Rick's Pa. Football Pick Six
It's Garnet Valley's triple-option, run-heavy attack vs. Perkiomen Valley's spread, wide-open offense. The contrast in styles will play out when the No. 10-seeded Jaguars visit the No. 3-seeded Vikings in a PIAA Class 6A first-round matchup at 7 p.m. Friday in Collegeville.
It's Garnet Valley's triple-option, run-heavy attack vs. Perkiomen Valley's spread, wide-open offense.
The contrast in styles will play out when the No. 10-seeded Jaguars visit the No. 3-seeded Vikings in a PIAA Class 6A first-round matchup at 7 p.m. Friday in Collegeville.
The contest also serves as a District 1 semifinal, with the winner taking on the Coatesville-North Penn survivor next weekend.
Garnet Valley, which is seeking its first district title since it won at the old Class 3A level in 2007, is fresh off a shocking 42-14 upset of No. 2 seed Neshaminy.
Perkiomen Valley, making its second appearance in this round in the last four seasons, is seeking its first district crown.
Garnet Valley racked up 300-plus rushing yards while passing only once against Neshaminy.
The offensive catalysts for the Jaguars are halfbacks Jacob Buttermore (124 carries for 885 yards and 12 touchdowns) and Matt Lassik (83 for 572, eight) and quarterback Nick Juliano (87 for 440, nine).
For the Vikings, southpaw QB Stephen Sturm has completed 196 of 293 passes for an area-high 3,174 yards and 40 scores.
In last Friday's 44-21 win over No. 6 seed Downingtown East, Sturm hit on 21 of 32 throws for 321 yards and four TDs. The 6-foot-2, 200-pounder opened the scoring with a 71-yard jaunt.
Sturm's No. 1 target is Justin Jaworski. The savvy handyman has 72 receptions for 1,349 yards and 13 scores.
Sturm also has options in halfback David Williams, fullback Brendan Schimpf, and wideouts Remy Sell and Sean Owens. Owens had third-quarter TD catches of 32 and 23 yards last week.
Another weapon for the Pioneer Athletic Conference champions is placekicker Garrett Patla. He has booted nine field goals and 55 extra points.
The Jaguars, who opened the playoffs with a 21-14 win at No. 7 Central Bucks South, have won six straight since a 34-28 loss to Central League rival Haverford High.
Lineman Rob Monachello and linebackers Charlie Coslett, Shane Donegan, and Chad Hrivniak spearhead Garnet Valley's defense. The unit has yielded an average of 12.6 points during the squad's winning streak.
Perkiomen Valley's defense is anchored by middle guard Kevin Lovett, tackles Alec Jackson and Kevin DelaCruz, and linebackers Nick Marren and Mario Scotese.
Pick Six
1
Garnet Valley (10-2) at Perkiomen Valley (12-0), Friday, 7 p.m.
With continued aerial success, the Vikings end the Jaguars' surprising playoff run.
Pick:
Perkiomen Valley, 38-14.
2
West Chester Henderson (9-3) at Springfield-Delco (11-1), Friday, 7 p.m.
The Warriors' C.J. Preston and Cougars' Ja'Den McKenzie are dangerous running backs.
Pick:
Springfield, 21-20.
3
Marple Newtown (11-1) at Academy Park (11-1), Friday, 7 p.m.
Can Tigers QB Anthony Paoletti's passing outshine the rushing of the Knights' Teddy Wright and Dazhon Miller?
Pick: Academy Park, 26-21.
4
St. Joseph's Prep (10-0) at Northeast (8-2), Saturday, 5 p.m.
The Vikings' Amir Paulk and Keith Moore will find the going tough against the Hawks' stout run defense.
Pick: Prep, 42-6.
5
Conwell-Egan (8-3) vs. Del-Val Charter (7-4), Saturday, 1 p.m.
The Eagles beat the Warriors for the second time in three weeks to move on in the Class 3A state playoffs.
Pick: C-E, 23-19.
6
Cardinal O'Hara (10-0) vs. Imhotep Charter (10-0), Saturday, 5 p.m.
A terrific season for coach B.J Hogan and the Lions comes to a close.
Pick: Imhotep, 48-13.
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