The Catholic League and Public League playoffs are in full swing this weekend with some key matchups. Beginning Friday night, Nov. 2, St. Joseph’s Prep (9-0) will face Archbishop Ryan (5-4) in the PIAA Class AAAA semifinals. The kickoff will be at 7 p.m. The game will be played at Germantown’s field, 1100 E. Sedgwick St.
St. Joseph’s Prep is regarded by many experts as the top high school team in the Philadelphia area. The Prep features a terrific running back in Olamide Zaccheaus who has 85 carries for 608 yards and four touchdowns. In addition, the team has running back Vincent Moffett, a great rusher, who has gained 573 yards on 93 carries with seven TDs. The Prep’s quarterback is Chris Martin. He has been a good all-round player for them. Martin has completed 76-of-151 passes for 900 yards and eight TDs. He has rushed 94 times for 390 yards.
Jeremiah Agrio is Archbishop Ryan’s big time player. Agrio, a solid running back, has put together a great season. He has rushed 170 times for 900 yards and seven TDs. He’s an exciting player.
Roman Catholic (5-3) will battle La Salle (8-1) at William Tennett High School on Saturday, Nov. 3 at 3 p.m. in the Class AAAA semifinal. La Salle has been a real power in the Catholic League. The team certainly has won its share of league championships. La Salle has a prolific passing attack with quarterback Chris Kane who has completed 102-of-166 passes for 1,529 yards and 17 TDs. Sean Coleman has been Kane’s big target at wide receiver. Coleman has 38 receptions for 569 yards and seven TDs.
Roman Catholic has a pretty good passing combination, too. Quarterback Michael Keir and wide receiver William Fuller have made a lot of plays this season. Keir has completed 94-of-150 passes for 1,406 yards and eight touchdowns. Fuller has 45 receptions for 729 yards and six TDs.
In the Class AAA semifinals, Cardinal O’Hara (5-4) will battle Archbishop Wood (7-2) at Truman High School at 3 p.m. Dashawn Darden, O’Hara quarterback, is a magnificent runner and passer. Darden has rushed for 251 yards on 59 carries. He has connected on 89-of-161 for 1,380 yards and 16 TDs.
Archbishop Wood’s top players are running backs Jarrett McClenton (34 carries for 307 yards and three TDs) and Josh Messina (50 attempts for 411 yards and four TDs).
Bonner Prendergast (3-5) will clash with Lansdale Catholic (5-4) in the other AAA semifinal matchup at Plymouth Whitemarsh (3 p.m.). Michael Ockimey has done a fantastic job catching the football for Bonner. Ockimey, Friars wide receiver, has 16 receptions for 335 yards and four touchdowns. James Ward, Archbishop Wood running back, will be a key part of the team’s ground attack. Ward has 411 yards on 65 carries while scoring five rushing touchdowns.
In the Class AA Final, Archbishop Carroll (4-5) will play West Catholic (5-3) at Cardinal O’Hara High School (3 p.m.). West Catholic is led by running back Greg White who has 138 carries for 1,081 yards and 21 TDs. The Burrs have a fantastic passing game with quarterback Antwain McCollum (75-of-133 passes for 1,125 yards and 11 TDs) and wide receiver Shaquille James (25 receptions for 442 yards and eight TDs).
Running back Shawn Springs is Carroll’s offensive threat. Springs has rushed for 310 yards on 81 carries. He’s scored five touchdowns.
In Public League action, there’s a doubleheader at Northeast High’s Charles Martin Stadium, Cottman and Algon Avenues. Northeast (4-4) will face Frankford (6-2) at 3 p.m. Quarterback Daquan Bohannan has played extremely well for Northeast. Bohannan has completed 65-of-124 passes for 1,262 yards and 14 touchdowns.
Tim DiGiorgio, Frankford High quarterback, has a great passing arm. DiGiorgio has completed 59-of-131 passes for 959 yards and six touchdowns. His key receivers are Wydell Thompson (22 catches for 276 yards and four TDs) and Denzel Turbeville (20 receptions for 388 yards and two TDs).
Central (6-2) battles George Washington (7-1) at 6:30 p.m. Jonathan Henderson is the starting quarterback for Central. Henderson has completed 28-of-61 for 471 yards. The Lancers running backs are Jesse Gillis (98 carries for 535 yards and two TDs) and Hakeem Ellis (65 carries for 431 yards and six TDs).
Marquis Edwards, George Washington’s running back, has put together a good year. Edwards has gained 362 yards on 73 carries while scoring five touchdowns. On defense, Justin Moody, the Eagles’ All-American defensive end, is a great pass rusher.
In the other Public League semifinal doubleheader at Marcus Foster Stadium, Germantown and Hunting Park Avenues, Boys’ Latin (7-2) will meet Bok (7-2) at 3 p.m.
Boys’ Latin will be led by quarterback Eric Lark and running back Ben Coulibaly. Lark has completed 77-of-173 passes for 1,093 yards and 12 TDs. Coulibaly has rushed 107 times for 703 yards.
Larry Pelzer, Bok running back, is one of the best backs in the league. Pelzer has gained 1,218 yards on 184 carries. He’s also scored 13 rushing touchdowns.
Mastery North (6-3) will play Simon Gratz (9-0) at 6 p.m. Davone Cornish, Simon Gratz quarterback, has played some great football this season. He has thrown 16 touchdowns passes. He has amassed 1,153 passing yards while completing 53-of-140 passes. Mastery North has an outstanding quarterback in James Johnson who has completed 79-of-140 passes for 983 yards and 11 TDs.
In the Public League AA Finals, there will be one game at Germantown’s field at 1100 E. Sedgwick Street. Del Val Charter (6-3) will face Imhotep Charter (9-0) at 6 p.m. Imhotep Charter has two major players with running backs David Williams (93 carries for 882 yards and 11 TDs) and Eerin Young (76 carries for 777 yards and 14 TDs).
Running back Antron Smith will lead the Del Val offense. Smith is the team’s leading rusher. He has 58 carries for 373 yards and three touchdowns.
Contact staff writer Donald Hunt at (215) 893-5719 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
