Never too early to look ahead...Top 10 HS football teams heading into 2011

By Andrew Marcus
Sportswriter for Montgomery Media

Follow me on Twitter @amarcus515

After going 131-49 on predictions in the regular season (I did not predict in week one) it's fair to pat myself on the back. I think since June 2008 when I started working at Montgomery Media I have learned a lot about the high school football area.

One thing I learned is teams like North Penn, LaSalle and Archbishop Wood will always be in the fight for a league title no matter how big or talented the graduating class is. Other teams will rely on sophomore and juniors that gained experience this year and hope they can come back improved and ready to take their team deep in the playoffs.

The state champions have not been crowned yet and I have not even started covering basketball, but nonetheless here are my top 10 teams in Montgomery Media's coverage area heading into 2011.

1. Archbishop Wood - It was a heartbreaking ending for the Vikings last Friday, but I know 100 coaches and 1,000 players that would kill to be playing in the Eastern State Final. The Vikings lose skilled leaders to both sides of the ball , but most would say their best players all return. The likes of Joey Monaghan (QB/S), Desmon Peoples (RB), Brandon Peoples (FB) and Colin Thompson (DE/TE) make them the early favorite to win the league, the district and possibly state title.

TE Colin Thompson

2. North Penn - A lot of people like to attribute the Knights year-in and year-out success to the size of their school, but there are schools similar in size that did not win three straight league titles. The Knights make sure the younger kids are ready to step in when it's their chance. Corey Ernst, the Knights' QB came on strong at the end of the year and should be able to pick up where he left off for his senior season.

3. LaSalle - The Explorers will lose a big contingent of their playmakers to graduation, but I'm not going to be the one to doubt Drew Gordon, who will be bring back his QB, Mike Magarity. Jamal Abdur-Rahman and Kevin Forster will be sorely missed, but I'm sure they will be fighting for a spot in the state playoffs when it's all said and done.

RB/CB Jamal Abdur-Rahman

4. Souderton - The Indians will bring nearly ever player that found the end zone for Big Red in 2010. This Indian team may be suited well enough to knock off the Knights for the first time since the SOL was realigned.

5. Upper Dublin - The Cardinals flew to the top of the league this season as junior QB Andrew Derr emerged and senior Anthony Williams took off in the running game. Count on Bret Stover to coach his team up to take it to the next level in Derr's senior season.

QB Andrew Derr

6. Cheltenham - In a similar situation to the Flying Cardinals, the Panthers shocked the forecasters and became a force in the SOL. While QB Kenneth Cropper will return in 2011 and should make the Panthers contender, the losses of Dan Rouse, Chris Stephens and Tedi Lester will make a tough offseason.

7. Plymouth-Whitemarsh - The P-W program took a giant step in the right direction under first year coach Dan Chang and I fully expect them to take another leap forward in 2011. The have a ton of young athletes returning that can make plays and QB Russhon Phillips is always a dual threat and one play away from a score.

QB Russhon Phillips

8. Abington - Coach Tim Sorber just knows what he needs to do if he want to make the playoffs. This year he moved talented running back Julien Ireland to QB and that got them into the second round of districts. I do not know what the Ghosts have up their sleeve for 2011, but I'm sure they will be in contention for a league title.

9. William Tennent - The winless seasons seem like ancient history after an up-and-down, yet successful season for the Panthers. The experience they gained this year and the confidence the accrued, just knowing they can compete should help them make a run at a playoff spot. Shakat Kofa (QB) and Connor Geiger (FB/LB) should lead the charge.

10. Upper Moreland - The Golden Bears had big aspirations come crashing down in the post season and they will lose a large, talented senior class, but it is time to put Adam Beach in the conversation will some of the top coaches in the area. It will be one of the deepest leagues next year, but I expect the Bears will find a way to return to the playoffs and use this year's early exit as motivation to go further.