District 12 Week 3 Preview Part 1: 9/14

Tagged under: District 12, News

Anthony Franklin | September 14, 2023

Thursday: 9/14

Springside Chestnut Hill Academy @ Abraham Lincoln: The SCHA Blue Devils come into the game 2-0 with convincing wins over Lansdale Catholic (35-7) and Blair Academy (40-0). Senior RB Jayden Sumpter leads them offensively with 8 TDs and 358 yards rushing during the young season. He’s the key ingredient to their offense putting points on the board this season. For the Rail Splitters they’re looking for their first win of the season after losing a close game to District 1 Downingtown West (32-28) and CL member Roman Catholic (28-14). They’re led offensively by Sr. QB Gabe Smalley who has thrown 4 TD passes and ran for another this season thus far. Look for a hard hitting, high scoring affair between these two teams.

Archbishop Wood @ Germantown Academy: The Vikings are coming off a 35-14 loss to Northeast High. Meanwhile the Patriots are 2-0 with quality wins over Simon Gratz & The Hill School. For the Patriots So. QB Xavier Stearn leads the offense throwing for 479 yards & 4 TDs on the season while targeting Jr. WR Aj Towsen for 11 receptions, 294 yards & 4 TDs and Jr. WR George Arendt who also has 11 receptions, 127 yards & 3 TDs. Wood will rely on Jr. QB Karon Shedrick who has thrown for 377 yards & 3 TDs while also rushing for 2 touchdowns so far on the season. Jr. RB Yasin Lowry leads the Vikings on the ground rushing for 268 yards & 2 scores on the season. The leading receiver is Sr. WR Joey Scarpello who has 3 scores on the year to go with 205 receiving yards.

Academy of Palumbo @ Dobbins: The AOP Griffins have struggled this young season mainly on the offensive side of the ball. In the 2 games they’ve played they’ve been shut out (18-0 & 20-0). The Mustangs enter league play 1-1 with a solid 8-6 opening day win over Roxborough before falling at MLK 48-0. Both teams are struggling offensively so look for another low scoring affair.

Roxborough @ Overbrook: Another division game for both teams looking to find their way into the playoff picture. The Indians lost a close opening game before bouncing back with a shutout win over AOP. Brook starts the season out at 2-0 with wins over KIPP (12-6) & Vaux (26-20). Both teams have athletes and should provide excitement lighting up the scoreboard.

Samuel Fels @ Harriton: Fels has yet to take the field this season due to both of their games being cancelled for various reasons. Harriton at 1-2 has the edge as they’ve had 3 games to figure out what their strengths are as a team. The advantage has to go the Harriton Rams who are more prepared and have more experience.

Simon Gratz @ Wissahickon: A key SEPA matchup as the Gratz Bulldogs look to end their 2-game skid while the Wissahickon Trojans look to extend their surprising 3 game winning streak to start the season. The Trojans offense has produced quite a few big plays led by Jr. QB Nolan Pounds who has thrown for 342 yards & 3 TDs. On the ground the utilize a dual threat with Sr. Jaden Randall (214 yards & 5 TDs) & Sr. RB Jaden McClean (156 yards & 3 TDs). Not forgotten is Freshman RB Quadir Sampson who has rushed for 250 yards & 3 scores of his own. McLean has also been big in the receiving end catching 10 passes for 137 yards & 2 additional touchdowns. For the Bulldogs their go man in all 3 phases of the game is Freshman Athlete Hyneef Thomas.

The Haverford School @ La Salle: The Fords after an opening loss to Imhotep responded greatly in a 50-8 pasting over Academy Park. This week the task is a little more challenging as they welcome an La Salle Explorers team that’s currently 1-2 on a 2-game skid after a great opening week victory over North Penn. The Fords rely on Sr. RB Matthew Brosko, Sr. TE/DE Sean Brodnik, Sr. OL/DL Michael Barnes-Pace & So. RB Jayden Rivera offensively. La Salle is led by So. QB Gavin Sidwar (830 yards 6 TDs), Sr. RB Stevie Davis (3 TDs) & Jr. WR Julian McFadden (303 yards, 2 TDs).

West Philadelphia @ Springfield-Montco: The Speedboys are currently looking to get back on track after 2 recent defeats. Up next is a non-conference game with District 1 Springfield Township who is 2-1. The Speedboys have the size upfront to be sufficient offensively running the ball. The Cougars offensively will present a challenge as in their wins they’ve scored 24 & 26 points respectively.

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