After hours of discussion by the blog staff, we have come up with our 2008 Pre-Season rankings for District 12. Before you piss and moan about which teams are where on the list, you need to know a couple of things.
First, this list is meaningless. It’s not like ranking pro or college teams where there is a wealth of information about every team, including depth charts, who has a hang-nail, etc. These lists are based mostly on how the team performed in 2007, how then ended the season, how many quality players are returning, as well as expectations for the 2008 season.
Second, since this is a District 12 blog, we don’t separate the Pub from the PCL. But, since the Inter-Ac is not part of the PIAA, we do exclude them. Begining after Week 1, we will publish 4 lists each week, with top 5 rankings for each class (AA, AAA and AAAA only). We will also publish a District Top 10, which may include every team in the district, regardless of classification. There will NOT be a ranking for the “A” teams, as there just aren’t enough teams at that level in the city to have a serious list.
1. Roman Catholic (12-2)
Last Game: Beat St Joe Prep for PCL Red Championship
Roman is the pre-seaon #1 team because my belief is that they are the reigning champ and they have to be beat to lose this ranking. I don't expect the Callhillites to stay on top long, but as the PCL Red Champs, you have to give them pre-season props
Next Game: Next: West Catholic 8/30
2. St Joe Prep (10-3)
Last Game: Lost to Roman for PCL Red Championship
The top regular season PCL team for almost a decade now. The Hawks haven't lost a regular season game in about 8 years now. Expect the Hawks to be at or near the top of this ranking for most of the season, despite their tough pre-season schedule which begins with 2007 state champ, Parkland. With their D1 QB and college size O-Line, this team should score a lot of point this year.
Next Game: At Parkland 8/29
3. West Catholic (11-1)
Last Game: Beat Archbishop Wood for PCL Blue Championship
The team should be the class of the AA division in District 12. With a high powered offensive backfield and an ever growing line, it'll be difficult keeping this team out of the end zone every time they touch the ball. It should be fun to watch this team in 2008.
Next Game: Roman Catholic 8/30
4. Cardinal O’Hara (6-6)
Last Game: Lost to St Joe Prep in PCL Red Semi-final
With a QB heading to Rutgers and an over achieving RB/DB, this team is trying to re-gain some of the prominence they have lost in the last couple of seasons. After a horrendous 2006 season, the Lions climbed back into the top half of the division in 2007. We see O'hara being one of the better teams this season, some because of their own quality team, and some due to the fact that some of the 2007 teams seem to have lost a step heading into this season. Weak non-league schedule may hurt their ranking in this poll.
Next Game: Archbishop Carroll 8/30
5. Archbishop Wood (9-3)
Last Game: Lost to West Catholic for PCL Blue Championship
Like Roman, we're giving props to Wood mainly based on their finish in the Blue last season. We'll have to wait and see how this team handles teams like Lansdale Catholic and Northeast Catholic to see if they deserve to be here in the coming weeks.
Next Game: At Pennridge 8/29
6. Lansdale Catholic (12-2)
Last Game: Lost to Dunmore in the PIAA AA Semi-Final
Yes, this is a team that is moving up from the AA division, and it's their first year in the PCL, but this team is just about every year. They won the AA state title a few years ago, but a majority of their games during the season are against AAA and AAAA teams. We see Lansdale Catholic being in the mix at the end of the AAA season this year.
Next Game: Downingtown East 8/30
7. Father Judge (9-3)
Last Game: Beat Lincoln
No, Judge is not the same feared team they were in the 1970's through the 1990's, but they got off to a great start last year and they do return more all catholic players than just about any other team in town. If they can get a QB to replace Paul Volpe and a stud to replace Andrew McHale, the Crusaders could be right there at the end of the year.
Next Game: At Council Rock North 8/29
8. Frankford (4-6, 4 losses due to ineligible player)
Last Game: Beat Northeast Catholic
Frankford, after missing the playoffs for the first time in like ever due to circumstances beyond their control, should come out this year with a "something to prove" attitude. Always at the top of the Pub, this year should be no different. Their schedule is front loaded with tough games, but expect the Pioneers to be in the Pub final in 2008.
Next Game: At Hatboro-Horsham 8/29
9. Washington (11-3)
Last Game: Lost to Parkland in PIAA AAAA Quarter final
Washington and Frankford have been the class of the Pub for years. The 2008 season should be no different. The only thing that can stop Washington this season will be Frankford or which ever team they play in the city title game. But, at this time of the year, you have to consider the Eagles as one of the top teams in the city.
Next Game: At Bensalem 8/29
10. Northeast Catholic (6-6)
Last Game: Lost to Frankford
The Falcons, once the doormat of the PCL, have made some strides in the past few years, making it to the PCL Red playoffs in each of the past two seasons. With an experienced QB, a huge line and receiving core that is top notch, the only reason this team is not ranked higher is because of the thumping they received at the hands of Frankford last Thanksgiving, as well as some key losses to graduation. Look for the Falcons to make the PCL AAA division one of the most competitive divisions in the district in 2008.
Next Game: At Coatesville 8/29
Just missing the cut: Archbishop Carroll (10-3), LaSalle (5-7), Northeast (7-5), Overbrook (8-4), Archbishop Ryan (4-7)
So there you have it. The 2008 pre-season poll for district 12. As I mentioned earlier, let's wait until the season starts before complaining about this list.
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