PFN’s Willie is Cookin’ In Philly Week of August 27
Tagged under: District 1, District 12, News, pfn
Willie McGonigle | August 27, 2025
Hello and welcome to this week’s edition of PFN’s Willie is Cookin’ In Philly. Hard to believe we are already one week into the season and what a great weekend it was. Now it’s time to look at What’s Cookin’ In Philly
Milestone for Pennridge: Last Friday marked the 1000th game in Pennridge Rams history. The Rams started playing in 1930 and have amassed a record of 528-436.
Streak Over: The Wissahickon Trojans’ 21-16 victory over Upper Dublin last Friday ended a 12-year losing streak to the Cardinals.
Time for League Battles: After a week of non-league games, the Central League will open up league play this weekend with all 12 teams playing a league game. Perhaps the three biggest matchups of the week are Penncrest at Strath Haven (Thursday), Haverford at Garnet Valley (Friday), and Springfield at Marple-Newtown (Friday)
Late Start: After the rest of the State started playing last week, the Inter-Ac league teams will open their seasons this weekend.
Picking Up Where He Left Off: Last season, Haverford’s Liam Taylor rushed for over 3000 yards and 35 touchdowns, and this season he’s picking up right where he left off. In the Fords’ 41-7 at Harry S. Truman last Friday, Taylor rushed for 230 yards and 4 touchdowns.
Easy Transition: Last season, Marple Newtown’s Sean Grogan was receiving touchdown passes from his tight end position. This season, he’s throwing them, and in the Tigers’ 42-21 victory over Hatboro-Horsham, Grogan threw for 214 yards on 9 of 11 passing and 4 touchdowns. He added another one on the ground.
Graham has 5 Score Day for Penncrest: In Penncrest’s 40-18 season-opening victory over Sun Valley last Friday, Penncrest’s QB Paul Graham Jr rushed for 5 touchdowns and 206 yards on 19 carries in addition to going 2-3 for 88 yards and another touchdown. The senior captain is the son of head coach Paul Graham.
On the Way to Ocean City: Buddy Nugent wrote the famous song “On the Way to Cape May.” For several Philadelphia area teams, they might not be on the Way to Cape May, but they are on their way to do battle in a different “Shore” Town. In addition to the national event, Battle at Beach, which is being played on Thursday, Ocean City High School Carey Stadium will host the following matchups: On Friday, Abraham Lincoln- Germantown Academy, LaSalle- Malvern Prep, 6 pm. On Saturday, Father Judge-Lansdale Catholic 11 am and Bonner- Archbishop Ryan 3 pm.
Headed to Delaware: This weekend will be the annual Mid-Atlantic Pigskin Classic at Salesianum’s Abessinio Stadium in Wilmington. On Friday night, Downingtown West will battle Washington, DC Powerhouse St. John’s College High School with an 8 pm kickoff. On Saturday night, St Joseph’s Prep will battle Maryland Power DeMatha.
Dominating Defensive Effort: Last season ended with the Bonner-Prendie Friars capturing the 4A State Champion. Last Saturday, they opened their title defense with a dominating 53-0 victory over Simon Gratz. The Friars’ defense forced the Bulldogs to negative 36 yards of total offense
Where will PFN Be This week: Here’s who to follow on X for updates on the following games:
Upper Moreland at West Chester East Thursday 7 pm @williepafn
Penncrest at Strath Haven Thursday 7 pm @ Nickmashmedia
Wissahickon at Upper Merion Thursday 7 pm @jasonnapolimedia
LaSalle- Malvern Prep in Ocean City Friday 6pm @ cchastings1863 @birkheadpatrick
Springside Chestnut Hill Academy at Central Friday 3pm @afrankl3
Haverford at Garnet Valley Friday 7 pm @williepafn
George Washington at Chester Saturday 11 am @@afrankl3
DeMatha Catholic vs St Joseph’s Prep Saturday 8 pm @williepafn and @afrankl3
Big Will’s Signature Dishes (Best Games of the Week)
Upper Moreland at West Chester East Thursday, 7 pm: The Suburban One League takes on the Chest-Mont in the First Home Game for West Chester East’s first-year head coach, Dean Owens.
Council Rock South at North Penn, Thursday, 7 pm: Intriguing Suburban One Cross-over matchup
LaSalle-Malvern Prep in Ocean City, Friday 6 pm: Fresh off the convincing victory over Pittsburgh Central Catholic the Explorers will battle the Inter-Ac Power Friars just stone’s throw away from the ocean.
Haverford at Garnet Valley Friday 7 pm: Last season, the Jaguars handed the Fords their lone Central League loss in this very same week. The loss prevented the Fords from winning the Central League outright; instead, they shared it with Springfield and Strath Haven. Will the Fords get revenge this season?
Downingtown West vs St. John’s College High School, Friday, 8 pm: One of the favorites to win District 1 again, the Whippets will get a good test against a Washington, DC, power
St Joseph’s Prep vs DeMatha Catholic, Saturday, 8 pm: How will the Hawks respond after a heartbreaking 31-28 loss to Florida powerhouse American Heritage
That’s it for this week, folks. As always, if you have something you feel should be featured in this notes column, send a pm on X @williepafn or email me williepafootballnews@gmail.com
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