Northeast, depleted by injuries, enters with a 3-3 overall record and 3-2 mark in the Public League Gold Division. Washington, which has bagged 11 league titles under Cohen, is 5-1 and 5-0.
The Vikings, looking to bounce back from last week's 24-12 loss to Germantown, are led on offense by running backs Shimeek Carter and Marquis Edwards, and wideout LaQuille Nesbitt.
Washington, a 36-15 loser to the Haverford School in a nonleague game last week, relies heavily on shifty tailback Hakeem Sillman. The 5-foot-8, 190-pound senior has rushed for nearly 1,000 yards and 18 touchdowns.
Pick: Washington, 26-20.
Last week: 9-4. Overall: 52-20 (.722).
Friday
Father Judge (4-2, 1-1) vs. No. 2 La Salle (5-1, 1-0), at Plymouth Whitemarsh, 7 p.m. The Crusaders will need Raul Quinones and Matt Smalley, slowed recently by an ankle injury, to be at their best against the Explorers. Pick: La Salle, 31-17.
Strath Haven (4-2, 3-2) at Ridley (4-2, 3-2), 7. Key for the Green Raiders, coming off a 21-19 loss to Garnet Valley, is slowing down fullback Andrew Crawford (82 carries for 581 yards, nine TDs) and halfback James Griffin (71 for 573, 8). Pick: Ridley, 23-7.
Marple Newtown (5-1, 4-1) at Conestoga (4-2, 3-2), 7. In their bid for the Central League title, the Tigers need to beat the Pioneers and then count on Springfield (Delco) to knock off Garnet Valley next week. Pick: Marple, 26-19.
Frankford (4-2, 4-0) at Germantown (3-3, 3-1), 7. The Bears are confident that fleet defensive backs Will Parks and Myles Brooker will make things tough for Frankford QB Tim DiGiorgio. Pick: Frankford, 26-14.
Saturday
Cardinal O'Hara (4-1, 0-0) vs. Monsignor Bonner (3-3, 0-0), at Upper Darby, 1. It's the Catholic League Class AAA opener for the Lions and Friars. The big question is whether Bonner running back Ismir Gibson can return from an injury. Pick: O'Hara, 20-7.
Haverford School (3-1, 0-0) at Chestnut Hill Academy (3-2, 0-0), 2:30. Inter-Ac League play has finally arrived. The Fords must keep Cedric Madden, one of the area's leading rushers, from finding open spaces. Pick: Haverford, 28-12.
No. 4 Downingtown East (5-1, 1-1) at Bishop Shanahan (2-3, 0-3), 1. The Cougars, forced to move on without injured tailback Drew Harris, have netted 1,242 rushing yards on 247 attempts. Pick: East, 38-14.
Contact staff writer Rick O'Brien at 610-313-8019, robrien@phillynews.com, or @ozoneinq on Twitter. Read his blog, "The O'Zone," at www.philly.com/ozone.
