As the midway point of the regular season comes and goes, Strath Haven is the only undefeated team in Delaware County.
But nobody, not even the mighty Panthers, appears to be unbeatable. In the Central League, Strath Haven and Garnet Valley are tied for first place with 4-0 records in the conference. The next tier includes Springfield, Marple Newtown and Penncrest, who have combined for 11 victories.
Although Garnet Valley hasn’t lost a Central League contest since 2017, the Jaguars are no longer considered a shoo-in to win at least a share of the title. Garnet Valley and Strath Haven play next week in the biggest game of the season in Delco.
Springfield’s only loss was to Strath Haven. Marple’s lone blemish came against Springfield. Penncrest played Garnet Valley and Strath Haven tough and has a chance to make a huge statement Friday night when Springfield comes to town. One-win Haverford and Radnor have performed better than their records suggest.
It’s a doggone shame that Springfield and Garnet Valley do not meet this year. Marple has a brutal stretch upcoming, with back-to-back games against Strath Haven and Garnet Valley.
No team is running away in the Central League. And that’s a good thing for Delco football.
Here is the Week 6 schedule accompanied by my predictions. All games Friday are 7 p.m.
Springfield at Penncrest >> The Lions (3-2) trounced Haverford, 34-7, behind running back Matt Ferry, who ran for 286 yards and four touchdowns on 14 carries. The win showed the Central League that Penncrest football is back.
The visiting Cougars (4-1) will provide a stiffer challenge on defense. The Cougars have outscored opposition 143-32. Their defense is allowing just 77.5 yards rushing per game. Nate Romano, who ran for 87 yards with three TDs in a 42-0 rout of Lower Merion last week, leads the team with 32 tackles. Ethan Marshall, Ryan Johnston, Lucas Aaron, Mike Miller and Mike Turner have flourished. Meanwhile, tackle Gus Bryan has been a dominating force on the offensive line.
Prediction: Springfield, 28-14
Lower Merion at Garnet Valley >> The Jaguars stormed back to defeat Haverford School, 28-23, in what Daily Times correspondent Chuck Smith called the game of the year in Delco.
The Jags shouldn’t have a problem this week against the Aces (2-3), who’ve given up 132 points during a three-game skid. The priority for Garnet Valley is to ensure everyone is healthy for next week’s showdown with Strath Haven.
Prediction: Garnet Valley, 42-0
Strath Haven at Radnor >> The Panthers (5-0) are unbeaten but haven’t scored more than 28 points in a game. While their offense isn’t as explosive as it was in 2021-22, the Panthers are good in every facet. They survived tight games against Springfield (19-15 win), Ridley (21-20) and Penncrest (20-14). Last Frida,y Haven had an easier time against Upper Darby (28-14) as quarterback Jake Kitchin threw for three touchdowns and Marco Kaufman rushed for a career-high 114 yards.
The Raptors (1-4) have been competitive in each of their previous three games. In a 21-7 loss to Conestoga last Friday, linebacker Mason Sheh posted double-digit tackles and running back Bryce Cohen averaged 8.5 yards per carry.
Prediction: Strath Haven, 35-14
Conestoga at Ridley >> The Green Raiders (1-3) had no answer for Marple Newtown’s ground assault in a 28-0 loss. If Ridley can get the ball to wide receiver Khameen Powell, who was held in check last week, it’ll have a shot.
Prediction: Conestoga, 24-23
Penn Wood at Sun Valley >> Dashawn Brown-Williams accumulated 96 yards rushing on 15 carries, but the Patriots (1-4) suffered their fourth straight defeat at the hands of Bishop Shanahan, 23-6.
One game removed from their first win of 2023, the Vanguards (1-4) fell to Avon Grove, 27-7. Quarterback RJ Sharrer scored their only TD.
Prediction: Sun Valley, 28-22
Chester at W.C. Henderson >> The Clippers (4-1) should have their way against the Warriors (1-4), who have allowed 35 points per game since an opening night victory over Upper Darby.
Dayshon Jackson went for 163 yards on the ground in Chester’s 32-0 trouncing of West Chester East last week. Damon Fitzgerald recorded three sacks.
Prediction: Chester, 42-7
Unionville at Chichester >> The Eagles let up 299 yards rushing in a 49-9 setback at Rustin. Quarterback Danny Kelly and Hamza Clay connected on a 43-yard touchdown pass.
The Longhorns (2-3) rushed for three yards in a 42-0 loss to District 1 Class 6A powerhouse Coatesville.
Prediction: Unionville, 20-19
Interboro at Kennett >> Freshman Momodu Rogers scored the winning touchdown in overtime as the Bucs (2-3) ended a three-game slide with a 20-14 decision over Oxford.
The Blue Demons (2-3) have been outscored 80-0 the last two weeks.
Prediction: Interboro, 21-19
Mastery Charter at Marple Newtown >> Brett Wolski ran for 128 yards and a score and had two interceptions to lead the Tigers (4-1) to a shutout of Ridley.
The Pumas (2-2) are the second Philadelphia Public League team the Tigers will host this year. They opened the season with a 50-20 shellacking of Boys Latin. Expect a similar result.
Prediction: Marple Newtown, 42-7
Lansdale Catholic at Arch. Carroll >> The Crusaders (2-3) and Patriots (2-3) are winless in the Catholic League Blue Division. While Carroll’s offense is averaging only 100 yards per game, James Wright (34 tackles) and Hassan Bailey (five interceptions) are standouts in the defensive secondary.
Prediction: Lansdale Catholic, 20-17
Saturday’s schedule:
Upper Darby at Haverford School, 1 >> The Royals (0-5) are the only winless team in Delco, but their defense has played fairly well all season. To wit: Zahir Burch registered 20 tackles and Kobena Okyne had 10 tackles and returned a fumble 57 yards to the end zone against Strath Haven.
The Fords (1-3) coughed up a nine-point, fourth-quarter lead at Garnet Valley last week. Matt Brosko produced 231 yards rushing in the 28-23 loss.
Prediction: Haverford School, 35-6
Academy Park at Avon Grove, 1 >> The Knights have been blanked in three of their last four games and, barring drastic improvements, are headed toward a second straight losing season.
Harrison Watson amassed 181 yards on the ground in Avon Grove’s (3-2) win over Sun Valley.
Prediction: Avon Grove, 21-13
Card. O’Hara at Neumann-Goretti, 1 >> The Lions (3-2) dropped a 13-7 decision to Bonner & Prendergast last week. Zion Knox (42 tackles, 3.5 sacks) spearheads a defense that has allowed a total of 19 points over the last three games.
Terrence Page ran for 86 yards and two TDs in the Saints’ (4-1) 32-0 victory over West Catholic
Prediction: Neumann-Goretti, 26-13
Episcopal Academy at Blair Academy (N.J.), 3 >> Zeke Kane ran for 102 yards in the Churchmen’s (1-3) 30-17 loss to Pope John XXIII (N.J.) last week.
Blair Academy’s two losses were to EA’s Inter-Ac League compatriots, Springside Chestnut Hill and Germantown Academy.
Prediction: Episcopal, 28-14
Bonner & Prendergast at Arch. Ryan, 6 >> Avery Hankey rushed for 95 yards in the Friars’ (3-1) win over O’Hara. Penn State recruit and senior defensive end Mylachi Williams leads the team with 4.5 sacks.
Frankie Mawson completed 12 of 15 passes for 148 yards and three TDs in the Raiders’ (1-4) victory against Carroll.
Prediction: Bonner & Prendie, 28-14
Contact Matt Smith at msmith@delcotimes.com.
