Football Fever: Week 3

By Scott Huff

                 Last season the proud football programs at Quakertown (1-11) and Pennridge (3-9) combined for a 4-20 record.
 
                This season, both the Panthers (3-0) and the Rams (3-0) are unbeaten and boast a combined 6-0 mark.
 
                “Our guys played very hard last year,” said Quakertown coach John Donnelly. “We never quit – never had a question about attitude.
 
                “There are a lot of the same players on this team,” added Donnelly. “The good start has helped with the confidence, and the players have seen their hard work pay off in wins.”
 
                Quakertown has defeated Methacton (13-6), Upper Merion (31-22), and Cheltenham (28-21).
 
                Pennridge has captured all three games it has played this season, and the Rams have relied on speed.
 
                “The kids have done a great job this season,” said Pennridge coach Randy Cuthbert. “We don’t have a lot of size, but we do have some speed.
 
                “The kids have worked hard in the off season,” added the coach. “We are finding out that if we can execute we can overcome our lack of size.”
 
                Pennridge has claimed wins over Archbishop Wood (43-42 in triple overtime), Bensalem (28-26), and Plymouth-Whitemarsh (21-7).
 
*             *             *             *             *             *             *             *             *                       
                There are two ‘rookie’ football coaches in the Suburban One League this season, and both came up with victories.
 
                Tim Michael is the new head coach at Central Bucks East. And the Patriots won their first game of the season with a 24-13 win over George Washington.
 
                Congratulations Coach Michael.
 
                Tom Butts is the new head coach at Hatboro-Horsham. And the Hatters won their first game of the season with a 16-0 shutout of Council Rock North.
 
                Congratulations Coach Butts.
 
                And now the “Week that Was” in the Suburban One League.
 
Continental Conference
 
                North Penn (3-0) came up with a HUGE non-league win with a 14-7 victory over nationally ranked St. Joseph’s Prep at Crawford Stadium. The Knights cashed in on a couple of big touchdown plays – a 76-yard punt return by Ronnie Akins and a 96-yard dash by Tyler Smith.
 
                Souderton (2-1), however, came up with a hugely disappointing 32-14 loss a non-league opponent – Roman Catholic. Roman’s Kasseim Everett rushed for 245 yards and scored four touchdowns. Derek Brown and Kyle Lynch turned in the Indians best efforts.
 
                Quakertown (3-0) scored the game-winning touchdown with seven seconds left to defeat Cheltenham, 28-21. Quarterback Ryan Tinknell drilled an 8-yard TD pass to Eric Fath to secure the victory.
 
                Pennridge (3-0) defeated host Plymouth-Whitemarsh, 21-7, to remain unbeaten. The Rams rushed the ball for 360 yards – 125 of those by Ian Walbridge. Walbridge also scored two touchdowns.
 
                Central Bucks South (2-1) came up with a nice win over previously unbeaten Norristown, 35-20. Quarterback Tom Johns was an efficient 8-for-12 for 140 yards and three touchdowns. Receiver Mike Doty caught five balls for 108 yards and three scores.
 
                Hatboro-Horsham (1-2) pitched a shutout to record its first win of the season. The scoring plays for the Hatters were a 32-yard TD run by Eddie Combs in the first quarter, and a 19-yard TD run by Mike Borbin in the fourth period.
 
                Central Bucks East (1-2) trailed 13-0 but rallied for a 24-13 win over George Washington. Devon Passman once again stole the headlines with 130 yards rushing – a touchdown – plus a 45-yard interception for a score.
 
                Central Bucks West (1-2) was very competitive in a 27-20 setback to unbeaten Wissahickon. The Bucks showcased its powerful running attack of Ted Conard (23 carries, 225 yards and two touchdowns) and Rashaad Williams (18-175-1).
 
American Conference
 
                Wissahickon (3-0) remained unbeaten with that 27-20 win over CB West. The Trojans had a pair of touchdowns scored by running back Myron Ross – one on a 42-yard run and another of 90 yards.
 
                Upper Dublin (3-0) remained undefeated with a 35-14 victory over Truman. Josh Mastromatto continued to be the man as he scored 5 touchdowns against the Tigers on runs of 49, 13, 65, & 22 yards. He also scored on a 40-yard TD pass.               
 
                Upper Moreland (3-0) remained unbeaten with a 28-15 win over Lansdale Catholic. The Bears welcomed back running back Chris Smallwood who rushed for 165 yards and three touchdowns.
 
                Upper Merion (2-1) had little trouble in a 28-7 win over William Tennent. The Vikings scored over ground (Pete Panichi – two touchdowns) and by air (Alex Phanthavong - two touchdown passes).
 
                Norristown (2-1) fell from the ranks of the unbeaten with a 35-20 loss to Central Bucks South. The Eagles led 20-14 but could not score in the second half. Sheldon Mayer rushed for 155 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
 
                Cheltenham (2-1) also fell from the ranks of the unbeaten with a 28-21 setback to Quakertown. The Panthers had some long distance scoring from Mikhail Reed (23 & 31 TD runs) and Damian Finley (49 TD run).
 
National Conference
 
                Abington (3-0) completed an unbeaten preseason with a 28-14 victory over Northeast. The Ghosts scored four rushing touchdowns including scoring runs by Julien Ireland and Sam Kind.
 
                Council Rock South (3-0) also completed an unbeaten preseason schedule with a 17-14 win over Conwell Egan. The Hawks scored the game-winning touchdown in the third period on a run by Rus Chichkin.
 
                Neshaminy (2-1) won its most impressive game of the season with a 42-0 victory over Germantown. It marked the 100th career-coaching win by head coach Mark Schmidt. Quinlan Arnold raced for three touchdowns in the first half.
 
                Bensalem (1-2) notched a win with a 35-0 mercy rule victory over West Philadelphia. The Owls scored on their first five possessions – including a brother TD connection from Ron Vogelei to twin Tom.
 
                Pennsbury (2-1) lost its first game of the season in a 20-6 setback to Glen Mills. Glen Mills rushed for 350 yards. The Falcons lone score came on a six-yard TD run by Dante Devine.
 
                Council Rock North (0-3) continued to struggle offensively as the Indians dropped a 16-0 contest to Hatboro-Horsham. The Rock North defense did a nice job as the Indians trailed by just 9-0 going into the fourth period.
 
                Harry S Truman (0-3) did not crack the win column – but did have some nice highlights in a 35-14 loss to Upper Dublin. Running back Jeff Tiberi rushed for 190 yards and scored both Tiger touchdowns.
 
                William Tennent (0-3) had its lone highlight on the opening kickoff as Shannon Brown returned the kick 85-yards for the score in WT’s 28-7 loss to Upper Merion. The Panthers, however, could only muster five first downs and 80 yards total offense.
 
                                                Football Fever Forecast
                                                      (* Home Team)
 
                *Neshaminy   28                Abington 21
                *CR South   24                  Pennsbury 20
                CR North    14                   *W. Tennent 7
                Bensalem    35                  *Truman   14
                Hatboro    17                     *CB East 14
                Pennridge 28                     *Northeast 20
                *Souderton 27                   CB West 20
                *North Penn 28                 CB South 13
                *Quakertown 28                Plymouth Whitemarsh 14
                *Upper Dublin 27              Upper Moreland 21
                Norristown   35                 *Cheltenham 28
                *Wissahickon 31             Upper Merion 13
 
SuburbanOneSports.com’s Football Fever Fab Five
1.           North Penn Knights
2.           Council Rock South Hawks
3.           Upper Dublin Cardinals
4.           Abington Ghosts
5.           Wissahickon Trojans
               
 
 
 
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