PIAA District 1 Playoff Preview: 5A Round 2
Tagged under: District 1, Gameday Hub, News, pfn, Playoffs
Michael Pietrangelo | November 9, 2023
Staff Writers: Dylan Johnson,Willie McGonigle,Brendan Ricciardi, & Marcus Sic also contributed to this article
Last week everything went according to chalk with the top eight seeds advancing. Is this the week that we see some upsets? This week for the second time Chester takes on Phoenixville, and Springfield takes on Central League rival Marple Newtown. Will the second time be a charm for Phoenixville and Marple Newtown?
The Matchups
#8 Phoenixville Phantoms @ #1 Chester Clippers
About the Clippers: Last week, the top-seeded Clippers dominated Upper Moreland 44-0 to win their 10th straight game. Having to play without 1,000-yard rusher Dayshon Jackson due to PIAA transfer rules, Nahree Melvin and Larry McDaniel each had a rushing touchdown in Jackson’s absence. Jalen Harris threw for 170 yards and three touchdowns including two to UConn commit Dominic Toy. Daron Harris led the defensive effort with two interceptions.
About the Phantoms: The Phantoms enter round 2 of the District 1 5A playoffs coming off their first playoff victory over a gritty West Chester East team. Coming back from three first half turnovers, the Phoenixville offensive line took over the game by pounding the ball down East’s throat to the tune of 291 yards on an incredible 48 carries. Adding on 137 passing yards by QB Ty Romance, the Phantoms had 428 total yards of offense in the win. They will need to continue to run the ball, control the clock, and limit the Clippers chances on offense.
#7 Upper Dublin Cardinals @ #2 Strath Haven Panthers
About the Panthers: It was a vintage performance for Strath Haven in the first round of the postseason, as they ran for a ridiculous 414 yards and six touchdowns in a 42-7 win over #15 Great Valley. Shane Green and James Fisher both ran for over 100 yards with two touchdowns, and Marco Kaufman added 80 yards and two touchdowns as well. Fisher (119-1,047-16), Kaufman (84-516-8) and Green (136-878-11) have been a three-headed monster that has led the Panthers to a 10-1 record so far, with their only loss coming to Marple Newtown. Defensively, the Panthers are lead by Kaufman and Sean Henry. Kaufman has 119 tackles this season and Henry has 95, with no one else on the team even over 60. Jack Shuster leads the team with three interceptions. The Panthers have a +200 point differential this season, they’re experienced, and they’re ready for another deep run.
About the Cardinals: While they may not quite be as dominant as the 2022 squad that won the PIAA 5A District 1 title last season, this team should not be counted out. The #7 seed Cardinals won their first matchup over #10 seed Methacton by a score of 40-20. Shyne Roberts led the backfield with 18 carries for 225 yards & 2 TDs. Martin Campbell Jr. had 10 carries for 76 yards & 2 TDs. Chris Kohlbrenner had 6 carries for 40 yards & 2 TDs. Defensively, Kohlbrenner had a fumble recovery and Ryan O’Sullivan had a sack. The Cardinals head into the matchup averaging 23.9 points per game and their defense is yielding 20.8 points per. The second round doesn’t bode well for this young Cardinals team. However, don’t let the four losses fool you, they were all against 6A & 5A playoff teams. They will have their hands full against Strath Haven who is ranked 8th in the entire state by PFN.
#6 Marple-Newtown Tigers @ #3 Springfield (Delco) Cougars
About the Cougars: Last week, the Cougars collected their ninth straight victory by defeating West Chester Henderson 48-14. The Cougars rolled up over 300 yards rushing led by Mike Turner and Tanner Coll as they each collected 135 yards and a score. Nate Romano had a three-score day as well. Seniors Gus Bryan, Dean Brown, Mike Miller, Lucas Aaron, and Ryan Johnson have been anchoring the offensive line all season. In their last four games, the Cougars offense is averaging a whopping 53 points per game. Defensively, the Cougars forced four turnovers last week.
About the Tigers: Facing Penncrest for the second straight week was no problem for the Tigers, who easily dispatched the Lions 48-13 behind three touchdowns (2 rushing, 1 kickoff return) by Brett Wolski. Brian Box added a rushing touchdown and David Bertoline added a passing touchdown. The Tigers now look to enact revenge when they travel to Springfield after the Cougars went on the road and handed the Tigers a 22-0 defeat back on September 15.
#5 West Chester Rustin @ #4 Plymouth Whitemarsh Colonials
About the Colonials: The 4th seeded Colonials are now 9-1 overall after beating Independent #13 seed Hatboro Horsham 42-7 last week. QB Caiden Leszcynski completed 71% of his passes for 76 yards & 2 TDs. He also rushed for 15 yards & 1 TD. Junior Luke Laviola rushed 9 times for 100 yards & 1 TD. Nazye Boggs carried the ball 6 times for 85 yards & 1 TD. On the defensive side of the ball, Kevin Hegarty lead the team with 8 total tackles, 2 TFL, & a sack.
About the Golden Knights: Fresh off a 56-25 beating of Chichester in round one of the District 1 playoffs, Rustin will travel to Plymouth-Whitemarsh in a District 1 quarterfinals match up. Rustin lost in the District Championship to Strath Haven back in 2021, and again fell in the title round last season to Upper Dublin. The Golden Knights are 9-1 on the season, ranked 6th in the PFN Pennsylvania 5A statewide rankings. Coach Mike St. Clair welcomed back RB Chase Hatton, who has not played since leaving their Week 8 game. With the emergence of RB Ryan Loper in Hatton’s absence, Rustin now has a powerful one-two punch at running back to go along with, efficient passing game.
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