Garnet Valley’s Michael Archer runs in the first half of an Oct. 24, 2025 game against Ridley. The teams will meet again in a potentially pivotal Week 10 encounter this year. (PETE BANNAN – MediaNews Group)
Another football season is upon us. Last year’s didn’t end until the penultimate week of the PIAA season, with two teams active. The previous year, it was December when Bonner & Prendergast lifted a historic state title among Delco programs.
August’s warmth will be a distant memory by the time this campaign wraps up. And much as the contours of the Delco football landscape feel familiar, it is capable of surprise.
Last year brought a change atop the Delco Catholic League hierarchy, a decisive shuffle in front-runner among the two Delco Inter-Ac teams and a crowded if potentially predictable scramble in the Central League. Could this year upend the four-year status quo in the Del Val League? Or could someone new push their way into the Central League oligarchy?
The pathway to answering those questions will run through these 10 games, which are ones not to miss in the Delco football season.
Aug. 28: Chester at Strath Haven
The decade-long tradition of Interboro vs. Strath Haven on the opening night is over. Instead, it’s two postseason contenders whose districts share a border.
Chester has all kinds of trouble scheduling nonleague games given how good they’ve been of late, and the Clippers don’t get to play on many Friday nights (this is one of four this year). They’ll never duck a challenge, so good on Haven for taking it on.
The Panthers will get a severe test to ready them for the playoffs. The only downside is that the Panthers miss Conestoga and Lower Merion this year, two teams that figure to be near the bottom of the Central League, so there’s little let-up in this slate.
