Football Friday Predictions: Three Delco QBs aim to keep season alive for their teams

Three of Delaware County’s top quarterbacks have guided their teams to the quarterfinal round of the District 1 playoffs.

Marple Newtown’s David Bertoline, Chester’s Jalen Harris and Garnet Valley’s Tyler Lassik all bring something different to the table, but there is no denying their individual success on the gridiron. All three teams, with their combined 26 wins, are built around a strong offensive line unit and solid running game. But when necessary, the aforementioned gunslingers can shoulder the load and carry their team to victory.

Bertoline is having one of the most efficient seasons of any Delco passer in recent years. The 6-1, 185-pound senior has completed 66 percent of his attempts (134-for-203) for 1,836 yards, 20 touchdowns and only two interceptions. Bertoline has leaned on wide receivers Paul Defruscio (435 yards, seven TDs), Trey Saviour (423 yards, three TDs) and Alex Gillian (326 yards, one TD).

Harris was a freshman wunderkind in 2022, throwing for 2,261 yards and 35 TDs. He has shown a maturity beyond his years as the Clippers developed into a run-first team this fall. They have rushed for 2,270 yards in 2023 compared to 1,541 a year ago. Harris has completed 47 percent of his passes, but has accrued 1,285 yards, 18 TDs and only four picks.

“The main thing is his patience, which is a very important component,” Chester coach Dennis Shaw said. “He’s not looking for the big plays every single time. Last year he would get this competitiveness to him that if he wasn’t making the play or scoring, he felt that he wasn’t playing well. Now there’s an understanding that it doesn’t have to be all him, that he can drop off a pass for a five-yard pattern and somebody might take it to the house that way or whatever the case may be. He has been a tremendous leader – a vocal leader – for us over the past two months.”

There’s no question that Garnet Valley, with a healthy Lassik, is a better football team. Since returning to the lineup in October, following a few stops and starts, the Jags have gone 4-0. The senior has completed 65 percent of his attempts for close to 900 yards and eight TDs. Piloting the Jags’ option-based offense, Lassik has rushed for nearly 400 yards with four scores. Unlike most talented QBs, Lassik also plays a lot of snaps in the defensive secondary and leads the team in fumble recoveries (three), passes defensed (three) and interceptions (two).

Let’s take a look at this weekend’s playoff slate, beginning with Friday’s games. In the Class 6A quarterfinals:

Garnet Valley at Central Bucks West, 7 >> In a rematch of the teams’ season opener, the No. 8 Jags (9-2) return to No. 1 CB West (11-0) to play the Bucks. GV defeated CB West in last year’s district final, 35-7, but the Bucks got revenge in August with a 17-13 decision, snapping the Jags’ 34-game District 1 unbeaten streak.

Lassik was perfect through the air in the first half of GV’s 28-21 win over No. 9 Owen J. Roberts last Friday. He connected on all six of his passes for 148 yards and two TDs. Lassik added 81 yards and a TD on the ground and Luke Vaughn ran for 72 yards.

CB West survived a scare from No. 16 Cheltenham, claiming a 27-12 victory. The Panthers led 6-0 in the third quarter before the Bucks seized control, scoring 24 straight points in the period. Running back Ryan Clemens led the charge with 97 yards on 22 carries.

The winner plays either No. 4 Spring-Ford or fifth-seeded Central Bucks South in the semifinals.

Prediction: Garnet Valley, 21-20

In the Class 5A quarterfinals:

Marple Newtown at Springfield, 7 >> This all-Delco, all-Central League affair should be a fun one. It’s easy to say the No. 3 Cougars (10-1) are the favorite, considering they shut out the No. 6 Tigers (9-2), 22-0, back on Sept. 15. The sequel should be more dramatic than the original.

Springfield is probably the scariest team remaining in the 5A bracket. Winners of nine in a row, the Cougars have scored at least 42 points in eight of their last nine games. In last week’s 48-14 drubbing of No. 15 Henderson, Mike Turner and Tanner Coll each rushed for 135 yards. Fullback Nate Romano had three scoring runs and Ryan Johnston caught a 47-yard TD pass from Ryan Whitaker.

The Tigers met Central League rival Penncrest for a second week in a row and rolled past the No. 11 Lions, 48-13. Brett Wolski ran for three scores and Brian Box added one. Wolski and Box have combined for 1,542 yards rushing and 27 total TDs. Andrew Kirlin (36 pancakes) and Jake McGowan (33 pancakes) have been excellent on the offensive line.

Prediction: Springfield, 28-24.

Upper Dublin at Strath Haven, 7 >> The No. 2 Panthers (10-1) ran for 414 yards (9.6 yards per carry) and six touchdowns in their 42-7 rout of No. 15 Great Valley. Shane Green led the way with 134 yards and two scores and James Fisher contributed 106 yards and a pair of TDs. Sean Henry dominated on defense with nine tackles and an interception

This isn’t the vaunted Cardinals (7-4) squad that won 13 straight games en route to a district title last season. Upper Dublin backed into the playoffs this year with two straight losses, but the No. 7 Cardinals began their title defense with a 40-20 win over No. 10 Methacton. Running back Shyne Roberts erupted for 235 yards and two touchdowns.

The winner advances to the semifinals where they will play either Marple or Springfield.

Prediction: Strath Haven, 35-21.

Saturday’s schedule includes:

Bonner & Prendergast vs. Bartram at Northeast H.S., Noon >> The Friars (9-2) are vying for their third consecutive District 12 4A title. Freshman quarterback Noel Campbell threw for 220 yards in the Catholic League Class 4A final last week, a 31-7 win over Cardinal O’Hara. Jalil Hall had five catches for 137 yards.

This is the third season in a row that Bartram and Bonner are playing for the District 12 championship. The Friars won 53-8 last year and 29-8 two years ago. The Braves (5-3) defeated High School of the Future, 34-8, for the Public League 4A title.

Prediction: Bonner & Prendie, 35-8

Phoenixville at Chester, 1 >> In another rematch from the regular season, the No. 8 Phantoms make a return visit to Chester Athletic Complex to play the top-seeded Clippers (10-1), who have won 10 in a row. In September the Clippers overcame a three-point halftime deficit to claim a 34-23 win over the Phantoms.

Chester cruised to a 44-0 win over 16th-seeded Upper Moreland last Saturday. Connecticut-bound senior tight end Dom Toy had 89 yards and two TDs on three catches. Jalen Harris was 8-for-12 for 170 yards and three scores. Daron Harris, Jalen’s twin brother, had two interceptions, including a 61-yard pick-six. Jerrell Palmer recorded a team-high five tackles.

Phoenixville went on a five-game winning streak after its loss to Chester, but ended the regular season with losses to Pope John Paul II and Perkiomen Valley. Last week quarterback Ty Romance turned the ball over three times, but passed for 137 yards and ran for 116 in the Phantoms’ 21-14 victory over No. 9 West Chester East.

The winner takes on either No. 5 Rustin or fourth-seeded Plymouth Whitemarsh in the semifinals.

Prediction: Chester, 32-16

In the Inter-Ac League:

Episcopal Academy at Haverford School, 2 >> The coveted EA-Haverford sweater is at stake … and perhaps a share of the league title for one team. While the Churchmen (4-5, 2-2) are playing for pride, the Fords (5-4, 3-1) can earn a piece of the championship with a win plus a Malvern Prep loss to Springside Chestnut Hill.

Prediction: Haverford School, 28-21