Murphy said he we was hopeful at one point about Delaware Valley Charter, a member of the Public League's Class AA division, filling the opening. The Warriors are idle this weekend.
"I thought we had something going," Murphy said Thursday afternoon, "but I never heard back from them."
Barring a last-minute change, all other Catholic League teams will play their scheduled games. That news made it only harder for Murphy and his players.
"That's kind of like salt in the wound," the coach said.
Last week: 7-3. Overall: 7-3 (.700).
Here are some of Friday's top contests:
Germantown (0-1) vs. Fels (1-0), at Northeast, 3 p.m. Look for the Bears, led by Pittsburgh recruit Will Parks, to handle the Panthers in this Public League Class AAAA Gold opener. Pick: Germantown, 22-16.
Imhotep Charter (1-0) vs. Communications Tech (1-0), at Southern, 3 p.m. The Panthers' potent offense is fueled by running backs Sloane Thomas and Eerin Young. Pick: Imhotep, 28-6.
Frankford (0-1) at Unionville (1-0), 7 p.m. The Pioneers must slow Richard Sampson, who rushed for 209 yards and four touchdowns against Garnet Valley. Pick: Unionville, 31-13.
West Chester Rustin (1-0) at No. 3 Downingtown East (1-0), 7 p.m. East is flying high after racking up 62 points and knocking off defending PIAA Class AAA champion Allentown Central Catholic. Pick: East, 46-21.
Hatboro-Horsham (1-0) at No. 4 Neshaminy (1-0), 7 p.m. The Redskins have to iron out the kinks in their ground game. They were held to 40 rushing yards by Souderton. Pick: Neshaminy, 28-14.
Glen Mills (0-1) at Downingtown West (1-0), 7 p.m. The Whippets totaled 400-plus rushing yards in a 56-7 romp over Penn Wood. That spells trouble for the Bulls. Pick: West, 38-12.
Bishop McDevitt (1-0) at Cheltenham (1-0), 7 p.m. The Panthers aim to slow McDevitt's Keith Young, who rushed for 209 yards and four TDs against Lower Moreland. Pick: Cheltenham, 27-23.
On Saturday:
Monsignor Bonner (1-0) at Chestnut Hill Academy (0-1), 1 p.m. Bonner's Ismir Gibson (160 yards in Week 1) and CHA's Cedric Madden (115) will be the featured ballcarriers. Pick: Bonner, 27-7.
No. 6 Council Rock South (1-0) vs. Father Judge (1-0), at Lincoln, 2 p.m. Against South's wishbone attack, Judge must converge quickly on QB Brian Donnelly. Pick: South, 30-14.
No. 8 Roman Catholic (1-0) at Malvern Prep (0-1), 2 p.m. You think the Friars will take to the air vs. the Cahillites? Tommy Rumer threw for 311 yards in last year's 34-21 loss. Pick: Malvern, 24-19.
Bergen Catholic (0-0) vs. No. 1 La Salle (1-0), at Plymouth Whitemarsh, 2 p.m. The speed-laden Crusaders are out to avenge last year's 22-21 setback to La Salle. Pick: La Salle, 31-21.
West Catholic (0-1) vs. No. 2 Archbishop Wood (0-1), at William Tennent, 7 p.m. The Burrs, with La Salle on deck, are fearful of an 0-3 start. For good reason. Pick: Wood, 42-13.
Contact staff writer Rick O'Brien at 610-313-8019, robrien@phillynews.com, or @ozoneinq on Twitter.
