Philly Public League Playoff Preview

Tagged under: District 12, News, pfn, Playoffs

Anthony Franklin | October 29, 2026

The regular season has concluded in “The Pub” and the overall Pub title was won by Imhotep last Saturday. We are now onto the district playoffs and new rules have emerged out of District 12 which rules any transfer ineligible for post season beginning with classification playoffs. Northeast, Gratz, Wood, Imhotep, Lincoln all will lose multiple players for the playoffs thus making things quite interesting in the playoffs. Here are the Classification breakdowns and the matchups for this weekend!!!

6A

#1 Northeast (4-4) v #4 Central (6-3):

Northeast enters the playoffs using 2 senior quarterbacks and a stingy defense when they are locked in. The Lancers are led by a duo running back Sr. RB Tyrone Johnson and Brock Thomas. Northeast has played the tougher schedule and should prevail.

#2 Lincoln (4-5) v #3 George Washington (2-7):

Lincoln looks to reclaim the Public League 6A class title that they won in 22 and 23 before Imhotep moved up a class. A few players will be unavailable due to transfer rules so this game could end up competitive, but Lincoln should prevail. These teams met last week with Lincoln winning 22-6. Despite a few key players being ineligible Lincoln should win in a tight one.

5A

#1 Imhotep Charter (8-1) v #4 Frankford (1-7)

Imhotep is led by Sr. QB Joe McLeish who broke the school and Public League career passing yards with 5606 yards. Currently Joe has a league leading 2030 yards to go with 24 touchdowns. Outside a 12-0 win over Mastery North Frankford has struggled this season being shut out 4 times this season. Imhotep will once again post 40+ points again in a dominating win.

#2 West Philadelphia (5-4) v Palumbo (5-4)

West Philly will be the favorite having had a tougher league schedule. Wins over Northeast, George Washington, Harry Truman, Radnor and Belmont are all impressive. Sr. RB Jahsir Newsome broke the school rushing yard record and has 1392 yards to go with 15 touchdowns on the ground. Palumbo is rejuvenated winning their division title in a thrilling 14-13 win over MLK last weekend. West Philly has the depth and size upfront to win this game.

4A

#1 Simon Gratz (7-2) v #4 Olney High (4-5)

The Bulldogs ran through the Liberty Division in route to the division title. They will be down numerous players due to the transfer rule but should have enough firepower to win this game.

#2 Boys Latin (6-3) v #3 High School of the Future (2-7)

Boys Latin are led by Sr. RB Angelo Porter’s 617 rushing yards & 9 touchdowns and Sr. RB Edward Huggins 369 yards and 2 touchdowns. In a regular season matchup Boys Latin won 16-8. HS of the Future lost 4 games by less than 8 points this season.

3A

#1 John Bartram (6-2):

By virtue of the top seed the Braves earned a bye week.

#2 Audenried (5-3) v #3 Big Picture Vaux (5-4):

The Rockets won the division title over Vaux led by Sr. QB Marques Valez (683 yards & 11 TDs), Jr. RB Sadeer Thorton (401 yards & 5 TDs) and Sr. RB Hassin Joseph (243 yards & 2 TDs). Vaux won impressive games over Overbrook & Fels this season.

2A

Kipp Dubois (3-4) v Overbrook (3-6)

This game serves as a rematch from the divisional opener for both teams in which Overbrook came away with a 22-6 win. Kipp has struggled offensively in their losses being shut out twice and scoring 6 points in the other two defeats. Brook looks to advance to the City Title game for the first time in decades.

1A

Belmont Charter (Only Participant): Will play the District 1A representative in the Sub-Regional Play-in game.

PIT Round #1

Dobbins (1-8) @ Southern (6-3): Southern has been a surprise team this year winning 6 games after only winning 2 in 2025. Dobbins has struggled most of the year but did pick up an upset win over Roxborough mid-season.

Samuel Fels (5–4) at Ben Franklin (3–5): After a 0–4 start, Fels finished third in its division and enters the postseason on a five-game winning streak. Ben Franklin is led by sophomore QB Mekhi Choice, who has 909 passing yards and 10 total touchdowns. Senior RB Sakhi Thomas has rushed for 412 yards and five touchdowns, while senior WR Nazir Moore leads the team with 415 receiving yards and four touchdowns. Defensively, junior edge rusher Anthony Noa leads the team with eight sacks.