Week 13 - Top Philly Teams

We didn't post a poll in Week 12 for many reasons. First, the entire staff has been busy with jobs that actually pay the bills around here. Second, we had our computer take a dump on us and we had to rush it to NJ to get it fixed. Third, well the third reason is very personal, so we won't get into that. Anyway, we will most likely only post one more list this season, and that will be next week after the 4th and final district 12 champion is crowned and the Thanksgiving Day games have all completed. We're looking to post that final list on Black Friday or Saturday. Stay tuned.

1. LaSalle (4) 9-2 Last Week: Beat Father Judge 28-20 (PCL AAAA Championship)
I've been on the fence with LaSalle most of this season. Not sure if they were as good as their record. But, when you beat Prep twice in the same season, beat a very good West Catholic team, and then avenge your only PCL loss (Father Judge) in the PCL championship game, you have no choice but to move this team to the top of the list.
Next Week: Washington (District 12 AAAA Championship)

2. West Catholic (2) 10-1 Last Week: Beat Ben Franklin 56-6 (District 1/12 subregional championship)
I know West is a real good team, and many believe they should be at the top of this list. And, they would be had LaSalle not had the quality wins that they have had. The Burrs tore through their AA schedule this season, beating teams by an average of 60-5, which makes them a team to be rekoned with at the AA level. But, an early season near miss against Roman (non-playoff team), a loss to LaSalle, and a hard fought win against AAA Wood hurt them just enough to get them this position in our poll.
Next Week: Palisades (First round of AA State playoffs)

3. St Joe Prep (1) 8-3 Last Week: Idle
It just didn't seem the same without Prep in the championship. Well, at least they won't be upset in the big game for the 4th time in 5 years. We're still not sure if the Prep is having a big down year, or if the rest of the league has caught up to them. My money is on the latter. Thanksgiving will still be a good game between two real good teams.
Next Week: Idle (Will play Malvern on Thanksgiving)

4. Father Judge (3) 8-4 Last Week: Lost to LaSalle 28-20 (PCL AAAA Championship)
The Crusaders didn't reall catch their groove until about week 5 or 6. A close loss to Prep in week 5 and then 6 straight wins, including a week 6 win at PCL AAAA champion LaSalle set this up as a contender. Judge lost a heart breaking championship game to LaSalle, but they end their PCL season knowing that they were close enough to taste the championship, which they have not won since the mid-1980's.
Next Week: Idle (Will play Lincoln on Thanksgiving)

5. Archbishop Wood (6) 10-2 Last Week: Beat Dobbins 56-7 (District 12 AAA Championship) What can you say about this team? They are definitely on a roll. They shut out the entire AAA division during the season and rolled through the city playoffs. Now, the Vikings will take a week off as they prepare for the winner of the distict 1 championship on Black Friday.
Next Week: Idle (Will play on Nov 28th against District 1 champ)

6. George Washington (5) 9-1 Last Week : Idle
The Eagles got a week off as they prepare for the first big school City Title game in 29 years. This Washington team will certainly have their hands full when they play LaSalle on Saturday, at high noon. As usual, the PCL team will be a heavy favorite, but you really can't count out the Eagles, as they certainly can play football, and they have one of the better coaches in SE PA running things.
Next Week: LaSalle (District 12 AAAA Championship)

7. Northeast (7) 6-5 Last Week: Beat Olney 37-0
The biggest problem with Northeast is that you never knew which team was going to show up from week to week. Would it be the team who beat Judge or the team who lost to lesser suburban teams Norristown and Abington. Well, the Vikings showed up when it mattered, and came oh so close to capturing the Pub AAAA crown. When the playoffs started, the Vikings beat previously unbeaten Bartram in the quarter-finals and then Pub powerhouse, Frankford in the semi-finals. They fell a touchdown short in the championship game, in a game that posted 75 points.
Next Week: Idle (Plays Central on Thanksgiving)

8. Cardinal O’Hara (8) 7-4 Last Week: Idle
The Lions started out with 7 wins, but what really matter was the last four games when they lost each week, including a first round playoff game to Father Judge. It would have been nice to see what this team would have been able to do without some of the injuries that they suffered this year.
Next Week: Season Over

9. Conwell-Egan (9) 7-4 Last Week: Idle
We're pretty sure nobody took the Eagles very seriously earlier in the season. But, beating North Catholic two times in three weeks put this team on the map and in this top ten, and effectively knocked the Falcons into the "also ran" category. Conwell-Egan made their first PCL championship appearance in a very long time, but they ran into the steamrolling Vikings of Wood.
Next Week: Idle (Plays Truman on Thanksgiving)

10. Bok (NR) 10-1 Last Week: IdleBok once again showed that they are the class of the small schools in the Philly Pub. Good coaching, diciplined team, and now a history of winning. Unfortunately, they ran into the wall known as West Catholic in the District championship game to end their run and season at 10-1.
Next Week: Season Over

Just missing the cut: Frankford, Roman Catholic, Northeast Catholic


AAAA - Top 5
1. LaSalle (9-2)
2. St Joseph Prep (8-3)
3. Father Judge (8-4)
4. Washington (9-1)
5. Northeast (6-5)
Bubble Teams: O'Hara, Frankford, Roman

AAA - Top 5 (Final List)
1. Archbishop Wood (10-2)
2. Conwell-Egan (7-4)
3. Dobbins (7-4)
4. Norteast Catholic (6-4)
5. Mastbaum (7-4)
Bubble Teams: Lansdale Catholic, Roxborough

AA - Top 5 (Final List)
1. West Catholic (10-1)
2. Bok (10-1)
3. Franklin (7-4)
4. Archbishop Carroll (4-7)
5. Bishop McDevitt (4-5)
Bubble Teams: None