Road to the Playoffs, Philadelphia: Week 8 Matchups Part One
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Kensington (4-3) vs Overbrook (3-4) Previous Weeks Outcome KT – 40-22 Loss to Belmont Charter OB – 40-20 Loss to South Philadelphia Top Senior Prospect Jason Slevenski PA #783 ATH #155 HEIGHT 6'2" WEIGHT 185 POS ATH CLASS 2023 View…
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Continue ReadingKensington (4-3) vs Overbrook (3-4)
Previous Weeks Outcome
KT – 40-22 Loss to Belmont Charter
OB – 40-20 Loss to South Philadelphia
Top Senior Prospect
Jinald Fogan
Jinald Fogan
Prospect/Unit Matchup to Watch:
Both defenses struggling, who will capitalize offensively?
Both defenses are coming off of bad performances. Who’s offense can pounce on the opportunity to score points? Belmont Charter and South Philadelphia both have offense stars that can break a game open. Can Jason Slevenski Jason Slevenski 6'2" | 185 lbs | ATH Kensington | 2023 State PA and Nasir Simmons Nasir Simmons 5'8" | 150 lbs | WR Kensington | 2023 State PA score enough against a struggling OB defense? Or will it be Mekhi Gordon and the Panthers who put points on the board?
Abraham Lincoln (5-2) vs. Haverford High (2-5)
Previous Weeks Outcome
AL – 38-6 Win over Martin Luther King
HH – 24-14 Loss to Mansfield High (MA)
Top Senior Prospect
Prospect/Unit Matchup to Watch:
Quarterback Matchup between Knight and Wright
Lincoln has prided itself in branching out of the Public League, it has done more good than bad, as the program looks to earn its sixth win of the Fall against an unfamiliar foe in Haverford High. Haverford High might be struggling, and the two programs seem to be on opposite paths this season. I wouldn’t count the Fords out though, not that the embattled Railsplitters are by any chance. Lincoln will come to play, they have all year for the most part. Interested to see the quarterback matchup between Khani Knight Khani Knight 6'2" | 180 lbs | QB Abraham Lincoln | 2023 State PA and Tommy Wright Tommy Wright 6'3" | 210 lbs | QB Haverford | 2023 State PA .
Olney Charter (4-2) vs. Imhotep Charter (3-2)
Previous Weeks Outcome
OC – 24-12 Win over Simon Gratz
IC – 28-0 Win over Northeast
Top Senior Prospect
Prospect/Unit Matchup to Watch
Who will standout against this elite Imhotep defense?
Olney winning this game will be one of the bigger upsets we’ve seen in the Public League in some time. Yes, the talent disparity is wide, yes Imhotep just put Northeast to bed, I still think Olney can put up a fight in this one. Any and all strides by Olney made against Imhotep should be considered a win in their book. More important than the final score, I’ll be looking for Trojans that put up a fight in this one. Any prospect that can give a Panther trouble is worthy of looks.
Mastery Charter North (5-2) vs. West Philadelphia (4-2)
Previous Weeks Outcome
MCN – 21-14 Win over Central
WP – 20-0 Win over Ben Franklin
Top Senior Prospect
Zaire Brown
Zaire Brown
Prospect/Unit Matchup to Watch
One of the more exciting games of the year in the Pub. Both defenses stations great prospects.
Would love to see this game in person. Too bad I’ll be out of town. Two programs who are on the rise, with both young and veteran prospects who are all worthy of attention. I’m super intrigued by how ATH Zaire Brown performs against an underappreciated defense that boasts Patton and Laury in the secondary, as well as Torrian Jones Torrian Jones 6'2" | 230 lbs | LB Mastery North Charter | 2023 State PA in the front seven. This game will be full of underrated athletes that college scouts could pick apart if they came down to Philly. West Philly has some dogs to let loose on defense as well, should be a fun game to watch, coach, and be a part of.
Simon Gratz (4-3) vs. Bartam (2-4)
Previous Weeks Outcome
SG – 24-12 Loss to Olney Charter
JB – 22-12 Win over Frankford
Top Senior Prospect
Devon Jackson
Devon Jackson
Prospect/Unit Matchup to Watch
Can Bartram put up enough points on this Gratz defense?
Gratz is a long way away from its solid 2022 class, as is Symir Wylie, who transferred to play Texas football. Yet Simon Gratz is still rolling and winning football games, the coaching staff deserves huge credit. Gratz is coming off a two-possession loss to Olney, with Bartram securing its second win of the season over Frankford. Can Bartram continue to build momentum and win their third game of the year? Devon Jackson and Aamir Pender Aamir Pender 6'1" | 230 lbs | LB Bartram | 2023 State PA are two defenders I’m fond of. Interested in seeing if Bartram can pull one out at home.