We've reached the penultimate (how 'bout that word?) week of the high school football season in Bucks County, which means Week 9 of 10 in the regular season.
In just two weeks, the district playoffs will kick off. Crazy.
But, let's look right now at the Five Games to Watch for this week. All games are Friday at 7 p.m.
North Penn (4-4) at Central Bucks South (4-4)
The Knights, the defending PIAA District One Class 6A champions, have lost two straight games and three of their last four and have slipped to No. 13 in the "power-point" rankings.
Last week, North Penn, which was again playing without two-way standout Rylei Gray (ankle injury), fell to Central Bucks East 34-12.
Senior quarterback London Evans had a pair of touchdown passes in the loss, the first going to senior Sal Colella, which gave
the Knights an early 6-0 lead, and the second to senior Jacob Garrett in the second quarter.
After an 0-3 start to the season, the Titans have won four of their last five games and moved up to No. 10 in the Class 6A "power-point" rankings.
Last week, CB South held off Pennsbury 9-0 in a game that was scoreless until late in the third quarter when senior running back Gavin Graham scored from 8 yards out.
The final points came when junior Jake Friedman notched a sack in the end zone for a safety in the game's closing moments.
Archbishop Wood (6-2) at Great Valley (8-0)
The Vikings look to bounce back from a 28-23 loss to 7-1 West Catholic last week against a Patriots team that is one of only three unbeaten squads in PIAA District One Class 5A.
Wood, a Class 3A program whose only other loss came against defending PIAA Class 6A state champ La Salle, was again led by senior running back D'Andre Webb in the loss to the Burrs.
Webb ran for 182 yards and two scores in the loss and over the last three games, he has rushed for 469 yards and 12 scores.
The Patriots, of the Ches-Mont League, are coming off a wild 34-27 four-overtime win over Kennett last week.
In that win, junior running back Beau Kosmalski ran for 214 yards on 40 carries with two touchdowns. It was Kosmalski's fourth straight 200-yard rushing game.
Harry S. Truman (4-4) at Wissahickon (6-2)
The Tigers, who were 2-9 a year ago, find themselves right in the thick of things as far as securing a PIAA District One Class 6A playoff berth.
Truman is at No. 15 in the "power-point" rankings (the top 16 teams get in) after a 35-14 win over Hatboro-Horsham last week.
In that game, senior running back Jasir Mitchell ran for 265 yards on 16 carries and a pair of touchdowns to highlight the offense.
The Tigers will face a Trojans team coming off a 28-7 win over Springfield (Montco) last week. Three weeks ago, the Tigers beat the Spartans 22-20.
In their win over the Spartans, Wissahickon senior running back Quasir Sampson had 139 rushing yards and a pair of touchdowns.
Quakertown (4-4) at Upper Dublin (3-5)
The Panthers have won four straight games after an 0-4 start to the season and have moved into the top 16 (at No. 13) in the PIAA District One Class 6A "power-point" rankings.
Last week, Quakertown rolled to a 36-7 win over Council Rock North in a game in which it led 36-0 at halftime.
Junior quarterback Carter Tucholski paced the offensive attack with a pair of passing touchdowns and a 1-yard TD run.
They'll face a Cardinals team that is coming off a 42-0 loss to unbeaten Plymouth Whitemarsh.
Upper Dublin is 19th in the Class 5A "power-point" rankings, three spots out of a playoff berth, which makes this game and next week's against Souderton critical.
Council Rock North (0-8) at Morrisville (6-1)
Meeting for the first time since 1968 (we believe it was 1968), these two are having polar-opposite seasons.
The Indians, a Class 6A program, are allowing nearly 40 points a game and are coming off a 36-7 loss to Quakertown last week.
The Class A Bulldogs, who have the second-smallest enrollment of any of the 70 football-playing schools in District One, are on a three-game win streak with their only loss coming against Class 4A Boys' Latin Charter in Week 4.
Last week, Morrisville topped Lower Moreland 22-14 as senior quarterback Merik Johnson rushed for a game-high 160 yards to go along with 52 yards passing, a 59-yard kickoff return for a touchdown and an interception on defense.
Drew Markol covers local sports for PhillyBurbs.com. Support our journalism with a subscription.
This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: Here are 5 games to watch in Bucks County high school football in Week 9
