District 1: Midseason Report
Tagged under: District 1, News, pfn
Willie McGonigle | September 29, 2023
As hard has it is to believe we have already reach the midway point of the 2023 Regular season and we have seen our plenty of action in District 1 lets take a look at the playoff picture and other surprises thus far this season in District 1.
6A
After 5 weeks of the regular season, we have 5 teams in 6A left undefeated as CB West, CB South, Downingtown West, Downingtown East and Souderton have yet to be on the losing side of a game this season. CB West and CB South will meet in week eight of the season while Downingtown East and Downingtown West will meet in their annual Battle of the Brandywine in the final week of the regular season, however before DTW and DTE meet up with each other both will have to battle Chest-Mont power and rival Coatesville. DTW will host the Red Raiders next week while DTE will travel to Coatesville on October 20.
There are seven teams sitting at 4-1 (Spring-Ford Perkiomen Valley, Council Rock South, Owen J Roberts, Wissahickon, Garnet Valley and Coatesville. Spring-Ford offense has taken the state by storm at the midway point the Rams offense is averaging 45.2 points per game and Quarterback Matt Zollers has already thrown for 1360 yards and 18 touchdowns this season. Perkiomen Valley has rallied for three consecutive wins since losing to Downingtown West in week one. Owen J. Roberts is sitting at 4-1 thanks to the play of their defense is limiting their opposition to nearly 10 points per game. Last week the Wildcats gave Perkiomen Valley all they could handle falling 13-7 in overtime. Wissahickon’s offense has been flexing their muscles thus far this season averaging 42 points per game. The Trojans’ lone loss of the season came last week to Upper Dublin by a score of 53-42. Garnet Valley has rolled off 4 consecutive wins since having their 34-game District 1 winning streak snapped by CB West in Week Zero. Since dropping a 35-13 decision to Central Dauphin, Coatesville has rolled in its two consecutive wins, while averaging 43 points in them two victories.
CB East, Conestoga, and Avon Grove are all at 3-2 and Pennsbury (2-3) would hold the last four playoff spots if the playoffs started today.
Perhaps one of the biggest surprises of the season is the teams that if the playoffs started today would miss out. Perennial powers Quakertown, Pennridge, Neshaminy, and North Penn all of whom are sitting at 2-3 are in danger of missing out on the postseason.
5A
In 5A there are two teams who remain unbeaten at this point in the season: West Chester Rustin and Strath Haven. The Golden Knights and Panthers have split a pair of instant classics the past two postseasons, both teams have the makings to see each other for a rubber match in this year’s postseason.
A trio of Delaware County Teams Springfield Delco, Chester, and Marple-Newtown round out the top five in the District 1 rankings. The Cougars have received stellar play from their defense which is holding their opponents to a mere 6.4 points per game while their offense has been led by their run game and has rolled off three consecutive victories since falling to Strath Haven 19-15 in week one of the season.
In his first at the helm Head Coach Dennis Shaw has recovered from losing their season opener and have rolled to four consecutive wins including back to back shutouts and the Clippers have the talent to make long run in the District playoffs
The Marple Tigers have flexed their offensive muscles this season despite being shut out by Springfield two weeks ago, the Tigers’ offense has averaged 36 points per game, last week their defense shined forcing three turnovers, in their dominating 28-0 victory at Ridley.
Plymouth Whitemarsh, Phoenixville, Methacton, and Upper Dublin sit in the middle of the 5A playoff rankings.
In his second season of this stint as head coach Paul Graham has Penncrest sitting at the number 10 spot in the district playoff rankings. The Lions have really turned things around under Graham sitting at 3-2 after dominating Haverford High last week. Despite missing starting QB Nico Tozzi, the Lions gave their rival Strath Haven all they could handle, before falling to them 20-13 two weeks ago.
Another pleasant surprise, thus far this season has been Hatboro-Horsham. The Hatters who are playing an independent schedule this season are 3-2 and are poised to make a playoff appearance currently holding the 11th seed.
Of the remaining five playoff spots four of them belong to teams that compete in the Chest-Mont League American Division has West Chester East (12) Kennett (13) Great Valley(15) and Unionville (16) all currently hold playoff positions. In his first season at Chichester Eagles’ coach Chris Craig has his team sitting at 2-3 including knocking of league rival Academy Park this season.
After dropping their first two games of the season to Hatboro-Horsham and Boys’ Latin Charter have won three consecutive games and are making a push to get into the top 16.
4A
Pope John Paul II has looked unstoppable at the midpoint of the season. The Golden Panthers sit at a perfect 5-0 and are nearly outscoring their opponents by an average of 39-5. Last season the Interboro Bucs rode Abu Kamara to a district championship this season, without Kamara,the Bucs have struggled to a 2-3 record.
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