District One-5A Playoff Preview: Quarterfinals
Tagged under: District 1, Gameday Hub, News, pfn, Playoffs
Michael Pietrangelo | November 7, 2024
Round one mostly went as we would expect. The only upset was number nine Marple Newtown, who shut out the number eight-seeded Falcons of Pottsgrove 20-0. The number one seed in our 5A classification, Springfield (Delco ), easily took care of business against the final seed, Academy Park, 49-6. We now move into round two, or, as some of us call it, the district quarterfinals. My fellow writers Willie McGonigle and Marcus Sic provide the majority of the details for these previews. Make sure you are following us on our socials so you can watch the live updates of these games as they happen.
The Matchups
#9 Marple Newtown Fightin’ Tigers @ #1 Springfield-Delco Cougars
#1 Springfield (Delco) (10-1, 7-1)
About the Cougars: Last week, the Cougars showed why they are the top seed in District 1 after being held scoreless for the opening 12 minutes, the Cougars erupted for 28 second-quarter points on their way to a 49-6 victory over Academy Park. Brad Barber rushed for 130 yards on 16 carries. Jackson Kennedy completed 5 of 12 passes for 101 yards and one touchdown. Brian Delaney hauled in 4 catches for 91 yards. Luke Valerio had an interception on the defensive side of the ball for the Cougars. Barber is closing in on 1000 yards rushing for the season.
#9 Marple Newtown (8-3, 6-3)
About the Fightin’ Tigers: The 9th-seeded Tigers went on the road last week and easily defeated the 8th-seeded Pottsgrove 20-0. The Tigers will look to get revenge on the Cougars who beat them 48-14 on August 30. Brett Wolski Brian Box and Lou Diluzio all scored on the ground for the Tigers.
#7 Chester Clippers @ #2 West Chester Rustin Golden Knights
#2 West Chester Rustin (10-1, 6-0)
About the Golden Knights: After disposing of ChesMont foe Oxford in the first round of the District 1 5A tournament 42-7 Rustin, ranked 6th in the state, will turn their focus to number 2 ranked squad Chester. Last year the Knights and the Clippers met on a soggy rain-soaked Saturday morning in Chester for the right to go to the District 1 Championship game, with Chester coming out on top 26-20. This year it will be Friday night lights in Chester County. Both teams return many of the same players as last year. Rustin’s core is back for revenge, led by do everything Chase Hatton. Hatton who is fresh of two touchdown 120 total yards first round game. He’s joined in the backfield by Ryan Loper who glided to three touchdowns on 90 yards of offense and efficient QB David McClain who completed 4 of 5 passes for 98 yards and a touchdown.
If Coach Mike St. Clair is to avenge last year’s season ending, lose he will have to contain Chester’s high powered offense, while controlling the ball on the ground. The Knights will need Hatton and Loper to keep moving the chains, with McClain sprinkling in some completions, then the Rustin offense will be able to limit the Clippers to 3 or 4 possessions each half. Keeping the Chester offense off the field, will be the key to which team moves on.
#7 Chester (10-1, 4-0)
About the Clippers: The 7th-seeded Clippers had no trouble in the opening round easily dispatching the 10th-seed Upper Moreland 48-14. The Clippers found plenty of success on the ground last week racking up 174 yards on only 29 carries with Dayshon Jackson leading the way with 90 yards on 16 carries. Johnson had to miss the Clippers historic playoff run a year ago due the PIAA transfer rules. Jackson Larry McDaniel and Jerrell Palmer all had rushing touchdowns for the Clips. Jalen Harris only threw `12 passes completing 5 of them for 105 yards and two touchdowns. Daron Harris hauled in 2 passes for 45 yards to go along with throwing for a 63-yard touchdown and on the defensive side he also had 20 yard pick six.
#6 Upper Dublin Cardinals @ #3 Phoenixville Phantoms
#3 Phoenixville (9-1, 4-1)
About the Phantoms:
The Phantoms find themselves in the second round of the District 1 5A tournament after they defeated rival Upper Perk 31-7 in Phoenixville. They will now have to travel to Upper Dublin to take on the playoff seasoned Indians. The first week of the playoffs was the Trey Lear show, with Lear scoring three different ways. Much to Coach Anthony Ciardelli’s delight Lear took the opening kickoff 83 yards to the promise land. The speedy Lear also closed the game with a 5 yard TD reception and 57 yards jaunt through the Upper Perk defense. Phoenixville dominated the game with over 300 yards of total offense while holding the Upper Perk offense to 100 yards on the day. The Phantom’s QB Talon Romance had eight completions for 97 yards and the TD to Lear. Leading Phoenixville’s running attack Deacon Williams galloped for 107 yards and a TD, on the day the Phantoms rushed for 213 yards.
This is back-to-back years Phoenixville has won its way into the second round, this year they will be staying in Phoenixville hoping to move on to the semi-finals.
#6 Upper Dublin (8-3, 6-1)
About the Cardinals: The Cardinals beat the eleventh-seeded Longhorns of Unionville 31-21 in round one. Senior Jordan Fields went off for 177 yards on the ground and three scores in the victory. The Cards now head to Phoenixville, ready to battle the third-seeded Phantoms. They finished 6-1, 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 26.0 points per game and yielding 20.4 points per game to opposing offenses. Senior quarterback Kevin Etkin leads the passing attack with 1,407 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 505 yards on 68 attempts while scoring six 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.
#5 Garnet Valley Jaguars @ #4 Strath Haven Panthers
#4 Strath Haven (9-1, 8-1)
About the Panthers: The Panthers began the defense of their district title by easily dispatching Central League and neighborhood rival Penncrest 42-0. Defensively Nick Farabaugh led the Panthers with 12 tackles while Jahi Curtis added a pick-six. Offensively the Panthers only ran 27 plays 25 of which was on the ground. Shane Green carried the ball 11 times for 34 yards and a touchdown. James Fisher had four carries for 56 yards and a touchdown. Caden Shuster was a perfect 2 for 2 passing for 87 yards and a touchdown.
#5 Garnet Valley (7-3, 6-3)
About the Jaguars: Despite giving up a touchdown on the second play of the game last week the Jaguars 5th-seeded Jaguars easily dispatched the 12th-seeded Kennett 43-7. The Jaguars now get a chance for revenge on September 20th’s 35-14 loss to the Panthers. Luke O’Donoghue, Paxton Hunt, Luke Vaughn, Nolan Carroll, and Anthony Gifford all scored touchdowns for the Jaguars to help them snap a two-game losing streak
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