Wimsey steps up at Father Judge
Who would replace Wayne Maminski as Father Judge's go-to player? That was one of the biggest questions heading into the soccer season.
Who would replace Wayne Maminski as Father Judge's go-to player?
That was one of the biggest questions heading into the soccer season.
The answer is Jeff Wimsey.
The former defender has emerged as a scoring threat for the Crusaders, ranked fourth in Southeastern Pennsylvania by The Inquirer.
Since moving up to the midfield, the senior tallied three goals over the two games heading into yesterday's Philadelphia Catholic League Blue Division match against eighth-ranked St. Joseph's Prep.
"With Wayne leaving, I knew that I had to step up," Wimsey said, referring to Maminski, a Lafayette College freshman who was The Inquirer's 2007 Southeastern Pennsylvania player of the year. "I just had to play the best that I could play.
"If my teammates keep helping me out, I'll keep scoring goals."
That's fine with Judge coach John Dunlop, whose squad returned just four starters.
"This is his team," Dunlop said. "He's the man."
A new look.
For more than a year, there have been discussions about how the Catholic League would be realigned once it joined the PIAA.
Some even wondered what the league would call its new divisions.
Well, here it is: The Catholic League has realigned into two divisions - the Red and Blue - as a way to pair teams according to classifications.
In addition to Judge and the Prep, the Red Division is made up of Class AAA schools Archbishop Ryan, Cardinal O'Hara, La Salle, Monsignor Bonner, North Catholic and Roman Catholic.
Class AA teams Archbishop Carroll, Archbishop Wood, Bishop McDevitt, Cardinal Dougherty, Conwell-Egan, Lansdale Catholic, Neumann-Goretti and West Catholic and Class A team Kennedy-Kenrick make up the Blue Division.
The top six teams in the Red Division and the top two squads from the Blue Division advance to the playoffs. The first round is within the division. The four remaining teams will be re-seeded.
The champion - assuming it's a Red squad - moves to the District 12 Class AAA championship. The Blue champion advances to the District 12 Class AA final.
In memory of Ballay.
The Germantown Academy and Council Rock North teams honored former GA Patriot Cole Ballay before Wednesday's game in Fort Washington.
Ballay was killed in an auto accident near Germantown Academy in February. He would have been a senior captain this season.
Before the game, players from both teams silently stood in a circle. Then the players, coaches and managers lined up to greet Ballay's parents. The Patriots then began the game with just 10 players on the field as another way to pay tribute to their former teammate.
Game of the week.
Pennsbury entertains Abington in tomorrow's 3:30 p.m. Suburban One National match. The fifth-ranked Abington Ghosts had 3-0-0 overall and 1-0-0 league records through Saturday. The Falcons, ranked seventh, were 2-1-0 and 0-1-0.
Pennsbury will look to extend its six-game unbeaten streak in the series.
The Inquirer TOP 10
Boys' Soccer
Team Record
Preseason rankings in parentheses. Records through Sunday.
1. Downingtown West (1) 2-0
The Whippets, ranked 17th nationally by ESPN Rise, have outscored their opponents by 7-0.
2. Lower Merion (2) 2-0
The Aces have a busy week with games scheduled against Ridley, Radnor and Parkland.
3. Central Bucks East (3) 2-0
After Sean Peckham scored the game-winner against Holy Ghost Prep, Michael Vare and Michael Whitaker provided goals against North Penn.
4. Father Judge (5) 3-0
The defending Philadelphia Catholic League champion Crusaders look more than capable of defending their title.
5. Abington (8) 3-0
The Ghosts' 2-0 shutout of area power Neshaminy proved that last year's postseason success was far from a fluke.
6. Council Rock North (NR) 3-0-1
Since a season-opening tie, the Indians have been playing like the team that won the Class AAA state title in 2006.
7. Pennsbury (4) 2-1
The Falcons have a much-anticipated Suburban One National showdown with Abington tomorrow. Better get your popcorn ready!
8. St. Joseph's Prep (NR) 3-0
The Hawks averaged 3.6 goals per game through three matches.
9. Bayard Rustin (NR) 3-0-1
The Golden Knights have outscored this season's opponents by 8-1.
10. Neshaminy (7) 1-1
With three games scheduled this week, the Redskins must regroup in a hurry after losing Friday to Abington.
Under consideration (listed alphabetically):
Christopher Dock (3-0-0), Germantown Academy (0-1-2), Holy Ghost Prep (1-1-0), North Catholic (1-0-1), Strath Haven (1-1-1).
- Keith Pompey