INSIDE THE 2009 BURRS FOOTBALL SCHEDULE

Week 1: Roman Catholic (Wildwood/Maxwell Field) Sept. 5, Noon

This will mark the 9th straight year the Burrs and Cahillites have opened their seasons versus one another down at the shore. Roman leads the Beach Bowl series (5-3). Last year, West won an exciting game in overtime, 34-28. After building a two-touchdown fourth quarter lead, the Cahillites roared back to tie the Burrs behind a kickoff return and late-game blocked punt. After the defense stopped Roman first in overtime, Raymond Maples bulled 15 yards to capture the victory. The teams combined for 876 all-purpose yards in the game. Roman is a 4A PCL team and finished (5-5) last season. Roman is led by veteran QB Kevin Regan (865 yards, 8 TD’s). Two years ago they were PCL Red Division champs.  They promise to be a well-coached and aggressive club, who are always a challenge for the Burrs.

Week 2: Penn Charter (South Philly Super Site) Sept. 12, 7:00

Last season the Burrs roared to a 35-0 halftime advantage against the Quakers and never looked back winning by that very score. This was the inaugural game between the Burrs and Quakers. Penn Charter competes in the Inter-Ac league and finished (4-6) last year. QB John Loughery took over the helm early in the year after an injury. He had solid success by throwing for 999 yards and 6 TD’s. Two-way RB/DB Michael Brown and Dylan Moody mirror one another and combined for 1,120 yards of rushing/receiving.

Week 3: @ LaSalle (Springfield-Montoc) Sept. 18, 7:00

This will be the 4th straight year West will do battle with the Explorers. LaSalle has won two of the last three games between the teams. Last year, the Explorers edged West 27-26, needing a final-second stop on a two-point conversion play to seal it. The game itself was one of the better tilts played in the area all season. The teams combined for 884 all-purpose yards in the game. LaSalle will enter the season regarded as a top PCL 4A contender, with hopes of making a deep run in the state tournament. They are the defending PCL 4A champs. QB Drew Loughery is approaching all-time numbers. In last year’s game he connected on 15 of 16 passes, for 193 yards (2 Td’s). Behind Loughery LaSalle should boast one of the more efficient, if not explosive offenses in Southeastern PA. RB Jamaal Abdur-Rahman and his 1,458 (Rush/Rec) yards and 23 total touchdowns returns. LaSalle also lays claim to one of the best one-two punches at WR in athletic Sam Feleccia (51-971) and reliable Connor Hoffman (37-515). LaSalle had a record of (9-3) last year. There are a handful of early-season tests for the Burrs, but this one could prove to be the stiffest.

Week 4: @ Carroll (Radnor) Sept. 26, 7:30*

When West opens up league play against the Patriots, they’ll look to build upon all of the recent success they have has against them The Burrs have won nine straight games against their rivals since dropping the 2002 PCL Blue Championship. Last year, West outscored the Pats 119-19, all the while racking up 1,065 yards of offense in the team’s two meetings. Carroll ended 2008 just (4-8), and will be looking to improve upon that this coming year. RB Ryan Shea (458 yds, 7 TD’s) and FB Bryant Moritz (546) will lead the Patriot ground attack. Carroll lost some prominent seniors, but the majority of last year’s roster returns, including 4 of 5 OL.

Week 5: @ Archbishop Wood (Wissahickon) Oct. 3, 1:00

Like the Burrs the Vikings’ season last year ended in heartbreak with a loss in the 3A state final. Wood finished a remarkable year with a (12-3) record. One of those losses came at the hands of West. The Burrs outlasted the Vikings, 28-17, despite falling behind early, 10-0. West has defeated Wood five straight times, including PCL Blue title games in ’06 and ’07. Prior to those the Vikings bested West in three straight PCL Blue finals. These teams may not play for the same league championship, but the rivalry certainly still exists. Wood graduated many of last year’s starters, but will return a couple of key players in Scott Adkins (RB/DB) and Jerry Rahill (QB/LB). These two teams have evenly split the last fourteen games they have played.

Week 6: Kennedy-Kenrick (Widener) Oct. 9, 7:00*

The Wolverines are always a scrappy bunch and will be looking to make a statement in their last season in the Catholic League. Beginning next year K-K will merge with St. Pius to form a new school that will play in the PAC-10. Last year these teams met twice and it was all West. In two games West accumulated 969 yards in offense and outscored the Wolves, 113-21. West has defeated K-K in nine straight contests. K-K compiled a (3-6) record last year. They should be led by RB Aaron Regan (467 yards).

Week 7: Cardinal Dougherty (Widener) Oct. 16, 7:00*

Last year the Burrs zipped past the Cardinals 64-7 for their 9th straight win in the series. West put the game away early with a dominating first half performance, in which they lead, 49-0. All total, seven different West players found the end zone. Dougherty concluded the 2008 season with an (0-9) record.

Week 8: @ Bishop McDevitt (Cheltenham) Oct. 24, 7:00*

West has defeated the Lancers in eight straight games. Last year, West blasted the Lancers, 64-7.  McDevitt was (4-5) in ’08. They are led by long-time Head Coach Pat Manzi who has won 162 games in his career. The Lancers are led by one of the league’s more versatile players in QB/RB/WR/DB Drew Siegfried and RB Matt Conroy (394 yards).

•Denotes league game (*)!!!

•Catholic League 2A playoffs begin on the weekend of Oct. 30th.

•The team can play up to eight additional games depending on if they can advance through the Catholic League, District-12, and state playoffs.