Scott Huff features CR North’s Brandon McIlwain and Quakertown’s Hunter Nice and also lists the SOL Continental Conference players to watch.
By Scott Huff
The biggest facelift to the Suburban One League this season came in the new-look SOL Continental Conference.
Only three schools that competed in the Continental in the 2013 season – Central Bucks East, Central Bucks West, and Quakertown – will compete in the Continental in the 2014 season. Added to the Continental this season will be Truman, Council Rock South, Council Rock North, and William Tennent who all competed in the National Conference last season – and Norristown who competed in the American Conference.
“We are going to miss some rivalries, and there will be some new and exciting challenges,” said Council Rock North head coach Adam Collachi. “But there is no question that the league will have much more equity and balance.”
“It is great for the players to be able to compete for a league championship,” said Quakertown head coach George Banas. “League titles and realistic goals for playing in the playoffs is exciting for both the players and the coaches.”
And the beat goes on…
SOL Continental Conference Player To Watch
Brandon McIlwain
Council Rock North Indians
When one of the most talked about sophomore quarterbacks in the Suburban One League takes the field this year, he will become one of the most talked about junior signal callers in the area.
And we’re talking about Council Rock North quarterback Brandon McIlwain.
“There is no doubt that has elevated his game from last year,” said Council Rock North head coach Adam Collachi. “Brandon always had the physical tools to play at the highest level, and now he has added the mental part of the game. He has greatly improved both his fundamentals in the pocket and his ability to read defenses.
“He has also developed into a tremendous leader – he holds both himself and his team mates accountable,” added Collachi. “He has grown greatly as a young man both from a playing aspect and a leadership aspect.”
McIlwain led the Indians to the district playoffs last season and has his sights set on still another trip to the postseason.
“We now know what it takes to win in the playoffs,” said McIlwain. “We want to prepare hard for our league season – win a championship – and go deeper in the playoffs. Our goal is to win a state championship.
“The team is very excited about our season in the new league,” added McIlwain. “I want to help push our team to be the best it can be.”
McIlwain is still in discussion with colleges that will seek his talents in the 2016 season. That impressive list includes Duke, Penn State, Florida, South Carolina, Auburn, and Virginia Tech.
“Brandon actually took considerable time to trim down a huge list to those six schools,” said Collachi - all of which will recruit McIlwain as a quarterback. “He wanted to cut back on some of the distractions.”
“I’m excited about playing in college,” said McIlwain. “But I want to stay focused on this year.”
And that will make the area’s most talked about junior in 2014 the area’s most talked about senior in 2015.
SOL Continental Conference Player To Watch
Hunter Nice
Quakertown Panthers
In this case, Nice guys won’t finish last.
At least not in the opinion of this Nice guy - Quakertown senior standout Hunter Nice - as the Panthers prepare for their 2014 season in the ‘new-look’ SOL Continental Conference.
“We have a lot of returning players, and we want to be league champions this year,” said Nice. “We expect to compete with all the teams in our league, and there is no reason why we can’t get into district playoffs this year.”
“Hunter has what I like to call ‘tremendous game speed’,” said Quakertown head coach George Banas. “He has the ability to read plays extremely well and always seems to be in the right position to break up plays.
“Hunter has a big body at 6-foot, 2-inches,” added Banas of his hard hitting inside linebacker. “He does a great job of playing tight end for us, but I think he likes the other side of the ball better.”
“I do love playing linebacker,” said Nice. “I love the contact and I love that I can get the chance to hit. Offense is okay – but I get much more excited playing defense.”
Nice may in fact get that chance to play far from home. One of the schools that has shown an interest in Nice is Sam Houston State in Texas.
“K.C. Keeler is the head football coach at Sam Houston State and his brother (Kevin) is the head boys basketball coach at Quakertown,” said Nice. “He has seen film on me and wants to continue to keep in contact with how I do this year.”
The ‘other’ schools that have shown an interest in Nice include Millersville (which has made an offer). Shippensburg, Temple, and Villanova.
“Hunter has a few options open to him after the season,” said Banas. “Any coach would love to have him with his strong work ethic and his ability to make plays.”
And the plays that Nice makes this year will surely keep the Panthers out of last place and contending for a conference title.
The following is a list of underclass all-conference players from the 2013 season
Central Bucks East Patriots (7): Alex Gibson (RB) junior; Alex Jordan (OL) senior; Oliver Boucher (PK) senior; Connor Pattyson (LB) senior; Connor O’Keefe (Punter) senior; and Chris Krier (LB) senior.
Central Bucks West Bucks (4): Brian Miller (OL) senior; Noah Hill (DL) junior; Luke Durkin (LB) senior; and Matt Kilkenny (DB) senior.
**Council Rock North Indians (5): Brandon McIlwain (quarterback) junior; Connor Guzy (DL) senior; James Closser (DL) junior; Seth Leuz (LB) junior; and Mitch Maisel (DB) senior.
**Council Rock South Golden Hawks (3): Connor Brunetti (OL) senior; Vincent Alimenti (RB) senior; and Mike Stock (LB) junior.
**Harry S Truman Tigers (1): Trysten Hunt (LB) senior.
*Norristown Eagles (1): Rashon Lusane (DB) junior.
Quakertown Panthers (3): Hunter Nice (LB) senior; Jake Bovard (Punter) junior; and Brett Graver (DL) junior.
**William Tennent Panthers (1): Vince Icabone (DB) senior.
*Norristown played in the SOL American Conference in 2013.
**Council Rock North, Council Rock South, Harry S Truman, and William Tennent all played in the SOL National Conference in 2013.
Just the facts for the SOL Continental Conference
Male Enrollment
Truman: 857
Central Bucks East: 824
Norristown: 818
William Tennent: 816
Council Rock South: 788
Central Bucks West: 738
Quakertown: 703
Council Rock North: 688
2013 Final Standings
*North Penn Knights 7 0 10 4
*Central Bucks West Bucks 6 1 9 3
Pennridge Rams 4 3 8 4
Central Bucks East Patriots 3 4 4 6
Quakertown Panthers 3 4 7 5
Central Bucks South Titans 2 5 4 6
Souderton Indians 2 5 2 8
Hatboro Horsham Hatters 1 6 4 8
*North Penn and Central Bucks West both qualified for the PIAA District One playoffs in 2013.
**Council Rock North qualified for the PIAA District One playoffs as a member of the SOL National Conference in 2013.
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