PETE’S PICKS » WEEK 4

Week 4 of the shortened football season is here, and the District 1 playoff picture is becoming more clear as a few area teams still have a good chance to reach the Class 5A and 6A playoffs, which begin next week. Here is a look at this weekend’s games.

FRIDAY’S GAMES WEST CHESTER EAST AT DOWNINGTOWN WEST

The Vikings can likely clinch a spot in the 5A bracket with a win here at the Whippets’ home. West Chester East sophomore running back Mitch Ragni has 448 yards rushing in three games and he will have to be able to run the ball effectively to open up the Whippets’ defense for quarterback Ryan Duell to be able to throw the football. Downingtown West is coming off a 46-0 win over Avon Grove. Junior signal-caller Evan Wickersham completed five of eight passes for 76 yards in his one half of work last week. The Whippets piled up 484 yards of total offense against the Red Devils.

The Pick: Downingtown West 28, West Chester East 21

COATESVILLE AT KENNETT

Coatesville can wrap up a District 1 Class 6A playoff spot with a win on the road. The Red Raiders’ defense has been solid all season and is allowing just 9.5 points per game so far this season. The Blue Demons have plenty of talent, but Coatesville seems to have too much here.

The Pick: Coatesville 34, Kennett 20

DOWNINGTOWN EAST AT WEST CHESTER RUSTIN

This is battle between two teams that love to run the football. A win for Rustin would likely secure a Class 5A playoff spot. Look for the Golden Knights, who threw the ball just eight times last week, to try to do the same Friday night.

The Pick: Downingtown East 24, WC Rustin 14

UNIONVILLE AT AVON GROVE

With a win, Unionville grab a top spot in the Class 5A playoffs. Avon Grove has struggled defensively, but the Red Devils had to play Coatesville and then both Downingtowns. This will be a little easier (but not much).

The Pick: Unionville 30, Avon Grove 20

OXFORD AT GREAT VALLEY

Great Valley has not scored a point in two weeks and the Hornets are coming off a 21-6 loss to Unionville in a game where they only gained 183 yards of total offense.

The Pick: Great Valley 14, Oxford 13

CONESTOGA AT GARNET VALLEY

Garnet Valley is the best team in the Central League again and the Jaguars’ will run their wing-T at a ’Stoga defense that was tough against the run in a 21-14 loss to Ridley last week. Conestoga came back from a 21-0 hole to make the game interesting in the fourth quarter.

The Pick: Garnet Valley 35, Conestoga 14

SATURDAY’S GAMES BISHOP SHANAHAN AT WILSON AREA

The Eagles’ defense stopped a good Archbishop Carroll team twice inside the 10-yard line last week in a 14-7 win over the Patriots. Carson Binder and Brandon Choi lead the Shanahan defense and junior QB Cooper Jordan should be able to make enough plays for the Eagles.

The Pick: Bishop Shanahan 21, Wilson Area 14.

MALVERN PREP AT HUN SCHOOL (N.J.)

Malvern obliterated a good Salesianum team, 35-0, last week. Lonnie White caught six balls for 154 yards and two touchdowns. Junior quarterback Jack Capaldi had a big game throwing for 203 yards and three scores and the Malvern defense looked very solid.

The Pick: Malvern Prep 28, Hun School 7