Reporter/Times Herald/Montgomery Media Week 8 Football: Germantown Academy takes on Episcopal in Inter-Ac opener

Two unbeaten squads will take the field Saturday at Carey Stadium, as Germantown Academy hosts rival Episcopal Academy in the Inter-Ac opener for both squads.

Kickoff is at 1:30 p.m.

Both teams come in flying high with 5-0 records, and both come in fresh off their bye week in preparation for the conference slate.

The Patriots’ last contest was a 37-27 win over Peddie School in New Jersey. Episcopal got to 5-0 with a 49-14 home victory over Blair Academy (N.J.).

GA also has a win over Blair this fall — 35-12 back in Week Four.

In that matchup, Evan Spivey caught a touchdown pass and also took an interception back for a score, providing a major boost on both sides of the ball.

Quarterback Tristian Machado threw four TD passes for GA and racked up 239 yards through the air.

The GA defense has been playing solid ball, allowing just a little over 13 points per game.

Anthony Lara has been helping to anchor the back end while the defensive front for GA has been stingy against the run.

There have been plenty of weapons to turn to on the offensive side of things.

Tripp Capers has shown his breakaway speed while Machado has utilized solid targets like Aidan Donahue, Logan Woodward and A.J. Towsen.

“I said that’s a team that’s probably very similar to what we’ll face in (Inter-Ac play),” coach Matt Dence said after the win over Blair. “They’re really strong, well-coached, with a lot of older kids. So to beat them by three scores (is a good sign).”

Episcopal has also been on a roll.

The Churchmen have a terrific two-way player in Michael Minicozzi, who shines at defensive end and offensive guard.

T.J. Cadden is a tremendous target downfield for quarterback Na’Rome Rayborn, who spreads the ball around to a bevy of weapons for the Churchmen.

The 6-foot-4 T.J. Lamb is a big target out wide.

Episcopal resumes its Inter-Ac schedule next week with a home game against Penn Charter while GA is at Springside Chestnut Hill Academy.

PENNSBURY AT NORTH PENN
Time/Place: Friday, 7 p.m., at North Penn.
On Twitter: @khunter10.
Records: The Knights are 3-4 overall and 2-2 in the SOL National. The Falcons are 6-1 overall and 4-0 in the SOL National.
Last Week: NP fell 42-35 to CB East. Pennsbury edged Pennridge 27-24.
Players to Watch: Amir Major and Dave Dawes were a good rushing duo last week for the Knights. Galamama Mulbuh had a pair of rushing TD’s and 131 yards on 27 carries for the Falcons last week.
Prediction: North Penn 24, Pennsbury 21.

PENNRIDGE AT CENTRAL BUCKS WEST
Time/Place: Friday, 7 p.m., at Central Bucks West.
On Twitter: @ADRobinson3.
Records: The Rams are 2-5 overall and 1-3 in the SOL National. The Bucks are 4-3 overall and 3-1 in the SOL National.
Last Week: Pennridge lost to Pennsbury 27-24. West beat Neshaminy 22-0.
Players to Watch: Pennridge wide receiver Nate Mossbrook caught a 23-yard TD pass from Noah Keating last week for the Rams. The Ganz Cooper-to-Conor McFadden connection really clicked last week for West.
Prediction: Central Bucks West 27, Pennridge 20.

ABINGTON AT CENTRAL BUCKS EAST
Time/Place: Friday, 7 p.m., at Central Bucks East.
Records: The Patriots are 6-1 overall and 3-1 in the SOL National. The Ghosts are 2-5 overall and 0-4 in the SOL National.
Last Week: East beat North Penn 42-35. Abington lost to CB South 34-19.
Players to Watch: Ethan Shine amassed 287 rushing yards and four TD’s last week for East. Jamie Rivera and Anthony Pronsanti help power the run game for the Ghosts.
Prediction: Central Bucks East 29, Abington 14.

COUNCIL ROCK SOUTH AT SOUDERTON
Time/Place: Friday, 7 p.m., at Souderton.
Records: Big Red is 6-1 overall and 3-0 in the SOL Continental. The Golden Hawks are 3-4 overall and 1-2 in the SOL Continental.
Last Week: Souderton beat Warwick 45-24. Rock South was shut out by Upper Dublin 16-0.
Players to Watch: Jared Zimmerman threw three touchdown passes last week for Big Red. Nick Diaz is a strong player in the secondary for the Golden Hawks.
Prediction: Souderton 24, Council Rock South 10.

UPPER DUBLIN AT TRUMAN
Time/Place: Friday, 7 p.m., at Truman.
Records: The Cardinals are 7-0 overall and 3-0 in the SOL Continental. The Tigers are 2-5 overall and 1-3 in the SOL Continental.
Last Week: Upper Dublin blanked Council Rock South 16-0. Truman fell to CR North 20-13.
Players to Watch: Shyne Roberts had a 38-yard TD run last week for the Cards. Truman senior quarterback Rondell Bradley Jr. ran for two touchdowns last week.
Prediction: Upper Dublin 31, Truman 17.

QUAKERTOWN AT COUNCIL ROCK NORTH
Time/Place: Friday, 7 p.m., at Council Rock North.
Records: The Panthers are 3-4 overall and 2-1 in the SOL Continental. The Indians are 2-5 overall and 1-3 in the SOL Continental.
Last Week: Quakertown shut out Bensalem 37-0. Rock North won 20-13 over Truman.
Players to Watch: CR North senior running back/linebacker-safety Gavin Papp scored three touchdowns last week. John Eatherton had 101 yards rushing last week and also a receiving TD.
Prediction: Quakertown 22, C0uncil Rock North 12.

WILLIAM TENNENT AT WISSAHICKON
Time/Place: Friday, 7 p.m., at Wissahickon.
Records: The Trojans are 0-7 overall and 0-2 in the SOL American. The Panthers are 1-5 overall and 0-2 in the SOL American.
Last Week: Wiss lost 42-14 to Upper Moreland. Tennent lost 57-7 to Plymouth-Whitemarsh.
Players to Watch: Jaden McLean racked up 129 yards rushing last week for the Trojans. Quarterback Cosenza Parks hooked up with Joseph Hebling last week for a TD for Tennent.
Prediction: William Tennent 17, Wissahickon 10.

SPRINGFIELD-MONTCO AT PLYMOUTH WHITEMARSH
Time/Place: Friday, 7 p.m., at Plymouth Whitemarsh.
On Twitter: @emor09.
Records: The Colonials are 5-2 overall and 2-0 in the SOL American. The Spartans are 4-2 overall and 1-1 in the SOL American.
Last Week: PW was a 57-7 winner over William Tennent. Springfield lost 30-2 to Cheltenham.
Players to Watch: Nazye Boggs had some key receptions last week for PW. Dylan McKenzie helps anchor the secondary for Springfield.
Prediction: Plymouth Whitemarsh 24, Springfield 14.

POTTSTOWN AT POPE JOHN PAUL II
Time/Place: Saturday, 1 p.m., at Pope John Paul II.
Records: The Golden Panthers are 7-0 overall and 3-0 in the PAC Frontier. Pottstown is 1-6 overall and 0-3 in the PAC Frontier.
Last Week: PJP won 38-20 over Upper Merion. Pottstown lost 38-12 to Upper Perk.
Players to Watch: Rasheen Bostic gained 43 yards and scored a touchdown on the ground last week for Pottstown. Braden Reed is coming off a big game for PJP: eight catches for 127 yards and two touchdowns.
Prediction: Pope John Paul II 31, Pottstown 17.

POTTSGROVE AT UPPER MERION
Time/Place: Friday, 7 p.m., at Upper Merion.
Records: The Vikings are 3-4 overall and 1-2 in the PAC Frontier. The Falcons are 3-4 overall and 1-2 in the PAC Frontier.
Last Week: Upper Merion fell 38-20 to Pope John Paul II. Pottsgrove lost 14-7 to Phoenixville.
Players to Watch: Zander Gutkowski had an interception last week for Upper Merion and helps lead the defense. Gabe Rinda leads the Pottsgrove offense from under center.
Prediction: Upper Merion 19, Pottsgrove 14.

NORRISTOWN AT PERKIOMEN VALLEY
Time/Place: Friday, 7 p.m., at Perkiomen Valley.
Records: The Eagles are 2-5 overall and 0-3 in the PAC Liberty. The Vikings are 6-1 overall and 3-0 in the PAC Liberty.
Last Week: Norristown fell 32-8 to Owen J. Roberts. PV edged Spring-Ford 7-6.
Players to Watch: Jamal Griffin did some decent running last week for the Eagles. Running back Brad Curci had a pivotal 36-yard catch-and-run last week for the Vikings.
Prediction: Perkiomen Valley 34, Norristown 20.

METHACTON AT SPRING-FORD
Time/Place: Friday, 7 p.m., at Spring-Ford.
Records: Methacton is 4-3 overall and 2-1 in the PAC Liberty. The Rams are 4-3 overall and 2-1 in the PAC Liberty.
Last Week: The Warriors were a 10-7 winner over Boyertown. Spring-Ford fell 7-6 to Perk Valley.
Players to Watch: Linebacker Ben Grove had a pair of sacks in Week Seven for the Warriors. Matt Zollers threw for 179 yards for the Rams a week ago.
Prediction: Spring-Ford 17, Methacton 9.

LANSDALE CATHOLIC AT BONNER & PRENDERGAST
Time/Place: Friday, 7 p.m., at Bonner & Prendergast.
Records: LC is 5-2 overall and 2-2 in the PCL Blue. The Friars are 5-1 overall and 4-0 in the PCL Blue.
Last Week: The Crusaders lost in double overtime to Archbishop Ryan, 20-17. Bonner prevailed 26-14 over Neumann-Goretti.
Players to Watch: Jacahi Streeter has been a speedy weapon all season for the Crusaders. Isaiah Session has been a tackling machine for Bonner.
Prediction: Lansdale Catholic 21, Bonner & Prendergast 14.

LA SALLE AT ARCHBISHOP WOOD
Time/Place: Friday, 7 p.m., at William Tennent.
On Twitter: @mpcabrey.
Records: The Explorers are 2-4 overall and 0-1 in the PCL Red. The Vikings are 1-4 overall and 0-2 in the PCL Red.
Last Week: La Salle lost 40-11 to St. Joe’s Prep. Wood lost 12-7 to Roman Catholic.
Players to Watch: Chris Fileppo did some tough running last week for the Explorers. Markus Dixon is a nice receiver for the Vikes.
Prediction: La Salle 28, Archbishop Wood 21.

EPISCOPAL ACADEMY AT GERMANTOWN ACADEMY
Time/Place: Saturday, 1:30 p.m., at Germantown Academy.
On Twitter: @khunter10.
Records: The Patriots are 5-0 overall and 0-0 in the InterAC. Episcopal is 5-0 overall and 0-0 in the InterAC.
Last Week: GA was idle. The Churchmen were also idle.
Players to Watch: T.J. Cadden is a tremendous target downfield for Episcopal. Seamus Knox has been a terrific two-way player for the Pats.
Prediction: Germantown Academy 27, Episcopal Academy 20.