High School Top 10: Rushing Means Winning

By Joseph Santoliquito 

PHILADELPHIA, PA (CBS) — There is a trickle-down effect in football. What begins at the NFL level usually reaches the high school stage. And while teams have gone to spread attacks, no huddles and are flinging the ball all over the place, the teams that can effectively run the ball are predominantly the teams that prevail in December (La Salle, being an exception).

It also helps having a quality tailback. This year is producing a bountiful of game-changing running backs. The best this season is Central Bucks South senior running back Josh Adams.

The 6-foot-2, 210-pound Notre Dame commit tore an ACL early last October, though looks fully recovered this season rushing for 1,360 and 22 touchdowns—in seven games. That's an average of 192.4 yards a game and 8.5 yards a carry over 159 totes.

The numbers some of the area's tailbacks have posted through the first seven weeks have been astounding. Upper Moreland senior tailback Tyler Whitmore, a track star, tops the area with 1,475 yards (averaging 210 yards a game, 10.5 yards a carry over 140 touches and 3.1 TDs a game. He has 22 overall.). Then there's Marple Newtown senior Adrian Sapnas, who's rushed for 1,395 yards, 16 TDs and is averaging 199 yards a game.

CBS Philly's Area Top 10 Power Ratings For Oct. 17, 2014

1. St. Joseph's Prep (Record: 3-3)
2. La Salle (Record: 5-2)
3. Archbishop Wood (Record: 6-1)
4. St. Joseph's (Hammonton, NJ) (Record: 5-0)
5. Pennsbury (Record: 7-0)
6. Shawnee (Record: 5-0)
7. Imhotep Charter (Record: 5-1)
8. Timber Creek (Record: 5-0)
9. Camden (Record: 5-0)
10. Coatesville (Record: 7-0)

Under Consideration: Bonner-Prendergast (7-0), Cherokee (3-1), Haddonfield (5-0), Hammonton (4-0), Glassboro (5-0), Haverford School (5-1), Lenape (4-0), Quakertown (7-0), Central Bucks South (6-1), West Chester Henderson (6-1), West Chester Rustin (6-1), West Deptford (4-1).

Southeastern PA Top 10 Power Ratings For Oct. 17, 2014

1. St. Joseph's Prep (Record: 3-3)
2. La Salle (Record: 5-2)
3. Archbishop Wood (Record: 6-1)
4. Pennsbury (Record: 7-0)
5. Imhotep Charter (Record: 6-1)
6. Coatesville (Record: 7-0)
7. West Chester Henderson (Record: 6-1)
8. Haverford School (Record: 5-1)
9. Central Bucks South (Record: 6-1)
10. West Chester Rustin (Record: 6-1)

Under consideration: Bonner-Prendergast (7-0), Springfield (D) (7-0), Quakertown (7-0), Ben Franklin (6-0), Springside Chestnut Hill (6-0), Garnet Valley (6-1), North Penn (4-3), Perkiomen Valley (6-1), Upper Dublin (6-1), Roman Catholic (3-3).

Game of the Week

Glassboro (5-0) at Camden (5-0), Friday, 6 PM

There will be a ton of talent on the field in Camden Friday night. Glassboro wide receiver Juwan Johnson, a Penn State, is a terror. Bulldogs' senior tailback Ronnie James is hard to bring down—and just though he's committed to Rutgers, received an offer from Ohio State this week, according to Philly.com South Jersey sage Phil Anastasia. Camden, which is 18-1 in its last 19 games, got by Camden Catholic 27-14 last week. It's hard to believe both teams are South Jersey Group 2, which would be equivalent to Class AA in Pennsylvania. Both could easily beat a number of high-level Group 4 South Jersey teams and Class AAAA in Pennsylvania.

Johnson and James may be too much for the Panthers. Expect a classic.

Prediction: Glassboro 28, Camden 27

2014 District One Seedings

AAAA –Top 16 qualify

School W-L PTS AVG

1. Pennsbury 7-0 930 132.9
2. Coatesville 7-0 910 130.0
3. Quakertown 7-0 870 124.3
4. Henderson 6-1 850 121.4
5. WC Rustin 6-1 830 118.6
6. C. B. South 6-1 820 117.1
7. Council Rock North 5-2 810 115.7
8. Upper Dublin 6-1 800 114.3
9. Downingtown East 5-2 780 111.4
10. Pennridge 5-2 740 105.7
11. Downingtown West 5-2 730 104.3
12. T12. Garnet Valley 6-1 720 102.9
13. T12. Perk Valley 6-1 720 102.9
14. T14. Conestoga 5-2 710 101.4
15. T14. Unionville 5-2 710 101.4
16. T16. Haverford 5-2 670 95.7
17. T16. Ridley 5-2 670 95.7

AAA – Top 8 qualify

School W-L PTS AVG

1. Springfield (Delco) 7-0 970 138.6
2. Great Valley 6-1 850 121.4
3. Pottsgrove 5-2 740 105.7
4. Academy Park 5-2 730 104.3
5. Bishop Shanahan 4-3 710 101.4
6. Upper Moreland 5-2 650 92.9
7. Marple Newtown 4-3 640 91.4
8. Octorara 4-3 610 87.1

AA –Top 4 qualify

School W-L PTS AVG

1. Bristol 6-1 760 108.6
2. Valley Forge MA 4-2 490 81.7
3. Springfield (Montco) 3-4 570 81.4
4. New Hope 2-4 400 66.7

A –Top 4 qualify

School W-L PTS AVG

1. Calvary Christian 5-1 660 110.0
2. Delco Christian 4-2 580 96.7
3. Kipp-DuBois 3-4 570 81.4
4. T4. Bishop McDevitt 3-4 560 80.0
5. T4. Jenkintown 3-4 560 80.0

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