Philadelphia Public League Playoff Preview
Tagged under: District 12, News, pfn, Playoffs
Anthony Franklin | October 25, 2024
Philadelphia Public League Playoff Preview:
6A Playoff Games:
#8 Kensington v #1 Imhotep:
Imhotep will be awarded a forfeit win over Kensington as Kensington opted to not play Tep and instead will play a non-league game against Dobbins looking for their first victory of the season. As a result, the top PL 6A seed will have a bye this weekend before they host Northeast in a semi-final matchup. Tep in it’s first season in Class 6A looks to win the Public league title and matchup with the CL champion (La Salle or St. Joes Prep). Penn State commit Sr. RB Jabree Coleman leads the Panthers on offense along with So. QB Joey McLeish who has thrown for over 1500 yards and over 20 TDs in his first season as a starter.
#6 South Philadelphia (6-2) @ #3 Northeast (5-4): 6A Quarterfinal Thursday @2pm:
South Philadelphia enters the contest with a 4-4 regular season record with an impressive win over Martin Luther King. They also earned a quality win over HS of the Future, and a gutsy close win over Palumbo. In 5 of their 8 games, they held their opponents to under 10 points.
Northeast enters the contest with a 5-4 regular season record finishing in third place in the tough Independence division behind Imhotep & Lincoln. They earned victories over playoff teams such as Simon Gratz, Lincoln, Bartram & Boys Latin. Their losses were to Easton (#7 team in 6A), Imhotep (#3 team in 6A), Lincoln & Germantown Academy. The Vikings have played the tougher schedule to date and will enter the contest as favorites.
Prediction: While South Philadelphia has had a resurgent season, they lack the level of competition Northeast has played. That should favor the Vikings in what should be a comfortable win. Northeast 31-12
#7 Samuel Fels (3-6) @ #2 Lincoln (5-4) 6A Quarterfinal @3pm:
The Lincoln Railsplitters enters the game heavy favorites as they have played a challenging schedule. QB Jordan Mahir has taken the reigns under center and is a dynamic threat both running and passing. DB Ziyyon Bredell (Syracuse) leads and paces the defense while also serving as the deep threat WR.
Prediction: Lincoln wins going away 54-0
#5 Central (5-4) @ #4 George Washington (6-3) 6A Quarterfinal:
These two teams met last week in a game in which a Central win would’ve given them the division title and promotion to the Independence Division next season. It also would’ve given them home field in this rematch. However, George Washington dominated the game to the tune of a 41-0 victory. Washington earned the right to host this playoff game a rematch of last year’s 6A quarter final and with dynamic athlete Patrick Wright & defensively Jakai Stevenson being a ball hawk and punishing tackler. Central is led by Jr. Athlete Jaiden Connors & Sr. QB Aidan Mcelhatton.
Prediction: It’s hard to defeat a team twice in a season, Central is better than last week’s loss however Washington is battle tested with a stronger strength of schedule and has more quality wins. In a closer game Washington should prevail 28-14.
5A Playoffs Preview
#4 Academy at Palumbo (4-4) v #1 Mastery Charter North (2-7) 5A Semi-Final Saturday @3pm:
Palumbo enters this contest with a .500 record. They played Frankford tough falling 6-0 after giving up a last minute TD. They also played South Philly tough losing by 1 point (7-6). Mastery has struggled this season despite debuting a new home stadium on the school campus. Their two wins this season have come in upset fashion as they defeated Boys Latin (16-14) last week to finish the regular season with some momentum. They also upended Olney scoring 60 points in the contest.
Prediction: This may be the most interesting game this weekend in the Public League. Both teams are a mystery as to how they are wildly inconsistent. Mastery in their defense has played a more competitive schedule so I’ll give them the slight edge in a game that may need overtime. Mastery North 13 Palumbo 12
#2 Olney (1-8) v #3 Frankford (8-1): 5A Semi-Final @12pm @Northeast Supersite
Frankford is winners of 8 straight games after dropping their season opener at Council Rock South. Defensively after that opener they’ve not given up more than 16 points in any other contest. Olney struggled most of the season but did earn a gutsy 18-12 OT win over Edison to avoid going winless in the division.
Prediction: Frankford rolls 32-6
4A Playoffs Preview
#1 Martin Luther King (2-7) BYE for 1st Round:
The MLK Cougars earned the top seed in the 4A playoffs by virtue of being in the top division (Independence). Their strength of schedule was the highest out of all 4A teams so despite having less wins than West Philly they earned the top seed and bye. MLK led by senior LB Khalid Bueno, senior athlete Makhai Robinson & Sr. QB/LB Trent Gillford is battle tested having played Imhotep, Northeast, Lincoln, Manheim Central & Simon Gratz.
#2 West Philadelphia (5-4) BYE for the 1st round
The West Philadelphia Speedboys enter the playoffs with the Liberty Division title and with that comes a promotion to the top division in the league (Independence) next season. Before that promotion happens the Speedboys look to make some noise in the playoffs and earn a berth in the D12 title game. The Speedboys are led by Sr. RB Zahfir Cleveland (1000+ yards of total offense), Sr. DL Amir Winston (5 sacks) & Sr. LB Saire Bailey (40+ tackles & 1 INT for TD).
#6 Roxborough (3-6) v #3 Boys Latin (2-7): 4A Quarterfinals Saturday @4pm Germantown Supersite:
Roxborough despite the better record will travel for this game due to being in the lower division. Both teams struggled this season to be consistent offensively. Boys Latin started the season with a narrow defeat at Northeast and never recovered outside of their two divisional wins over Olney & their upset win over Central.
Prediction: Last season rather than play Imhotep Roxborough forfeited their playoff game while Boys Latin was upset by HS of the Future. That playoff experience from last season should help Boys Latin earn a close victory. Boys Latin 8-6.
#5 Ben Franklin (4-5) @ #4 Thomas Edison (4-5) Friday @3pm
Ben Franklin got off to a hot start to the season winning their first 3 games before finally hitting the meat of their schedule and losing 3 straight games. Entering the playoffs they’re on a two-game skid with losses coming to CL program West Catholic & HS of the Future. Starting QB Samir Smith is questionable which will dictate how this game can go. A dual threat under center he’s capable of throwing a deep touchdown pass to stud WR David Winchester or taking off and racing for a long touchdown with his legs.
Edison is having a resurgent year and are coming off an upset win over Overbrook last weekend. In the games they’ve won they’ve lit the scoreboard up, the ones they’ve lost they’ve struggled mightily offensively.
Prediction: With the health of Samir in doubt, Edison may be the team to advance in a low scoring affair. Edison 6-0
3A Playoff Preview
#3 HS of the Future (4-6) v #2 John Bartram (0-9) 3A Semi-Finals Saturday @1pm
John Bartram enters the contest winless on the season with all the defeats coming by 20+ points except their 1-point loss to Martin Luther King. A new coaching staff along with taking a hit from graduation last season took its toll on Bartram this season. While they’ve played the tougher schedule (Northeast, Lincoln, Gratz, Imhotep) they will be underdogs to HS of the Future who look to avenge last year’s 3A finals lost to Bartram.
HS of the Future has played a rather competitive schedule against larger programs in 5/6A while holding their own against quality opponents. With key returnees from last season, they have key experience in big time games now to challenge Bartram for the crown.
Prediction: HS of the Future holds the slight advantage due to the cohesiveness of the coaching staff as well as having key returnees who know what it feels like to lose a championship game. HSOF upends Bartram 18-6.
#4 Overbrook (4-5) v #1 Simon Gratz (5-3): 3A Semi-Finals Saturday @12pm Germantown Supersite:
Simon Gratz will host this semi-final matchup as a favorite with being in the top Pub division and playing Imhotep last week fairly good considering they are a smaller program. With Jr. RB Tray Parsons, So. Athlete Hyneef Thomas & Sr. QB Quimae Jones leading an up-tempo offense with a large physical offensive line the Bulldogs can score in bunches quickly. Overbrook despite their record has played well in all but one of their losses. Jr. RB Josiah Carter is one of the top track runners in the city and state and has had a sensational season rushing the ball for the Panthers.
Prediction: Gratz has played a much tougher schedule, are battle tested and are larger on the line of scrimmage which should aid them in winning this contest fairly easily. Gratz 40-6.
2A Playoffs Preview
#1 Kipp DuBois (6-3) v #2 Vaux Big Picture School (3-6): 2A Final Friday @3pm Germantown Supersite
Kipp DuBois won the regular season matchup 28-0 behind the stellar play of QB Nafis Owens and WR Amir Miller. Vaux struggled with turnovers and while they were able to move the ball a few possessions failed to get into the endzone. In the rematch expect both teams to be physical and with game film on one another adjustments will be key to which team wins and advances to play the CL 2A champion.
Prediction: Kipp has the more complete team and experience in big game situations. Look for them to assert their will early and capture the PL 2A championship. Kipp 24-6.
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