Football Friday: Playoff chase heats up in Week 8

The push for the playoffs is down to three weeks and Ridley, Springfield, Marple Newtown, Sun Valley and Interboro are among the Delco teams looking to keep their postseason hopes alive.

The Green Raiders (4-3, 3-2 Central League) are seeded 13th in Class 6A through seven weeks and have a stiff road test at Conestoga. The top 16 teams qualify for the district playoffs.

Springfield (4-3, 3-3) has won two games in a row to move into seventh place in Class 5A. The Cougars are at home Friday against Penncrest (1-6, 0-5). Marple Newtown (4-3) looks to snap a three-game losing streak when it hosts Hatboro-Horsham (1-4) Friday night. The Tigers are 12th in the Class 5A rankings.  Sun Valley (4-2, 2-2) entertains Rustin (4-2, 3-1) in a key Ches-Mont American Division battle. The Vanguards are 13th in Class 5A and the Golden Knights 11th. The top 16 teams qualify for the district tournament.

Meanwhile, Interboro (5-2, 1-1 Del Val) sits in second place in Class 4A. The top four teams qualify for the district tournament. The Bucs host Academy Park (2-5, 1-0) Saturday.

Here is a look at this weekend’s action:

Friday

Lansdale Catholic at Bonner & Prendergast, 5 p.m.

The Friars (5-1, 4-0) are looking to extend their winning streak to five games and remain in sole possession of first place in the Catholic League Blue Division. Junior Mylachi Williams leads a defense allowing just 10.5 points per game in league play.

A lot is at stake for the Crusaders (5-2, 2-2). They are in a battle with Neumann-Goretti (3-1) and Conwell-Egan (3-1) for a spot in the Catholic League Class 3A championship game.

Archbishop Carroll at Card. O’Hara, 7:30 p.m.

One long losing streak will end when the Patriots (0-7, 0-4) visit the Lions (0-7, 0-4). Carroll has lost 18 in a row dating back to the COVID-shortened 2019 season. Its last win was a 34-28 decision over New Hope-Solebury in the state tournament.

O’Hara has dropped 19 in a row. Its last victory was a forfeit win over West Catholic in 2019. Its last triumph on the field was a 21-0 decision over Lansdale Catholic on Sept. 25, 2019.

Both teams have had trouble scoring. The Patriots are averaging just 4.0 points per game. The Lions have fared a little better, averaging 6.3 ppg.

Ridley at Conestoga, 7 p.m.

The Green Raiders are looking to bounce back from a 41-14 loss to Strath Haven, the top seed in Class 5A. That loss snapped a two-game winning streak for Ridley. It hasn’t dropped consecutive games since it lost the last three games of the COVID-shortened 2019 season. Ridley closes out the season at Marple Newtown and home against Upper Darby.

The Pioneers (5-2, 4-2) are ninth in the Class 6A rankings heading into Week 8. Conestoga knows how to win close games. Three of its five victories have been by one point.

Rustin at Sun Valley, 7 p.m.

Sun Valley’s offense has come to life in the last two weeks. The Vanguards (4-3, 2-2 Ches-Mont American) have won two in a row, beating Penn Wood and West Chester East by the combined score of 79-20. Steve Eskridge ran for 117 yards and three touchdowns in the win over East.

Rustin (4-2, 3-1) is a game behind Great Valley and Kennett in the race for the Ches-Mont American title. The Golden Knights are 14-0 against the Vanguards all-time.

Chester at Downingtown West, 7 p.m.

This is a huge test for the Clippers (7-0). The Whippets (5-1) are ranked seventh in District 1 Class 6A and have won four in a row since dropping a 30-29 game to Perkiomen Valley on Sept. 2. Downingtown West has won those four games by a combined score of 181-27. Quarterback Quinn Henicle has thrown for 684 yards and 10 touchdowns for the Whippets.

Jalen Harris, Chester’s standout freshman quarterback, left last week’s 54-8 victory over Penn Wood with an injury. He is expected to play this week. Cymeer Brown filled in nicely for Harris. Brown threw for 161 yards and three touchdowns. The Clippers, who are ranked third in Class 5A, have five shutouts and have outscored the opposition 309-18.

Saturday

Episcopal Academy at Germantown Academy, 1:30 p.m.

The Churchmen (5-0) and the Patriots (5-0) are among the four Inter-Ac teams still undefeated. Both are coming off a bye week so they should be rested.

EA has put up gaudy numbers. The Churchmen have outscored the opposition 218-39 and have scored at least 34 points in each game. Quarterback Na’Rome Rayborn has thrown for 654 yards and 11 touchdowns and rushed for 234 yards and four TDs.

The Patriots have put up 165 points while allowing 66. Senior quarterback Tristian Machado leads the attack. He has thrown for more than 800 yards in the first five games.

Springside Chestnut Hill at Haverford School, 1 p.m.

The Fords (5-0) get back into action after a bye week and tested themselves in nonleague competition with wins over Bonner & Prendergast, Academy Park, La Salle and Archbishop Wood. A bruising ground game led by running back Matt Brosko behind a massive offensive line has been the driving force on offense. The defense has allowed just 10.1 ppg.

The Blue Devils (2-2) also are coming off a bye. SCHA snapped a two-game losing streak with a 27-13 victory over Hill School two weeks ago.