Back for its fourth season, the popular Intelligencer/Courier Times ‘Let’s Talk Football’ features high school football beat writers Kevin Cooney and Dan Dunkin. Cooney, the Phillies beat writer, covers schools in the Intelligencer area while Dan Dunkin – who has been covering sports at the high school and professional level for 25 years - covers teams in the Courier Times area. Both share their perspective on the teams in their coverage area. To stay on top of the high school football news in the area, visit the web site http://www.phillyburbs.com/sports/high_school/
(Note: Kevin Cooney was unable to contribute to ‘Let’s Talk Football’ this week. He is expected to return next week. SuburbanOneSports.com football beat writer Scott Huff has filled in this week in his absence. Scott also gives his take on the American Conference squads.)
SuburbanOneSports.com: Share your thoughts about the Pennsbury-Easton game.
Dan Dunkin: “Easton has Pennsbury’s number, but there’s no shame in that. Easton is pretty much a perennial powerhouse. On the scoreboard, Pennsbury did compete a lot better than the previous three years, and you have to give them a lot of credit because they were down 14-0 and came back to take the lead, but Galen Snyder said they didn’t play in the second half, so I know he’s very disappointed.
“I think it’s the glass half full and half empty type of thing because they have a lot of young players who are starting to understand how they have to play against top-level varsity competition, and they have a good many who do know how. You’ve got to blend that, and they have to put two halves together. Easton is a very, very good team, so the Falcons can feel good that they were right there in the first half. They got shut out in the second half, which is not good, and they’re going to have some things to work out. Give Pennsbury credit for the pre-conference schedule they play because it lets them know exactly where they stand heading into the SOL National season.
“Pennsbury does not have an easy game this Saturday against Frankford, which played Downingtown East tough, and they’re always a factor in the Public League - they have a lot of good athletes - and after that, Pennsbury has Downingtown East. If they go 0-3 or 1-2 like they did last year or somehow win these next two games, they’re going to have a good understanding of where they are, and they’re going to be a handful when the league season begins.
“I’m eager to see how Pennsbury bounces back this week. Frankford is a good Public League team. Pennsbury has learned in the process of their tough pre-conference scheduling not to get discouraged, to hone in on what they need to work on and improve those things, which last year they did a very good job of.”
SuburbanOneSports.com: Neshaminy, after rolling to a 33-0 win over Northeast, will face Downingtown West on Friday night. What are your thoughts about that game?
Dan Dunkin: “It’s going to be a great test, especially defensively, for Neshaminy because Downingtown West brings a lot of different looks – a lot of formations, a lot of misdirection. They keep you on the balls of your feet – you don’t want to be on your heels. They use two quarterbacks that can both throw the deep ball, and they spread you out. They run a read option, they run a pistol formation – they really do a lot of things.
“Neshaminy will be very well prepared. They’re looking at a lot of film, and their coaches do a great job of breaking it down. Guys are going to have to really, really be disciplined in their assignments on defense. This is going to be a very revealing test for them. It’s a quicker Neshaminy defense, but they’re going to really have to be on their ‘A’ game to win this game.
“Offensively, it’s going to be a challenge as well. Downingtown West has numerous guys back on their defense from a team that was 7-4 last year and finished third in the Ches-Mont behind Coatesville and Downingtown East. They have a very good coach in Mike Milano who says he has a lot of good chemistry with his team. They played well in their first game, and they’re expecting a lot of good things this year. Offensively for Neshaminy, they didn’t throw it much in the first game. They ran it great, and I think their running game is going to be exceptional, but this is a game I think they’re going to have to throw it some, and we’re going to see if they can do that."
SuburbanOneSports.com: Truman had a big win over Lincoln last week. Comment on the outlook for the Tigers this season.
Dan Dunkin: “I was at Truman Monday, and there’s a real good vibe. They’re really fired up because they have 19 seniors, and they have a lot of good athletes. They have more depth than they’ve had in years. They have three times the roster size - around 60 – that they had three years ago when Ed Cubbage took over and they had to forfeit against Council Rock South.
“The progress in that program has been in the intangibles. It’s been in the weight room, the participation, the practice effort. They have a wonderfully committed coaching staff that’s been there with Ed since the beginning, and that’s been meaningful to the kids. They see these coaches care. If you have the continuity and the kids see that, the kids care, and the seniors pull along the younger kids. They’re building a foundation now.
“The next step is on the scoreboard. They were 3-8 last year, but they really feel their experience, the explosiveness they have on offense, the size they have in spots – they have no fear. They really think they can make improvements in the won-lost record this year. They have to show their experience by being disciplined and cutting down on their mistakes. Their Upper Dublin game last year is a great case in point. They lost 28-7, and Upper Dublin scored three touchdowns in the final 2:38 of the first half – a return, a turnover. Manny Fisher told me this week that they’ve got to understand that if they have a bad play to not let it turn into two. Coach Cubbage said that also – they’ve got to put it behind them.
“They have the athletes, and they have the wisdom to make strides this year. I could see this Truman team winning three or four conference games this year. They have some good players – Jordan Livingston, Manny Fisher and Bobby Hill are all good running backs. Fisher, also a tough defensive player, is being recruited by Temple and Maryland. Jake Zolna has good potential as their quarterback.
“The thing about Truman is that next year they’ll be part of that middle population conference, and that’s going to help them, but I think it would be wonderful if they could use this as a momentum-building year and make some noise in the bigger league.”
SuburbanOneSports.com: Bensalem has beaten Pennridge two years in a row, and the two teams will meet again on Friday night. What are your thoughts about that game?
Dan Dunkin: “Bensalem has to feel good – they beat them two years in a row, and that was such a quality win last year because look what Pennridge did after that. They went 12-2. I don’t think Pennridge is going to be as powerful as they were although they still have a very good offensive line, and they have one of the two or three best running backs in Pennsylvania in Mike Class, so right there, that’s a handful.
“For Bensalem, this is a game where they’re really going to have to see if they can establish their offensive line and their two really good running backs – Ian Pischaruk and Alex Archangeli – and run between the tackles. If they can do that and keep it a close game, it will be very interesting. Last year Bensalem beat Pennridge with the pass and their really terrific receiver Donnie Reed. Well, he’s gone now. They need to be physical, and they can’t get big-played to death which is what Kevin Kelly said happened against Wood. Wood is going to do that and Pennridge can do that with Mike Class, but they’re going to have to contain the perimeter and not give up the big play. Make Pennridge drive the ball, and if they can control the ball themselves, then you have a close game. I give Bensalem a puncher’s chance.”
SuburbanOneSports.com: Council Rock South battled Central Bucks South tough in Friday’s opener before falling 31-21. Comment about the Golden Hawks heading into this weekend’s game at Father Judge.
Dan Dunkin: “I’ll tell you what – this is going to be an improved South team. What I saw them do against a very, very good CB South team with the great Josh Adams – that kid is great – they were right in the game until the last few minutes. They were physical. They had several backs that ran it hard and well. Their quarterback, Greg Paprocki, ran the option very well, and he ran the ball well himself. He had a nice TD pass. I saw a little bit of the old physical CR South back.
“Vince (Bedesem) is pumped up. He knows they made mistakes, but a lot of them are correctable. He felt good how they competed. That was a good start for them, so I see them going to Father Judge and winning that game.
“Eric Gallo is the real deal. (CB South Coach Dave) Rackovan told me after the game that Gallo is the best sideline to sideline defensive lineman he’s seen in our area in a long while.”
SuburbanOneSports.com What is your read on this year’s Pennridge team after seeing them play last week?
Scott Huff: “All week Pennridge head coach Jeff Hollenbach talked about how the game wasn’t about his return after an eight year absence and the return of former Ram head coach and current Emmaus head coach Randy Cuthbert to Poppy Yoder Field. He was right as the players put on a magnificent show that saw Pennridge win in thrilling fashion in a 33-27 overtime victory. Emmaus led 27-12 after three quarters, but the heroics of Ram senior quarterback Matt Pasquale, senior wide receiver Micah Stutzman, and senior running back Michael Class allowed the Rams to rally for the dramatic win. The game’s final play was a TD pass from Pasquale-to-Stutzman; the 2-point conversion was another Pasquale-to-Stutzman connection; and the overtime win was sealed by a 10-yard burst by Class.
“Pennridge is the defending SOL Continental Conference champion, and as someone once said, it is easier to become a champion than to repeat as a champion. The Rams have excellent talent in the skill positions – and perhaps the classiest coach in the area in Hollenbach. But the waters are rough with perennial power North Penn to go along with a tough Central Bucks South. The last season of the existing SOL Continental should be an excellent one for the Rams.
“By the way, the Pennridge defense allowed just one first down to a talented Emmaus team in the second half to help secure the win. Hard to believe that the Ram defense has nine new starters in that unit. Pennridge should be able to beat both SOL National Conference foes Bensalem and Council Rock South the next two weeks to begin its conference season unbeaten in non-league games.
“Nothing is a given, however, as the Rams lost last season to Bensalem in overtime 24-21. The Owls would finish the season with just three victories.”
SuburbanOneSports.com: Souderton, North Penn, and Central Bucks West all suffered decisive losses last week. What are your thoughts about those squads?
Scott Huff: “There is no question that all three programs have had their measure of success in recent history, yet all three were bloodied somewhat in the opening week. Souderton was given a 41-13 black eye by Pottsgrove; North Penn took a 34-7 knockout punch from La Salle; and Central Bucks West was staggered by Upper Dublin 45-21.
“The most surprising of the trio had to be West’s loss to Upper Dublin. The Bucks wanted very badly to show the area that they were going to contend for a conference championship, but a lopsided loss to a SOL American Conference team wasn’t in the offing. Head coach Brian Hensel is hopeful that the setback will serve as a wake-up call as the Bucks meet William Tennent this week.
“The Souderton loss was not unexpected – the point deferential was unexpected as the Indians were never in this game after Manny Nieves ran the opening kickoff back for a TD. Pottsgrove is a power in the PAC-10, and head coach Ed Gallagher of Souderton has never shied away from dangerous non-league opponents. In fact, the Indians will host powerful Neshaminy in two weeks in their final preseason game. The loss of all-league tackle Ricky Young to injury appears to be a difficult thing to overcome for Souderton. Young has committed to Villanova next season.
“North Penn plays one of the best non-league schedules in the state. La Salle, Archbishop Wood, and St. Joe Prep have been among the most successful scholastic programs in recent memory – but so have the Knights. Again, the loss was not unexpected, but the size of the defeat surely was unanticipated. Head coach Dick Beck will use this brutal non-league schedule to build a contender. Don’t be too shocked if the Knights go 0-3 at the outset of the season and finish 7-3 overall – just saying.”
SuburbanOneSports.com: Hatboro-Horsham had a big win against Norristown. Is it too early to tell if this marks the resurgence of the Hatter program?
Scott Huff: “Yes Hatboro-Horsham had a huge win over Norristown – and yes, it is too early to tell if the Hatter program has had a resurgence. The coming out party of the M & M boys for Hatboro-Horsham was wonderful as quarterback Jack Morris and wide receiver John O’Malley paid huge dividends for the Hatters. Morris connected on 15 passes for 126 yards and three touchdowns, while O’Malley caught nine passes for 168 yards and a pair of scores. Impressive numbers, but those numbers came against a Norristown defense that is untested. The M&M boys will have to be able to match that performance against North Penn, CB South, Pennridge if the Hatters are to compete for a title. However, Hatboro Horsham may have shown the ability to compete with CB East, CB West, Souderton, and Quakertown. Stay tuned.”
SuburbanOneSports.com: What were positive outcomes on the opening week of the season for American Conference squads?
Scott Huff: “Perhaps the most extraordinary victory in the SOL American Conference was Upper Dublin’s 45-21 victory over Central Bucks West. The Flying Cardinals winning the game may not have been a total surprise, but the manner in which Upper Dublin handled the Bucks might have been. Senior quarterback John Derr was had an amazing performance despite leaving the game early with a shoulder injury. Derr – who is the younger brother of West Chester University quarterback Andrew Derr – showcased his rushing ability with long distance touchdown runs of 76 and 71 yards. Derr finished with 169 yards rushing on just six carries. Also impressive was the relief appearance of quarterback Ryan Stover who stepped in and continued to direct the potent Cardinal attack.
“Springfield is always in a tough spot once the SOL American Conference season begins, but the Spartans are always impressive in the non-league portion of the schedule. Springfield is a Class AA team that competes in a conference comprised of five Quad-A schools (Norristown, Plymouth Whitemarsh, Wissahickon, Cheltenham, and Upper Dublin) and a pair of Class AAA schools (Upper Moreland and Upper Merion). The Spartans were dominating in their opening game of the season with a 48-13 win over Lower Moreland – last season’s District One Class AA champion. Springfield lost the services of returning starting sophomore quarterback Chris Stone who is out for the season with a torn meniscus – but senior Brendan Doyle was spectacular in relief with a sensational six-touchdown performance. Doyle rushed for 141 yards and four touchdowns and completed just three passes for 81 yards and two more scores.
“Wissahickon – which won a PIAA Quad-A playoff game last season – looked solid again this year in its 34-15 win over William Tennent. Senior Dave Stellato and Mike Marino led the Trojans to the win.
“And Upper Moreland had a terrific outing by Tyler Whitmore who scored four touchdowns as the Golden Bears held off Mastbaum 33-30. Whitmore intercepted two passes for scores – rushed for a touchdown – and caught a TD pass.”
SuburbanOneSports.com: What were some surprises in the opening week of the season for American Conference teams?
Scott Huff: “The most surprising final score had to be the 33-0 loss that Perkiomen Valley dished out to Plymouth Whitemarsh. The PAC-10 Vikings appear to be loaded this season, but PW has been one of elite programs the last few seasons and the score was unexpected to say the least. The Colonials managed just 136 yards of total offense last week.
“Another surprise to me was Norristown losing to Hatboro-Horsham 21-14. Both the Eagles and the Hatters finished last season with a single win, and Norristown hoped to be able to start this season with a win. The good news was that the Eagles were competitive – the bad news was that they still lost.
“Cheltenham’s 56-14 loss to Downingtown West was to be expected as the Panthers played ‘up’ against the Ches-Mont power, and the upgrade in competition more than gets Joe Gro’s team ready for the SOL season.
“Upper Merion may have only won one game last season, but the Vikings showcased a potent offense in their losses. The 20-0 loss to Penncrest was quite a surprise – again not the loss but the fact that Upper Merion was held scoreless.
SuburbanOneSports.com: What do you see in the crystal ball this week for the SOL American?
Scott Huff: “Upper Dublin will put its winning ways on the line against a Harry S Truman team that has not won a SOL National Conference game in two years; however, the Tigers have played well during their non-league schedule. This should be a great test for both teams in a rare 10 am start on Saturday.
“Springfield is much like Truman in that the Spartans have not been real competitive within the conference but have done well outside the SOL. Look for the Spartans to be competitive once again as they face a Neumann-Goretti team this week that claimed a 35-14 win over Furness in its season opener. This should be a great test for the Spartans – one it can pass.
“Upper Moreland was hit hard by graduation and needed to score early and often to defeat Mastbaum. The Golden Bears will host an improved Quakertown team that handled Upper Perkiomen 27-6 in its season opener. Another good test for both teams this week.
“Norristown stumbled in its loss to Hatboro-Horsham last week, and the Eagles hope to soar in a rematch with Central Bucks East this week. Norristown lost to the Patriots last year 20-15, and it looks like it should be another close game in a 1 pm Saturday matinee this year at Norristown. CB East lost to Boyertown in a 46-39 shootout last week.”
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