District 1-4A Playoff Preview: Round 1

Tagged under: District 1, News, pfn, Playoffs

Michael Pietrangelo | November 1, 2024

The Matchups:

#4 Lower Moreland Lions @ #1 Pope John Paul II Golden Panthers

#1 Pope John Paul II (9-1, 5-0)

About the Golden Panthers: The Defending 4A Champion Golden Panthers enter the tournament on a 7-game winning streak. Offensively  Luke Terlesky has thrown for 1629 yards and 19 touchdowns. Terlesky also has 5 rushing touchdowns on the season. Dylan Skarbek is the team’s leading rusher with 486 yards and 5 touchdowns. Villanova Commit Braden Reed leads the team in receiving with 62 catches for 755 yards and 9 touchdowns. Bradon DeAngelo is second on the team with 29 catches 480 yards and 4 touchdowns including a 8 catch 118-yard performance last week against Perkiomen Valley. Ryan Lamson leads the team with 83 tackles followed by Sean McNally with 82 tackles. The Golden Panthers will be without their sack leader Anthony Borzillo due to PIAA transfer rules but they have Makel Parker who is second on the team with 10 sacks and Kiernan Myers with 9 sacks. Zahid Edwards Boone leads the team with 3 interceptions.

#4 Lower Moreland (6-4, Independent) 

About the Lions:   This is the first time since 2015 that the Lions have qualified for the playoffs. The Lions’ offense averages 18.5 points per game while yielding 16.9 points on the defensive side of the ball.  The Lions completed an independent schedule with wins over Vaux Big Picture, KIPP Dubois Collegiate Academy, Jenkintown, Morrisville, Thomas Edison, and Dobbins VoTech. Their losses came against Springfield (M), ANC, Bristol, and New Hope-Solebury.

#3 Bishop Shanahan Eagles @ #2 Springfield (M) Spartans

#2 Springfield (M) (8-2, 4-1) 

About the Spartans:  These Spartans are battle-tested at 8-2 overall and 4-1 in the SOL-American, where they play a 5-6A conference schedule. Their two losses came to #1 seed Pope John Paul II in week 1 (34-27) and in the conference chip to 6A playoff qualifier Plymouth-Whitemarsh (42-0). The Spartans are led by senior quarterback Jack McGuckin, who has completed 64% of his passes for 1,228 yards with 12 touchdowns.  Jack also rushed for 533 yards on 86 attempts and had 11 rushing touchdowns.  The dual-threat quarterback’s favorite target and backfield mate is CJ Johnson. CJ rushed 87 times for 973 yards and 19 touchdowns. He hauled in 31 balls for 418 yards and five more scores. Bobby Hartman hauled in 23 catches for 358 yards and three touchdowns. The All-State duo looks to make a deep run into the state playoffs.  On the defensive side of the ball McGuckin has 25 total tackles, 2 interceptions, and 2 forced fumbles. Hartman has 41 total tackles and 2 sacks.  Can the Spartans earn a rematch against PJP?

#3 Bishop Shanahan (8-2, 2-1)

About the Eagles:

The Eagles secured their first ChesMont Championship in school history defeating Coatesville 21-14 to end the regular season, winning the Big School Division even though they are the smallest school in the ChesMont. Coach Paul Myers’ Eagles are no stranger to the District 1 4A tournament, with multiple District 1 Titles and a recent run to the 4A State Semis. Bishop Shanahan will go as deep in the playoffs as Junior QB/Safety Anthony Aquila will take them. As QB he controls the offense throwing for 800 yards and 11 touchdowns, but it is his gritty running of the QB read option that really keeps the Eagles moving. Tailback Julian Haylock has 1,000 yards of total offense. Aquila’s favorite target through the air is the very talented Aiden Civitella. Civitella will command double coverage, as he is a threat from anywhere on the field. On defense the Eagles are a swarming, sure tackling group, who have built their team playing against 6A teams

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