EA moves ahead of Ridley for the second time. I think we can debate this until we’re blue in the face. You get the idea by now.
Springfield was removed after two tough losses to quality Central League opponents. Interboro moves from No. 7 to No. 5, while struggling Cardinal O’Hara falls to six, ahead of Strath Haven, which had appeared in the Super 7 only once this season.
I imagine the biggest questions will surround O’Hara. The Lions might be a defeated team after another disasterous loss, but I can’t justify putting other teams ahead of them just because other teams are doing better. Too much talent that probably should be 7-2 right now.
Academy Park and Haverford School are knocking on the door, but Strath Haven deserves to be in here after two very nice wins over Conestoga and Springfield (and almost beat Haverford, too).
AP needs to beat a quality Delco opponent (there’s that term again). I realize they probably are a Super 7 team at this moment, and you can complain/argue that there’s no reason a 5-4 team should be ahead of an 8-1 team. But I think there’s just a little more “proving” they have to do. Knowing AP’s track record of winning when everyone is questioning them, I wouldn’t be surprised to see them beat Interboro by two touchdowns, just to make everyone look stupid.
1. Episcopal Academy (8-0)
2. Ridley (9-0)
3. Haverford (8-1)
4. Garnet Valley (7-2)
5. Interboro (8-1)
6. Cardinal O’Hara (5-4)
7. Strath Haven (5-4)
OHara should be out. When you have a hand picked team you should win. The talent is not that good. And they are cocky. A reflection on there coach. I saw it first hand.
Matt, I would usually have an arguement for you over the AP vs Interboro game. But I must say as a super Buc’s fan that this game worries me. Not that AP is that good but rather that Lennox sticks with the “run first and pass in crisis” game plan. Ap will put points on the board against us, however, if Lexxox uses Everton, Simmons and Fentress as targets (20 or more times) there will be nothing that AP could possibly do to win the game. Buc’s run game will put some points on the board but I don’t think it will be enough to overcome the amount of points that AP will put up. I expect a high scoring game. Buc’s only win if they open the air game. Remember, Everton alone tore up Springfield’s secondary in week 1. If Lennox uses all reciever weapons it would spell disaster for AP. We’ll see! Good luck.
Oh, I forgot to say that you hit the nail on the head calling AP vs Interboro a must see game of the week. Del-Val title is on the line.
Just to be clear, I think AP’s a very good team. I don’t want people to mistaken that. They’ve received a lot of rave reviews this year, and the Lanier kid is arguably the top RB in the county. Tyler Street is the best quarterback they’ve had in many, many years. They are a legit AAA team and well-deserving of eight wins.
Simply put, they have to get a quality win, and I believe they can beat Interboro (not saying they will).
I don’t see why Lennox will be one-dimensional this week. AP’s rush defense is very solid. He’ll have to mix it up. In fact, AP has given up 200 or more rushing yards only once this year, and that was vs. Glen Mills.
I’ll have a statistical comparison on the two teams later today.
ive seen it all now… at least this is just a “fun” poll and not one that matters as the real polls take the things that the rest of the country and living sportsworld take into consideration when numbering teams . thats why they arent included as they just simply arent in that class , they r a small private school playing other small private schools and while they are a really good team they are still in their own private school bubble (where i might add they have put themselves) now they they want out of their bubble and want big school acolades to go into their little school. sorry guys , life just doesnt work that way .you should have to earn it and with that schedule they flat out didnt earn anything except the right to be called the best team in their little bubble. ill tell you if i had that schedule i would be mortified to talk smack and put my name in the conversations with these big schools how bout u come see me when youve put 20,30,40 STRAIGHT years of winning records up, fought in the trenchs with the big boys like the sub1 etc.. and actually been a champ at something! 4 of the 9 teams ridley beat are playoff teams, what more can they do? i guess they needed to beat up on the hill school and kiski then win 1 big game against an ok malvprep, that apparently is the path to #1 here! let them have it if they need it, ridleys got enough that they already earned the hard way
oh yeah they beat 3 of the other 6 teams in the super 7 in the process as well
Don’t forget, EA beat #5 Interboro 41-0, Interboro beat Springfield and Ridley barely beat Springfield 7-3. Ridley beat GV and HHS, and while you can say their tough D did it, they needed a bunch of turnovers from both to win tight games. EA has simply dominated everyone it has played on both sides of the ball – including #5 Super 7 Interboro and then #15 SE PA (Inquirer) Malvern.
I don’t even believe you have even see EA play, so how can you really offer a serious opinion if you have not seen both play?
I find your private school comments offensive. I remember when I played on the undefeated ’81 EA team that was similar in talent to this one. We played Harriton, Upper Darby, and Penn Wood non-league (this was 30 years ago and these teams would be in the mid-level of the CL today given their talent back then). I got he feeling warming up before the games with them that they did not take us seriously. Can’t be good at football. Only Lacrosse, squash and crew. I remember after the first drive or two the looks on their faces and their body language changed. Not so much fear, but shock and disbelief at how they were being hammered by this prep school kids. We beat all three in the 40-0 range.
Having now seen this EA team play through 8 games, I have to say they are better than the ’81 team though I did not think so earlier in the season.
Throw school size and type out the window. This EA team is strong at just about every position, has no real weakness, is relentless and tough, hardly ever makes mistakes and is very well coached.
They are a very good football team. Period. If you want to argue Rdiley is better, fine. But to base it on public v. private and success in recent years is inane, IMHO.
The “tough public school kids are tougher/better than rich private school kids” argument is ridiclous. This isn’t directed toward anyone in particular, but let’s try to avoid the hateful words and stereotypes before it blows up
Ridley & EA = Tough.
Period.
Ken,
Your loyalty is impressive … but don’t knock EA.
Just because they don’t face Central League teams, doesn’t mean they’re a bad team beating up on bad teams.
They’re a borderline great team beating up on bad-to-average teams AND, yes, Malvern Prep.
This isn’t a mirage anymore. Whether you like it or not, EA is every bit as good as Ridley. That’s absolutely no disrespect to those Ridley kids.
And Ridley’s history as the winningest team all-time has little to do with this year. The EA team is “once in a blue moon” stuff. Enjoy it. Don’t be so angry all the time.
Greenken
Relax it is a high school football poll. I would agree with you ,if this was a poll for the best delco team of the past 30 or 40 years Ridley would be #1 but it is not it is a poll to rank the top 7 teams in delco for THIS year. And in Matts opinion and a lot of others EA is #1this week. The annoying part is the weak schedule argument. I agree, other than Interboro and Malvern their schedule is weak but to insinuate that Ridleys schedule is loaded with world beaters is rediculus. We can go on and on about common opponents ( GV struggling with Unionville ,coatsville blowing out unionville Malvern beating coatsville, SH giving up 68pts etc) but the truth of the matter is the central league is a competetive mediocre league this year with 1 really good team which is Ridley so the schedule argument is old and washed out . Also EA’s football team is loaded with lacrosse players and wrestlers so I don’t think toughness is a question and after saying all of that I still think Ridley is a terrific football team and I wish them the best and make delco proud
As for Ohara their offense has been sub par all year. They can’t play 4 quarters of football. They scored 2 tds against Wood and in that game they had the ball 1st and goal from the 1..no score, 1st and goal from the 5 no score and 2 other times from inside the 10 resulting with no points,if their secondary decides to show up and cover somebody they could win. They give up too many passing yards. This team should be 8-1(yea they could have beaten Wood). The coaching needs to improve. The d line penetrates but nobody covers the receivers ,QB throws at will to wide open receivers. The O line needs to stay with their blocks. Ohara gets it together they will win
Well, the EA/Ridley thing has been debated to death, so it is what it is – for now. If both teams win out and Ridley moves on in the districts with some strong wins over quality teams, I would not argue with them being back on top. Really hard to make a good comparison between these two teams as they face nobody in common. Just indirect stuff.
Honestly, I’m not as sold on HHS as others. They do not have a win against a top tier team – except I guess SH now that they are in the Super 7 – and that’s a 4 loss team (I agree, though, that SH is playing very good football and peeking at the end of the season). HHS has given up a ton of points to average competition. I guess you can say they played Ridley well given they only lost by 8 when they had 6 turnovers, but they still lost. I’d have them a little lower, but it’s also hard to argue GV should be above them as they have not beaten any top tier competition, unless you count the 1 point win over Unionville first game of the season.
Glad to see Interboro move up as I think they deserve it. I think 5 is about right, but I think they are right up there with HHS and GV.
While I like their talent and was supportive of them early in the year, I think O’Hara should be out. They are lacking chemistry and focus which can happen to young teams. Next year they should be really tough.
I think arguments can be made for Springfield, HS and AP being in the Super 7.
Still, It’s just Matt’s rankings and not the do-all-to-end-all, but fun to debate.
Dont forget HHS beat Stoga last week and though the score may not look that way, it was an impressive win after losing their best running back in the 1st quarter and still being able to score the amount of points they did
matt if ap beats interboro would they then b in?
I would think so, Ken.
not angry at all matt, just honest. (and noone wants honesty, as it isnt pc) i(im not running for anything so i dont care) i have my opinion as you have yours! and again for the millionth time now NEVER SAID EA WASNT GOOD but they are a private school and that is not a knock on people or money or anything like that so please dont imply that it is! it is simply about keeping football teams within the divisions/classifications that they belong! dont care what the people are like or whos better thats not it, again every team has a place and would just like to see them where they truly belong thats all! do i have to be proud of a team cause they have 1 good year, no i dont! again every one keeps saying its not about the past im sorry to me it is ( as well as some other people i know) flash in the pans come and go and in my football world i recognize teams that are always good as i believe good programs STAY GOOD flash in the pans are good but they come and go and thats the sad truth ! im not angry nor a hater just very opinionated and brutally honest also i notice you dont single out the people who are STILL talking about “picking teams” and implying the r word -thought that was off limits i hope its not leading back there! and fyi ignoring legacys and mentioning teams with one good year in the same breath DOES offend some ridley kids, parents and alum… they just arent posters here
Not diminshing Ridleys football legacy at all . we are comparing this years( 2012) teams also I believe coach Fairlie is starting to build a tradition of competative and hopefully winning football @ EA
Fairlie deserves a ton of credit and he gets the Coach of the Year Award (if we had one)… but, let’s not forget the great job Dave Guerreria has done with that offense since coming over from Harriton.
Yes Guerreria has done a wonderfull job as has the whole staff. I just used Fairlie because he is the head coach
good luck with building your tradition i wish the school and kids luck with that, but im sorry you are in a way diminishing a legacy. legacys are built and earned and when achieved certain things come with it and people who dont have one or wish they did dont get it and become jealous. you guys had a great year now use that as a building block and try for more than 1 good year put a string together maybe 5 or 10 in a row and then maybe that gets you a seat at the big table! until then i wish u continued sucess and good things.. go churchman
@greenken. YAWN.
Greenken’s point is a simple 1. He just may not be explaining it properly. I believe that he feels that because of Ridley’s tradition & history, a 9-0 Ridley team should get the respect of getting the benefit of the doubt over and 8-0 one hit wonder. I don’t think he’s saying the tradition should automatically make them #1. Kinda hard to argue with his thinking if you ask me. People have been considering them 1 & 1A all season anyway. Not like people believe that EA is CLEARLY a better team. But relax greenken. Championships aren’t crowned on paper or in 1 mans opinion. Ridley has alot to prove still and I like a hungry, underdog Ridley team WAY more than I like an over confident team that thinks they will win just by taking the field with a 10-0 record. Personally, I’m not sold on this Ridley team to be honest. I HATE the offense & the play calling. Eventually they’re going to have to throw the ball to win & I’m not convinced they can do that. Hopefully they prove me wrong!
Many people don’t know this but Ridley hasn’t had a losing season since 1955. Yes, 1955. They by far have the highest winning percentage of any team in PA HISTORY. All the teams that have more wins than Ridley have played football for 30+ years longer. I hate woulda, shoulda, coulda’s, but i believe they would have won several state titles in the 70′s and 80′s. The 1988 team was the best HS football team I’ve ever seen. I know this has nothing to do with anything. Just interesting stuff. No not have a losing season in 57 years is ridiculous. I don’t care who you’re playing!!!
No argument here. Some of those Ridley teams in the late-80s and early 90s, we’ll probably never see again in this county.
people dont care dude they just dont get it or choose to reason it away somehow how ANY football minded person ignores numbers like that is beyond comprehension! 1 good year trumps years and years of wins threw pride & tradition in this forum very very sad, and they call ME a hater lol
In all fairness Ridleys a good team , but having a bunch o regular season wins means nothing if you can’t win it all. Strath haven is still the only delco team with a state title. If the 1988 Ridley team is the best hs football team is the best you have ever seen then you didn’t see haven in the late 90′s
100-5-2; that was Ridleys record from 1980 – 1989. Right now their overall record is 642 wins, 160 losses, and 23 ties. They currently hold the highest winning percentage and longest streak of +.500 seasons in Pa HS football history. Of the 80 schools they’ve faced throughout their history only 11 have a winning record against the Green Raiders. They own 2 D1 AAAA titles, 1 eastern state title, 1 state title appearance, and 3 appearances in the eastern state title. The tradition speaks for itself.
Regardless, give EA credit. They’ve performed admirably through this season and I congratulate them on their success.
In all fairness, a Buc’s fan, and having been on the losing end of EA, I thought alot of people early on in the season were giving way to much credit to EA. I must say now, having almost completed the season they have shown consistency in beating everyone they have come up against, quality or not. Wining and winning big consistently is huge in determing a great team. EA has earned my respect this year despite me having given them a hard time in my blogs. I wish they had a post season so that those kids could enjoy what we all seem to take for granted. Great year EA, and coach Fairle great job keep up the good work and maybe Interboro could bring a better game to you guys next year! Congrat’s
john your a man after my own heart and the next round of green koolaid is on me
And I forgot 12 d1 aaa titles 4 eastern pa titles 2 state championships and 4 apperances
thank you for at least understanding my point, actually taking the time to think it through and your right about most everything else too the only thing id argue is ive never said theyre the greatest team and are going to roar through the playoffs as implyed by some posters im just as nervous as anybody about my team i agree with the udog theory also as i saw first hand last two years how that works out lol and personally i think alot of that mentality graduated and left this group who are pretty grounded if you follow ridley football this was a team in the beg. of year there wasnt high hopes 4 as they couldnt even pick a qb ,even through campdecker so we were looking for maybe a 2 loss year . id also like to add that ridley fans are very different than other fans in tons of ways. ive been to hs games everywhere in multiple states , and havent found anything like it .i guess its part of the green mystique (that im currently writing a book about) we r like the eagle fans of the nfl is the best description i guess, very very passionate and i guess people take that as rude or insensitive and im sorry for that but youll find alot of people like me in the ridley world ,they just arent posters. this isnt just me its kinda a way of life when you grow up ridley these posters would HATE texas hs ftbll as if you think this is bad you aint seen nothing!! anyway im not a hater, just being honest! i love all kids and respect student atheletes tremendously and am not and never was putting anyone down theres alot of good teams around and i wish them all well .my arguments could be classified more as backroom hs football politics as far as who plays who where in what class type thing honestly this big todo with ea isnt about ea at all you could literally insert team a and it would be the same argument they just are at the forefront this year by way of their now impressive record .at the end of the day i just think their should be 3 categorys and respective champshps for each pub.prvt and cath like most states run and thats just one old heads opinion
you gotta work on your grammar if you’re gonna write something this elaborate and incoherent.
Good one Billy
In case you didn’t see it already, there is a playoff projector for 4A Playoffs
http://joekane.net16.net/ – All credit goes to Joe Kane…i saw it on Matt’s twitter account and it looked pretty cool.
Play around with it to see who teams would play if they won
Yeah, it’s a neat tool to have. See what basic computer programming skills can do??
Not trying to be a jerk here, but I don’t understand why you have to be so dismissive of/sarcastic about/insulting to your own readers and fans of high school football. I’m sure a lot of work above “basic computer programming skills” went into making that predictor. And, if you played around with it at all, you would see that it is possible for Ridley to pass Downingtown East for the #1 seed in D1-AAAA without Downingtown East losing rendering your following statement from yesterday’s Daily Times as not 100% true:
“Downingtown East holds a firm grip on the top seed, but if it happens to lose to West Chester Henderson this weekend, then Ridley (8-0) would have its only shot at going into the tournament as the No. 1 team, provided it takes care of Penncrest.”
I hope there are no hard feelings, just making an observation.
lets not forget the run Strath Haven WAs on through the late 90′s and early 2000′s. might be most impressive run of any delco team in last 15 years
i agree jim i was sooooooooo glad to see mr connor graduate and become ohio states problem rather than ridleys lol
Hey Matt,
Can you help me out? Not sure how the public/private things really works. Do the private schools draw their talent from certain areas like the public school district or can they bring players in from outside of the schools geographical area?
They do provide financial aid and can draw talent from anywhere they wish. I’m sure that Andy, our resident Inter-Ac guy, can provide more insight.
Thanks Matt wasn’t really sure how if they had boundry’s or not.
Right. Galambos from Haverford School is a Collingdale kid. EA has a few Upper Chi kid and Malvern has about six or seven Delco guys.
they currently can bring in people at any desired position from any area and give them full ride ..hence the need for seperate playoff systems as this methodology is simply not fair to those playing with local sign up kids nuff said on that
Well, the I-A has no playoffs at all – and certainly not against the PIAA so I don’t see what is not fair. EA does not play Ridley. If you have an issue along those lines, take it up withe the PCL.
EA is a small school with 500 kids in high school. A LOT of families apply to have their kids go there, and most apply for some for of financial aid. Not many people can afford $30k a year for high school. A lot of kids get turned down who don’t pass the entrance exam which goes to a lot of factors including intelligence and character.
If EA was hardcore at bringing athletes in, their teams would be better.
Note these players on this year’s team were on 3 and 2 and 3 win teams the previous three years. EA’s star QB Strouss is from Malvern. His school district is Great Valley but his parents were interested what private schools could offer.
He (and the other players on the team) chose league doormat EA instead of perennial I-A power Malvern years ago. That would suggest Strouss and others chose EA for much more than just football. Parents want their kids in these schools for the education and the opportunity to get into a good college – regardless if they are athletes or not.
Ridley has had far, far better football teams than EA just about every year for the past three decades and all the sudden it is not fair because EA is up there with Ridley this one year with the same players who won 5 games the previous two years. And this is somehow an advantage and not fair to you? Give me a break, and…
Cry me a river.
If Episcopal Academy played in the central im not so sure they would be undefeated
i agree
go watch them play…
Maybe EA would not go undefeated in the CL, but then maybe they would. When EA hammered MP on both sides of the ball they were #15 in SE PA (Inquirer).
GV is floating around that ranking right now and I didn’t see Ridley dominate them like EA did MP.
I have given Ridley their praise and not knocked them – just made comparisons like we all can both ways until the cows come home. Ridley is a very good team that may or may not go undefeated in I-A having to play MP and EA.
Guess what – there are other leagues in Delco besides the CL.
While I wish Ridley success in the playoffs, if they were to have an early exit, I’d be very curious to see them play Interboro on Thanksgiving.
A poll that means nothing as I said before. I bet that EA is a good team so yea u can argue back and forth. Fact of the matter is the playoffs will speak for its self until then tune in.
andy, as i stated b4 its not about ridley or who beat who ,its simply a matter of teams staying in the classification they put themselves in, and no noone is scared of anything or just now saying this stuff you just dont know delco sports andy ! myself and a large group of people were part of a process to attempt to keep the cath schools out of the tourney and in their own, like they had been. why do you think it was that way for soooo long and the piaa had to literally wait for a regime change type thing to change that rule and finally allow them in this is the same thing.. not knocking ea just like we were not knocking the catholic schools then! everything isnt about ridley and ea dude so dont be so sensitive , just get over yourself ,who made you king blogger anyway and by the way come see me and ill cry you a river
Andy you are the KING blogger in my book
andy your attempting to pick a blogwar its not about how much kids pay or where they coulda went who cares about that!! noone but U brought that up !! what is not fair you ask .. the fact that you get to pick your team and they dont, thats what and thats exactly y people fought to keep cath schools out ,this isnt kenny, this is life -delco sports -piaa stuff that started along time ago and has virtually nothing to with ea or ridley.. its sports politics.. nothing more as i said ea is a good team and i give them credit where credit is due but 1 good year shouldnt get you a seat at the big table .you gotta earn that bigboy
You are the one starting with the loaded statements.
I’m sorry your panties are all in a bunch Ridley is not #1 in the Super 7. It’s not the end of the world, Ken, but you just can’t let it go – can you?
Get over it. I have had a lot of praise for Ridley in a lot of posts, but you personally are starting to turn me off to Ridley. However, I won’t let you get in the way of what the Ridley kids have accomplished.
I’m also tired of you coming up with any and every kind of statement you can to belittle EA’s accomplishments. That’s all you are going here.
Get over it, dude. Relax, Have drink. Enjoy the playoffs. You are fortunate your team has the opportunity.
Greenken
Stop crying about the catholic teams being in the piaa. I am sure the ridley kids don’t care who they play just let them play. They are not worried about schools who “choose” their players you are. Take your bleacher chair and go enjoy a good ridley high school football game. Life is to short to sweat the small stuff.
@Andy and three. I hate talking about this every year when playoffs roll around, but PCL & Prep schools definitely have a huge advantage with picking their players (recruiting). They take the “blue chip” players from public schools. I know of 1 BIG O lineman from Ridley going to Haverford School. This doesn’t hurt Ridley, who is traditionally small on the line?? I don’t understand how PCL people deny that that’s a ridiculous advantage. Matt stated that Malvern has 7 Delco kids. That doesn’t weaken those teams when their top players are going to private schools? They’re not giving scrubs these opportunities. It’s the studs!! It’s essentially building an all star team And then playing the water downed teams that they’re pulling from and expecting them to compete. It was glaringly obvious in the Ridley v LaSalle game. They had guys from 3 states. The playing field is not level. But that’s the rules. So yes, the kids go out and play. And Ridley kids play to win. Period!! If you just allowed Ridley to pull a couple scrappy kids from interboro and/or strath haven (neighboring schools) they’d win the state championship every year. Let alone dipping into 3 states to find talent. As much as public school people “cry” about this (and we do), PCL and Private people refuse to admit or deny that there’s an advantage. So the “cry me a river” is the scapegoat response I’ve been hearing for the past 4-5 years. I’d have way more respect for someone if they were HONEST and said “yeah, it’s an advantage. But that’s how the PIAA has it set up. It is what it is”. That’s the reality of it.
Szam: Note I said to Ken to complain about the PCL – not this EA team.
You can now throw charter schools like Imhotep in there too – with more to come.
I’m not disagreeing with you or Ken on that.
However, the I-A is not playing anybody in the playoffs. They do their own thing – as Ken stated it should be.
My point is this EA team, while it has kids on scholarship, only won 5 games the previous two years. They have not stocked up on “blue chip” players. It’s the same players who could only win 5 games the past three years who have put lightening in a bottle in an amazing showing of coming together as a team.
There is no real comparison to be made between this EA team and SJP, LaSalle or even Malvern, but that is the comparison Ken is making.
So yeah, cry me a river when it comes to this EA team this year.
They have done something more amazing than keeping up a winning tradition, in my view.
Yet, it just has to be denigrated.
Andy is right. The kids at EA struggled for three years playing football at EA. They have 20-something seniors starting this season. It’s not as if they hand-picked kids like free agents last offseason. The core has been together all four years.
Glad to see Springfield put in their place, less than mediocre team with a flukey statement win against GV.
Also judging teams by who they play and their defeated opponents performance is a bad, bad, BAD way to estimate their potential. Upper Darby loses 49-0 to GV, Springfield goes to overtime with Upper Darby, Springfield beats GV 35-25, etc etc.
I wouldn’t say Springfield’s win over GV was flukey.
I think they’re a good team, capable of doing some damage in districts. I love their line and LB corps. They hung with Ridley and lost a nail-biter to a Strath Haven team that s very tough to beat right now. The fact they don’t have much of a passing game is starting to catch up with them. They’re very one-dimensional at this point.
Put in their place. LOL. 7-2 in CL. 7-3 overall. Not too bad. And why put down Upper Darby. UD hung tough all year, except for a couple of bad games. UD even gave Malvern a run for their money until the 4th qtr.
Szam33 Your comment about La Salle is rediculous. Many LS guys will go on record and say that most of that team grew up playing weight ball and CYO together. If you can name guys from 2 different states than you’ll win that argument. But to say it’s unfair for a child to choose a better academic school because he simply is allowed to, is rediculous. You guys sat there and said the Pubs were better than the Privates, than as soon as the Privates joined and rung up a ton of victories and Hershey apperances it’s all the sudden an advantage. Point is, your La Salle statement is rediculous, there’s certain cases where player’s will seek out coaches and or the program because THEY want to go there. I will never get mad at an athlete for choosing to go to a private school in hopes of winning a championship and moving onto a collegiate program, look at the numbers, Privates dominate publics in the college ranks. Stop whining about your loss three years ago and worry about beating the 16 seed this year. Then maybe if you’re lucky to make it out, you can deal with La Salle or Prep. : )
Most kids struggle when they are under classmen and usually come together as a good team by the time their seniors. I’m sure HHS, Sun Valley and most of the teams in Delco struggled as a team that played with mostly underclassmen and now with senior leadership are having a good season. But these kids (Private) were brought in as freshmen to groom over the years, they don’t bring kids in as seniors to make up the team. Would of liked to of had a couple players from EA and Malvern that are from the Penn Delco/ Chi area on the Sun Valley team this year. It is an advantage to the private schools no matter how you look at it but it’s not the kid’s fault they are trying to get a better education and better looks from colleges. Am a little curious why if it’s about the kids and their education why none of the 2nd or 3rd string kids from school districts that are good students but average athletes don’t get asked to attend these schools with financial help to play sports because I’m sure they would jump at the opportunity.
I can only speak for EA, but they do offer academic scholarships.
However, there is an expectation that you will play sports – even if you are not a great athlete and your dad pays full tuition.
Ever since EA was founded in 1785 they offered scholarships – even back then, and sports were a non-factor back then. The founders of EA did not want it to just be a rich kid school.
EA has a credo to foster the “Mind, Body and Spirit”.
The expectation is rigorous academics (kids in high school have at least 3 hours of homework a night), an expectation to foster your body through athletic competition, and three days of chapel a week with required region courses and a big focus on community service outside of school.
EA has been around for 235 years – before public schools even existed in this area (at least in their present form).
Like I posted – if EA was all about bringing athletes in their teams would be better and more consistent.
There is much more to EA than than having a good football team, though we are certainly excited about this team and hope coach Fairlie can start to build a tradition.
What EA now has with the new campus is facilities and a football field that match or surpass the best in the area as opposed to the ratty field I played on in Merion.
This will attract student athletes and their parents. It’s also not as if EA just opened up shop yesterday. It’s been a tuition based private school for 235 years.
EA has been attracting kids to play football from outside the boundaries of what would be a traditional school district for 128 years. Were there even public school districts like we have now 128 years ago? I don’t think so.
You know, I could turn it around and argue public schools have take talent away form EA. I realize that is not a believable argument, but EA has been doing what it has been doing longer than our public school system in its present form has been around.
And like I said – it’s not all about sports, but there is nothing wrong with cultivating athletics, teaching sportsmanship and learning life lessons from team sports as part of a school’s focus.
At the same time, these kids are rigorously pushed academically and if they don’t meet the academic standards they won’t be around for long. Don’t have to worry about that so much at a public school.
While I had fun at EA, there was also a lot of pressure. Everybody’s SAT scores were openly posted on a list on a board. It was very competitive academically. It was very competitive period. Yet, we still managed to have fun.
What it really does is prepare you for life no matter what you do.
And, that’s not a knock on our public school system. My sister went to private school and has been offered by family to have tuition paid for her three kids to private school, but she prefers the public schools.
It’s matter of choice and personal preference that goes well beyond football.
It is unfortunate that many kids don’t have the opportunity or choice to go a good private school, but one great thing about this country is an excellent public school system – for the most part. I don’t envy the kids in west Philly.
However, I see the public/private thing as much more than football. It’s about what parents feel the best fit is for their kids first and foremost.
I was at a birthday party of the son a friend of mine I went to EA with. He is a 6’4, 235 pound freshman at Lower Merion with room to grow given his bone structure. He tore up the JV this year. His older brother is at Shipley on an academic scholarship.
I’m sure EA would love to have this kid. When I spoke to him about his football season he brought up EA – not me. He knows I and his father went there. He said his dad mentioned it and he might get a scholarship (the family is of moderate means) but he likes LM and his friends there.
I told him he should be at LM, then. Solid education there and he should be where he is happy.
And that’s what is most important. What is the best fit for your kid and where will he or she be happy?
Really makes the football talk seem meaningless in the big picture.
@delco fan. Def not whining. Not anymore at least. You’re 1 of those guys in denial obviously. LaSalle 100% had kids from PA and NJ and I think a kid from NY or Del or Maryland or something. It was 3 years ago and I’m not going back to prove it. I was involved in a similar blog (pennlive or something) back then and it was discussed (and whined about) in great detail. Which is why I hate that this topic comes up every year. I have no problem with kids getting a better education either. But these kids are sought after for their athletic ability, not their education. I know 1st hand because I was approached by a Malvern coach years ago about hockey. And believe me, it wasn’t because they were interested in my bettering ME. Would the opportunity to better myself have been there? Of course! And the MAJORITY of these kids DID NOT play CYO ball together!! Maybe against eachother! Most of those CYO kids went to Ryan or whatever catholic school is up there. Similar to Fatima kids going to o’hara. The SELECTED FEW go to LaSalle. Hell, why make any classes then. Lets put the big schools against the small schools too while we’re at it. Ridiculous.
And your “16 seed” statement is not only ridiculous, it’s inaccurate. It’ll be the 15 seed most likely. Where is “your team” finishing?? At least Ridley is involved in a discussion like this. EVERY YEAR. Are some years better than others? Of course. Afterall, we can’t recruit our talent. Did they get beat by a 16 seed 2 years ago? Yeah, who cares?? They made a few good runs as middle of the road/low seeds. Seeds mean ZERO in D1. I’ll see you at Ridley next friday night watching OUR team playing a 1st round HOME playoff game.
Yawn, you keep adding states to get your point across, nice try. Most of those LS kids all played in that same CYO area up there. Ryan is a northeast Philly and Bensalem area pulling zone. The public schools up in the Fort Washington, Ambler area are no studs in the classroom. So there logic was better education + better football = La Salle. Either way, I can’t wait , if Ridley is fortunate enough to make it, i’ll love to discuss this in a few weeks after the PCL team knocks your boys out and you cry illegal recruiting the entire time. See ya.
Delco fan, you’re a dope. Lol. U go from playing “CYO together” to “the same CYO AREA”. Not quite the same thing dope. You’re actually supporting my statement ht that some may have played CYO ball AGAINST EACHOTHER. I don’t know what the closest PCL team is closest uto Wyndmore. I’m not from that area. Thus the “Ryan or whatever” comment. So have fun watching ur PCL teams in he playoffs. Shame you’re a “delcofan” though. Delco PCL teams aren’t going anywhere. They’ll be done tomorrow!! So enjoy th playoffs ya front running roach. SEE YA!!
Central League is such an unpredictable league. Any team can beat anyone, there are always upsets happening, you can never judge a team by the score of another game, because the way these teams play is different every week and it makes for some interesting games. As for my opinion on Episcopal, they are over rated and over hyped. If they played a team like Wood or La Salle, they would get stomped, they have yet to impress me with any teams they have beat. The only game Win that impresses me is against Interboro. They beat an OK Malvern Prep team. I am eager to see them play a tough Haverford School team, who I definately think could beat them. As for the whole Public – Private debate. Private school teams generally have better teams then some Public teams. So what if they recruit? Thats how they get their players, and that is why Public teams play in different leagues then the Private teams. As for O’Hara, if their offense steps it up and plays 4 quarters, I feel they could beat any team in Delco if they play 4 quarters, disagree or agree, if you have seen them play, they have dominated the first half on almost every team (they entered halftime down 17-6 against La Salle, not bad) and they were with Wood the whole first half.
A lot of teams are all over the place. MP got spanked by LS but beat a very good D1 Coatesville team.
I was high on Interboro too, but AP just handled them.
You can call EA over-hyped, but they have not played a bad game and have dominated everyone they have played on both sides of the ball. I have stated
I wish they knew how well the would gel this year and would have scheduled some tougher opponents out of the league, but what can you do?
I don’t have EA at the same level as LS due to line play. They would control EA in the trenches, though I’d take EA’s skill players any day. However, I think EA would give LS at least as good of a game as O’Hara. O’Hara will be very good next year with focus. They are a young team lacking chemistry this year. The reason I don’t believe EA is over-hyped is their amazing team chemistry. They are not a top 5 SE PA team, but they should be in the top 10 in my view. Rick O’Brien at the Inky jumped them from 22 to 11 in his SE PA top 25 this week after seeing them in person at the MP game. That’s impressive for Rick. I’ve never seen him move a team up 11 slots in one week this late in the season. He’s seen a lot of the top teams play and blogged that he could not believe how much he had underrated EA once he saw them play.
MP@HS should be interesting Saturday.
Given what a huge rivalry EA/HS is where you can throw the records out (and HS is not bad at all), I don’t take anything for granted when it comes to that game.
After that, I’m looking forward to catching some playoff games.
Was surprised to see DTE’s high-powered offense just eek out a 6-3 win over Henderson on Friday – though it locked up the top seed in D1-4A for them. Seems to be a lot of balance where anything could happen D1-4A post season.
hey BILLY, if all you have to say on my post was to criticize my grammar WOW that says alot of my statement thanks ! and fyi, im not writing a paper for school, im late and blogging in a hurry and what are we in high school with your little buddy “three kids” adding his two cents .. grow up
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