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District One- 5A Quarterfinals Preview

Tagged under: District 1, News, pfn, Playoffs

| November 10, 2022


 

this article was also written by: Willie McGonigle

The second round of the District One-5A playoffs gets underway this week with the threat of Hurricane Nicole knocking on our front door. District One officials left it up to the teams on whether they would play today or the regular scheduled time of Friday. Come with us as we explore the remaining teams to battle it out.


The Matchups:

#8 Great Valley @ #1 Upper Dublin

#1 Upper Dublin

About the Cardinals: Upper Dublin finished their regular season undefeated and captured a Suburban One League Continental Conference title and they are primed for a deep playoff run a year after losing in the district quarterfinal in overtime to Plymouth Whitemarsh 36-42. The Cardinals are PFN’s number one ranked team in 5A as well as the number one seed in district play. The Upper Dublin offensive attack averaged an impressive 39.2 points per game which is led by senior QB Colin O’Sullivan. Colin has thrown for over 2,143 yards with 29 TDs in limited action mainly in the first half of the majority of his games due to large leads. The Cards aren’t a one trick pony either, the rushing game is paced by senior RB Nyfise McIntyre who has amassed over 1200 yards and 12 TDs.  The defense is dominant and hasn’t surrendered much. They allowed an average of 8.4 pts per game during the regular season plus their first playoff game which is anchored by the big guy in the middle senior DT Kyree Butler who is the closest thing to an immovable object in the run game. The first round saw the Cardinals take care of the 16th seeded Knights of Academy Park 35-0. Colin O’Sullivan threw for 166 yards on 9 of 12 passing for 5 TDs. Nyfise McIntyre rushed for 87 yards. WR Starling Reaves had 2 catches for 74 yards & 2 TDs. The defense pitched a shutout in the first round. Dominick Paone had a FR & INT on defense.

#8 Great Valley

About the Patriots:In round one the Patriots handled business as they beat 9th seeded Upper Moreland 24-21. They trailed the entire game but held the Bears scoreless in the second half. The Patriot offense has averaged 23.9 points per game and their defense has yielded 16 points per game heading into the second round of the district playoffs. Junior QB Braden Melia leads his team with over 1,191 yards passing & 12 TDs. Junior Gavin Maslowski leads the receiving corps with 16 catches for 320 yards & 4 TDs.  Defensively look for End Raheem Orr to impact the line of scrimmage. Linebackers Jack Coffey, Justin Nadwodny, & Ryan Shim all played crucial roles in round one, so look for the same in round two. Safety Colin Kiselak made a ton of tackles last week as well as plays on offense.

#7 Springfield (Delco) @ #2 Strath Haven

#2 Strath Haven

About the Panthers: Last week the 2nd-seeded Panthers fell behind 3-0 early to the 15th-seed Upper Merion, but the Panthers bounced back rolling off 35 points to post the 35-3. Both Anthony Crawford, and Bob Fooskas rushed for over 150-yards in the victory. The Panthers enter the second round of district playoffs outscoring their opponents by nearly a 38-8 score. Earlier this year the Panthers defeated Springfield 41-13. Has a team the Panthers have rushed for over 4,00 yards including over 1,800 for Crawford and Fooskas 1,031.

#7 Springfield (Delco)

About the Cougars: In the first round, the Cougars blew past Phoenixville 42-7 and enter the second-round winners of six straight. Last week Mike O’Donnell led the Cougars rushing for 102 yards. Offensively QB Jake Rama has been playing exceptionally well down the stretch and Brett Gougler leads the team in rushing 532 yards. Defensively the Linebacking trio of Ethan Marshall 59 tackles, Nate Romano (55) and Mike Miller (54) lead the defense in tackles while Chris Dolan leads the team in interceptions.

 

#6 Kennett @ #3 West Chester Rustin

#3 West Chester Rustin

About the Golden Knights: Last week the Golden Knights relied on their stellar defense and run game to defeat Radnor 41-14. Offensively the Golden Knights are led by Daimon Jacobs with 98 carries for 788 yards and Chase Hatton(98-783). The Golden Knights are seeking revenge on the Blue Demons who defeated them 24-14 back on September 16. Last week the Golden Knights’ defense held Radnor to a mere 40 yards of total offense.

 

#6 Kennett

About the Blue Demons: In the first round, last the Blue Demons were without their top rushers in Julian Sparacino and David Lillis. In their absence, they counted on their defense and special teams along with QB Brett Kauffman Ian Guyer, Colin Jung, and Luke Frinfrock to squeak by Methacton 7-3. It’s unclear whether either Sparacino or Ellis will be back this week. Sparacino has rushed for 1486 yards.

#5 Chester @ #4 Plymouth Whitemarsh

#4 Plymouth Whitemarsh

About the Colonials: Round One saw the Colonials take care of business over visiting Sun Valley 41-0. The Colonials improved to 9-2 overall on the season. PW is averaging an astonishing 43.8 points per game on offense and only yielding only 9.8 points on defense. Plymouth Whitemarsh is led by a barrage of upperclassman to include senior QB Aiden O’Brien who has passed for over 780 yards & 12 TDS and chipped in an additional 823 yards on the ground & 11 TDs. Junior Luke Winterbottom has rushed for over 838 yards & 12 TDs. He has also caught 2 TDs & had 115 receiving yards. Defensively the Colonials haven’t relinquished much behind solid performances by DE Joe Foy (8 TFL, 5 sacks), DE Jared Kolsun (5 TFL, 5 Sacks), & LB Tommy Hannon (13 TFL, 3 sacks, 1 INT). Seven of their games resulted in less than 7 points scored.  Upper Moreland was the only team to put up more than 3 scores against them.  The Colonials look to make it further than the district semifinal where they lost to WC Rustin 19-14 last year.

#5 Chester

About the Clippers: Round 1 saw the Clippers earn their first district playoff victory in school history, holding off the feisty Marple Newtown 18-15. Freshman QB Jalen Harris is proving to be one of the best in the state throwing for 2119 yards and 34 touchdowns while Noble Thompson leads the team with 477 yards and four touchdowns. Sr Cymeer Brown has over 1000 yards receiving this season and is averaging over 20 yards per catch. Defensively Charles Thompson is leading the team in tackles with 87. The Clippers are expected to be without dynamic playmaker Dominic Toy who will have to sit out this week after being ejected from last week’ s game.

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