By Joe Stokes
In a few short weeks both league championships and playoff positions will be set in stone. However the teams on top are sure to shift beginning this weekend. The District One AAAA top seeds held their spots for the most part with victories last weekend. Downingtown East, Downingtown West, Quakertown, Perkiomen Valley, Unionville and Spring-Ford are the top dogs entering this big weekend.
The competition for playoff slots is fierce at the AAA level as well. Only eight teams extend their season in this group. Academy Park, Upper Moreland, Pottstown, Marple Newtown and Great Valley lead the pack.
It appears that Archbishop Wood, St Joe Prep and LaSalle are once again on track for post season play in District 12.
This will mark the tenth season this writer has attempted to forecast the five toughest games each week. The last nine years the prognostication record stands at 437-186 while going 20-10 this season.
Last week found pay dirt for the prognostications going 5-0. Downingtown East, Upper Darby, St Joe Prep, Downingtown West and Upper Dublin all pulled through as predicted.
Time to keep the streak…
Marple Newtown @ Garnet Valley
The Marple Newtown Tigers suffered their first defeat of the season last Friday in a hard fought defensive struggle with Conestoga. The Pioneer defense was able to stifle QB Anthony Paoletti and the Tiger offense on the last play of the game for a 13-9 victory. The Tiger setback opens the door for Garnet Valley, Ridley, Upper Darby and Haverford to have a shot at the Central league title. The Garnet Valley Jaguars overwhelmed Harriton last Friday 58-13 to stay in the AAAA playoff race in the 17th position. Coach Mike Ricci saw his offense gain 437 yard with 344 of those yards on the ground. This is a homecoming game for the Jags and a must win to keep the league title and playoff hopes alive
Garnet Valley 31 Marple Newtown 27
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Bishop Shanahan @ Downingtown East
The Downingtown East Cougars continued their undefeated season with a 42-7 win over Chest-Mont League rival West Chester Henderson. The defensive line play of Will Kiely, Shane Hogarth, Chris Harootunian and Pat Matta set the tone by adjusting to the Henderson spread offensive attack. The Bishop Shanahan Eagles also defeated Henderson a few weeks ago in wet and windy conditions 27-6. QB Nick Skulski and running back Jake Guinan will test that stingy Cougar defense but count on the “D” to hold them off in a hard fought contest.
Downingtown East 38 Bishop Shanahan 24
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Quakertown @ Council Rock South
Quakertown and Council Rock South have a lot riding on this outcome. The Panthers are 7-0 and have a shot at the top seed in AAAA District One. The Golden Hawks of Council Rock South are fighting for their playoff lives presently tied for 12th in a 16 team post season field. This can go either way but a slight edge goes to Quakertown.
Quakertown 34 Council Rock South 30
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The rest of the fearless forecast
North Penn 28 Pennsbury 24
Spring-Ford 31 Pottstown Area 23
