Last week: (3-0)
Overall: (20-3)
Record ATS: 16-7
This week brings some more playoff type football to Southeastern PA. Three league championships are on the line (PCL Red, Central, Ches-Mont National) as heavyweights get primed for November football. Just added this week (for Stalker) is the record Against the Spread for the season so far. Let's hope I can keep it going this week.
Coatesville (7-1) (-9.5) @ Downingtown East (8-0)
The Ches-Mont National Division comes down to these two teams once again as the Red Raiders and Cougars do battle in what should be an interesting contrast in styles. Coatesville features a quick strike offense that hits you from every direction. Coatesville has scored 42+ in 6 straight games with their starters sitting most of the 2nd half in each. Load the box to stop dynamic RB Aaron Young and watch QB Ricky Ortega throw darts all over the field. If you try to play coverage on their speedy wide outs, then Ortega and Young will run wild on a 6 or 7 man box. So what’s a team supposed to do? Well DEast will do what they do-run the ball right at Coatesville and make them play physical smash mouth football for 4 quarters. The DEast running game is a three headed monster that’s churned out over 2,200 yards already this season. With not only a league championship on the line but 6A playoff seeding as well, this will be a primetime game. Kottmeyer Stadium will be jam packed and loud for this one. Don't be surprised if the winner of this game ends up being the odds on favorite for the District 1 6A title. I’ll pick…Coatesville 38-27
LaSalle (6-1) vs St. Joe’s Prep (6-0) (-3.5)
PCL Red Division rivals meet again, for what will feel like a State Semi-Final game as the winner may establish themselves as the leader for the spot in the 6A title game from the East. St. Joe’s Prep has played a brutal non-league schedule and come through unfazed beating Tampa Jesuit and St. Peter’s Prep of NJ. The Hawks have done it with great D and a balanced offense led by QB Marquez McCray. They don’t have the 5 star big play ability of D’Andre Swift but don’t sleep on the duo of soph Kolbe Burrell and junior Marques Mason. The Hawks D is as good as it gets only giving up a little over a touchdown a game at 7.3 ppg. LaSalle is always ready for the Prep and this game is close in years even when it shouldn’t be. LaSalle is steady on O and stingy on D led by LB Liam Trainor and DL Garrett Zobel. My gut is telling me that LaSalle is flying under the radar with a backup QB who has excelled in his new role. Don't be surprised if the winner of this match up isn't favored if (when) they meet a second time in the playoffs. I’ll pick a mild upset here and go with…LaSalle 20-14
Springfield (8-0) @ Garnet Valley (8-0) (-2.5)
Central League bragging rights are on the line in this big time match up in Delco. The top seeds in 5A and 6A battle for a chance at an outright league championship. The Cougars bring a fast physical defense loaded with playmakers as evidenced by their 4 INT’s last week vs. Marple. They will be tested by the Garnet Valley split back veer with multiple options that can hurt you. The one-two punch of seniors Danny Guy and Matt Lassik has kept teams off balance all season but recently QB Cole Palis has proven a spark for the Jags. Springfield will be ready for the option game but they must be solid on O as well as they will most likely have to make the most of every possession. Look for Delco’s leading rusher Ja’Den McKenzie to keep the chains moving and challenge the Jags D. This is one has the makings of an all-time classic battle and it’s tough to pick between two teams who seem so evenly matched. Well, here goes my best guess…Springfield 26-24
Overall: (20-3)
Record ATS: 16-7
This week brings some more playoff type football to Southeastern PA. Three league championships are on the line (PCL Red, Central, Ches-Mont National) as heavyweights get primed for November football. Just added this week (for Stalker) is the record Against the Spread for the season so far. Let's hope I can keep it going this week.
Coatesville (7-1) (-9.5) @ Downingtown East (8-0)
The Ches-Mont National Division comes down to these two teams once again as the Red Raiders and Cougars do battle in what should be an interesting contrast in styles. Coatesville features a quick strike offense that hits you from every direction. Coatesville has scored 42+ in 6 straight games with their starters sitting most of the 2nd half in each. Load the box to stop dynamic RB Aaron Young and watch QB Ricky Ortega throw darts all over the field. If you try to play coverage on their speedy wide outs, then Ortega and Young will run wild on a 6 or 7 man box. So what’s a team supposed to do? Well DEast will do what they do-run the ball right at Coatesville and make them play physical smash mouth football for 4 quarters. The DEast running game is a three headed monster that’s churned out over 2,200 yards already this season. With not only a league championship on the line but 6A playoff seeding as well, this will be a primetime game. Kottmeyer Stadium will be jam packed and loud for this one. Don't be surprised if the winner of this game ends up being the odds on favorite for the District 1 6A title. I’ll pick…Coatesville 38-27
LaSalle (6-1) vs St. Joe’s Prep (6-0) (-3.5)
PCL Red Division rivals meet again, for what will feel like a State Semi-Final game as the winner may establish themselves as the leader for the spot in the 6A title game from the East. St. Joe’s Prep has played a brutal non-league schedule and come through unfazed beating Tampa Jesuit and St. Peter’s Prep of NJ. The Hawks have done it with great D and a balanced offense led by QB Marquez McCray. They don’t have the 5 star big play ability of D’Andre Swift but don’t sleep on the duo of soph Kolbe Burrell and junior Marques Mason. The Hawks D is as good as it gets only giving up a little over a touchdown a game at 7.3 ppg. LaSalle is always ready for the Prep and this game is close in years even when it shouldn’t be. LaSalle is steady on O and stingy on D led by LB Liam Trainor and DL Garrett Zobel. My gut is telling me that LaSalle is flying under the radar with a backup QB who has excelled in his new role. Don't be surprised if the winner of this match up isn't favored if (when) they meet a second time in the playoffs. I’ll pick a mild upset here and go with…LaSalle 20-14
Springfield (8-0) @ Garnet Valley (8-0) (-2.5)
Central League bragging rights are on the line in this big time match up in Delco. The top seeds in 5A and 6A battle for a chance at an outright league championship. The Cougars bring a fast physical defense loaded with playmakers as evidenced by their 4 INT’s last week vs. Marple. They will be tested by the Garnet Valley split back veer with multiple options that can hurt you. The one-two punch of seniors Danny Guy and Matt Lassik has kept teams off balance all season but recently QB Cole Palis has proven a spark for the Jags. Springfield will be ready for the option game but they must be solid on O as well as they will most likely have to make the most of every possession. Look for Delco’s leading rusher Ja’Den McKenzie to keep the chains moving and challenge the Jags D. This is one has the makings of an all-time classic battle and it’s tough to pick between two teams who seem so evenly matched. Well, here goes my best guess…Springfield 26-24
