WEEK 12 PICKS

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By Don Seeley

   Here we go again… the Week 12 pick’ms. And, yes, I do hope I’m wrong on one of them.

TONIGHT’S GAMES

   District 1-AAAA Quarterfinal - Spring-Ford (10-1) at Ridley (11-0): This is one of three legitimate toss-ups in the AAAA bracket. Traveling to Delaware County, or Folsom to be specific, and being greeted by three linebackers – who collectively may be as good as any three in the entire district – isn’t all that inviting of a challenge. Neither is going punch for punch with the rest of an old-fashioned, down-in-the-dirt, blue-collar football team. Just don't count out the Rams, who have been picked to win this game by two other courageous pickers in the state… RIDLEY.

   District 1-AAA Semifinal – Henderson (8-3) at Pottsgrove (11-0): Henderson plays pretty darn good defense; so does Pottsgrove. Henderson has a good offense; Pottsgrove has a very, very good offense. That’s the difference. … POTTSGROVE.

Last week: 7-2.

For the Season: 69-19 (.784).

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DISTRICT PLAYOFFS

CLASS AAAA QUARTERFINALS

   No. 16 Wissahickon (8-3) at No. 9 Coatesville (9-2): Wissahickon owned the first-round shocker with its win over No. 1 seed Downingtown East. Coatesville doesn’t usually need a wake-up call, but Wissahickon sure dialed one up last week. Still, a Suburban One American Conference team knocking off two very good Ches-Mont League teams in back-to-back weeks of the postseason isn’t likely to happen. … COATESVILLE.

   No. 13 Neshaminy (8-3) at No. 5 Central Bucks South (10-1): Over the past 10 years, Neshaminy (and longtime assistant Jay Weidenbaugh – a Spring-Ford graduate) certainly has had a lot of success this time of the season, and proved it with the upset of No. 4 Plymouth-Whitemarsh last week. In comparison, C.B. South is a relative newcomer to the playoffs, but also a very good newcomer. … C.B. SOUTH.

   No. 7 Spring-Ford (10-1) at No. 2 Ridley (11-0): See above (but remember this could easily go the other way if Ridley doesn’t play defense). … RIDLEY.

   No. 6 Pennsbury (9-2) at No. 5 Pennridge (10-1): May be the most balanced quarterfinal on tonight's docket. Pennsbury hasn’t lost since an awful 1-2 start (losses to Easton and Downingtown East), and has allowed just 41 points in its last eight games. Pennridge hasn’t lost since Week Two’s stunning setback to lowly Bensalem, but included in its nine-game run is an October Hat Trick at home against Souderton, Central Bucks South and North Penn. Still, the Rams are also quite generous defensively. … PENNSBURY.

CLASS AAA SEMIFINALS

   No. 2 Henderson (8-3) at No. 1 Pottsgrove (11-0): See above (but remember, like the Spring-Ford game, it could go the other way if Pottsgrove doesn’t keep it rolling offensively) … POTTSGROVE.

   No. 3 Interboro (9-2) at No. 2 Academy Park (10-1): Academy Park beat the Bucs two weeks ago (49-26) for the first time in 18 years, and for its first Del Val League championship in 18 years. That doesn’t mean tonight’s rematch is a revenge win or even a guaranteed win, just a bit closer of a win. … ACADEMY PARK.

Last week: 6-2 in AAA / 4-0 in AAA for a 10-2 mark.

Overall for the Season: 79-21 (.790).