District 1-5A Playoff Preview: Round 1
Tagged under: District 1, News, pfn, Playoffs
Michael Pietrangelo | November 1, 2024
Playoffs, Playoffs, and more playoffs!!! We have concluded the 2024-25 regular season in District One, and the 16-team playoff field is set. The number one seed in our 5A classification is Springfield (Delco) after only dropping one game to 6A #2 seed Downingtown West. Look for the Cougars to make a deep run in the 5A playoffs. Their only loss came at the hands of 6A- Haverford. My fellow District One writers Willie McGonigle and Marcus Sic provide the majority of the details for the 5A classification.
The Matchups
#16 Academy Park Knights @ #1 Springfield-Delco Cougars
#1 Springfield (Delco) (9-1, 7-1)
About the Cougars: The Cougars enter the playoffs having earned a share of the Central League title and with a record of 9-1. Offensively the Cougars are led on the ground by Brad Barber who has rushed for 816 yards on 127 carries bruising FB Nate Romano has rushed for nearly 500 yards on the season. Romano and Barber have combined for 22 touchdowns. When the Cougars need to air the ball out Jackson Kennedy has proven himself more than capable of doing so having thrown for over 1000 yards and 12 touchdowns. Chris Dolan and Tanner Coll are the top two receivers for the Cougars. Defensively Romano leads the Cougars in tackles with over 70 on the season. Evan Herzig is second on the team with over 56 tackles. Dolan leads the team with 5 interceptions, followed by Brian Delaney with 3.
#16 Academy Park (5-4, 2-1)
About the Knights: The Knights enter the playoffs looking to make history. Their win over Interboro last week gave them their first winning season since the 2021 season. Senior DB Amir Thomas who caught 2 interceptions last week leads the secondary while offensively the Knights are led by QB KJ Moore and WR Daniel Gbeaday. With RB Jayden Barton possibly out for the playoffs due to injury look for So. Jason Acquoi to take over as lead back for the Knights.
#15 Oxford Hornets @ #2 West Chester Rustin Golden Knights
#2 West Chester Rustin (9-1, 5-0)
About the Golden Knights:
The Knights are coming off a season where they took the inaugural ChesMont Central title, nothing new for Rustin’s Head Coach Mike St. Clair. St. Clair has now won 9 ChesMont titles. Like every other title Rustin has captured it was won by playing hard nose defense and a punishing Wing T offense. Anchoring both the O and the D is Chase Hatton. Hatton is a bruising runner who doubles as a hard-hitting aggressive strong safety. Pulling the trigger on the offense is QB David McCain, when Hatton isn’t pounding into the line silky smooth Ryan Loper will carry the ball. Although they do not put the ball in the air when they do TE Billy Tigue, with his 6’5” frame is an easy target to find in the middle of the field.
On D many of the offensive players do double duty, Hatton leading the defense along with Loper. Line Backer Luke Spitzer heads a LB corps that is the key to Rustin’s 4-4 defense. Rustin’s D Line is large and active which give the LBs the freedom to get down hill and make tackles.
#15 Oxford Hornets (6-4, 2-2)
About the Hornets:
Oxford enters the tournament winning three of their last for games, they face a familiar opponent in WC Rustin. Coach Mike Means has developed a potent running game this year with 19 of its 21 offensive touchdowns coming via the run. Leading the way is halfback Joel McCain who has rushed for 1,018 yards on 170 carries and 11 touchdowns. Signal caller Aiden Kane has rushed for just under 600 yards including 6 touchdowns, while throwing for another 600 yards and 3 TD tosses. Leading the receivers are Nate Winters and Jake Patterson.
The Hornets defense has improved as the season has developed, for the season they are giving up 21points a game. Over the last four games they have only given up about 16 points a game.
#14 Upper Perkiomen Indians @ #3 Phoenixville Phantoms
#3 Phoenixville (8-1, 4-1)
About the Phantoms:
Phoenixville’s Head Coach Anthony Ciarlello brings his Phantoms in to the playoffs riding a five-game winning streak, including a 24-0 shellacking of OJ Roberts last week, in the PAC crossover game. The Phantoms and Upper Perk met three weeks ago with the Phantoms coming out on top 40-14. Phoenixville is a run first team averaging 250 yards per game on the ground, but if you stack the box Coach Ciarlello is not afraid to go over the top averaging 132 yard per game in the air, leading to an average of 30 points per game.
On defense the Phantoms have been very stingy, giving up only 12 points per game while creating 17 turnovers. Passing against the Phoenixville defense has proven to be very difficult, they have 30 QB sacks and 12 interceptions.
#14 Upper Perkiomen (6-4, 5-4)
About the Indians:
The Indians led by second-year Head Coach Dan Heinrich come into the game with Phoenixville riding a two-game winning streak. Their offense starts with a very productive running game averaging over 230 yards per game and a passing game that goes for about 80 yards per contest. As a team they are a plus 6 in the all-important turnover ratio. Logan O’Donnell is the Indian’s QB, when he drops back his favorite receiver is Aiden Void. Void has 454 yards receiving, scoring 3 touchdowns. The ground game is where the Indians make their hay, with Zach Schwartz carrying the rock for over 1,200 yards, Zach Adams and Brody Weiss average about 50 yards per game, making the Upper Perk running attack one of the best in the PAC.
#13 Penncrest Lions @ #4 Strath Haven Panthers
#4 Strath Haven (9-1, 8-1)
About the Panthers: The defending District 1 5A Champions look to defend their title and enter the postseason having won 9 consecutive games before dropping last week’s regular-season finale to Springfield Delco which forced the two teams to each have a share of the Central League. The Panther’s wing-t offense is spearheaded by a dangerous duo of backs in Shane Green 119 rushes for 1331 yards and 16 touchdowns and James Fisher 91-794-16. Fisher is also dangerous in the passing game having 4 of his 5 receptions go for touchdowns. Caden Shuster has played nearly flawless football at the QB position having thrown for 346 yards on just 12 completions and 5 touchdowns compared to zero interceptions. Defensively the Panthers are led by Luke Mulhern who has a team-high 92 tackles. Jahi Curtis leads the team with 4 sacks while Greyson LaFrance and Fisher are tied for the team lead with 2 interceptions.
#13 Penncrest (6-4, 5-4)
About the Lions: The Lions enter the postseason among one of the hottest teams in 5A having won five of their last six contest including a span of three consecutive shutouts. The Lions will look to enact some revenge on the Panthers who defeated the Lions on the Lions’ home turf by a score of 14-10 back on August 29. Should the Lions be victorious it would mark their first playoff victory since 2009 which was during Paul Graham’s first tenure as head coach of the Lions. Offensively the Lions vaulted triple option attack is led by their QB Paul Graham Jr 820 yards rushing. Albert Dada 399 and Asher Wynee 584 yards are also dangerous playmakers in the run game. When the Lions take to the air one of their top threats is TE Kolby Poole 19 catches for 217 yards. Defensively the line is anchored by Ben Kauffman and Orion Kolleh. Poole and Jeff Cropper anchor the Lions’ linebacking core. Kyle Cunningham also has been having good season on the defensive side of the ball. 
#12 Kennett Blue Demons @ #5 Garnet Valley Jaguars
#5 Garnet Valley (7-3, 6-3)
About the Jaguars:
The perennial 6A power Jaguars drop down to 5A this season and have found themselves in unfamiliar territory having lost 3 games the most they have lost in a regular season since 2015. Offensively the Jaguars are a very dangerous team entering the postseason averaging a whopping 32 points per game. Luke O’Donoghue is the leader of the Jaguars triple option offense having rushed for 539 yards on 81 carries and 8 touchdowns. Gavin Rossello is second on the team in rushing with 473 yards on 76 attempts and 6 TDs. Anthony Gifford 48-282-3 is third on the team in rushing. O’Donoghue is also dangerous through the air where he has thrown for 1602 yards on 81 of 141 passing and 19 touchdowns. Caden Koehler is O’Donoghue’s favorite target with 42 receptions for 815 yards and 9 touchdowns. Paxton Hunt 15-336-5 and Nolan Carroll 13-206-3 are second and third on the team in receiving. Defensively Hunt leads the Jaguars in tackles with 87 and sacks with 5. Chase Britton is second on the team with 72 tackles. Carroll and Brendan McDermott are tied for the team lead in interceptions with 3 apiece followed closely by Drew Donaghy with 2.
#12 Kennett (6-3, 3-1)
About the Blue Demons:
The Blue Demons begin the playoffs fresh off capturing the inaugural ChesMont South championship. Coach Lance Frazier has his team riding a five-game winning streak after a 1-3 start to the season. The wins included two shutouts, with the defense giving up a mere 10 points per game, while the offense kicked it into high gear scoring 30 points a contest.
Kennett’s offense has averaged over 180 yards on the ground, led by Aiden Ritch and Ian Guyer toting the ball. QB Garrett McCracken leads an efficient passing game, with his favorite targets being Connor Schumacher and Joalex Carbajal. The Blue Demon’s defense is led by linebackers Ian Guyer and Eli Frazier. The defensive line is anchored by Jacob Thompson.
#11 Unionville Longhorns @ #6 Upper Dublin Cardinals
#6 Upper Dublin (7-3, 6-1)
About the Cardinals: The Cardinals finished the season 7-3 overall. They finished in a three-way tie for first in the SOL-Continental conference with 6A Quakertown and 6A Souderton. Both schools qualified for the 6A playoffs. The only losses on the Card’s schedule came to 6A schools CB South (10-0), CB West (8-2), & Souderton (7-3). The Cards are currently averaging 25.5 points per game and yielding 22.4 points per game to opposing offenses. Senior quarterback Kevin Etkin leads the passing attack with 1,306 yards and 13 touchdowns while only throwing one interception. Kevin has completed 66% of his passes. Junior running back Ronal Shepherd leads all rushers with 1,004 yards on 149 attempts. He has also rushed for a team-leading 11 touchdowns. Senior Jordan Fields is second on the team with 328 yards on 43 attempts while scoring three touchdowns. Senior Ryan O’Sullivan leads all revivers in receptions (37), yards (497), and receiving touchdowns (4). Senior Eric Berman has hauled in 17 balls for 284 yards and three touchdowns. The defense is led by O’Sullivan who currently has 88 total tackles. Junior Shane Greenberg is second on the squad with 78 total tackles. Junior defensive end Justin Waugh leads the team in sacks with seven.
#11 Unionville (6-4, 2-2)
About the Longhorns: In Coach Tim Murphy’s second season at the helm the Longhorns make their return to the postseason for the first time since 2021. The Longhorns enter the playoff scoring an average of 25.6 points per game. The Longhorns possess two quality QBs Tommy McGinnis and Brody McLaughlin. McLaughlin filled in for an injured McGinnis early in the season. Owen Simcox and Trian Mcllrath are also key contributors to the Longhorns offense, Defensively the Longhorns are averaging giving up 22.4 points per game.
#10 Upper Moreland Golden Bears @ #7 Chester Clippers
#7 Chester (9-1, 4-0)
About the Clippers: It is hard to imagine a more dangerous 7th seed in the entire state than the Clippers who enter the postseason ranked 2nd in 5A by PFN with a 9-1 record with their lone loss being to 6A power Imhotep Charter by a score of 28-24 in overtime. Offensively the Clippers are averaging nearly 43 points per game and have scored 40 or more points every game of their current 7-game winning streak. QB Jalen Harris has thrown for 1608 yards and 24 touchdowns this season. His top target is his twin Daron Harris who has 847 yards receiving on only 32 catches and 14 touchdowns. Dayshon Jackson has rushed for 1240 yards on 134 carries and 15 touchdowns. Defensively the Clippers are led in tackles by a pair of Jrs in Jerrell Palmer (81 tackles) and Jayon Burton (77 tackles). Sr Wayne Clark is third on the team with 63 tackles. Clark leads the team with 13 sacks. Daron Harris leads the team with 5 interceptions, followed by Larry McDaniel with 4.
#10 Upper Moreland (8-2, 3-2)
About the Golden Bears: Upper Moreland finished the year 8-2 overall and 3-2 in the SOL-American conference, which was good enough for third. Their losses were to 6A-Plymouth Whitemarsh (21-14) and 4A-Springfield-Montco (41-17). The Golden Bears offensive attack averaged 31.5 points per game while yielding 14.6 points per game on the defensive side of the ball. Senior quarterback Alex Foley has completed 63% of his passes for 974 yards. He threw 14 touchdowns and zero interceptions. Junior running back Elijah Davis leads the Bears backfield with 39 carries for 184 yards & two touchdowns. Senior Swiss Army knife Aidan Tuffy is second on the team with 27 carries for 168 yards & a team-leading five touchdowns. Tuffy also leads all receivers with nine catches for 249 yards and five touchdowns. Senior Braden Moore is second on the team with 10 catches for 212 yards and two touchdowns. Junior tight end Larry Hughes finished third on the team with 8 catches for 173 yards and four scores. Senior Jamir Williams rounded out the Bears passing attack with 15 catches for 144 yards and a touchdown. The defense is led by senior linebacker Frankie McDermott, with 41 total tackles and nine tackles for loss. Junior Justin Valentin is second on the team with 34 total tackles. Tuffy is third on the defense with 27 total tackles. Senior Alex Costanzo leads all defenders with three sacks. Larry Hughes leads the team in interceptions with two. Junior Luke Sword was 24/26 converting PATs
#9 Marple Newtown Fightin’ Tigers @ #8 Pottsgrove Falcons
#8 Pottsgrove (7-3, 3-2)
About the Falcons: The Falcons enter the playoffs with a 7-3 record. Offensively Chase Hawthorne has thrown for 1057 yards and 10 touchdowns. Mikhi Dargan has rushed for 1151 yards and on 128 carries and 17 touchdowns. Deymein Doctor’s 24 receptions for 408 yards and 4 touchdowns and Cameron Waller’s 15-323-2 are the top two receivers for the Falcons. Defensively Brandon McGinley leads the team in tackles with 60 followed closely by Isaiah Rivera and Chase Wiley with 51 and 44 tackles respectively. Waller is the team leader in sacks with 7. Kamal Curry and Thomas Sambrick are tied with a team-high 3 interceptions apiece
#9 Marple Newtown (7-3, 6-3)
About the Fightin’ Tigers: The Tigers enter the playoffs on a four-game winning streak. Offensively Brett Wolski has rushed for over 1000 yards and 14 touchdowns. Jude Jelus has thrown for over 1000 yards and 11 touchdowns while completing 63 percent of his passes. Jack Dean Sean Grogan and Brian Box are the top targets for Jelus. Defensively Aidin Curran and Lou Diluzio lead the team in tackles while Mike Murray leads the team in tackles for loss.
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