District 1 5A Championship Preview

Tagged under: District 1, Gameday Hub, News, pfn, Playoffs

Willie McGonigle | November 20, 2025

The Who: 4th-Ranked Chester Clippers at 6th-Ranked Springfield Cougars

The What: District 1 5A Championship/State Quarterfinal

Where Springfield High School, 200 S. Rolling Rd, Springfield, PA 19064
When: Friday, November 21, 7 pm

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Last Meeting: This is the first meeting between the Clippers and Cougars since the 1960s 

About the Clippers: Since Dennis Shaw took over the Clippers in 2023 it has been easy sailing for the Clippers who have won 35 of 39 games, and this season completed the first undefeated regular season in school history 13-0.

Offensively, the Clippers’ offence is one of the most powerful in the state, entering play Friday night, averaging a whopping 39.5 points per game in the 12 games that they have played. Sr QB Jalen Harris, Delaware County’s all-time leader in passing yards, has thrown for 2076 yards and 25 touchdowns this season. Despite missing three games this season, Daron Harris is the team’s leading receiver, hauling in 29 passes for 668 yards and 6 touchdowns. Damon Fitzgerald has 25 receptions, 502 yards, and is tied with Daron Harris with 6 receiving touchdowns.  Shadrach George and Jerrell Palmer are a two-headed monster in the backfield. George carried the ball 83 times for 703 yards and 7 touchdowns, while Palmer carried the ball 82 times for 681 yards and 5 touchdowns. Jalen Harris leads the team with 18 rushing touchdowns on only 70 carries. Shemaj Henry, Josiah Bynum-Smokes, Jacoby Roman, Solomon Dodson and Zyon Santana have paved the way for the Clippers’ offensive success.

The Clippers are has stellar on defence as they are on offence. Entering play Friday, they have yielded just 68 points all season. Palmer is the team’s leading tackler with 108 total tackles, with 11 Tackles for Loss. Santana leads the team with 7 sacks and 18 TFL. Jabrae Davis is second on the team with 6 sacks. DeAndre Pe is third on the team with 5 sacks. The secondary is anchored by George and the Harris twins. The trio has combined to intercept 14 passes, with George leading the way with 6.

About the Cougars: The Cougars are appearing in their fifth District Championship game under head coach Chris Britton, but are searching for their first District Championship. Earlier this season, Britton picked up his 100th career win.

Offensively, the Cougars are led at the helm by Sophomore Johnny Hopkins. Springfield has been fantastic offensively this season, and with weapons like TJ Valetti and Luke Valerio, they should have no issues putting the ball into the endzone Friday night. Johnny Hopkins has really found his footing in the Springfield offense, and the Cougars finally have the right balance between the run and the pass. Last week, Hopkins passed the ball 17 times and completed 13 of his passes for 104 yards and a TD. Luke Valerio and Tanner Coll both found the endzone out of the backfield last week, with Valerio rushing 26 times for 115 yards and 2 touchdowns and Coll rushing 11 times for 97 yards and 1 touchdown. TJ Valetti found a touchdown in the air, catching all 5 of his targets for 40 yards and 1 score.

Defensively, the Cougars are led by TJ Valetti and Maddox Moleski. The Cougars have had an above-average defense this season, and with the toughest task of the year ahead of them, the Cougar defense needs to buckle down in order to stop the Clippers and come home with a victory.

PFN Intern Nicholas Mastripolito Contributed to this preview

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