Title chase begins for Public, Catholic AA

Week 9 is highlighted by the start of the playoffs in the Public League and in Class AA of the Catholic League.

At the Class AAAA level of the Public League, George Washington begins its bid for a second consecutive championship and 10th overall. Frankford, which won titles in 2005 and 2006, and Northeast, trying for its first crown since 1983, are the top challengers.

In the Catholic League AA tournament, West Catholic is such an overwhelming favorite that Las Vegas oddsmakers have taken it off the board. The electrifying Burrs have beaten the three other playoff qualifiers by a combined score of 175-19.

Last week:

9-3 (.750).

Overall:

64-33 (.660).

Coatesville (6-2, 3-1) at Downingtown West (7-1, 3-1), tonight, 7.

The Red Raiders and Whippets are vying for the Ches-Mont League National Division title. Two talented running backs, Coatesville's Kenny Wylie and West's Jared Heller, will be on display. Since it's Senior Night at West, we side with the Whippets.

Pick:

West, 27-14.

Upper Dublin (6-1, 3-1) at Upper Merion (6-2, 4-1), tonight, 7.

Along with front-runner Upper Moreland (6-1, 4-0), these two are working toward the Suburban One League American Conference title and solid District 1 playoff positioning. The Cardinals are coming off a 22-14 win at Cheltenham. The Vikings whipped Plymouth Whitemarsh, 41-14. Toss up a coin.

Pick:

Upper Dublin, 17-14.

No. 5 La Salle (5-2, 3-1) vs. Roman Catholic (4-3, 2-2), at Germantown, tonight, 7.

After being idle last weekend, quarterback Drew Loughery and the Explorers (1,453 passing yards) should come out firing. Roman's Kasseim Everett has rushed for more than 1,300 yards and 15 touchdowns. La Salle's offensive balance will be the difference.

Pick:

La Salle, 28-14.

Bayard Rustin (7-1, 3-0) at Great Valley (7-1, 3-0), tomorrow, 2.

Here's another matchup with big league title implications. At stake in this game is the Ches-Mont League American Division championship. Rustin's win over West Chester Henderson two weeks ago makes us believers. The Patriots lost at Henderson, 28-22, in OT on Sept. 5.

Pick:

Rustin, 23-19.

Other games to watch

Northeast (3-4, 2-2) at Bartram (6-1, 3-1), today, 3.

Pick:

Northeast, 26-12.

Souderton (4-4, 2-3) at Central Bucks East (4-4, 3-2), tonight, 7.

Pick:

Souderton, 19-17.

Strath Haven (6-2, 6-2) at Ridley (7-1, 7-1), tonight, 7.

Pick:

Ridley, 26-21.

Jenkintown (7-1, 3-0 BAL) at Lower Moreland (6-2, 2-0 BAL), tomorrow, 1:30.

Pick:

Lower Moreland, 21-14.

Archbishop Wood (5-2, 3-0) vs. North Catholic (6-2, 2-1), at Northeast, tomorrow, 7.

Pick:

Wood, 24-16.

Archbishop Carroll (3-5, 2-2) vs. Bishop McDevitt (4-4, 2-2), at Plymouth Whitemarsh, Sunday, 1.

Pick:

Carroll, 20-13.

Father Judge (5-3)

vs. No. 9 Cardinal

O'Hara (7-1)

at Springfield-Delco, tomorrow, 1. TV: CN8.

We're in the stretch drive for the Catholic League Division AAAA regular-season championship. Judge (4-1 division), O'Hara (3-1), La Salle (3-1), and St. Joseph's Prep (3-1) are all battling for the top spot.

The Crusaders have won three straight, including a 22-18 victory over La Salle. The Lions' first loss came to the Prep last week. Judge is led on offense by undersized running back Curtis Wortham, quarterback Tony Smith, and wide receivers Tom Ryan and Adam Nowak.

O'Hara is still without two-way backs Corey Brown (torn medial collateral ligament) and Evan Higgins (three screws in his pinkie finger). That means the Lions need a stellar effort from Rutgers-bound QB Tom Savage. For Savage to provide that, he needs better protection from his offensive line.

Judge has an attacking defense, with players that fly to the ball and hit hard. You can watch the action on CN8.

Pick:

Judge, 17-13.

- Rick O'Brien