By Joe Stokes
This week marks the beginning of league play for most teams in District one and twelve. Old rivalries in regular season mean a lot to local fans and players. In some seasons an upset in one of these contests is the highlight of the year.
This will mark the tenth season I have attempted to forecast the five toughest games each week. The last nine years the prognostication record stands at 420-178 while going 3-2 this season.
LaSalle, North Penn and Downingtown West all won as predicted while picking against Ridley and Don Bosco Prep led to the two losing picks.
This early in the season it is always difficult to pick the top games to feature but let’s give it the old high school try.
North Penn @ Downingtown East.
The North Penn Knights started the season with a tough loss to LaSalle but bounced back to defeat West Catholic 40-24 last Friday. QB Reece Udinski led the way with 254 yards passing with 3 TDs. While penalties were an issue, a bit more discipline will resolve this problem. Downingtown East Cougars are 2-0 with wins over Frankford and Roman Catholic. They will need tight end Carry Angeline to have a big game to pull off an early season upset over the Knights. Look for North Penn to keep this game in control
North Penn 37 Downingtown East 23
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LaSalle @ Dematha Catholic (DC)
The LaSalle Explorers travel to Washington DC and will face the fourth ranked high school team in the nation. Although LaSalle is 2-0 with impressive wins over North Penn and Pennsbury, they will need a near perfect performance to win this one. Dematha Catholic has top college recruits in lineman Shane Simmons and receiver Tino Ellis. The Explores have a few weapons as well in running back Syaire Madden and QB Chris Ferguson. The odds do not favor and upset.
Damatha Catholic 31 LaSalle 20
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Garnet Valley @ Ridley
The Ridley Green Raiders were able to hold off Springfield and Glen Mills to open this season 2-0. However Garnet Valley has defeated Ridley five of the last six outings. The winner of this contest gets the inside track to a Central League title again this year. The Jaguars will need RB Derrick West to shine if they are to prevail at Ridley. Always reluctant to pick against Ridley but here goes another roll of the dice.
Garnet Valley 27 Ridley 21
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The rest of the fearless forecast
Haverford School 35 West Catholic 23
Plymouth Whitemarsh 28 Norristown 17
