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No Public League playoffs at Northeast

By TED SILARY

By TED SILARY

silaryt@phillynews.com

So, you're wondering, if three of the four schools are located in Northeast Philly, why will Saturday's Public League AAAA football semifinals be played at the South Philly Super Site?

Blame or credit - depending on your viewpoint - the Northeast Rule.

Other coaches, bothered forever that Northeast was able to play playoff games on its home field, last year passed a rule preventing that for 2009, and forward, when opposing coaches so wish.

Joe Stanley, the PL football chairman, said Frankford coach Mike Capriotti asked that the rule be enforced. Thus, since they are always played as doubleheaders, the semis were moved to South Philly.

The original plan, announced Sunday, was for 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. starts. That was changed to 3 and 6 p.m. because SATs are scheduled for Saturday morning. The AAA semis, also originally scheduled for 11 and 2 (at Northeast), will now be played at Simon Gratz at 3 and 6.

The Northeast Rule applies to all schools. Stanley said Roxborough does not oppose playing Gratz on its home field and that Imhotep Charter did not speak up last Saturday about having to play Edward Bok Tech at South Philly for AA laurels.

Northeast is unavailable for PL games Saturday night, as West Catholic will meet Bishop McDevitt there, at 7 o'clock, in the CL AA final.

This week's playoff schedule:

PUBLIC LEAGUE

Class AAAA semis, Saturday,

at South Philly:

Northeast vs. Frankford, 3 p.m.; Bartram vs. Washington, 6 p.m.

Class AAA semis, Saturday,

at Gratz:

Mastbaum vs. Dobbins, 3 p.m.;

Gratz vs. Roxborough, 6 p.m.

CATHOLIC LEAGUE

Class AAA semis, Saturday,

both at 7 p.m.:

North Catholic vs. Conwell-Egan, at Plymouth-Whitemarsh;

Lansdale vs. Wood, at Truman.

Class AA final:

West Catholic vs. McDevitt,

at Northeast, 7 p.m.