District 12 Great 8 Rankings Week 1

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Anthony Franklin | August 31, 2023

Week 0 of the 2023 season had some interesting and competitive games while there were a handful of blowouts including a record for a league in points scored. I’ve released my initial weekly rankings in honor of the late great Ted Silary. Every preseason he would list “The Great 8” in which coaches from each school selected 8 players from their team they expected to have great seasons. This year in his honor I’ll give my personal Great 8 teams each week along with giving props to players who showed up big time in games with outstanding performances. Without further ado here are the Week 0 rankings and stars of the week!!!!

1. St. Joes Prep (0-1): The Hawks suffered a narrow defeat to 3rd ranked IMG Academy (FL) while playing lights out defense when the offense struggled to sustain drives and momentum. Special teams also helped the Hawks get on the board with a blocked punt. This week The Hawks will be hosting St. Peters Prep (NJ) under the lights in Wilmington, Delaware in a Mid-Atlantic Showcase matchup.
2. Imhotep (1-0): The Panthers routed Life Christian Academy (VA) 87-0 breaking the school record as well as setting a new Public League scoring record. The Panthers made quick work of their opponent and even the back-ups shined in what was expected to be a competitive game. This week a tougher opponent is on hand as Inter-Ac member Haverford School looks to challenge the Panthers in another Mid-Atlantic Showcase matchup in Wilmington, Delaware.
3. Roman (1-0): The Cahillites stormed to an early 13-0 lead over Wilson in the 1st quarter and cruised to a 49-14 victory behind sensational sophomore QB Semaj Beals (264 yards & five touchdowns). Up next for Roman is a date with Public League 6A runner-up Lincoln on Friday evening.
4. N-G (0-1): Coach Albie Crosby took his Saints to Ohio to take on one of Ohio’s better teams in Elder HS. Unfortunately, they ran up against a team that was better at the moment and left with a 35-14 setback. The Saints field a talented team and may take a few weeks to gel with some recent new additions to the team. One good thing is they have 2 more non-league games to sort personnel out and gain chemistry before the CL Blue Division schedule begins. This week they’ll take on Inter-Ac member William Penn Charter Friday morning on the road looking to get back on track.
5. Lincoln (0-1): The RailSplitters looked like two different teams in a matter of 12 minutes. The opening quarter nothing could go right as they gave up a safety due to an errant snap in the endzone, had numerous false starts and defensive offside penalties, missed blocking assignments upfront within the offensive line and seemed out of sync with one another as they quickly fell behind 23-0 after the 1st quarter to District 1 Downingtown West. The 2nd quarter they gained momentum with Sr. QB Gabe Smalley connecting with his WR deep downfield to get them on the scoreboard followed by a 65-yard interception returned for a touchdown and another Smalley long touchdown pass to cut the score to 23-20 at the half. Unfortunately, the big lead was too much to overcome, and they ultimately fell 32-27 but showed great promise on both sides of the ball. This week they’ll look to right their wrongs but face a formidable opponent in fellow city leaguer Roman Catholic Friday evening at Upper Dublin HS.
6. Bonner-Prendie (1-0): The Friars played the first game of all city league teams with them trekking across the Atlantic and playing in Dublin where they played the NFL Academy program. The Friars had 2 freshmen QB’s under center and both threw multiple touchdown passes in a 34-24 victory. The Friars will return home this week and travel to Delaware to compete in the Mid-Atlantic Showcase where they’ll play Salesianum (Delaware).
7. La Salle (1-0): The Explorers played rival North Penn HS and won convincingly 34-3 over the Knights behind sensational sophomore QB Gavin Sidward’s 322 yards & 3 touchdowns in the route. Junior WR Julian McFadden recorded 3 receptions for 132 yards & a score in the win. The Explorers continue this week with a non-league matchup with Inter-Ac member Malvern Prep at a neutral site in Ocean City, NJ Friday evening.
8. Haverford School (0-0); As defending Inter-Ac champs they get the final spot in my great 8 this week. They begin their season with a heavy weight in Imhotep with lots to prove. Because the Inter-Ac allows players to reclassify, they aren’t eligible for the PIAA playoffs so a win in this game goes a long way in solidifying the Fords as being a top program in the city.

Stars of the Week 0 Games:

George Washington Freshman QB Logan Ferry in his first high school game completed 11/15 passes for 203 yards & 4 touchdowns along with providing a rushing score in their 37-0 shutout of rival Frankford.

West Philadelphia’s Senior Athlete Zamir Poteat rushed 22 times for 168 yards and 2 touchdowns while also completing 3 passes for 29 yards and a TD in the Speedboys 21-19 win over Bishop Shanahan.

Boys Latin Jr. RB Semaj Carmichael rushed for 215 yards, 2 TDs and a 2-point conversion in the Warriors setback to Marple Township.

Archbishop Wood Jr. WR Joey Scarpello had a sensational start to the season in a classic shootout with Ryan. He finished the night with 8 receptions for 177 yards & 3 touchdowns.

Lansdale Catholic Sr. QB Cole Meehan went 11/13 for 159 yards through the air and 3 touchdowns all to Jr. WR Jacahi Streeter in a 36-14 win over the High School of the Future.

Archbishop Ryan Jr. QB Frankie Mawson broke the Philadelphia Catholic League single game record with 447 yards connecting on 29 out 39 passes along with 4 TD passes. His teammate Jr. WR Damian Morgan broke the Ryan school record for receiving yards in a single game with 194 yards on 12 receptions in their narrow defeat to Archbishop Wood.

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