A Great Showdown Looms Between Two Of Nation's Best

Top 10
Week of Sept. 28, 2012
1. St. Joseph's Prep (Record: 3-0. Previous Week: 1. Weeks Rated: 3.)
2. La Salle (Record: 4-0. Previous Week: 2. Weeks Rated: 5.)
3. Downingtown East (Record: 4-0. Previous Week: 3. Weeks Rated: 5.)
4. Archbishop Wood (Record: 3-1. Previous Week: 4. Weeks Rated: 5.)
5. North Penn (Record: 2-2. Previous Week: 5. Weeks Rated: 5.)
6. Imhotep Charter (Record: 4-0. Previous Week: 6. Weeks Rated: 5.)
7. Roman Catholic (Record: 3-1. Previous Week: 7. Weeks Rated: 5.)
8. Central Bucks South (Record: 4-0. Previous Week: 8. Weeks Rated: 4.)
9. Garnet Valley (Record: 4-0. Previous Week: 9. Weeks Rated: 4.)
10. Souderton (Record: 3-1. Previous Week: 10. Weeks Rated: 2.)

By Joseph Santoliquito

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — It's one of the best showdowns of the season and though it involves No. 1-rated St, Joseph's Prep and No.7-ranked Roman Catholic, the real battle lies within when the two Philadelphia Catholic League Class AAAA programs clash 7 p.m. Saturday at Northeast High School.

Notre Dame-bound Roman receiver Will Fuller is arguably the best player in Southeastern Pennsylvania. So is Prep's defensive back John Reid.

Fuller, a rangy 6-foot, 165-pound senior, has scary, cartoon speed. Reid, a 5-10, 172-pound sophomore, has explosive power and great speed, too.

The two worked out with each other over the summer and consider one another friends. All except for the two hours they'll bump heads Saturday night.

Last year in Prep's 42-20 regular-season victory over Roman, Reid shut out Fuller without a reception. Fuller got the better of Reid the second time they met, in the Catholic League playoffs, scoring two touchdowns. So far this season, Fuller has caught 14 passes for 218 yards over four games, averaging 3.5 catches and 54.5 yards a game.

"Fuller is very dynamic and there are so many great things he can do," Prep coach Gabe Infante said. "They'll ask Will to run the ball, and we expect him to move around and be used in so many different ways. That's what makes Will so different. He's not just a burner, he has a great pressure step. That was a tall order for John last year. The coaching staff all agreed the only player who could Will is John. There is an incredible mutual respect between the two of them, they have a pretty good relationship."

Games of the Week:

George Washington (4-0) at Central (3-0), 3 p.m. Friday: This is a battle between two undefeated Philadelphia Public League powerhouses, but the large edge may have to go to George Washington. The Eagles have outscored their opponents 96-38 and have played by far a more rugged schedule. The Lancers are coming off of a 24-16 victory over Fels last week.
Prediction: George Washington 48, Central 6

Souderton (3-1) at Central Bucks South (4-0), 7 p.m. Friday: This is a Suburban One League between the high-powered Central Bucks South Titans, who are averaging 47.7 points a game and have outscored their opponents 191-49. Central Bucks South will be facing a tough Souderton defense, which is allowing slightly less than 14 points a game and is led by Kyle Wenger, who has four interceptions. Central Bucks South sophomore running back Josh Adams is a budding star. He rushed for 327 yards in CB South's 49-21 victory over Hatboro-Horsham last week. Souderton owns a nice 18-7 victory at Neshaminy two weeks ago. The Indians have faced a tougher schedule, and have the better defense.
Prediction: Souderton 20, Central Bucks South 18