Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Analyzing Amaro's offseason issues: An early look at the 2011 Phillies


By Andrew Marcus
Sportswriter for Montgomery Media
Follow me on Twitter @amarcus515





The second Phillies' first basemen Ryan Howard decided not to swing at the 3-2 pitch in the bottom on the ninth inning last Saturday the relationship between the fans of Philadelphia and the baseball team in their city became the bumpiest its been since the beginning of 2007.

Maybe it is too much to demand a World Series appearance and not be to call a major league leading 97 wins a successful seasons. But what's done is done and there is only 120 some days until spring training. The Phils had about 139 million locked into 19 players for 2011, but there still some tweaking that has to be and will be done by Phillies' general manager Ruben Amaro.

Here's a closest look at the 2011 roster with what spots need to be filled, who I think should fill them and who most likely will.

STARTING ROTATION - The easiest five-some to predicit. The big three and Joe Blanton all are under contract and the Phillies will be widely considered to have the best rotation in baseball (maybe second to that team that Philadelphia does not want to talk about from the NL West)
1. Roy Halladay
2. Cole Hamels
3. Roy Oswalt
4. Joe Blanton
5. Kyle Kendrick is arbritration eligible and there is no need for Amaro to spend money in this area. The fifth starter will come from within the organization. Vance Worley is a long shot for the spot, but will be given a chance to beat out Kendrick in Clearwater.

BULLPEN - This is the area that will be redcorated the most. Brad Lidge and Ryan Madson will both be back in the backend, but they still could use a guy that can be a fill in closer if one or both men falter. If that back-up closer happened to be lefty also, it would be a bonus.
Brad Lidge
Ryan Madson
Danys Baez
Antonio Bastardo
David Herndon
I think Amaro should try and re-sign free agent Jose Contreras. The 80-year old cuban was solid in the pen for the Phillies and in the 6th and 7th inning roll he is just as good as anything you will find on the market. The Phillies will most likely part ways with Chad Durbin and J.C. Romero. Any cheap solution should be able to replace Durbin, but I think Amaro needs to man-up and sign a lefty like Twin's free agent Brian Feuntes. The lefty has closing experience and strike out the Joey Votto's and big left handed bats of the world.
LHP Brian Feuntes

CATCHERS - No talk here. Carlos Ruiz and Brian Schneider are both under contract and "Chooch" has turned himself into a top 10 all-around catcher in the bigs.

FIRST BASEMEN - After signing for the big bucks this season the A-Rod treatment for Ryan Howard's lack of production in the postseason is understandable. Still, if healthy he is one of biggest sluggers in the game and is almost impossible to replace.

MIDDLE INFIELD - I don' think anyone would mind seeing Wilson Valdez resigned after the admirable job he did with Jimmy Rollins and Chase Utley battling injuries all season. If Willy V wants a slight rise it might be OK for Amaro to hand it over. Sometime go with what you have and not what Aki Iwamura or Chirsitan Guzman may bring.

The bigger question on people's mind are the struggles of J-Roll and Utley. They both are under contract next year and they are not going to be traded. I think if the could move Rollins they would, but Utley is still irreplacable. It is impossible to replace his production at second base on a down year. Just chalk it up as a big ending for Utley and assume he bounces back. For J-Roll, just keep saying to yourself only one more year.

THIRD BASEMEN - Placido Polanco is under contract and I stand by my stance that he was the best fit for the Phillies over players like Adrian Beltre. Sure, Beltre had a great year in Boston, but now he commands a ton of many again, much like he did when he blasted bombs for the Dodgers only to bust in Seattle. The Phillies hit team funks becuase the swing out of the strike zone and "Polly" is one guy the currently have control of that does not do that.

OUTFIELD - Ah yes. This is were it gets sticky. You can't move Ibanez. He's under contract for one more year and is probably out the door in 2012 with Rollins, but nobody wants him right so you are stuck. You could trade Shane Victorino to make room to resign Jayson Werth, but I almost think that is counter productive. They both a key parts to the core team.
I think the Phillies want you to believe the are OK with Ibanez, Victorino and a Dominic Brown/Ben Francisco platoon, but I say they look for an everyday guy on a inexpensive one-year deal to hold down the fort unitl Ibanez is gone and Brown is ready.
If they keep Werth and trade Vicotrino you are looking for a switch hitter or right hander that will not clog up the bases. The best option available would be Melky Cabrera, which in that case would not be worth the risk.
I'd say let Werth walk and tell him to have fun in Boston (my bet) and Amaro should sign either Magglio Ordonez or Jeff Francouer. Francouer is cheaper and younger than the 37 year old Mags and definately plays a better defense, but Ordonez's .300 average when healthy is something the Phillies could really benefit from.














BENCH - Welcome back Ross Gload, Ben Francisco and Dom Brown. It will be easy to replace Greg Dobbs and Mike Sweeney's production considering it was next to nothing. Some names to keep in mind would be Austin Kearns and Christian Guzman.

Here's what my 25 man roster would look like...
C Ruiz
1B Howard
2B Utley
3B Polanco
SS Rollins
LF Ibanez
CF Victorino
RF Magglio Ordonez **
BN Valdez
BN Austin Kearns **
BN Schneider
BN Gload
BN Brown
BN Francisco
SP Halladay
SP Oswalt
SP Hamels
SP Blanton
SP Kendrick
SP Worley
RHP Contreras
LHP Bastardo
LHP Brian Feuntes **
SU Madson
CL - Lidge

Week 9 Montgomery Media HS Football Predictions (winner in yellow)
Upper Merion @ Plymouth-Whitemarsh
Souderton @ Central Bucks East
Germantown Academy @ Episcopal Academy
Academy of the New Church @ Bristol
William Tennent @ Neshaminy
Upper Dublin @ Wissahickon
Central Bucks South @ Pennridge
Lansdale Catholic @ West Catholic
Calvary Christian @ Jenkintown
Cheltenham @ Upper Moreland
Abington @ Council Rock South
North Penn @ Hatboro-Horsham
Neumann-Goretti @ Bishop McDevitt
Boyertown @ Owen J. Roberts
Perkiomen Valley @ Spring-Ford
LaSalle @ St. Joe's Prep
Pope John Paul II @ Methacton
Springfield @ Pennington
Delco Christian @ Lower Moreland
Archbishop Wood @ Cardinal O'Hara

Last week's record: 16-5
Overall record: 98-44
**did not predict in week 1

Pennridge Season Statistics (4-4)
Rushing: Jesse Knepp 126-638, 7 TD; Brandon Cope 92-506, 6 TD; Kyle Peters 61-138, TD; Kim 6-96, TD; Carter Peters 23-93; Kyle McCabe 10-40; James Marrero 4-25; Mackenzie Crawford 4-18; Dylan Moore 2-5; Kyle Bigam 1-3.
Passing: Kyle Peters 42-93, 695, 5 TD, 6 INT; Jesse Knepp 0-1-0, 0
Receiving: Rocky Ferrier 20-315, 3 TD; Brandon Cope 11-199; Jesse Knepp 7-31; Dylan Moore 2-47, TD; Kyle McCabe 2-45; Jake Newman 1-64, TD.
Interceptions: Kyle McCabe (2), James Marrero (2), Mackenzie Crawford (1), Kyle Bigam (1)
Sacks: Brandon Cope (5), Jake Newman (2), Forrest Short (1), Mackeznie Crawford (1)
Field goals/Field goals attempted: Caya 1/3
XP/XPA: Dan Caya 13/14; Jon Dubyk 1/2

Continental Conference Standings
North Penn 7-1,5-0
Souderton 5-3, 4-1
Central Bucks West 6-2, 3-2
Central Bucks East 4-4, 3-2
Quakertown 3-5, 2-3
Pennridge 4-4, 1-3
Central Bucks South 3-5, 1-4
Hatboro-Horsham 2-6, 0-5

Thursday, October 21, 2010

Week 8 HS Football Predictions

By Andrew Marcus
Sportswriter for Montgomery Media

Week 8 Montgomery Media HS Football Predictions (winner in yellow)
Salesianum @ Plymouth-Whitemarsh
North Penn @ Souderton
Upper Moreland @ Upper Dublin
Council Rock South @ William Tennent
Wissahickon @ Upper Merion
Pennridge @ Central Bucks West
Bristol @ Jenkintown
Norristown @ Cheltenham
Bensalem @ Abington
Hatboro-Horsham @ Central Bucks South
Methacton @ Pottsgrove
Pottstown @ Perkiomen Valley
Spring-Ford @ Boyertown
Owen J. Roberts @ Pope John Paul II
Father Judge @ Lansdale Catholic
Archbishop Ryan @ LaSalle
Lower Moreland @ Academy of the New Church
Chestnut Hill @ Germantown Academy
Springfield @ Delco Christian
Archbishop Wood @ Monsignor Bonner
Bishop McDevitt @ Conwell-Egan

Last week's record: 12-7
Overall record: 82-39
*did not predict game one

Sunday, October 17, 2010

Pennridge playback: A look at the where the Rams stand

By Andrew Marcus
Sportswriter for Montgomery Media
Follow me on Twitter @ amarcus515
amarcus@montgomerynews.com















FOOTBALL (Click here to read story most recent game story)
Preseason expectations: The Rams returned experienced players to key positions on the field this fall and expected to improve on their 6-6 season from a year ago. If you were to give the Rams truth serum, I'm sure they would tell you stealing the league title from North Penn was a long shot, but seven or eight win season was not crazy talk.
Where they currently sit: It may be a long shot at reaching the playoffs and eight wins, but earning seven wins is still obtainable if they take care of business against Central Bucks South and get big wins over Cheltenham and rival Quakertown. An upset of Central Bucks West or North Penn may return them to the playoff picture.
Team MVP: FB/LB Brandon Cope (Sr.)
Breakout player: WR Rocky Ferrier (Sr.)


Pennridge Season Statistics (4-3)


Rushing: Jesse Knepp 116-608, 7 TD; Brandon Cope 79-436, 6 TD; Kyle Peters 53-126, TD; Kim 6-96, TD; Carter Peters 19-76; Kyle McCabe 9-37; James Marrero 4-25; Mackenzie Crawford 4-18; Kyle Bigam 1-3; Dylan Moore 1-2.
Passing: Kyle Peters 38-77, 659, 5 TD, 4 INT; Jesse Knepp 0-1-0, 0
Receiving: Rocky Ferrier 18-293, 3 TD; Brandon Cope 9-185; Jesse Knepp 7-31; Dylan Moore 2-47, TD; Kyle McCabe 2-45; Jake Newman 1-64, TD.
Interceptions: Kyle McCabe (2), James Marrero (2), Mackenzie Crawford (1), Kyle Bigam (1)
Sacks: Brandon Cope (4), Jake Newman (2), Forrest Short (1), Mackeznie Crawford (1)
Field goals/Field goals attempted: Caya 0/2
XP/XPA: Dan Caya 13/14; Jon Dubyk 1/2

Continental Conference Standings

North Penn 6-1,4-0
Souderton 5-2, 4-0
Central Bucks West 5-2, 2-2
Central Bucks East 3-4, 2-2
Quakertown 3-4, 2-2
Pennridge 4-3, 1-2
Central Bucks South 2-5, 0-4
Hatboro-Horsham 2-5, 0-4


BOYS SOCCER (Click here to read a recent game story)
Preseason expectations: The Rams were the preseason favorite to win the SOL Continental Conference title and make a strong run at a District One championship. The Rams hit bumps in the road to their lofty goals early, but have recently regrouped.
Where they currently sit: The Rams are one-point behind Central Bucks East for the league title, but they have the ability to win the league if the win out. The Rams face teams the find themselves at the bottom of the standings, so the chance to pull it off is strong. They may not get a 1-or-2 seed in the playoffs, but after no team will want to see them, especially at Helman Field.
Team MVP: Dan Caya (Sr.)
Breakout player: Cody Zickler (Sr.)

GIRLS SOCCER (Click here to read a recent game story)

Preseason expectations: The Rams play in a loaded conference where Central Bucks South and West both could have easily one a title, but they were right in the mix. The Suburban One League has dominated the district in the recent years and the Rams were expected to be a part of another year of domination.
Where they currently sit: On Tuesday and Central Bucks West the Rams will throw all their hard work aside and have 80 minutes decide whether they or the Bucks are the Continental Conference champs. The Rams lone loss is to the Bucks at home an C.B. has yet to allow a goal. Sure, they will make the playoffs either way, but how sweet would a title be if the bounce the Bucks.
Team MVPs: Bridgette Hess (Sr.) and Stevi Parker (Jr.)
Breakout player: Audrey Butcher (Fr.)


VOLLEYBALL (Click to read a recent game story)

Preseason expectations: The Rams lost their two dominant middle hitters to graduation, but they certainly had enough talent returning to contend for a league title and earn a spot in the District One playoffs.
Where they currently sit: Somewhere down the road the Rams lost its touch and have been able to win two league games on the seasons. First year coach Mark Ulmer has had his hands full trying to find the answers and correct the problems, but it just has not happen. The Rams have two games left to end their season on a high note.
Team MVP: Jillian Bracken (Jr.)
Breakout player: Valencia Coopersmith (Jr.)


FIELD HOCKEY (Click to read a recent game story)

Preseason expectations: Coming off a winless year and new coaching staff in place the Rams went into the season without a number of wins on the mind, just the desire to be better.
Where they currently sit: The Rams have not won a league game, as they sit at 0-10-2, but they have been competitive in every game and if you talk to the leaders on the team they stress how much better the team chemistry and attitude is.
Team MVP: Amanda Perricone (Sr.)
Breakout player: Addy Marshall (Fr.)


BOYS WATER POLO (Click to read a recent game story)

Preseason expectations: The program still not even a decade old, the Rams knew they are still in the midst of growing into the program they want to be. The area is loaded with talented polo teams and they have season in the past what it takes to win. This fall was suppose to be another step in the right direction.
Where they currently sit: The Rams have moved in the right direction this season and will a few wins to end the regular season they could find themselves in the field during the Eastern Conference Championships.
Team MVP: Sean O'Neill (Sr.)
Breakout player: Josh Apple (So.)


GIRLS WATER POLO (Click to read a recent game story)

Preseason expectations: Similar to the boys, the expectations where based solely on the improvements as a team and improving the fundamentals of the sport. There was no preseason talk of being a threat for a league title.
Where they currently sit: While the boys need to grab some wins down the stretch to make the postseason, the girls are all but in. The Rams have been the surprise of the season in Pennridge and no polo team wants to play them in the Eastern Conference Championships.
Team MVP: Megan Hahn (Sr.)
Breakout player: Julia Nadovich (So.)





TENNIS (Read a feature on Laura Nebel)

Preseason expectations: With the majority of the team playing in a different slot this season coach Rabenda was not sure how some players would adapt to singles play or just a higher level of competition from they what they played against in the previous season.
Where they currently sit: The Rams are not in the running for any team titles, but the girls have excelled indivually. Laura Nebel placed fifth at the league tourney and Nebel and Rachel Feiler teamed up for a third place finish in doubles.
Team MVP: Laura Nebel (Jr.)
Breakout player: Chrissy Catlett (So.)

HS Football Scores from around the Montgomery Media area
Souderton 45, Central Bucks South 35 (click to read game story)
Upper Dublin 14, Norristown 10
Bensalem 13, William Tennet 12 (click to read game story)
Upper Moreland 37, Wissahickon 6
Cheltenham 25, Plymouth-Whitemarsh 23
Abington 14, Pennsbury 13 (click to read game story)
Pennridge 35, Hatboro-Horsham 8
Perkiomen Valley 21, Phoenvixville 8
Spring-Ford 49, Pope John Paul II 0
Owen J. Roberts 49, Pottsgrove 20
North Penn 35, Quakertown 20
Archbishop Wood 49, Archbishop Carroll 0 (click to read game story)
Academy of the New Church 37, Delco Christian 7
Lower Moreland 30, Jenkintown 14 (click to read game story)
LaSalle 42, Father Judge 14
Haverford 13, Germantown Academy 7
Springfield 42, New Hope-Solebury 13 (click to read game story)
St. Joe's Prep 35, Bishop McDevitt 13
Lansdale Catholic 35, Neumann Goretti 7

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

Montgomery Media HS Football Matchups in Week 6 to shape the postseason

By Andrew Marcus
Sportswriter
Follow me on Twitter @amarcus515
amarcus@montgomerynews.com















Central Bucks South @ Souderton - The classic case of a team needing a big road win to creep back into the playoff hunt against a team looking to cement themselves as a top 5 seed in the District One bracket. The Titans have a lot of work to do, with nearly 10 teams needing to be leaped and a win over Souderton will do a lot along the way. Following the Indians is three win-able league games. The Titans may keep it close in the first half, but the Indians buckle down in at score 14 unanswered in the second half to win. PREDICTION: Souderton 31, Central  Bucks South 14

Cheltenham @ Plymouth-Whitemarsh - Welcome to the most improved teams bowl. The Panthers and Colonials combined to go 6-17 and now they are sitting pretty for a playoff spot with a combined record of 8-4. The Panthers coach Joe Gro has his team rolling on all cylinders, but first year coach Dan Chang has his team shutting down run games and scoring 27 points three of the last four weeks. The one week they did not score 27? They dropped 42 on Wissahickon. Coming off a tough loss to Upper Dublin the Colonials are faced with a must win home game to stay in the playoff hunt. PREDICTION: Plymouth Whitemarsh 27, Cheltenham 21
P-W coach Dan Chang directs practice

Jenkintown @ Lower Moreland - Always a intense battle, this year the two squads may not have postseason dreams, but it is a good week to get the a young squad back on track. The Drakes struggled with Wilmington Friends and the Lions, though took down Morrisville easily, have not won back to back games this season. It may depend on the health of some key weapons, but the Drakes ability to bounce back may help them pull of the road upset here. PREDICTION: Jenkintown 13, Lower Moreland 8

St. Joseph's Prep @ Bishop McDevitt - Don't look now but the Royal Lancers have one more win than the Hawks. The Prep has faced a murderer's row of opponents thus far with state title contenders North Penn and Archbishop Wood. What a win would do for the Class AA school from Wyncote, but even a close game could give the Royal Lancers the confidence to beat Conwell Egan, Nuemann-Goretti and make a deep run in District 12 playoffs. PREDICTION: St. Joe's Prep 45, Bishop McDevitt 21

SJP QB Skyler Morninwheg

Quakertown @ North Penn - Two straight wins is exactly what the doctor ordered heading into the matchup against the Knights. They need to win at least two of their next four games to sneak into the playoffs, but a win against one of the top teams in the state will practically clinch a spot. The Panthers have won with their offense recently and that will be the recipe again. The more time they possess the ball and keep it away from the North Penn playmakers, the better chance they have of pulling off the upset. PREDICTION: North Penn 28, Quakertown 6

Archbishop Carroll @ Archbishop Wood - The Vikings need to be tested after the cake walk that was Haverford School. It is crucial for a team with the talent that Steve Devlin's team has to keep pushing ahead and doing the small things to get better. Carroll should be able to keep them on their toes, but it should be another step toward a league and a district title. PREDICTION: Archbishop Wood 48, Archbishop Carroll 24

Hatboro-Horsham @ Pennridge - Both of these teams are yet to win in October and if they want any shot of seeing their name on the District One bracket a win this Friday is a must. The Rams defense has been incredible, allowing 22 points in the last 12 quarters, but the offense needs to find its early season swagger. While it has found its passing game with wide reciever Rocky Ferrier, the run game the Rams pride itself on has disappeared. The Hatters too like the run the ball, but have not shown the ability or confidence in quarterback Matt Hollenbeck to strecth the field, something that will be a must if the want to rock the Rams. PREDICTION: Pennridge 14, Hatboro-Horsham 0

Pennridge Season Statistics (3-3)

Rushing: Jesse Knepp 102-463, 5 TD; Brandon Cope 66-352, 3 TD; Kyle Peters 50-125, TD; Kim 3-68, TD; Carter Peters 16-66; Kyle McCabe 8-37; James Marrero 4-25; Mackenzie Crawford 4-18; Kyle Bigam 1-3.
Passing: Kyle Peters 34-70, 572, 5 TD, 4 INT; Jesse Knepp 0-1-0, 0
Receiving: Rocky Ferrier 17-262, 3 TD; Brandon Cope 6-129; Jesse Knepp 7-31; Dylan Moore 2-47, TD; Kyle McCabe 2-45; Jake Newman 1-64, TD.
Interceptions: Kyle McCabe (2), James Marrero (2), Mackenzie Crawford (1), Kyle Bigam (1)
Sacks: Brandon Cope (3), Forrest Short (1), Mackeznie Crawford (1), Jake Newman (1)
Field goals/Field goals attempted: Caya 0/1
XP/XPA: Dan Caya 8/9; Jon Dubyk 1/2


Continental Conference Standings
North Penn 5-1,3-0
Souderton 4-2, 3-0
Central Bucks East 3-3, 2-1
Quakertown 3-3, 2-1
Central Bucks West 4-2, 1-2
Pennridge 3-3, 0-2
Central Bucks South 2-4, 0-3
Hatboro-Horsham 2-4, 0-3

Week 7 Montgomery Media HS Football Predictions (winner in yellow)
Central Bucks South @ Souderton
Upper Dublin @ Norristown
William Tennent @ Bensalem
Upper Moreland @ Wissahickon
Cheltenham @ Plymouth-Whitemarsh
Abington @ Pennsbury
Hatboro-Horsham @ Pennridge
Perkiomen Valley @ Phoenixville
Pope John Paul II @ Spring-Ford
Pottsgrove @ Owen J. Roberts
Quakertown @ North Penn
Archbishop Carroll @ Archbishop Wood
Delco Christian @ Academy New Church
Jenkintown @ Lower Moreland
LaSalle @ Father Judge
Haverford @ Germantown Academy
New Hope-Solebury @ Springfield
St. Joe's Prep @ Bishop McDevitt
Neumann-Goretti @ Lansdale Catholic

Last week's record: 13-9
Overall record:70-32

* did not predict in week 1

Thursday, October 7, 2010

The Aftermath of Doctober: What to make of Roy Halladay's no-hitter

By Andrew Marcus
Sportswriter for Montgomery Media
Follow me on Twitter @amarcus515














With a sea of red on standing in anticipation of a Game One win for the Philadelphia Phillies over the Cincinnati Reds on Wednesday there was more than a series lead on the line. There was history. Roy Halladay treated the crowd of 46,000 plus at Citizens Bark Park in Philadelphia to a 4-0 win and the second postseason no-hitter in MLB history. Don Larsen's perfect game in Game 5 of the 1956 World Series was the first and only to accomplish the feat before Doc's one walk, eight strike out masterpiece.

The aftermath of Larsen's perfecto is much different than what will or can come from Halladay's no-no. Larsen's performance basically sealed a New York Yankees championship and the only true notable cliff note in a rather pedestrian career.
Roy Halladay and the Phillies have to win 10 more games to really obtain what they have set out to do and the Halladay's career is the furthest from pedestrian, which immediately raises the question of Halladay's spot in history.

Don Larsen went 11-5 in the regular season of 1956, by far the best year of his 81-91 career over 14 years in the bigs. Roy Halladay (169 career wins), who will most likely receive his second Cy Young Award after his 21-10 season, just may have turned in one of the greatest pitching seasons of all-time. Depending on what the Phillies and Halladay do in the rest of the postseason may secure his spot in history, but he may already be in the conversation.

Some consider Pedro Martinez in 2000 to have one of the greatest single seasons of all-time and he had three less wins than Halladay. Doc had a better strikeout-to-walk rate than Christy Mathewson in 1908 and Walter Johnson in 1913, nearly the same record as Bob Gibson's 22-9 mark in 1968, the first 'year of the pitcher'. None of these men had a no-hitter during their stellar seasons and none won the World Series that year. Roy Halladay now has a chance to finish the regular season with 21 wins, a 7.3 strikeout-to-walk ratio, a perfect game, a postseason no-hitter and his team is the favorite to win the World Series. He does not even need the ring to collect a top 10-pitching single season since 1900 after what he did this year, but a title never hurt the resume.

Another thing Roy Halladay may now have in common with Martinez, Gibson, Mathewson and Johnson (if he did not before the no-hitter) is a plaque in Cooperstown awaiting his arrival when he retires. Roy Halladay was widely  considered one of the best pitchers in the 2000s, but with three 20-wins seasons, seven all-star appearances, a perfect game, a postseason no-hitter and plenty left in the tank, a call to the hall seems appropriate. Did I forget in a few weeks he will be one of five (Roger Clemens, Gaylord Perry, Pedro Martinez, Randy Johnson) to win the Cy Young Award in both the American and National league? Once again, a Phillies World Series win would almost lock it up for former first round pick by the Toronto Blue Jays. What a nice offseason acquisition by Phillies' general manager Ruben Amaro.


But what is the immediate effects on the 2010 NLDS for the Phillies and the Reds?

For the Reds...Many believed the NL Central winners did not have much of a chance against the Phils before the series started, but the Reds were confident. Now that Doc dialed up a day for the ages, the Young Red Machine may be all but shook. If they cannot even get a hit, how can they win the game? The proper thing for manager Dusty Baker to do would be remind them it is only one loss and it takes three to be sent to the golf courses, but I'll be surprised if the Reds can regroup from being held in check for nine innings. Not to mention Roy Oswalt, another of one of the greatest picthers of the 2000s and someone who has dominated the Reds for years, is pitching game two. Oh yea, then 2008 World Series MVP Cole Hamels has game three. If the Reds win one of those and your back to trying to figure out Doc.

For the Phillies...The pessimistic view would be the Phillies just peaked in game one of the playoffs. They cannot do any better than a no-hitter, yet they have to win 10 more games to really let the legendary Doctober days glisten. But with the Phillies you have a veteran team that has been to the World Series for the past two years. If the no-hitter does anything for the Phils, it just motivates them to finish what Doc starter. A few 'd' words come to mind after witnessing Carlos 'Chooch' Ruiz spring out of his crouch and throw out Brandon Phillips for the final out of the second postseason no-hitter - Destiny, Dynasty, Doctober.


WEEK 6 MONTGOMERY MEDIA HS FOOTBALL PREDICTIONS (winner in yellow)
West Catholic at Bishop McDevitt 

North Penn at Central Bucks West
Calvary Christian at Springfield
Plymouth Whitemarsh at Upper Dublin
Norristown at Upper Moreland
Wissahickon at Episcopal Academy
Central Bucks East at Pennridge
Lansdale Catholic at Conwell-Egan
Harry S Truman at Abington
Souderton at Hatboro-Horsham
Owen J. Roberts at Upper Perkiomen
Perkiomen Valley at Boyertown
Spring-Ford at Pottsgrove
Phoenixville at Methacton
Pottstown at Pope John Paul II
Haverford School at Archbishop Wood
Wilmington Friends at Jenkintown
Morrisville at Lower Moreland
Academy New Church at Germantown Academy
Cheltenham at Upper Merion
La Salle at Neumann-Goretti
William Tennent at Pennsbury

Last week's record: 16-3
Overall record: 57-23
*did not predict in Week 1

Tuesday, October 5, 2010

Jaw-dropping plays from the weekend, NFL Power Rankings, & HS Football Scores

By Andrew Marcus
Sportswriter for Montgomery Media
Follow me on Twitter @amarcus515








I'd like to thank my fellow writers Tom McGlinchey and Mike Prince for switching games with me last weekend. I was originally scheduled to attend Cheltenham-Chichester on Friday-Germantown Acadmey on Saturday. Cheltenham was rained out, moved to Saturday and a blow out 47-8 win for the Panthers. G.A. handled Emily Fischer 54-0 on Saturday afternoon.
Souderton QB Tanner Allem

I ended up at Pennridge-Souderton on Friday and Archbishop Wood-Friendship Collegiate on Saturday to see two games that were won at the buzzer. The Indians topped Penrnidge 10-7 and the Vikings sent the Knights back to D.C. in disappointment with a 20-19 win.

The Indians not only treated the 3500 estimated to be in attendance to a touchdown pass in the final seconds, but a rule book lesson before the half. When sophomore kicker Jeff Wolf trotted onto the field with a kicking tee in hand many were perplexed.

It turns out you can attempt a free kick if you fair catch a punt. Wherever you catch the ball is where you kick from. You usally only see it at the end of games or at half. Free kicks are allowed in high school and the NFL, but not college. You cannot use a tee in the NFL, but you can in high school. The 49 yard field goal turned out to be the difference for the Indians.

Archbishop Wood left the field sore against the Knights as their defense stuffed the Vikings' running game and sacked quarterback Joey Monaghan seven times. They also left the field with win after coach Steve Devlin pulled out all the stops.

Devlin trusted his playmakers and dialed up the rarely used hook-and-ladder. The Vikings executed it a high level on fourth down and it set up the evntual winning touchdown pass. The Vikiings have to be the favorite at the moment to finally get over the hump and win a state champiosnhip this season.

Scores from the Montgomery Media area...

North Penn 28, Central Bucks East 6
LaSalle 43, Roman Catholic 17
Springfield 36, Bristol 21 (click to read game story)
Upper Dublin 35, Upper Merion 6
Plymouth Whitemarsh 27, Upper Moreland 7
William Tennent 22, Harry S Truman 21 (click to read game story)
Norristown 33, Wissahickon 6
Souderton 10, Pennridge 7 (click to read game story)
Cheltenham 47, Chichester 8 (click to read game story)
Abington 49, Council Rock North 31
Quakertown 21, Hatboro-Horsham 14 (click to read game story)
Owen J. Roberts 42, Methacton 7
Perkiomen Valley 22, Pope John Paul II 6
Delco Christian 38, Jenkintown 35
Bishop McDevitt 24, Lansdale Catholic 22
Academy New Church 31, Delaware Military Academy 26
Germantown Academy 54, Emily Fischer Charter 0 (click to read game story)
Spring-Ford 42, Upper Perkiomen 34
Archbishop Wood 20, Frienship Collegiate 19 (click to ready game story)

NFL WEAK "POWER" RANKINGS
BAL QB Joe Flacco

In the National Football League coaches always like to win quarter of the season. After four weeks teams have all made me say, "they could be good," and the same teams a week later made me think, "wow, they are awful." No team has stood up yet as the clear favorite, but if I were going to rank teams based on how they are playing now and the chance to they have to win the Super Bowl this season, this is how it would look.

1  Baltimore Ravens (3-1) - I would have said Steelers, but Flacco and the Ravens just beat them on the road
2  Pittsburgh Steelers (3-1) - A pretty strong start without Big Ben under center
3  New Orleans Saints (3-1) - The defending champs get some respect even though they have not pil
4  Green Bay Packers (3-1) - They can score with the best of them and the defense is not fully healthy yet
5  Atlanta Falcons (3-1) - Knocked off the Sainst, almost lost to the 49ers - this is why I am confused
6  Indianapolis Colts (2-2) - Sure, they have lost two division games but it is Peyton Manning
7  New York Jets (3-1) - Mark Sanchez has shown some growth lately making them very dangerous
8  Houston Texans (3-1) - If Andre Johnson can stay healthy nobody will want to see them on the sched
9  New England Patriots (3-1) - If they had any resemblence of a good defense they'd be higher
10 San Diego Chargers (2-2) - We know they have talent, but they always seem to start off slow
11 Miami Dolphins (2-2) - looked foolish against the Pats, but the defense is much better than that
12 Cincinnati Bengals (2-2) - If Palmer can get back on the right page there's no reason cannot win 10 games
13 Denver Broncos (2-2) - no we've reaches the pack of who knows what they are
14 Tennessee Titans (2-2) - if they avoid turnovers on offense they creates a lot of turnovers on defense
15 Kansas City Chiefs (3-0) - the only team without a loss until they play Indy this week
16 Minnesota Vikings (1-2) - Favre looks old, but Adrian Peterson and the defense are still league best
17 New York Giants (2-2) - they showed the still can get to the QB better than most
18 Chicago Bears (3-1)  - they showed that the 3-0 start was little questionable
19 Dallas Cowboys (1-2) - team full of talent that just has not put a full game together yet
20 Philadelphia Eagles (2-2) - it really depends who's at QB, but the O-line is league's worst
21 Washington Redskins (2-2) - should be ahead of the Eagles after a win, but I know there' no upside
22 St. Louis Rams (2-2) - Sam Bradford may lead the Rams to a division title in his rookie season
23 Oakland Raiders (1-3) - They can keep a game close against anybody, they just cannot win them
24 Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-1) - After a 2-0 start the Steelers helped show the young Bucs true colors
25 Arizona Cardinals (2-2) - If they turn to Max Hall from Derek Anderson I'll wonder what Leinart is up to
26 Jacksonville Jaguars (2-2) - Impressive win over the Colts, but they always play them hard
27 Detroit Lions (0-4) - With Stafford they are dangerous, with Shau Hill they are 27th on my ranks
28 Seattle Seahawks (2-2) - Not really sure how they have 2 wins, but everything thing they do is below par
29 San Francisco 49ers (0-4) - I think they have a chance to shoot up these ranks, but 0-4 your down here
30 Cleveland Browns (1-3) - maybe next year - well, maybe in five years
31 Carolina Panthers (0-4) - When you turn to Jimmy Claussen in week 3 it is going to be a long season
32 Buffalo Bills (0-4) - Jimmy Kelly, Thurmon Thomas, and Andre Reed seems so long ago