And then there were three…
Pope John Paul II, Owen J. Roberts and Phoenixville’s victories last Friday night gave the PAC one team standing at each of District One’s three largest classifications.
This week, we start with PJP’s quest for consecutive Class 4A titles. All games are to be played at 7 p.m. Friday.
Class 4A Championship: No. 2 Springfield Township (9-2) at No. 1 Pope John Paul II (10-1)
The season started with an encounter between these two squads, but PJP gets to host the rematch.
The opener was a 34-27 decision in favor of the Golden Panthers, a game in which PJP started poorly and recovered in the second half. But these two teams bear only some resemblance to the squads that met back on Aug. 23, as PJP head coach Scott Reed is all too aware.
“It’s always tough playing a team a second time during a high school football season,” Reed acknowledged. “But Week 0 feels like years ago. I think both teams have significantly improved.”
The PJP defense, namely, has grown greatly since the opener. In the 10 subsequent games, the Golden Panthers are allowing only eight points per game with five shutouts to their credit. But a Springfield offense that amassed 372 yards rushing in last week’s win over Bishop Shanahan awaits.
“(This game) has been marked on our calendar since we lost,” Springfield quarterback Jack McGuckin told MediaNews Group after the Shanahan win.
“We lost by a touchdown, so we definitely wanted to see them again,” added CJ Johnson, who put up 259 yards rushing in last week’s victory.
Springfield’s only other loss this season is to Plymouth Whitemarsh, who’s alive and well at the 6A level.
For the Golden Panthers to repeat their opening win, they’ll need to lean on not only the increasingly stingy defense, but an offense that features senior and Villanova commit Braden Reed (70 catches, 999 yards, 21 total TDs) as a main component, with senior QB Terlesky (69 percent completions, 1,941 yards, 26 TDs, 3 INTs, 334 rush yards) sprinkling some tough runs with his prolific passing.
“Luke makes everything go for us,” said Scott Reed. “He runs our offense, he knows what everyone is doing, and the moment never seems too big for him. He has played great for us all season and his decision making has been outstanding.”
Junior Dylan Skarbek, who Reed called a “pillar of consistency,” leads the Golden Panthers with 521 yards rushing. Fellow junior Brandon DeAngelo (18.6 yards per catch, 498 yards) will punish defenses who turn too great a focus to Reed.
The Golden Panthers hope to return to the PIAA playoffs for a second straight year with a win.
“This is the part of the season where you need to flush the first 10 weeks and focus on the opponent at hand,” Reed concluded. “There is no margin of error, there is no looking past anyone. Every playoff game is challenging and tough to get through, and this week will be no different.”
Class 6A: No. 7 Owen J. Roberts (9-2) at No. 2 Downingtown West (10-1)
Owen J. Roberts head coach Rich Kolka didn’t mince words when asked about his greatest concern in this week’s matchup.
“Downingtown West’s defense,” Kolka responded.
D-West does it in a number of ways. Primarily, they stifle teams – only twice have the Whippets allowed 20-plus points this season. Last week against Coatesville, they survived – weathering 80 offensive snaps to yield only 293 offensive yards in a 27-21 victory.
More than anything, however, D-West uses a combination of playmakers, system and opportunity to put its offense in good position. Last week, the Whippets rode a punt return touchdown to a 7-0 halftime lead, then matched Coatesville blow-for-blow after halftime, with quarterback Cole Bricker firing three touchdown passes, including a game-winner to JD Weller in the final two minutes.
Specifically, OJR needs to follow up last week’s 38-24 win over Neshaminy – their first playoff win in 15 years – with an equally big performance. Center Doug Keck faces a big test in his matchup with D-West defensive lineman Brian Carter, while quarterback Corey Schock faces arguably the best secondary OJR’s seen this season.
The Wildcats are glad to have Mekhi Graham back to give the running game another weapon against stingy D-West. Matt Gregory, who returned two of OJR’s six interceptions for touchdowns a week ago, will lead the defense against Bricker and his array of pass catchers.
While many would consider an OJR win to be an upset, this group of Wildcats has broken through repeatedly – a win at Spring-Ford, hosting (and winning) a playoff game. A victory at Downingtown West would push OJR into the district contender conversation and keep the ride going for at least one more week.
Class 5A: No. 6 Upper Dublin (8-3) at No. 3 Phoenixville (9-1)
“This is all about the trenches,” said Phoenixville head coach Anthony Ciarlello. “If we can win more battles up front than Upper Dublin, we will be successful.”
It’s a scouting report that bodes well for the Phantoms, who’ve smashed their way to over 2,500 rushing yards this season, led by PAC rushing champ Deacon Williams (1,471 yards, 13 TDs). But Ciarlello is wary of the Cardinals’ similar strengths.
“This game will challenge us more than any other game this year,” he said. “Their line is impressive. Big, strong, good footwork – they move in unison and re-establish the line of scrimmage.”
It’s a balanced attack for Upper Dublin, with about 3,000 yards in total offense split almost evenly between the run and pass. Senior Kevin Etkin is productive at 66 percent completion, 1,306 yards and 13 TDs, but perhaps his most impressive stat is the single interception thrown on 163 attempts – numbers you just don’t see often in high school football.
So Ciarlello knows taking care of the ball (the Phantoms turned it over twice last week against Upper Perkiomen), and hopefully a turnover or two themselves, is not just a luxury but a necessity for the hosts. Offensively, Williams gets the headlines, but a well-rounded Phoenixville outfit also enjoys the multi-faceted talents of Trey Lear, who had a rushing, receiving and kickoff return touchdown in last week’s 31-7 win.
“Our goal is to be better each year,” said Ciarlello.
For the second straight year, Phoenixville hosted – and won — a first-round district playoff game. This year, they’re hosting again in round two, but Ciarlello knows that only means so much without the accompanying result.
“It’s business as usual,” he said. “But that includes winning a second-round playoff game.”
