Here are some quick hits on the coming D1-6A games. Simplistic, but gives a picture. The Power Ratings (difference) emphasize points scored-points allowed, slanted towards points allowed, not yards and stats since at the end of the day its about points on the scoreboard not numbers on the stat sheet.
(1) North Penn 10-0 vs (16) Haverford 6-4; (North Penn 16.59)
The Knights come into the postseason on a roll, winning all their games by an average score of 41-13. This is their largest average points for in over 17 years using Don Black’s information, and a significant upgrade over last year’s team that averaged 35ppg while allowing 19. Wow! Remember they came into this year with a rebuilt OL, looking for running backs. But they are deep in receivers with a veteran quarterback. The defense won’t scare you size wise but like Ridley, they are quick, plus they retuned a veteran line-backing corps that will move any rebuild along! At 10-0 they’ve obviously handled the road well and any quality competition played, beating LaSalle in the opener 33-21 then Downingtown East 23-7 on the road. Their opponent Haverford, is way down in production offensively from 35ppg to 25. Defensively, they’re improved from 21ppg in 2015 to 13 this year against a number of vanilla offenses in the Central League. Against the best teams played, Ridley, G-Val, Marple and Springfield, they went 1-3 and 3 of those games were at home. Looks like Knight time for the Fords.
(8) Spring Ford 8-2 vs (9) Central Bucks East 8-2; (Spring Ford 9.19)
The Rams beat decent but unspectacular competition in Unionville 33-3 and Exeter Twp 38-6 but failed in tests against the better competition losing at Wilson 41-40 in 2 overtime periods and at home to 3rd seeded Perkiomen Valley 28-16. Competitive losses for sure but still losses in pressure games. One was on the road at hostile Gurski Stadium in West Lawn, the other at home against Perk Val; i.e,….playoff atmosphere games. This is the 3rd consecutive year they’ve averaged over 41ppg in Coach Chad Brubaker’s 7th year at the helm (66-17 won-loss). Coach came over from Wilson (West Lawn) where he was a top assistant for years. Central Bucks East comes in on a 3 game winning streak after dominating Pennridge in the final 35-0? Not to be discounted but apart from 27 allowed at CB South, 36 at Souderton and 33 to North Penn, they’ve only allowed 44 points. East is on a nice run in their 2nd consecutive winning season (8-3 last year), not having had a winning season since 2007’s 6-4 outing. They have a balanced offense at 30ppg and a decent D at 14 but Spring Ford has more, a lot more at 44ppg supported by a defense allowed 12. Junior quarterback TJ Pergine has been a nice surprise at 58% and +1900 yards passing to at least 5 capable receivers. The backs are experienced, senior and veteran. Should be a competitive game but the Rams have faced better passing attacks than this one.
(5) Ridley 9-1 vs (12) Plymouth Whitemarsh 8-2; (Ridley 15.30)
Talk about quiet thunder! The Green Raiders are improved in just about every category across the board with a large offense, up from last year’s production of 25ppg to 32ppg this year; their highest average in over 17 years (Don Black). If that’s not enough, the defense that gets to the ball like a flash mob is special in terms of speed and yield, allowing 9ppg. Last year’s allowed 18. Right, the league shows few explosive attacks but 9ppg is special in anyone’s book and their best since 2010’s 10-2 group ended the year with a 8 point average. Conversely, the Colonials are way down from last year’s 30ppg output to 22 this year (lowest in7 years), with a stodgy offense that is one dimensional downhill. The D is improved modestly from 21 to 18ppg but against SOL-American comp. It’s playoff time with no reason to get cocky but the Colonials look way to predictable against this defense to challenge Ridley at home.
(4) Coatesville 9-1 vs (13) Abington 6-4; (Coatesville 17.32)
Barring the early season loss to powerful Cumberland Valley, Coatesville has gone unchallenged in all games, entering the postseason on an 8 game winning streak and a surprisingly large offense averaging 41ppg. Few expected that (best in Coach Ortega era) coming into the season with such a young team. Defensively, in the offensive minded Ches-Mont League, a yield of 16ppg is more than acceptable. If there is an Achilles Heel and the opponent is no Troy, it’s their youth. But try telling that to the National and American Division teams they beat by an average score of 40-12. Opposite them, Abington limps in off a 45-7 pounding by top seeded North Penn, with previous losses to CB South 13-6, Plymouth Whitemarsh 7-0 and Neshaminy, 21-0; ie….all the +.500 teams played. Still, the 6-4 mark represents a huge turnaround from last year’s 2-10 season. The Ghosts have some horses and talent (they always do!) but probably not enough to keep up with these gazelles on the turf.
(1) North Penn 10-0 vs (16) Haverford 6-4; (North Penn 16.59)
The Knights come into the postseason on a roll, winning all their games by an average score of 41-13. This is their largest average points for in over 17 years using Don Black’s information, and a significant upgrade over last year’s team that averaged 35ppg while allowing 19. Wow! Remember they came into this year with a rebuilt OL, looking for running backs. But they are deep in receivers with a veteran quarterback. The defense won’t scare you size wise but like Ridley, they are quick, plus they retuned a veteran line-backing corps that will move any rebuild along! At 10-0 they’ve obviously handled the road well and any quality competition played, beating LaSalle in the opener 33-21 then Downingtown East 23-7 on the road. Their opponent Haverford, is way down in production offensively from 35ppg to 25. Defensively, they’re improved from 21ppg in 2015 to 13 this year against a number of vanilla offenses in the Central League. Against the best teams played, Ridley, G-Val, Marple and Springfield, they went 1-3 and 3 of those games were at home. Looks like Knight time for the Fords.
(8) Spring Ford 8-2 vs (9) Central Bucks East 8-2; (Spring Ford 9.19)
The Rams beat decent but unspectacular competition in Unionville 33-3 and Exeter Twp 38-6 but failed in tests against the better competition losing at Wilson 41-40 in 2 overtime periods and at home to 3rd seeded Perkiomen Valley 28-16. Competitive losses for sure but still losses in pressure games. One was on the road at hostile Gurski Stadium in West Lawn, the other at home against Perk Val; i.e,….playoff atmosphere games. This is the 3rd consecutive year they’ve averaged over 41ppg in Coach Chad Brubaker’s 7th year at the helm (66-17 won-loss). Coach came over from Wilson (West Lawn) where he was a top assistant for years. Central Bucks East comes in on a 3 game winning streak after dominating Pennridge in the final 35-0? Not to be discounted but apart from 27 allowed at CB South, 36 at Souderton and 33 to North Penn, they’ve only allowed 44 points. East is on a nice run in their 2nd consecutive winning season (8-3 last year), not having had a winning season since 2007’s 6-4 outing. They have a balanced offense at 30ppg and a decent D at 14 but Spring Ford has more, a lot more at 44ppg supported by a defense allowed 12. Junior quarterback TJ Pergine has been a nice surprise at 58% and +1900 yards passing to at least 5 capable receivers. The backs are experienced, senior and veteran. Should be a competitive game but the Rams have faced better passing attacks than this one.
(5) Ridley 9-1 vs (12) Plymouth Whitemarsh 8-2; (Ridley 15.30)
Talk about quiet thunder! The Green Raiders are improved in just about every category across the board with a large offense, up from last year’s production of 25ppg to 32ppg this year; their highest average in over 17 years (Don Black). If that’s not enough, the defense that gets to the ball like a flash mob is special in terms of speed and yield, allowing 9ppg. Last year’s allowed 18. Right, the league shows few explosive attacks but 9ppg is special in anyone’s book and their best since 2010’s 10-2 group ended the year with a 8 point average. Conversely, the Colonials are way down from last year’s 30ppg output to 22 this year (lowest in7 years), with a stodgy offense that is one dimensional downhill. The D is improved modestly from 21 to 18ppg but against SOL-American comp. It’s playoff time with no reason to get cocky but the Colonials look way to predictable against this defense to challenge Ridley at home.
(4) Coatesville 9-1 vs (13) Abington 6-4; (Coatesville 17.32)
Barring the early season loss to powerful Cumberland Valley, Coatesville has gone unchallenged in all games, entering the postseason on an 8 game winning streak and a surprisingly large offense averaging 41ppg. Few expected that (best in Coach Ortega era) coming into the season with such a young team. Defensively, in the offensive minded Ches-Mont League, a yield of 16ppg is more than acceptable. If there is an Achilles Heel and the opponent is no Troy, it’s their youth. But try telling that to the National and American Division teams they beat by an average score of 40-12. Opposite them, Abington limps in off a 45-7 pounding by top seeded North Penn, with previous losses to CB South 13-6, Plymouth Whitemarsh 7-0 and Neshaminy, 21-0; ie….all the +.500 teams played. Still, the 6-4 mark represents a huge turnaround from last year’s 2-10 season. The Ghosts have some horses and talent (they always do!) but probably not enough to keep up with these gazelles on the turf.
