Last week: 3-0
Overall: 4-2
Archbishop Wood (2-1) @ St. Joe’s Prep (2-0) (-6) at Widener University
This is the matchup of the season in SEPA so far as PCL Heavyweights go at it a week after proving PA’s strength with wins over North Jersey privates Bergen Catholic and St. Peter’s Prep. Prep comes in with #13 ranking in USA Today and look like an early favorite to repeat as 6A champs. Wood is the defending 5A champions and surely won’t be intimidated by the Prep. QB Marquez McCray has been a steady underrated leader for this team and is getting help from soph RB Kobe Burrell & a tenacious D that rarely gives ground. Wood is looking to grind and run right through you but has improved in the passing game with the development of QB Jake Colyar. I think this matchup of strength on strength will be fun to watch. I think this has the makings of a slugfest with the last team to have the ball getting the victory…..SJP 21-17
Coatesville (2-1) (-9) @ Downingtown West (2-1)
These two longtime rivals out of the Ches-Mont will begin league play in what will be a huge factor in determining the favorite right out of the gate. D-West surprised many last week by winning at Heartbreak Ridge and becoming the most difficult team to read in SEPA. Are they the team that got hammered by a good (but not great) Perk Valley team or should they be a sleeper given their road win at Neshaminy? Coatesville starts league play after showing some of their youth in a Wk 2 loss at Cumberland Valley. No shame in losing to the D3 power but they have to feel like they let one slip away after being up 14-0 at the half. RB Aaron Young got going last week with 187 yards and 5 TD’s. The Coatesville O is one of the toughest matchups in D1 with skill all over. West gave up some huge plays against Neshaminy & they seem to struggle on that side of the ball. My best guess is Coatesville is a little more explosive than D-West and they will have their way scoring on the Whippets….Coatesville 38-24
Marple Newtown (2-1) @ Ridley (1-2) (-2.5)
This is a big game for the Green Raiders as a loss this week could make it a tough task to get into the postseason with road games against Springfield (Delco) and Upper Darby still on the schedule. Marple Newtown is led by QB Anthony Paoletti,who is headed to the University of Delaware, but also has some great weapons in RB Marlon Weathers and WR Dash Dulgerian. HC Chris Gicking has come home and turned Marple into a legit 5A and Central League contender year in and year out. Ridley’s tradition of hard nosed D will be tested this week but I like Ridley to keep their postseason hopes alive….Ridley 27-24
Overall: 4-2
Archbishop Wood (2-1) @ St. Joe’s Prep (2-0) (-6) at Widener University
This is the matchup of the season in SEPA so far as PCL Heavyweights go at it a week after proving PA’s strength with wins over North Jersey privates Bergen Catholic and St. Peter’s Prep. Prep comes in with #13 ranking in USA Today and look like an early favorite to repeat as 6A champs. Wood is the defending 5A champions and surely won’t be intimidated by the Prep. QB Marquez McCray has been a steady underrated leader for this team and is getting help from soph RB Kobe Burrell & a tenacious D that rarely gives ground. Wood is looking to grind and run right through you but has improved in the passing game with the development of QB Jake Colyar. I think this matchup of strength on strength will be fun to watch. I think this has the makings of a slugfest with the last team to have the ball getting the victory…..SJP 21-17
Coatesville (2-1) (-9) @ Downingtown West (2-1)
These two longtime rivals out of the Ches-Mont will begin league play in what will be a huge factor in determining the favorite right out of the gate. D-West surprised many last week by winning at Heartbreak Ridge and becoming the most difficult team to read in SEPA. Are they the team that got hammered by a good (but not great) Perk Valley team or should they be a sleeper given their road win at Neshaminy? Coatesville starts league play after showing some of their youth in a Wk 2 loss at Cumberland Valley. No shame in losing to the D3 power but they have to feel like they let one slip away after being up 14-0 at the half. RB Aaron Young got going last week with 187 yards and 5 TD’s. The Coatesville O is one of the toughest matchups in D1 with skill all over. West gave up some huge plays against Neshaminy & they seem to struggle on that side of the ball. My best guess is Coatesville is a little more explosive than D-West and they will have their way scoring on the Whippets….Coatesville 38-24
Marple Newtown (2-1) @ Ridley (1-2) (-2.5)
This is a big game for the Green Raiders as a loss this week could make it a tough task to get into the postseason with road games against Springfield (Delco) and Upper Darby still on the schedule. Marple Newtown is led by QB Anthony Paoletti,who is headed to the University of Delaware, but also has some great weapons in RB Marlon Weathers and WR Dash Dulgerian. HC Chris Gicking has come home and turned Marple into a legit 5A and Central League contender year in and year out. Ridley’s tradition of hard nosed D will be tested this week but I like Ridley to keep their postseason hopes alive….Ridley 27-24