LOCAL FOOTBALL FORECAST

By Don Seeley

You don't make any new friends picking high school football games (unless you're right with upsets). But, for fun (only fun) - and from what I saw or heard about area teams and their opponents during the preseason, here's my thoughts for Week One...

C.B. East at Boyertown - two very young and inexperienced teams, but Boyertown has played well at home in season-openers ... Going with the BEARS.

Daniel Boone at Cocalico - long bus ride, a lot to think about for another young and very inexperienced team like the Blazers. Cocalico is pretty darn good, and sitting at home waiting. ... Going with the EAGLES.

Great Valley at Phoenixville - A toss-up here. Great Valley has a good QB, but Phoenixville has some game-changers in Pannella and Yenchick. ... Going with the PHANTOMS in a close encounter of the football kind.

Methacton at Souderton - Methacton has the potential to contend in the PAC-10. More important, it's a gang of talent that learned how to win last year. ... Going with the WARRIORS.

Norristown at Pottsgrove - Norristown is low in numbers and experience, Pottsgrove is high in numbers, experience AND talent. ... Easy one here, going with FALCONS.

Owen J. Roberts and Conestoga - The word here is Conestoga is back as a Central League contender. OJR has almost an entirely new front on offense and defense. ... Going with the PIONEERS.

Plymouth-Whitemarsh at Perkiomen Valley - PW lost most of last year's District 1 playoff personnel. PVhad a great camp and, reportedly, great scrimmages. ... Going with the VIKINGS.

Schuylkill Valley at Pottstown - Schuylkill Valley is a Berks Football League Section Two contender. Pottstown is improving, and could be darn good defensively. ... Going with the PANTHERS in what may be a lot closer game than some think.

Upper Perkiomen at Quakertown - Upper Perkiomen is as inexperienced as any area team. Quakertown is, too, over in the Suburban One Conference. ... A real toss-up here, but going to go with the sideline oldies (Moyer and Weiss) and their INDIANS.

Whitehall at Spring-Ford - Two contenders for their respective league titles. Whitehall is getting mentioned in a few statewide polls, and is ranked right behind No. 1 Easton up in District 11. Spring-Ford has Coyne and Jones on offense and some great personnel on defense, but also a few question marks in its receiving corps and secondary. ... Going with the ZEPHYRS in what has to be the area's Game of the Week.

Berks Catholic at Pope John Paul II (Saturday) - Berks Catholic remembers losing last year's program debut to PJP, in front of its home crowd no less. Defense is good, and PJP's offense has to get a reliable running game together in two years. ... Going with the SAINTS.

Your thoughts?

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