Football Notes: Conestoga Looking to Make it 5-2

Week 10 of the season is quickly approaching and that’s the deadline for the District 1 Class AAAA playoffs. There is very little room for error with right now, and another loss on the Pioneers’ 4-2 overall mark could spell elimination from the postseason.

At the conclusion of the 10th week of the season, (November 5), 16 teams with the highest point average will qualify for the District 1 Class AAAA playoffs. The eight teams with the highest point average will host the first round games. The same format will prevail for the following three weeks. Play begins the weekend of November 11.

Conestoga was tied for 21st place after the fifth week of the season, but the Pioneers will need a stubborn defensive effort to corral the fast Tigers, who have averaged 41 points a game in their five victories.

Next Up For the Pioneers: Marple-Newtown

Marple Newtown scored on 12-straight possessions in victories over Lower Merion that carried over into its 49-7 victory over Harriton last week. The Pioneers have surrendered 42 points once this season, in a 42-14 loss to Garnet Valley. Conestoga trailed 20-3 at halftime, before clamping down on Springfield in its second loss.

Containing the Tigers’ tailback combination of Joey Pham and Cimirrow Moat, who combined for 359 yards rushing against Harriton, is the key. Besides the Garnet Valley setback, the Pioneers defense has been stingy to opposing team’s ground games.