PFN ‘s Willie is Cookin’ In Philly Week 2
Tagged under: District 1, District 12, News, Non-PIAA, pfn
Willie McGonigle | September 2, 2026
The Calendar has now turned to September. September a month that is popular with musicians, with several mentioning the month in some of their songs’ titles, such as the Earth, Wind and Fire Classic simply titled “September” and Neil Diamond’s 1979 hit “September Morn.” Both of which came well before this writer was born, but perhaps a band from even farther before my time, The Tempos, said it best with their popular “See You In September.” What a great month September is. Despite what the weather forecast for this week in the Philadelphia region says, September usually brings cooler temperatures and less humidity. In the sports world, you get the baseball pennant races heating up, the college football season gets started, and high school football season gets in full swing so the band Green Day, who says “Wake Me Up When September Ends,” I personally wish to be able to soak up all the great things that occur in September. Let’s take a look at What’s Cookin’ in Philly this First Week of September.
Impressive Debut for Chester’s Williams: Chester High Freshman RB Sa’Mhad Williams made quite an impression in Chester’s Impressive 22-10 season-opening victory at Strath Haven. The Freshman carried the ball 21 times, resulting in 187 yards and 2 touchdowns for the Clippers.
Great Start for O’Hara Defense: In his first game as Defensive Coordinator at Cardinal O’Hara, Jack Ellis orchestrated a dominating defensive effort, holding Audenreid Charter to 38 total yards of offense on their way to a 48-0 victory. Josh Dahn led the Lions defense with 4 tackles, and Bobby Bower had an interception.
Garnet Valley’s Sets School Record: In Garnet Valley’s 63-34 victory over Nazareth last Friday, Sr. QB Colton Turner set the school record for passing touchdowns in a single game with 5, breaking the record that was previously held by Jerry Frail, Matt McHugh, Christian Portale, Matt Mesaros and Luke O’Donoghue, all of whom threw four touchdowns in one game.
Webb’s Big Day For Archbishop Wood: In Archbishop Wood’s 35-17 victory over CB South, Vikings RB D’Andre Webb Jr rushed 295 yards, which is the third-most yards in school history. Andrew Guckin owns the record for rushing 345 yards back in 2012.
West Chester Henderson to Hold Season Dedication Ceremony: Before their home opener this Friday vs Hatboro-Horsham, the West Chester Henderson Warriors will host a ceremony to honor the service and memory of Fallen Pennsylvania State Police Corporal Timothy J O’Connor, a member of the Henderson class of 2004. Corporal O’Connor made the ultimate sacrifice, giving his life in the line of duty on March 8, 2026. The Warriors will also be honoring former Coaches Mike Hancock and Joe Walsh, both of whom passed away in the last year. The ceremony will begin at 6:40, with kickoff being scheduled for 7 pm.
Season Over: On Monday, Harriton announced that they were cancelling the rest of their Varsity season. This comes due to safety concerns you can read more about that decision Here
Season Begins: The Inter-Ac League teams will finally get their season started on Thursday with Chestnut Hill Academy traveling down to Salesianum. On Friday, Penn Charter hosts Pennington at noon; Germantown Academy plays Archbishop Wood (noon), and Malvern Prep takes on LaSalle (6 pm); both games are at Ocean City High School. Episcopal Academy travels to Lawrenceville School (Friday, 7 pm) and Haverford School travels down to Maryland on Saturday to battle McDonogh at Noon at Baltimore’s Under Armor Stadium.
Thursday Night Football: Thanks to Labor Day weekend and Rosh Hashanah, we get two weeks in a row with District 1 Football being played on Thursday night. This Thursday, there’s a total of 21 games being played. Next week, September 10, there are 27 games scheduled
Where’s PFN: Here’s who to follow for updates from the following games. Here’s who to follow on X:
Thursday
Interboro at Academy Paulmbo 3 pm @Afranklinpfn
Strath Haven at Penncrest 7 pm: @nichmashmedia
Avon Grove at West Chester East 7 pm @williepafn
Souderton at Pennridge 7 pm @LSVSports
Friday
Norristown at Abington 7 pm @Baileybmedia
Pottsgrove at Sun Valley 7 pm @williepafn
Boys Latin at Ben Franklin 3 pm @Afranklinpfn
Father Judge vs Lansdale Catholic 11 am Ocean City High School @dridallmedia
Bonner-Prendie vs Archbishop Ryan 3 pm Ocean City High School @dridallmedia
Plymouth Whitemarsh vs Kennett 8 pm Abessinio Stadium Wilmington De @williepafn
PFN Willie’s Signature Dishes (Best Games)
Wilson West Lawn at CB West Friday 7 pm: District 3 power meets District 1 power
Central York at North Penn Friday 7 pm: Another District 3 power taking one of the District 1 powers
Neshaminy at Manheim Township Friday 7 pm: Another intriguing battle between District 1 and 3
Garnet Valley at Haverford Thursday 7 pm: Central League portion of the schedule opens with a big one for both teams.
Malvern Prep vs LaSalle Friday 6 pm Ocean City: What an awesome atmosphere being mere footsteps from the Beach Carey Stadium provides, and this game should be sold out. Malvern Prep can make the argument they are one of the best teams in the state year after year. They can test themselves against the Defending 6A Champions.
Cardinal O’Hara at Conwell-Egan Friday 6 pm: Lions and Eagles do battle in a Catholic League crossover battle that will go a long way in determining seeds come Catholic League 4A playoffs
St. Joseph Prep at Brentwood Academy, Tennessee Friday 7 pm: The Hawks to climb back to top of the Catholic League open with a tough test in Tennessee
Don Bosco Prep at Roman Catholic Friday 7 pm Wissahickon High School: The Cahillites look to bounce back from their loss to national power St John Bosco last week by facing another nationally ranked opponent.
DeMatha Catholic at Imhotep Friday 7 pm Germantown Supersite: The Panthers look to make a statement by knocking off the national power DeMatha Stags
Bonner-Prendie vs Archbishop Ryan Saturday 3 pm Ocean City High School: Another Catholic League crossover battle that will determine seeding come CL 4A playoffs
That’s all for this week, folks. As always, if you have something that you feel could be in any of this season’s What’s Cooking, feel free to reach out to me via DM on X at @williepafn, or email williepafootballnews@gmail.com
