By Scott Huff
The Suburban One League played 13 games outside the SOL in the opening week of the season. And the league finished slightly above .500 with a 7-6 mark.
Suburban One League winners outside the league included North Penn, Pennsbury, Bensalem, Quakertown, Hatboro-Horsham, Upper Merion, and Norristown. SOL losers outside the league were Upper Moreland, Pennridge, CB West, Upper Dublin, Plymouth-Whitemarsh, and Council Rock North.
The remaining SOL teams scheduled teams from other conferences within the league. Those teams include Abington, CB East, Wissahickon, William Tennent, Neshaminy, Souderton, Cheltenham, Harry S Truman, Council Rock South, and CB South.
Suburban One National Conference
Council Rock South (1-0) was a surprise 31-7 winner over Central Bucks South (0-1) last week. The shocker wasn’t that the Golden Hawks were able to win the contest, but the margin of victory was unexpected.
“That win was achieved because of the senior leadership that we have on this football team,” said Rock South coach Vince Bedesem. “This football team has suffered some major injuries to key players, and we did a terrific job of executing and preparing for CB South.”
The senior leadership has come from Derrick Shatz, Keith Hickey, Andrew Haviland, Mickey LaPorta, Nick Eife, and Justin Lesher.
The key players lost to injury are seniors Terrence McGovern, Kyle Ruffing, and Tony Checchia. This talented trio of players were projected as two-way starters and will be lost for the entire season.
Junior quarterback Bill Flemming was outstanding in the win over CB South.
Flemming fired a 57-yard touchdown pass to Haviland and also rushed for a pair of scores. He also rushed for 140 yards and scored on runs of 37 and two yards.
“Bill Flemming did a tremendous job,” said Bedesem. “He has assumed a huge leadership role.
“We play Central Bucks East next, and they are big up front,” added Bedesem. “They run that ‘pistol’ offense, and we will have to be prepared.”
Next: CB East (0-1) @ Council Rock South (1-0), 7
Last Year: CR South 35 – CB East 14.
Prediction: CR South 34 – CB East 17.
The rest of the SOL National Conference …
Abington (1-0) opened its season with a 31-10 victory over CB East (0-1). Quarterback Sam Kind completed 15-16 passes for 195 yards and a pair of touchdowns – to Anthony Hensley and Julien Ireland. Ireland also rushed for 111 yards on 25 carries and a touchdown.
Next: Plymouth-Whitemarsh (0-1) @ Abington (1-0), 7
Last Year: Abington 33 – PW 6.
Prediction: Abington 45 – PW 13.
Neshaminy (1-0) avenged its opening season loss a season ago to Souderton and routed the Big Red (0-1), 35-6. Bryan Dean led the Skins with 165 yards and a pair of scores. Neshaminy quarterbacks Brian Titus and Charlie Marterella shared time with each throwing TD passes.
Next: Hatboro-Horsham (1-0) @ Neshaminy (1-0), 7
Last Year: Neshaminy 24 – Hatboro-Horsham 14.
Prediction: Neshaminy 27 – Hatboro-Horsham 7.
Pennsbury (1-0) took on cross-town rival Conwell-Egan and blasted the Eagles (0-1), 34-3. The Falcons had 400 yards of total offense as Dante Devine led the rushing attack with 140 yards and a pair of scores. Quarterback Brandon Pepper added 97 yards and three rushing scores.
Next: Frankford (0-1) @ Pennsbury (1-0), 7
Last Year: Pennsbury 19 – Frankford 10
Prediction: Pennsbury 31 – Frankford 6.
Bensalem (1-0) flew to an impressive 30-6 victory over Overbrook (0-1) last week. Owl quarterback Tm Farlow completed 11-of-18 passes for 110 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Running back Christian Fernandez scored on a 52-yard run and led the team in rushing with 81 yards.
Next: Pennridge (0-1) @ Bensalem (1-0), 7
Last Year: Pennridge 28 – Bensalem 26.
Prediction: Pennridge 28 – Bensalem 27.
Council Rock North (0-1) could not contain the high octane Father Judge offense and lost to the Crusaders (1-0), 35-21. The Tyler Hamilton to Ty Bostain connection accounted for a pair of touchdown aerials of 32 and 17 yards. Brandon Cottom scored on a 98-yard kickoff return.
Next: Central Bucks South (0-1) @ CR North, 7
Last Year: CB South 14 – Council Rock North 7
Prediction: CR North 24 – CB South 14.
Harry S Truman (0-1) registered 14 first downs and 320 yards of total offense but could score just six points in a 7-6 loss to Cheltenham (1-0). The lone score was a 23-yard scoring pass from Drew Peterson to Travis Thomas.
Next: Truman (0-1) @ George Washington (0-1), 1 p.m.
Last Year: Washington 12 – Truman 6.
Prediction: George Washington 14 – Truman 7.
William Tennent (0-1) lost its 15th straight game as the Panthers lost to Wissahickon (1-0), 35-14. The two Tennent touchdowns were scored on a 35-yard run by Ed Ruiz and a 13-yard touchdown pass from Pat Traczykiewicz to Hunter Wuensche.
Next: William Tennent (0-1) @ CB West (0-1), 7
Last Year: CB West 25 – William Tennent 7.
Prediction: CB West 14 – William Tennent 8.
Suburban One Continental Conference
Hatboro-Horsham (1-0) presented ‘rookie’ coach Dave Sanderson with a 7-0 victory over Frankford. Sanderson, who coached the Hatters from 2001-2007, was not on the Hatboro-Horsham coaching staff last season.
“Being back really doesn’t feel all that different,” said Sanderson. “I was able to get some responsibilities outside resolved, and it was time to get back.”
The Hatters struggled somewhat offensively in the win over Frankford, but H-H was dominant on the defensive side of the football.
The lone scoring drive for the Hatters came on the opening series on a 10-yard touchdown run by Darryl Neville. Bob Stumpp added the extra point.
“There were times on offense where we were one guy away from a perfect play,” said Sanderson. “But we put the ball on the ground too often (four fumbles – two lost) and that kills drives.
“We were solid on defense,” added Sanderson. “Mike Fitzpatrick, Ryan Mullen, and Jake Abercrombie were strong along the defensive line.”
The Hatters prepare for a huge test this week with an away contest with Neshaminy.
“Neshaminy put a hurtin’ on Souderton,” said Sanderson in reference to the Skins 35-6 win over the Big Red. “And if you can do that to an (head coach) Ed Gallagher team, that says a lot.”
Next: Hatboro-Horsham (1-0) @ Neshaminy (1-0), 7
Last Year: Neshaminy 24 – Hatboro-Horsham 14
Prediction: Neshaminy 27 – Hatboro-Horsham 7
North Penn (1-0) showed its statewide credentials with a 42-10 rout of defending state Quad-A champion Bethlehem Liberty. Junior Craig Needhammer rushed for 223 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Senior running back Michael Culbreath scored three rushing touchdowns for the winners.
Next: Lansdale Catholic (0-1) @ North Penn (1-0), 7
Last Year: North Penn 34 – Lansdale Catholic 12
Prediction: North Penn 45 – Lansdale Catholic 13
Quakertown (1-0) was impressive in a 39-0 whitewash of visiting Methacton (0-1). Tony Latronica opened the game with an 83-yard kickoff return and also scored on a 37-yard run. Tyler Burke scored on runs of 14 and 38 yards. The Panthers registered 345 yards of total offense.
Next: Quakertown (1-0) @ Upper Merion (1-0), 7
Last Year: Quakertown 31 – Upper Merion 22.
Prediction: Quakertown 35 – Upper Merion 14
Central Bucks East (0-1) had its hands full with host Abington as the Ghosts cruised to a 31-10 victory. The Patriots trailed Abington 17-3 at the half and closed to within one score in the second half. Pat Trymbiski scored the lone TD on a one-yard run, while Jake Schwartz led the team with 73 rushing yards.
Next: CB East (0-1) @ Council Rock South (1-0), 7
Last Year: Rock South 35 – CB East 14
Prediction: CR South 34 – CB East 17
Central Bucks South (0-1) did not have its best night as the Titans were throttled by Council Rock South (1-0), 31-7. The only score of the game for CB South came in the first half when Bob DiPasquale scored on a 10-yard run.
Next: CB South (0-1) at Council Rock North (0-1), 7
Last Year: CB South 14 – Council Rock North 7
Prediction: CR North 24 – CB South 14.
Central Bucks West (0-1) played one of the finest programs in the area as the Bucks were whipped by Bethlehem Freedom, 58-18. West trailed 28-12 at half. The Bucks were led in rushing by Joe DiStefano who rushed for 64 yards.
Next: William Tennent (0-1) @ CB West (1-0), 7
Last Year: CB West 25 – William Tennent 7
Prediction: CB West 14 – William Tennent 8.
Pennridge (0-1) could not match the scoring of Class AAA Pottsgrove as the Rams dropped a 34-21 decision. Pennridge quarterback Kyle Peters threw three TD passes – one each to Drew Smith, Chad Moyer, and Brandon Cope.
Next: Pennridge (0-1) @ Bensalem (1-0), 7
Last Year: Pennridge 28 – Bensalem 26
Prediction: Pennridge 28 – Bensalem 27.
Souderton (0-1) defeated Neshaminy last season (14-13), and the Skins (1-0) got their sweet revenge with a 35-6 spanking of the Big Red. The lone score for Souderton came when Andrew Coyle scored on a five-yard run in the second period.
Next: Downingtown East (1-0) @ Souderton (0-1), 7
Last Year: Souderton 46 – Downingtown East 14
Prediction: Downingtown East 24 – Souderton 14
Suburban One American Conference
Upper Merion (1-0) passed its first test of the season as the Vikings sailed by West Philadelphia (0-1), 37-20. Running backs James Brennan and Naim Cheeseboro combined for 230 yards and four touchdowns.
“We got a big lead early in this game, and then we seemed to hit a wall,” said Upper Merion head coach Joe Powel. “We have been dealing with some injuries and we had a few players playing a lot of plays.
“We want those injured players to be healthy for our league schedule,” continued Powel. “And to play a team the caliber of Quakertown this week is asking a lot from our young players.”
One of the young players who have made an impression on Powel has been freshman Jake Kecszyk who is the starting safety and backup quarterback.
“Jake has been a nice surprise,” said Powel. “We will get a good look at some young kids the next few weeks. Our focus is to see what kids can do in the preseason, and put that to use to win a league championship.”
Next: Quakertown (1-0) @ Upper Merion (1-0)
Last Season: Quakertown 31 – Upper Merion 22
Prediction: Quakertown 35 – Upper Merion 14
Wissahickon (1-0) opened its season with a convincing 35-14 victory over William Tennent (0-1). The Trojan duo of Brandon Gunn and Myron Ross accounted for 320 rushing yards and four touchdowns. The fifth touchdown came on a scoring pass from Gunn to Ross.
Next: Wissahickon (1-0) @ Pottsgrove (1-0), 7
Last Season: Wissahickon 31 – Pottsgrove 22
Prediction: Pottsgrove 28 – Wissahickon 20.
Cheltenham (1-0) made the most of a single touchdown to defeat Truman (0-1), 7-6. It was the first game ever played at Cheltenham under the lights. The lone score came on a 78-yard kickoff return by Chris Stephens.
Next: Bishop McDevitt (0-1) @ Cheltenham (1-0), 7
Last Season: Cheltenham 42 – Bishop McDevitt 14.
Prediction: Cheltenham 14 – Bishop McDevitt 6
Norristown (1-0) flew to a 32-24 victory over Northeast Catholic. The Eagles scored on an 89-yard punt return by Anthony DiNolfi. Quarterback Shannon Mayer tossed three touchdown passes – one to brother Sheldon Mayer, one to Mylo Hill, and one to Anthony Robey.
Next: Ben Franklin (1-0) @ Norristown (1-0), 7
Last Season: Did Not Play
Prediction: Norristown 28 – Ben Franklin 21
Upper Moreland (0-1) was held in check offensively as the Golden Bears fell to Strath Haven (1-0), 10-6. Running back Chris Smallwood scored on a four-yard run and rushed for 140 yards on 30 carries. The Bears had only 16 yards passing.
Next: Pottstown (0-1) @ Upper Moreland (1-0), 7
Last Year: Did Not Play
Prediction: Upper Moreland 21 – Pottstown 14
Upper Dublin (0-1) hung tough but lost its season opener to Perkiomen Valley (1-0), 21-14. The Cardinals lost the game when PV scored in the final four seconds of regulation. The offensive highlight was a 63-yard scoring pass from Andrew Derr to Evan Saltzman.
Next: Upper Dublin (0-1) @ Upper Perkiomen (1-0), 7
Last Year: Did Not Play
Prediction: Upper Dublin 14 – Upper Perkiomen 13
Plymouth-Whitemash (0-1) ran into powerhouse LaSalle and was buried by the Explorers (1-0), 56-0. The offensive highlights were a pair of pass connections from David O’Neill to Russhan Phillips and John Michael Staudenmayer.
Next: Plymouth-Whitemarsh (0-1) @ Abington (1-0), 7
Last Year: Abington 33 – Plymouth-Whitemarsh 6.
Prediction: Abington 45 – Plymouth-Whitemarsh 13
SOS SUPER SEVEN
1. North Penn Knights (1-0)
2. Pennsbury Falcons (1-0)
3. Neshaminy Redskins (1-0)
4. Abington Ghosts (1-0)
5. Quakertown Panthers (1-0)
6. Council Rock South Hawks (1-0)
7. Norristown Eagles (1-0)
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