tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18599901212331248372011-11-27T18:21:33.942-05:00Ramblings and Rankings for Philadelphia High School Football.Mike Ferrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16866917380957201027noreply@blogger.comBlogger84125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1859990121233124837.post-81392384080044633062010-11-28T09:05:00.000-05:002010-11-28T09:05:15.871-05:002010-11-28T09:05:15.871-05:00

There have been a lot of complaints about the structure of the District 12 playoffs. The fact is that there is not an automatic bye week for the District 12 champions. But, it just so happens that all three District 12 champs did, in fact, have week 13 off. Yes, this is an opportunity for these teams to rest up, scout and prepare for their games in week 14. What I mean by “it just so happens”,

Mike Ferrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16866917380957201027noreply@blogger.comhttp://www.mikeferris.net/2010/11/bye-weeks-what-does-it-mean.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1859990121233124837.post-40807691823226654122010-11-26T09:46:00.000-05:002010-11-26T09:46:08.417-05:002010-11-26T09:46:08.417-05:00

In District 12, Thanksgiving week is Rivalry week.  Some of these games go back many years, while others are relatively new.   Some continue, some may change in the future, and some are gone forever.  But, no matter what team you follow, there's a good chance that your team played on Thanksgiving Day or Thanksgiving Eve.  As a matter of fact, 32 of the district's 43 teams played this weekend. 

Mike Ferrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16866917380957201027noreply@blogger.comhttp://www.mikeferris.net/2010/11/thanksgiving-rivalry-week.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1859990121233124837.post-24989943172867436872010-11-23T14:28:00.000-05:002010-11-23T14:28:34.785-05:002010-11-23T14:28:34.785-05:00

Thanksgiving Day just won’t be the same for me.  After 80 plus years, there will be no North/Frankford game.  No other game in the city has been scheduled on Thanksgiving for as many consecutive years at that game.  This was truly the Grand-daddy of Thanksgiving Day games.  But, even grandpa has to die some day, and we just need to move on.  I’ll be moving on by covering the Roman/Roxborough game

Mike Ferrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16866917380957201027noreply@blogger.comhttp://www.mikeferris.net/2010/11/thanksgiving-games.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1859990121233124837.post-35370359389694551202010-11-21T20:50:00.001-05:002010-11-21T20:51:51.926-05:002010-11-21T20:51:51.926-05:00

Recaps of AAAA and AAA District 12 Championships First, I’d like to pat myself on the back.  Last week, I made three predictions for the three district championship games.  And while picking the winners wasn’t difficult, I came pretty close with my predicted scores.  I was able to catch the AAAA game from the sidelines, and the AAA game from the bleachers (see videos below).  Unfortunately,

Mike Ferrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16866917380957201027noreply@blogger.comhttp://www.mikeferris.net/2010/11/district-12-championships.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1859990121233124837.post-62803628614795458362010-11-15T10:05:00.000-05:002010-11-15T10:05:21.176-05:002010-11-15T10:05:21.176-05:00

District 12 Championships This week, the final three of the 23 game District 12 playoff circus ends.  I call it a circus because 24 of 43 teams (56% of all teams) compete in 23 games to determine three district champions.  Compare this to District 1, where 26 teams (35% of all teams) play only 19 games to crown three district champions.  By the way, District 1 has nearly 70% more teams (73)

Mike Ferrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16866917380957201027noreply@blogger.comhttp://www.mikeferris.net/2010/11/city-title-games-preview-and-picks.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1859990121233124837.post-89584467892997470192010-11-14T08:08:00.001-05:002010-11-15T06:42:18.233-05:002010-11-15T06:42:18.233-05:00

Week 11 Recap This weekend was League Championship Weekend in Philadelphia, at least in the AAAA and AAA Divisions.  The AA divisions were decided a couple weeks ago.  There were some surprises, and some real good games around the city.  We’ll recap all of the playoff games, by division. Philadelphia Catholic League. AAAA Division La Salle 35 - Roman Catholic 16 La Salle continued its march

Mike Ferrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16866917380957201027noreply@blogger.comhttp://www.mikeferris.net/2010/11/week-11-recap.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1859990121233124837.post-78315337365719854292010-11-07T21:57:00.002-05:002010-11-09T21:57:46.983-05:002010-11-09T21:57:46.983-05:00

Week 10 is in the books. It was an opportunity for some teams to celebrate, while others had their seasons come to a close. But, a couple of other teams get a second chance. I'll take a look at the significant games from this past week, and look ahead to the playoff games in week 11. AAAA Philadelphia Catholic League Championship - Roman Catholic at La Salle College High School. By most

Mike Ferrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16866917380957201027noreply@blogger.comhttp://www.mikeferris.net/2010/11/week-11-league-championships-week.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1859990121233124837.post-15414431103625526102010-10-27T19:47:00.000-04:002010-10-27T19:47:43.964-04:002010-10-27T19:47:43.964-04:00

Possible, But Not Probable Scenarios in the PCL Just for fun, at this time of year, I like to see all of the possible playoff scenarios.  I saw "possible", but all of these are really not probable.  But, like I said, it's just for fun.  I have listed some of these improbable scenarios, along with how some teams could clinch those valuable final playoff spots in the PCL Improbable Scenario #1

Mike Ferrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16866917380957201027noreply@blogger.comhttp://www.mikeferris.net/2010/10/possible-if-improbable-playoff.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1859990121233124837.post-88991482692830771902010-10-26T22:58:00.000-04:002010-10-26T22:58:05.661-04:002010-10-26T22:58:05.661-04:00

As we get closer to the playoffs, some good match ups are scheduled, and those are the games I usually pick for my "Games to Watch".  This is the first time that I went 0-4 in these games.  But, I'm guessing not many people saw the Prep upset of Roman or the Northeast upset of Washington.  It was a tough week, but week 9 will be just as tough. How we did in Week 8 Week 8, Games to Watch 0-4

Mike Ferrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16866917380957201027noreply@blogger.comhttp://www.mikeferris.net/2010/10/week-9-picks.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1859990121233124837.post-9447004945784123452010-10-24T23:58:00.000-04:002010-10-24T23:58:10.974-04:002010-10-24T23:58:10.974-04:00

Yes, the Philadelphia Catholic League will once again make history.  But, making history is sometimes not such a great thing.  This season will mark a new low in the Philadelphia Catholic League for football.  When the final whistle blows in the Bonner/Carroll game on Friday night,  the losing team in this game will have the distinction of being the first Catholic League football team to qualify

Mike Ferrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16866917380957201027noreply@blogger.comhttp://www.mikeferris.net/2010/10/philadelphia-catholic-league-to-make.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1859990121233124837.post-20939630598978023362010-10-24T08:02:00.001-04:002010-10-24T08:45:08.137-04:002010-10-24T08:45:08.137-04:00

What a week of football in District 12.  There were a few unexpected outcomes in both leagues, a couple of playoff games, and a couple of teams clinched playoff spots. We’ll start with the Catholic League. AAAA – The big game of the week was Prep v Roman.  Most people, including myself, thought this would be a fairly easy win for the Cahillites.  But, Prep had other plans, as they not only

Mike Ferrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16866917380957201027noreply@blogger.comhttp://www.mikeferris.net/2010/10/where-we-stand-after-8-weeks.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1859990121233124837.post-46382430672063427352010-10-19T11:09:00.001-04:002010-10-19T11:58:17.385-04:002010-10-19T11:58:17.385-04:00

We didn't see many big upsets in week 7.  The closest thing to an upset was Bonner's 16-6 loss to O'Hara.  But, in this game, O'Hara's defense shut down Bonner, with the only Friar touchdown coming on a fumble return for a touchdown.  So, to date, O'Hara's defense has only allowed three touchdowns, all to Roman in week 4.  Some playoff spots have been set, but mostly in the Pub.  Many of the PCL

Mike Ferrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16866917380957201027noreply@blogger.comhttp://www.mikeferris.net/2010/10/week-8-picks.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1859990121233124837.post-5074061037667492952010-10-18T10:44:00.001-04:002010-10-18T10:45:08.974-04:002010-10-18T10:45:08.974-04:00

After Week 7, several playoff spots in the 7 city divisions have been secured.  At the top of this page, we have a new link to the playoff brackets.  The Pub AA playoffs have been set for week 8, with most of the remaining spots being decided this week.  Below, I will explain, by division, where the teams stand, and the chances for some teams to make it into the playoffs for 2010.   Pub AA

Mike Ferrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16866917380957201027noreply@blogger.comhttp://www.mikeferris.net/2010/10/playoff-picture-after-week-7.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1859990121233124837.post-86972443887134213892010-10-12T06:32:00.001-04:002010-10-18T10:45:46.284-04:002010-10-18T10:45:46.284-04:00

Week Seven is finally here.  What's so special about week 7?  Well, with the game this week, all of the city divisions will have officially kicked off the regular season.  In the wacky world of District 12, the teams are first split by Public and Catholic Leagues.  The Catholic League is then split into three divisions, based on their PIAA classification.  The Public League is split into four

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If District 12 football in 2010 has taught anything, it has taught me that nothing is a sure thing this year.  With the exception of a few teams, the only predictable thing about high school football this year is the unpredictability.   Yes, there are teams exactly where they “should” be after six weeks, like Washington, La Salle, Wood and West Catholic.  But,  not many people expected Furness

Mike Ferrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16866917380957201027noreply@blogger.comhttp://www.mikeferris.net/2010/10/rundown-of-district-12-by-division.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1859990121233124837.post-1178166340798114442010-10-10T10:33:00.000-04:002010-10-10T10:33:13.733-04:002010-10-10T10:33:13.733-04:00

During my travels this past weekend, I caught 4 games, including 3 from District 12.  Below is a recap of the three D12 games that I saw.  It was a real busy weekend, but what better way to spend it than watching high school football in Philadelphia. Pub AAAA Silver Division Fels 44 – Olney 22 (at Northeast HS) This game ended with 2:00 remaining, as fights broke out after Fels scored

Mike Ferrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16866917380957201027noreply@blogger.comhttp://www.mikeferris.net/2010/10/week-6-game-recaps.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1859990121233124837.post-49519194818836698652010-10-05T13:27:00.001-04:002010-10-05T13:28:27.349-04:002010-10-05T13:28:27.349-04:00

Week 5 Recap I ended up seeing 3 District 12 games last weekend.  I did the stats for the Central/Mastbaum game.  It was a fairly exciting game, but with Mastbaum not having much offense outside of the Stone-Davis brothers, Central prevailed in the end.  I hung around NE HS to catch the Judge/Prep game.  This game was a lot more exciting than the early game, with Judge scoring a late TD to

Mike Ferrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16866917380957201027noreply@blogger.comhttp://www.mikeferris.net/2010/10/week-5-recap-i-ended-up-seeing-3.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1859990121233124837.post-4450110097919201352010-10-01T23:50:00.000-04:002010-10-01T23:50:57.051-04:002010-10-01T23:50:57.051-04:00

A funny thing happened in the Central/Mastbaum game.  I'm standing on the sidelines, collecting stats, and Central drives down to the Mastbaum 3.  After that play, a couple of players got into a minor scuffle, but it was enough for the flags to start flying.  The call by the head referee was a Dead Ball Personal Foul, on both teams.  He then gave the universal signal for "offsetting penalties". 

Mike Ferrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16866917380957201027noreply@blogger.comhttp://www.mikeferris.net/2010/10/offsetting-penalties.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1859990121233124837.post-52374998000180893522010-09-28T10:24:00.001-04:002010-09-28T10:24:40.288-04:002010-09-28T10:24:40.288-04:00

This week will begin the regular season for most of the teams in the PCL AAAA and AA divisions. With that, six of the seven city divisions will be playing for playoffs spots. Only the PCL AAA division is still in the pre-season, with their regular season beginning in week 7. I know this is a re-occurring theme, but why even have a regular season for the AAA teams. After all, there are only four

Mike Ferrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16866917380957201027noreply@blogger.comhttp://www.mikeferris.net/2010/09/week-5-games-to-watch-and-picks.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1859990121233124837.post-15494031157058305962010-09-26T22:50:00.000-04:002010-09-26T22:50:23.422-04:002010-09-26T22:50:23.422-04:00

The 2010 season is now four weeks old, and I have one big comment to make about the PCL.  There are a lot of good teams in the Philadelphia Catholic League this year.  Currently, there are 14 teams, spread over 3 divisions, with each division split out by the PIAA classifications.  I've never seen the league look so goo.The Philadelphia Catholic LeagueThe only division that should have a run away

Mike Ferrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16866917380957201027noreply@blogger.comhttp://www.mikeferris.net/2010/09/halfway-there-and-getting-better-every.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1859990121233124837.post-21888013022704146772010-09-26T21:46:00.001-04:002010-09-26T21:47:28.004-04:002010-09-26T21:47:28.004-04:00

Week 4 Recap This was the last pre-season week for most of the PCL AAAA and AA teams, as their regular seasons kick off in week 5 (the PCL AAA begins league play in week 7).  But, pre-season or not, there was some real good high school football in week 4.  But first, I'll recap my picks from week 4: Weekly and Overall Picks for Week 4 Week 4, Games to Watch 2-2  .500 Week 4, All Picks :

Mike Ferrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16866917380957201027noreply@blogger.comhttp://www.mikeferris.net/2010/09/week-4-recap.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1859990121233124837.post-87173121630954231862010-09-21T13:12:00.000-04:002010-09-21T13:12:14.265-04:002010-09-21T13:12:14.265-04:00

We're in Week 4 now, and the Pub is already a couple of weeks into their regular season at all levels. In week 5 league play begins for the PCL AAAA and AA divisions, with the AAA division begining their 3 game season in week 7.  It's getting to a point where things will start to heat up, and the cream will rise to the top.  Below are my games of the week, along with my picks, and some commentary

Mike Ferrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16866917380957201027noreply@blogger.comhttp://www.mikeferris.net/2010/09/week-4-games-to-watch-and-picks.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1859990121233124837.post-67991744774881299772010-09-19T09:05:00.000-04:002010-09-19T09:05:29.722-04:002010-09-19T09:05:29.722-04:00

Well, despite the fact that I had a wedding on Saturday and had to film a soccer game on Friday night, I was able to get three games in this weekend.  But, only one of those games had earth-shattering implications (IMHOTEP/Bok).  All of the Pub divisions have started the regular season.  The PCL doesn't begin league play until week 5 (AAAA and AA) and week 7 for AAA.  In the meantime, there is a

Mike Ferrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16866917380957201027noreply@blogger.comhttp://www.mikeferris.net/2010/09/week-3-wrap-up.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1859990121233124837.post-51415968172473548992010-09-18T13:24:00.001-04:002010-09-18T13:24:44.923-04:002010-09-18T13:24:44.923-04:00

Today, IMHOTEP beat Bok by a score of 28-6.  The significant part of this score is that today's loss marks the first time since November, 2001 that Bok has lost a regular season contest.  The entire first half was dominated by IMHOTEP's high powered offense and tough defense.  This game almost seemed like the two teams were playing at two different speeds.  IMHOTEP was in a sprint, while Bok

Mike Ferrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16866917380957201027noreply@blogger.comhttp://www.mikeferris.net/2010/09/imhotep-halts-boks-streak-at-43.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1859990121233124837.post-4744443782856255152010-09-15T13:34:00.001-04:002010-09-18T13:25:13.589-04:002010-09-18T13:25:13.589-04:00

Week 3 Well, sports fans, week 2 in District 12 was an interesting one.  We’re still trying to figure out who are the good teams, the bad teams and the ugly.  La Salle and Prep, who led the rankings in week 2 both lost.  La Salle, by virtue of their close loss to Bergen Catholic, will hold on to their top ranking.  Prep, which was soundly thumped by St Peter’s, dropped to 9th.  Bonner, which

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