There are very few things that bother me about covering high school football. Games in the rain are rough, but not because I mind getting poured on. It's just tougher to keep stats in the wet stuff. But, games in the rain don't compare to my No. 1 irritation of scholastic football: The parent who thinks he/she should be coaching the team.

Don't get me wrong, the majority of the parents I've dealt with or crossed paths with over the years have been great. They've been supportive of their sons, the teams they follow and the coaches who call the shots. The best parents are those who simply cheer and let the coaches take care of their business. Unfortunately, there are a few that just don't get it.

For the most part, it's been a pretty good season in terms of limited parental moronism. Actually, until Saturday, I really couldn't have highlighted an instance - at least one I was aware of - where a parent was out of line. Sunday morning, though, I was still shaking my head, agitated by what unfolded the night before.

Covering Penn Wood's game at Downingtown West, there were more than a few catcalls toward the Penn Wood coaching staff as the game wore on. The Patriots lost the game, 42-6, but not because of coaching. Downingtown West was the better team. Plain and simple. The Whippets are ranked in several state polls and have quality talent.

Primarily in the second half, there were repeated complaints from the stands and from behind the fence that lined the field. One guy called for more running plays, though Penn Wood had no success in that department. Another guy continually yelled uncalled for comments. Sir, can I see your coaching credentials?

To the credit of head coach Sam Mormando and his coaching staff, they ignored the various comments. That's the only way to handle that situation. The bottom line is that Mormando, in his second year in charge, has brought a spark back to Penn Wood football. After several years of major struggles, Mormando helped the team to a winning record last season. This season, the Patriots are 2-2 and figure to be among the top teams in the Del Val League.

Aside from the wins and losses aspect of things, Mormando has also instilled discipline and has generated a buzz on the sideline. The man can coach and he's a great person to mold young men. It's sad that some clueless individuals must spout off. Here's an idea: Cheer on your kid and his teammates. As for coaching from the stands, shut up.

The high school football fan has to love this weekend. Unlike most, this weekend features four consecutive days of action due to Yom Kippur. In Delco, there's a seven-game slate Thursday, with the biggie of the night taking place at Teamer Field. There, Ridley will battle Conestoga for the front-runner position in the Central League. Meanwhile, Haverford will have the chance to prove itself when it meets Strath Haven. The Fords are 3-0 and a win over Haven would open some eyes.

Friday and Saturday each feature three-game schedules, with Catholic League rivals Monsignor Bonner and Cardinal O'Hara going at it at Widener Friday. Then, on Sunday, The Haverford School will play Piux X (Roseto) to cap the weekend. If you're a gamer and love your high school football, it's possible to take in six Delco games. Anyone up to the task? Here's what you can do.

Thursday
Rustin vs. Academy Park (At South Avenue Athletic Complex), 3:30
Ridley at Conestoga, 7 p.m.

Friday
Msgr. Bonner vs. Card. O'Hara (At Widener), 7:30

Saturday
Chester at Chichester, 10 a.m.
Penn Wood at Downingtown West, 7 p.m.

Sunday
Pius X at The Haverford School

Saturday night, Cardinal O'Hara will venture up the New Jersey Turnpike and end their journey at Don Bosco Prep. The Lions will meet the Ironmen in a nonleague game, with Bosco ranked 21st in the preseason poll released by USA Today. On a yearly basis, Don Bosco Prep is one of the top teams in New Jersey and regarded among the elite in the country.

These days, a number of national entities do what USA Today has been doing for 25 years. They rank high school teams in a national poll. ESPN does it, along with Prep Nation. There are others, too. Truthfully, I view these rankings from two angles, neither of which is necessarily bad.

While a handful of games each year feature out-of-state opponents with lofty reputations playing one another, it really is difficult to rank high school teams on a national basis. How do you measure the best team from California against the best team from Colorado? From Texas against Pennsylvania. It's not something that is clear-cut.

This weekend, Southlake Carroll (Texas) will play Northwestern (Miami) in a matchup of teams ranked No. 1 and No. 2 in the country by several polls. In this instance, we'll know which team is better because the answer will be decided on the field. And, earlier this year, many of the top Ohio teams played out-of-state powerhouses as part of the Kirk Herbstreit Ohio vs. USA Challenge. Overall, though, it's impossible to determine which high school team is best. This isn't the NCAA.

Then again, the national rankings are fun. They might be arbitrary, but they provide entertainment value and, for that reason, I'm good with them. If O'Hara comes back from Bosco with a win, its players can brag about beating a nationally ranked foe. If O'Hara falls, it can say it challenged itself against a nationally recognized team. There's nothing wrong with either scenario.

So, enjoy national rankings for what they are: Entertainment, adding to the fun of kids playing a great sport.

Few things bother me at high school football games. I love the purity of scholastic action, where the kids play because they enjoy the game, not because their salary depends on it. But, there is one thing that agitates me, a rather simple thing: The lack of a scoreboard with a working clock.

Just got back from Chester's 26-13 win over Sun Valley. It was the home-opener for the Clippers, and Willie Bates had his guys ready to go. Chester overcame seven turnovers to grab the win. What wasn't ready was the relatively new scoreboard in the end zone nearest to I-95. It was black, never turned on. That meant the clock was kept on the field.

Getting times from the officials is never a problem when you're a coach or reporter covering a game from the sideline. But, don't you think the fans would want to know how much time remained in each quarter, particularly in a game that is tight. To Chester's credit, frequent time updates were sent up to the announcing booth and were relayed to the fans.

Still, it's time to get the clock turned on. After all, the scoreboard is part of the game.

Penn State University is known as Linebacker U. Well, there's no doubt that Ridley High School is Quarterback High. Through the years, the Green Raiders have produced some of the best signal callers in Delco history, including the likes of John Waller, Joe Emmi, Matt Blundin and Dennis Decker, among others. Of the last six All-Delco quarterbacks, five have hailed from Ridley.

This year, there's no reason to believe Ridley will struggle at the position, what with Steve Egee taking the reins. But, Egee's story is a little different than most. Egee is from a basketball family and is a Division I prospect on the hoops court. The 6-3, 185-pounder took last year away from football, but has returned this season to lead Ridley in its quest for back-to-back Central League crowns.

While Egee is preparing for his first game of the season Friday night against Strath Haven, the potential is there for a huge campaign. Egee not only has a strong arm, but has quality speed that makes him a dual-threat athlete under center. And, considering his poise on the basketball court, it figures he'll be a top-rate leader on the football field.

True, a year away from the sport might make for a difficult learning curve. Still, Egee is an exceptional athlete and a smooth transition back to quarterback wouldn't be surprising. At Ridley, quarterback is a prestigious position. Expect Egee to continue the tradition.

If there's anything I've learned over the years, it's that the first weekend of the season tends to feature some sloppy play. Athletes are still getting a feel for their offensive and defensive systems and, no matter how much practice time is compiled, there's no way to exactly simulate game situations. Nonetheless, Friday and Saturday provided some quality football, what is expected of Delco.

Yet, for as much as the players were prepared and ready to go, the same cannot be said for the paperwork aspect of high school football in Delco. Although a number of games were ready to go, several games were not. As in, no programs. That meant no names to go with the numbers running up and down the field. Sure, it helps us reporters to have programs, but we're fine without them. It's our job to report the facts and if that means digging a little, so be it.

The problem with a lack of a program hinders the fans. What about the individuals who decide to attend a game and want to put a name to No. 32, who just ripped off a 59-yard touchdown run? Tough luck. Better get to asking around. It's really not that hard for a school to provide a roster for a game. Run off a few copies of your own, ask the visiting school to send a copy of its roster and the problem is solved. Without them, the players entertaining on the field are being done a disservice, for some go unkown for their achievements.