1. Haverford School (7-1)
2. Springfield (9-0)
3. Bonner-Prendergast (8-1)
4. Garnet Valley (7-2)
5. Ridley (7-2)
6. Academy Park (7-2)
7. Haverford (6-3)
Under Consideration: Interboro (5-4).
You know the deal by now. The Haverford School is this year’s “team to beat” for Super 7 No. 1 honors. The Fords finish with games against Penn Charter (4-5) and Episcopal Academy (5-4).
This got me thinking, and I want to try something new with the idea of stirring a healthy debate.
The question is this: Does an Inter-Ac League team deserve to be Super 7 No. 1 at season’s end?
Two years ago, Episcopal Academy was that team, going undefeated for the year. Interboro and Garnet Valley fans believed their teams were the best in Delco and cried foul because EA is able to recruit players, doesn’t compete in any kind of playoff and is not a member of the PIAA.
Should that even matter, though? A great team is a great team, right? I can sit here until I’m blue in the face and tell you that 2012 EA was the best team that year and one of the best teams I’ve covered (which, mind you, is only a span of eight years).
I’ve only actually covered Haverford School once this year — way back in Week 1 when they lost to WestCatholic — but our reporters have told me the Fords are the best team they’ve seen “and it’s really not close.”
But what if Springfield goes all the way and wins a district title? Wouldn’t the Cougars deserve that No. 1 position for going undefeated before states?
The shame of it all: there’s really no way of knowing for sure who is the better team.
I’m interested to hear what people think.
