As Usual, It Comes Down to Philly, Philly
Penn State Is Poised for A National Championship.
Is Philadelphia the Key To Victory?
If you grew up around the Philadelphia region like I did, Sundays were all about the Eagles. But Saturday’s — those were reserved for Penn State Football. Pennsylvania’s #1 Most Popular College Football team was the game to root for on the national stage.
This year, a narrow loss to the undefeated #1 Oregon Ducks in the Big Ten Championship Game cannot dampen the #6 ranked Nittany Lions’ chances for a National Championship. In the first year of the expanded twelve-team College Football Playoff, Penn State will make history by hosting its first CFP Playoff Game against SMU on December 21st.
PHOTO: ClutchPoints
Like some of the great Nittany Lion teams of the 1980s, with elite quarterback and coach combinations like Joe Paterno and Todd Blackledge, this team thrives with James Franklin and youthful quarterback Drew Allar in control. On defense, Penn State is suffocating.
However, Penn State’s road to a college football championship could hang on their highly recruited Philadelphia talent. Philadelphia isn’t just showing gridiron excellence each week at Lincoln Financial Field on Sunday, but around its high school stadiums and fields by the Friday moonlight and by the sunlight of mid-day Saturdays. Nationally known programs like Imhotep Charter Institute, St. Joe’s Prep, LaSalle College High School, and Roman Catholic send Philly talent nationwide after high school.
Philadelphia is getting plenty of football attention from around the country, not just for its collegiate teams or because of the Eagles. Each autumn, before Penn State takes the field on Saturdays and Lincoln Financial Field is filled with green on Sundays — some of Philadelphia’s best football makes its way onto national scouting radars.
This weekend, College Teams will be featuring Philadelphia area football talent in multiple CFP playoff games. Perhaps none will be watched as much as the matchup in Happy Valley on Saturday afternoon.
The Nittany Lions have plenty of Philly football depth, highlighted by PSU Edge Rusher Abdul Carter from LaSalle College High School.
The Nittany Lions also have Junior Offensive Tackle Drew Shelton from Downingtown West, Tyseer Denmark and Kenny Woseley, Jr., Keon Wylie from Imhotep, Mylachi Williams from Bonner-Prendergast, Winston Yates from Paul VI, Ian Harvie from Spring-Ford, Liam Horan from Malvern Prep, Sam Siafa from Downingtown West, Bobby Mears from Malvern Prep, and Jake Spencer from The Haverford School and Ian Harvie from Spring-Ford.
The College Football Playoff debut will feature a large representation of incredible Philadelphia talent. There is little doubt that whichever team wins the National Championship will have some part of the Delaware Valley on its roster.
If the Nittany Lions take home the trophy, it may be because of it.
PHOTO: ClutchPoints
Discover more from Philadelphia Sports Nation
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Categorized:College More PHL News