We limited each participating school to two teams. Some easily could have had three or four squads vying for the crown. For example, North Penn had at least four contenders: 2003 (15-0), 2005 (12-2), 2008 (14-1), and this year's No. 1-ranked group that is 7-0 and has outscored foes by a combined 257-58.
Here are a few other high-caliber squads, ones unaffected by the two-per-school mandate, that did not hear their names called when the 16-team field was announced: 2006 La Salle (10-3 and Catholic League Red Division champ), 2002 Penn Charter (Matt Ryan sparked the Quakers to an 8-1 record), 2004 Lansdale Catholic (14-1 and PIAA Class AA state champion), and 2008 Archbishop Wood (12-3 and Class AAA state finalist).
The bracket and seedings were based on personal observations and insights from current and past area coaches.
First and quarterfinal-round games are played at the site of the higher seed. Coatesville High is the site of the semifinal doubleheader. And the championship is set for Villanova University.
Enjoy!
First round
No. 16 seed, 2008 West Catholic (14-2), vs. No. 1 seed, 2003 North Penn (15-0). The electrifying Burrs come into Crawford Stadium averaging a whopping 48.4 points per game. But the bruising Knights, forcing four turnovers and rushing for 267 yards, send the Class AA state finalists packing. North Penn, 30-14.
No. 9, 2006 Pennsbury (13-2) at No. 8, 2007 Ridley (13-2). Talk about smash-mouth football! Bone-rattling tackles and high-impact collisions (Andrew Hodges vs. C.J. Marck) are everywhere. The difference is an 18-yard TD pass from Steve Egee to Rob Lamey with under a minute to play. Ridley, 27-26.
No. 13, 2001 Malvern Prep (9-0) at No. 4, 2001 Neshaminy (15-0). Gaspare "Gamp" Pellegrini's Inter-Ac League champions keep it close in the first half, but Jamar Brittingham (23 carries for 201 yards, 3 TDs) and company pull away in the second half at Heartbreak Ridge. Neshaminy, 31-13.
