Rick's Picks: Thanksgiving edition
We take a break from all the playoff action to look at a Thanksgiving Day slate that features 15 games in Southeastern Pennsylvania.
We take a break from all the playoff action to look at a Thanksgiving Day slate that features 15 games in Southeastern Pennsylvania.
Central vs. Northeast is the granddaddy of all holiday contests, dating to 1892. The Vikings, who defeated the Lancers by 31-8 in the Public League Class 6A final less than two weeks ago, own a 56-52-10 advantage in the series.
Staying in Northeast Philly, Archbishop Ryan visits George Washington at Mickey Young Memorial Stadium. The Raiders have a 29-9 advantage.
A subplot to the Washington-Ryan game is that senior quarterback Matt Romano, who missed the last six games with a posterior cruciate ligament injury, is expected to return.
Romano is 171 yards shy of becoming Ryan's all-time leading passer. Rus Slawter, a 2009 graduate, threw for 3,357 yards.
Father Judge and Abraham Lincoln, neighbors on Rowland Avenue in Mayfair, are set to meet for the 42nd time. The Crusaders have a 37-3-1 lead, with the Railsplitters' last victory coming in 1989.
Frankford almost went without a Turkey Day game this year. But after Prep Charter bailed on the Pioneers, Conwell-Egan accepted the challenge to play them at Large and Dyre Streets.
Moving to Delaware County, Central League rivals Haverford High and Upper Darby will have a hard time topping the drama of last year's epic tilt.
In a wild and thrilling contest before 5,000-plus at A.G. Cornog Field, the Fords triumphed, 49-42, in the final minute and claimed their first league crown in two decades. The Royals fell just short of their first title since 1967.
Ridley and Interboro, both of whom made district playoff appearances, renew their fierce rivalry at the South Avenue Athletic Complex in Glenolden. The Green Raiders blanked the Bucs, 12-0, last year and lead the series, 35-12-0.
In Bucks County, Route 309 neighbors, Pennridge and Quakertown, will clash at Alumni Field. The Rams, who have a 53-28-5 advantage, look to avenge two straight holiday losses to the host Panthers.
Bicentennial Athletic League foes Bristol and Morrisville will renew a series that began in 1928. Bristol is ahead by 45-36-4.
Upper Moreland and Hatboro-Horsham are set to square off again. The teams did not meet on Thanksgiving last year because of the Golden Bears' run to the PIAA District 1 Class 3A final.
Neumann-Goretti canceled its season last month due to a shortage of players, so it will not play Southern this year. Instead, Palumbo Academy will take N-G's place and face Southern at 10 a.m. at 10th and Bigler Streets.
Cheltenham and Abington also discontinued their holiday series, instead playing a nonleague contest in Week 3. The Ghosts rolled, 27-0, to give new boss Kevin Conlin his first victory.
Pick Six
1
Archbishop Ryan (6-6) at George Washington (0-9), 10 a.m.
Can Washington gain its first victory of the season - and its first win over Ryan since 2010?
Pick: Ryan, 49-6.
2
Father Judge (5-6) at Lincoln (5-6), 10 a.m.
Lincoln's defense will have its hands full with the pass-catch duo of Temple-bound Rob King and Justin Gies.
Pick: Judge, 41-12.
3
Ridley (10-2) at Interboro (10-2), 10 a.m.
Ridley, with a 35-12-0 series advantage, is spurred on offense by quarterback Cade Stratton and handyman Malik Young.
Pick: Ridley, 23-19.
4
Upper Moreland (5-6) at Hatboro-Horsham (5-5), 10 a.m.
The Hatters, who have a 51-28-5 series lead, are trying for their first holiday win since 2011.
Pick: H-H, 26-21.
5
Pennridge (5-6) at Quakertown (6-5), 10:15 a.m.
Behind dual-threat QB Jagger Hartshorn, the Rams end their two-game losing skid against the Panthers.
Pick: Pennridge, 24-14.
6
Central (10-1) at Northeast (8-3), 10:30 a.m.
Key for Central is slowing Vikings halfbacks Amir Paulk, Keith Moore, and Dan Scott.
Pick: Northeast, 20-16.
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