District XII 5A Public League Playoff Preview
Tagged under: District 12, News, pfn, Playoffs
Anthony Franklin | November 2, 2023
District 12 Public League 5A Playoff Preview:
Entering the semifinal weekend, the following teams are still alive in the quest for the Public League 5A championship. #1 seed Imhotep Charter which was idle last week after Roxborough opted to forfeit their quarterfinal game is well rested as they’ll take on #7 seed Benjamin Franklin which upset #3 seed Simon Gratz on a walk-off pick 6 TD. The other semifinal matchup will pit West Philadelphia @ Martin Luther King HS in a rematch of the Liberty Division title game that took place just two weeks ago.
Schedule:
Friday 11/4 @3pm: Benjamin Franklin @ Imhotep Charter (Germantown Supersite)
Saturday 11/4 @12pm: West Philadelphia @ Martin Luther King (Germantown Supersite)
The full District 12 bracket can be viewed here: https://pafootballnews.com/brackets/2023-playoffs/district-12/
Imhotep Charter:
Imhotep boosts the Public Leagues best scoring offense as well as the best scoring defense. The team is loaded with Power 5 recruits in the 2024, 2025 and 2026 classes. The offense led by Sr. QB Mikel Davis (Army), Jr. RB Jabree Coleman-Wallace (Georgia), Sr. WR Tyseer Denmark (Penn State), Sr. WR Nile Brown & Sr. TE Johann Hennigan. They average over 325 yards of total offense per game while also averaging 35 points per game. Defensively they’re stacked led by the DL trio of Sr. Jahsear Whittington (Pittsburgh), Jr. Zahir Mathis and Sr. David Johnson. The secondary is very talented as well as being led by Penn State commit Sr. CB Ken Woseley Jr., Jr. Samir Locks (3 interceptions) & So. Willie Norris (5 interceptions). The Panther’s defense has only yielded 45 total points this season for an average of just 5 points per game.
Martin Luther King:
The Cougars are 8-1 entering their semifinal tilt this weekend. They are riding an 8-game winning streak and boost the 2nd best defense in the public league this season as they’ve only given up a total of 85 points in 9 games. Only 3 opponents have scored more than 10 points on their stout defense. Offensively they’re averaging over 28 points per game with the trio of Sr. QB/RB Isaiah Robinson, Sr. RB Shamir Norton & Sr. WR/RB Makhai Robinson who have all combined to rush for over 1000 yards. Isaiah has recently been more composed in the passing game leading to big games for Makhai as a receiver. Defensively they’re stout with Jr. LB Khalid Bueno leading the troops. Sr. Sahfi Reed, Sr. Savion Terry, Jr. CB Sameer Keith, Sr. Amir Muhammed & Sr. Kasir Wimber.
West Philadelphia:
The Speedboys enter the semifinals of the playoffs for the first time since 2014. They are 6-3 and feature an offense that has improved throughout the season in the passing game. The running game is what they heavily rely on with Sr. RB Zamir Poteat leading the team with 912 yards and 12 TDs on the ground. He also serves as an QB throwing for 187 yards and 2 TDs. The leading receiver for the Speedboys is Sr. Dontay Armstrong who has 282 yards & 2 TDs. The Speedboys have had success on offense in large part thanks to their massive offensive line. Jr. Khalid Matthews leads the team with 25 pancakes while Sr. Jabril Holmes is closely behind him with 19 pancakes of his own. Defensively Jr. Zafir Cleveland leads the team with 49 tackles while Jr. DE Sayid Harper-Haines leads the team with 7 sacks.
Benjamin Franklin:
The 2022 Electrons went 0-10, gave up the most points in the Public League (313) while scoring the fewest points in the city (14) all coming in the final game of the season. Under a new coaching staff, the team has grown abundantly and are 6-4 this season. Sr. QB Nazire Johnson has been the leader of the offense shouldering the bulk of the offensive responsibilities this season along with athlete Vernon Young. Senior DE Marigota Toure leads the defense with 8 sacks while Jr CB/WR leads the secondary. The Electrons turned an 18-point deficit into a 2-point win at Simon Gratz last week to earn a semifinal berth. While young and low in numbers they’re deep in grit, heart & determination this post season.
Players to Watch for:
Imhotep:
Jr. RB Jabree Coleman-Wallace
Jr. DL Zahir Mathis
Sr. DB Ken Woseley Jr.
Sr. WR Tyseer Denmark
Martin Luther King:
Sr. QB/Ath Isaiah Robinson
OL Sr. Danny Pajuste
Jr. CB Sameer Ketih
Sr. LB Amir Muhammed
West Philadelphia:
Sr. RB Zamir Poteat
Sr. OL Jabril Holmes
Jr. DE Amir Winston
Jr. WR Dontay Armstrong
Benjamin Franklin:
Sr. DE/OC Marigita Toure
Sr. RB/Ath. Vernon Young
Sr. QB Nazire Johnson
Jr. WR David Windchester Jr.
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