Delco Football Notebook: Bicentennial title would be big for Delco Christian
Drew Pearson has guided Delco Christian to a pair of District One/12 Class A Sub-Regional title games in his three years as head coach.
Last season, the Knights captured their first district title in school history.
What they have not yet done is win the Bicentennial League championship. Enjoying their best regular season in their six years of varsity existence, the Knights host New Hope-Solebury Saturday night with the league title on the line.
Delco Christian (8-1) and New Hope-Solebury (9-0) have been on a collision course all season. The Knights and Lions have had close battles since DC’s initial season in 2010, although the Knights won in a 38-6 rout last year.
Pearson will have his group ready to go. Since a Week 2 loss to Lower Merion, DC has reeled off eight straight victories and is averaging 38.9 points during that span. Running backs Nazim Trammell-Wells (1,002 yards) and Amir Dorsey (705 yards) have powered the Knights, who have received strong play on the offensive line from Giho Park and Kyle Winters.
“New Hope is just very solid. They don’t make very many mistakes, offensively and defensively,” Pearson said. “You just got to go out and try to beat them. They’re big up front. For our level, they are. They have a guy, a left tackle, who is probably 6-5, 280 with good feet. He’s good. They have some backs that are physical. They don’t have a burner, but they’re physical. They have a sophomore quarterback (Nick Garritano) who started as a freshman … and he’s gotten better.”
Delco Christian will be the top seed in the district tournament this year and will look to successfully defend its championship. But a case could be made that winning a Bicentennial League crown would be even better.
“It’s big for our school,” Pearson said. “We’ve never actually won the BAL. Our school is rallying behind it. It’s a fun time.”
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Cade Stratton’s first year as starting quarterback at Ridley has had its share of ups and downs. But there’s no denying the potential that Stratton possesses.
Stratton has thrown for 1,106 yards and seven touchdowns with a 62.3 completion percentage.
Stratton played his tail off in last Friday’s 21-13 loss to Haverford High, which effectively knocked the Green Raiders out of District One Class AAAA postseason contention. The Fords were led by the county’s No. 1 passer, Jack Donaghy, who completed 16 of 17 passes for 227 yards and a touchdown.
Stratton admits he can learn a lot from playing against a quarterback of Donaghy’s caliber. The two bring similar styles to the table: Accurate throwers who have the ability to extend plays with their legs.
“He’s a pro-style quarterback, a great pocket passer, but he can move. That’s a threat,” said Stratton, who is a Marquette lacrosse commit. “Those are the types of things that defenses need to key on, especially when you have a decent running back like they do. That’s a lot to key on when you have a quarterback that can move the way he does and a running back that can run the ball with a great offensive line. He’s a great player and throws a great ball.”
Upper Darby’s Isaiah Bruce shattered the school’s single-game record for most rushing yards in the Royals’ 49-0 rout of Lower Merion last Saturday. With 322 yards and three touchdowns, Bruce broke All-Delco Simoni Marco Lawrence’s 2004 single-game mark of 284 yards.
Bruce, who has 1,690 yards this season, need 447 yards to break Lawrence’s single-season rushing record. With at least three games (one regular season, one playoff and Thanksgiving) left on the Royals’ schedule, Bruce would need to average 149 yards per game.
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The Catholic League AAA playoffs get under way the weekend of Nov. 13-14.
Fourth-seeded Archbishop Carroll will travel to William Tennent High to face No. 1 Archbishop Wood, which has won seven consecutive Catholic League titles. The Vikings handed the Patriots a 54-0 loss last Friday night.
Bonner-Prendergast earned the No. 3 seed in the tournament and will hit the road to play Archbishop Ryan. The Friars dropped a 35-12 decision to Ryan in October.
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Moving the Chains >> The Haverford School has won 17 straight games dating to last season. The Fords’ most recent loss was a 24-19 defeat to West Catholic at Wildwood (N.J.) High on opening weekend of the 2014 campaign … Marple Newtown’s Abel Hoff ranks third in county history with 135 career receptions … Academy Park All-Delco defensive back Clarence Buchanan has a county-leading eight interceptions … Upper Darby’s Derrick Korboi is only a sophomore, but plays the game like a seasoned veteran. Entering last week’s game against Lower Merion, Koiboi had 6½ sacks and 24 tackles for a loss.
To contact Matt Smith, email msmith@delcotimes.com or follow him on Twitter @DTMattSmith. For statistical leaders, team schedules and more, visit delcofootball.com.
