the game-winning run with two minutes to play. Quarterback Calvin Shirley (216 yards), athlete Peter Detwiler and wide receiver/defensive back Patrick Reilly were the standouts for the Pioneers (8-2).

‘Stoga held a 14-0 advantage in the first half as the Green Raiders failed to do much of anything productive on offense. However, a blocked punt by Ridley’s special teams resulted in a safety with one second left in the second quarter to make it a 14-2 score at the half.

Ridley’s high-octane offense hit its stride in the third quarter. Khameen Powell hauled in a pass from quarterback John Heller to give the Green Raiders a 15-14 advantage, the first of two scoring connections between Powell and Heller. The teams went back and forth the entire second half, a classic slugfest of Central League powers. Hayden Brown came up with a sack of Shirley on ‘Stoga’s final possession to help Ridley seal the win.

Class 5A

No. 15 Upper Merion at No. 2 Strath Haven

The Panthers and their Wing-T express have doomed opposing defenses all year. The vaunted rushing attack, led by Chase Barlow, Matt Shuler and Anthony Crawford, has produced 7.6 yards per carry and 45 touchdowns. Barlow eclipsed the 1,000-yard plateau in last week’s 33-7 victory over Radnor. Greg Belville (43 tackles) and Christian Mazur (4.5 sacks) have been excellent on defense.

The Vikings (4-5) are a middling team in the Pioneer Athletic Conference. Brayden Marino is a solid running back and one to keep an eye on, but Haven’s athletic defense should overwhelm the visitors.

No. 11 Oxford at No. 6 Academy Park

The Knights (7-2) captured a piece of the Del Val League title with a 14-8 win over Chester. Defense has been the Knights’ calling card in 2021.

AP’s best player is hybrid lineman Ibrahim Sanogo, who has a team-high 59 tackles and seven sacks. Ashton Clarkson (53 tackles) and Damir Sammons (52 tackles) have flourished on defense as well. On offense the Knights lean on athlete Eric Willis, who leads the team in receiving, and running backs including Sanogo (405 yards), Terrence Oliver (461) and Joe Davis (392 yards).

The Hornets (5-5) earned their first shutout since 2012 with an 18-0 decision over Henderson a week ago. Dominic Pantalone is a threat in the run offense.

No. 10 Phoenixville at No. 7 Marple Newtown

Senior running back Charlie Box leads the Tigers (7-3) back into the postseason. Box has accrued 1,270 yards and ranks second all-time in career rushing at Marple Newtown with 2,939 career yards. The Tigers have won six of their last seven games including a 36-6 rout of Harriton last week.

The Phantoms (5-4) have reeled off four straight wins. Running back Owen Koch has 1,092 yards and 11 touchdowns, while quarterback Ty Romance has thrown for 924 yards and nine scores.

No. 9 Kennett at No. 8 Chester

The Clippers (7-3) went from No. 1 in the district to the eighth seed after losing three in a row to Coatesville, Chichester and Academy Park. In the last two weeks Chester has scored a total of seven points. Quarterback Isaiah Freeman has carried the offense and linebacker Noble Thompson has been the Clippers’ defensive MVP.

The Blue Demons (7-3) suffered a stunning 14-7 loss to West Chester East (2-8) last week. Running back Julian Sparacino is Kennett’s top playmaker.

No. 14 Springfield at No. 3 Unionville

The Cougars (4-6) snapped a four-game slide with a 22-6 win over Penncrest last week. Junior quarterback Jame Rama has amassed 1,740 yards and 16 TDs. Robby Longo (798 yards, six TDs) is arguably the best wide receiver in Delco.

The Indians (9-1) clinched the Ches-Mont League American title with a 21-0 victory over Great Valley, their first championship since 2017. Springfield’s defense will have its hands full with quarterback Matt McCloskey and top rusher Ethan Bennik.

No. 16 Interboro at No. 1 Rustin

The Bucs (3-7) managed to grab the final seed in the playoffs with back-to-back wins. Abu Kamara has been a showstopper at running back in victories over Avon Grove and Penn Wood. Senior Brady Hummell has excelled at linebacker.

The Golden Knights (8-1) steamrolled Sun Valley in their regular season finale, 55-24. Dayshawn Jacobs had 11 rushes for 257 yards and four touchdowns. Rustin has won eight in a row.

Class 4A

No. 4 Chichester at No. 1 Bishop Shanahan

We have another rematch from last week. The Chi Eagles (5-3) were no match for the Shanahan Eagles (7-3), who cruised to a 34-8 win. Chi committed six turnovers and produced only eight yards of total offense.

Chichester, which shared the Del Val League title with Academy Park, needs better outings from playmakers Staring Reaves, Eddie Swinton and Quadir Blackwell if it hopes to pull off the upset.