Nine SOL teams will be in action when the District One Tournament play begins on Friday. Check back for recaps of all the games.
By Scott Huff
The Suburban One League has endured 10 grueling weeks of scholastic football for the ‘November Madness’ to finally grip the area.
The PIAA District One Quad-A playoffs will showcase seven SOL teams - # 2 seed Pennsbury; # 4 seed Quakertown; # 6 seed Upper Dublin; # 9 seed North Penn; # 10 seed Central Bucks South; # 11 Council Rock North; and # 13 seed Pennridge. All Quad-A games will be played Friday night – November 7, 2014 – with a 7 pm start.
The PIAA District 1 Class AAA playoff will feature one SOL team - # 6 Upper Moreland who will play Saturday, November 8, 2014, at Great Valley at 4:15 pm. The PIAA Class AA playoff will showcase one SOL team - # 2 Springfield who will also play on Saturday, November 8, 2014 – at 7 pm.
And the beat goes on …
PIAA Quad-A District 1 Playoffs
First Round - Friday
November 7, 2014 – 7 pm
[#9] North Penn Knights (7-3) @ [#8] West Chester Henderson Warriors (7-3)
Winner Gets the winner of [#1] Coatesville vs. [#16] Haverford
Season Highlights:
North Penn finished the regular season as co-champions of the SOL National Conference * The Knights were the lone team to defeat Pennsbury (24-21) and also collected signature wins over Pennridge (47-22) and West Catholic (19-16 in overtime) * North Penn suffered losses to La Salle (29-7), Archbishop Wood (42-7), and Central Bucks South (28-27).
West Chester Henderson finished the regular season tied for second place in the Ches-Mont National Division * The Warriors collected key wins over Downingtown West (28-20), Unionville (30-12), and Bishop Shanahan (21-7) * WC Henderson suffered losses to West Chester Rustin (28-27), Coatesville (21-3), and Downingtown East (28-7).
Stat Track:
North Penn – Points Per Game Scored – 27.6 * Points Per Game Allowed – 19.1 * Margin of Victory - +8.5
WC Henderson – Points Per Game scored – 26.3 * Points Per Game Allowed – 15.8 * Margin of Victory +10.5
Players To Watch:
North Penn – Nyfease West and Nick Isabella.
West Chester Henderson – Matt Dinacci, Noah Richard, and Tre Green.
North Penn Head Coach Dick Beck Says:
“West Chester Henderson is very big up front. Their # 5 (Tre Green) is good and we are going to have to find a way to control him – he can make the big play. They have a good history in the Ches-Mont League, and they played Coatesville tough this year. It is going to take our best effort if we want to win this game and move on. I feel that we are very battle tested going into the game – and that is a good thing. The real pressure is to get into the playoffs, and now that we are in the playoffs we might be able to relax a little and be more aggressive.”
[#13] Pennridge Rams (7-3) @ [#4] Quakertown Panthers (9-1)
Winner gets the winner of [#5] Downingtown East vs. [#12] Perkiomen Valley
Season Highlights:
Pennridge finished the regular season as the fourth place finisher in the SOL National Conference * The Rams collected key wins over Central Bucks East (35-23), Neshaminy (21-14), and Abington (35-22) * Pennridge suffered losses to North Penn (47-22), Pennsbury (41-14), and Central Bucks South (28-21).
Quakertown finished the regular season as the champions of the SOL Continental Conference * The Panthers collected signature wins over Truman (24-21), Council Rock South (19-7), and Council Rock North (48-32) * Quakertown lost its only game to Central Bucks East (35-21).
Stat Track:
Pennridge – Points Per Game Scored – 29.4 * Points Per Game Allowed 23.0 * Margin of Victory + 6.4
Quakertown – Points Per Game Scored – 29.2 * Points Per Game Allowed 14.2 * Margin of Victory + 15.0
Players To Watch:
Pennridge – Joe Unangst, Imeir Simmons, and Matt Kraynik.
Quakertown – Rob Burns, Alec Vera, and Nick Bonomo.
Pennridge Head Coach Jeff Hollenbach Says:
“Playing Quakertown on a Friday night and not on Thanksgiving morning is going to be very interesting. I know that are kids are very excited about being in the playoffs – and even more excited about playing Quakertown. It is going to be great for both communities, and it is going to create memories for the players. I like Quakertown – Alec Vera is an excellent quarterback and both running backs (Rob Burns and Nick Bonomo) are very good. I am impressed with the way they play the game. You don’t get to be 9-1 on hopes and prayers – Quakertown plays with an attitude and is a very good football team.”
Quakertown Head Coach George Banas Says:
“I don’t know how much more the game can be amped up – a district playoff game and playing Pennridge. We are excited about getting into the playoff bracket – and even more excited that it is Pennridge. Quakertown is 0-5 in district playoff games – and the kids really want that to end. We play in an absolutely great stadium (Alumni Field) and the fans are right on top of the players and coaches – it will be great to play the game here. (Pennridge senior running back) Joe Unangst is extremely impressive. It was all about Mike Class the last three years for Pennridge, and this kid finally got his opportunity. He is one dangerous running back.”
[#11] Council Rock North Indians (6-4) @ [#6] Upper Dublin Cardinals (9-1)
Winner gets the winner of [#3] West Chester Rustin vs. [# 14] Conestoga
Season Highlights:
Council Rock North finished the regular season as the third place finisher in the SOL Continental Conference * The Indians collected key wins over Perkiomen Valley (29-27), Central Bucks East (21-0), and Simon Gratz (40-25) * CR North suffered losses to Pennsbury (57-20), Truman (42-40), Quakertown (48-32), and Council Rock South (40-29).
Upper Dublin finished as the champions of the SOL American Conference * The Flying Cardinals collected signature wins over Coconut Creek (36-28), Truman (28-21), and Plymouth Whitemarsh (34-28) * Upper Dublin lost its only game of the year to Abington (27-20).
Stat Track:
Council Rock North – Points Per Game Scored – 34.3 * Points Per Game Allowed 28.2 * Margin of Victory + 6.1
Upper Dublin – Points Per Game Scored – 34.2 * Points Per Game Allowed 15.3 * Margin of Victory + 18.9
Players To Watch:
Council Rock North – Brandon McIlwain, Chris Welde, and Connor Guzy.
Upper Dublin – Ryan Stover, Kaleif Lee, and John Lee.
Council Rock Head Coach Adam Collachi Says:
“This is going to be a game that features two of the best quarterbacks in the area. (Upper Dublin quarterback) Ryan Stover is the best quarterback that we have had to prepare for all season, and he runs an offense that is very balanced with two good running backs (Kaleif Lee and John Lee). The run-to-pass ratio is excellent. We are going to have to get some defensive stops if we want to win this game. Our defense has to eliminate the big plays – and Upper Dublin can make those big plays. There is no guarantee that we get to play another game after Friday – and our seniors will play with the sense of urgency.”
Upper Dublin Head Coach Bret Stover Says:
“We are ecstatic about having a home playoff game this year. Last year we were 9-1 - but we still had a first round playoff game at Abington and lost. This team is not just happy with being in the playoffs – we want to take the program to the next level and win a playoff game. Brandon McIlwain is a very special player for North – everything runs through him. Offensively, defensively, special teams – everything. The one thing that you know for certain in the district playoffs is that there are no easy opponents. And CR North is no easy opponent.”
[#10] Central Bucks South Titans (7-3) @ [#7] Garnet Valley Jaguars (8-2)
Winner gets the winner of [#2] Pennsbury vs. [#15] Downingtown West
Season Highlights:
Central Bucks South finished the regular season as the third place finisher in the SOL National Conference * The Titans collected signature wins over North Penn (28-27), Pennridge (28-21), and Neshaminy (52-36) * CB South suffered losses to Coatesville (47-34), Pennsbury (55-7), and Souderton (14-10).
Garnet Valley was the second place finisher in the Central League * The Jaguars collected key wins over Ridley (21-14), Haverford (44-41), and Conestoga (27-14) * Garnet Valley lost to Unionville (8-6) and Springfield-Delco (7-0).
Stat Track:
Central Bucks South – Points Per Game Scored – 30.7 * Points Per Game Allowed – 24.5 * Margin of Victory +6.2
Garnet Valley – Points Per Game Scored – 30.7 * Points Per Game Allowed – 15.1 * Margin of Victory + 15.6
Players To Watch:
Central Bucks South – Josh Adams, Kevin Witchey, and Troy Robertson.
Garnet Valley – Stephen Flanagan, Derrick West, and Tom Cleary.
Central Bucks South Head Coach Tom Hetrick Says:
“Josh Adams will be back for the Garnet Valley game – he has been running real well in practice – and we expect him to start on Friday. There is no doubt that we missed him the last two weeks (both losses), and I was a little disappointed that we weren’t able to play better. We needed someone to step up and become our playmaker – take the opportunity to make big plays – but it didn’t happen. Josh has scored 26 touchdowns this year – and obviously it is great to have him back. Garnet Valley runs that triple option much like CR South – and it is difficult to prepare for in a week of practice.”
[#15] Downingtown West Whippets (6-4) @ [#2] Pennsbury Falcons (9-1)
Winner gets the winner of [#7] Garnet Valley vs. [#10] Central Bucks South
Season Highlights:
Downingtown West finished the regular season as the fourth place finisher in the Ches-Mont National Division * The Whippets collected key wins over Neshaminy (28-7), Bishop Shanahan (46-21), and Haverford (31-2) * Downingtown West lost games to West Chester Henderson (28-20), Great Valley (41-35), Downingtown East (31-14), and Coatesville (47-33).
Pennsbury finished the regular season as the co-champions of the SOL National Conference * The Falcons collected signature wins over Council Rock North (57-20), Pennridge (41-14), and Central Bucks South (55-7) * The lone loss of the season for Pennsbury came in a 24-21 setback to North Penn.
Stat Track:
Downingtown West – Points Per Game Scored – 36.0 * Points Per Game Allowed – 21.5 * Margin of Victory + 14.5
Pennsbury – Points Per Game Scored – 40.8 * Points Per Game Allowed – 9.9 * Margin of Victory + 30.9
Players To Watch:
Downingtown West – Taylor McNulty, Mike Riddick, and Jake Barr.
Pennsbury – Charles Snorweah, Mike Alley, and Victor Delgado.
Pennsbury Head Coach Galen Snyder Says:
“Downingtown West is very diversified and is difficult to prepare for with the number of things they do offensively. Their quarterback (Taylor McNulty) is excellent – he is a great athlete that can both run and pass. He does a great job of running that offense. We have had a tough road to travel to get to the playoffs playing in the league we play in. It is so competitive in our league with North Penn, CB South, Pennridge, and Neshaminy that it can’t help but get you ready for the playoffs.”
PIAA Class AAA District 1 Playoffs
Quarter-Final Round - Saturday
November 8, 2014 – 4:15 pm at Great Valley
[#6] Upper Moreland Golden Bears (7-3) @ [#3] Bishop Shanahan Eagles (7-3)
Winner gets the winner of [#2] Great Valley vs. [#7] Octorara
Season Highlights:
Upper Moreland finished the regular season as the third place finisher in the SOL American Conference * The Golden Bears collected key wins over Hatboro-Horsham (42-6), Archbishop Carroll (35-17), and Springfield (25-20) * Upper Moreland lost games to Cheltenham (28-21), Plymouth Whitemash (33-20), and Upper Dublin (28-7).
Bishop Shanahan finished the regular season as the fourth place finisher in the Ches-Mont National Division * The Eagles captured key wins over Germantown Academy (14-6), West Chester East (41-21), and Downingtown East (17-10) * Bishop Shanahan lost to Coatesville (26-14), West Chester Henderson (21-7) and Downingtown West (46-21).
Stat Track:
Upper Moreland – Points Per Game Scored – 30.1 * Points Per Game Allowed – 19.9 * Margin of Victory +10.2
Bishop Shanahan – Points Per Game Scored – 26.1 * Points Per Game Allowed – 14.8 * Margin of Victory + 11.3
Players To Watch:
Upper Moreland – Tyler Whitmore, Josh Abrams, and Colton Hooker.
Bishop Shanahan – Dan Murphy, Nick Pasuanis, and Kevin Stine.
Upper Moreland Head Coach Adam Beach Says:
“This should be a good game between two teams that are very similar. Both teams have an outstanding running back (Tyler Whitmore for UM & Nick Pasuanis for Shanahan) and both teams have very good quarterbacks (Josh Abrams for UM & Dan Murphy for Shanahan). The game could be a high-scoring game or a defensive struggle – I’m not sure. All I know is that we are excited about playing in the playoffs. It should be an excellent match-up.”
PIAA Class AA District 1 Playoffs
Semi-Final Round - Saturday
November 8, 2014 – 7 pm
[#3] New Hope-Solebury Lions (4-5) @ [#2] Springfield Spartans (4-6)
Winner gets the winner of [#1] Bristol vs. [#4] Valley Forge Military Academy
Season Highlights:
New Hope-Solebury finished the season in fourth place in the Bicentennial League * The Lions collected key wins over Morrisville (29-13), Jenkintown (6-0), and Lower Moreland (27-14).
Springfield finished the regular season in fifth place in the SOL American Conference * The Spartans collected signature wins over Lower Moreland (35-0), Lansdale Catholic (29-7), and Upper Merion (40-20) * Springfield lost to William Penn Charter (23-20), Wissahickon (48-21), Upper Dublin (46-14), Cheltenham (14-0), Upper Moreland (25-20), and Plymouth Whitemarsh (30-13).
Stat Track:
New Hope-Solebury – Points Per Game Scored – 18.5 * Points Per Game Allowed – 22.3 * Margin of Victory -3.8
Springfield – Points Per Game Scored – 21.9 * Points Per Game Allowed – 23.4 * Margin of Victory –1.5
Players To Watch:
New Hope-Solebury – Brendan Shadle, Blake Hildebrandt, and Nick Garritano.
Springfield – Chris Stone, Martin Worgan, and Justin Hill.
Springfield Head Coach Chris Shelly Says:
“This is what we point toward all season. We have a chance for a second season in the playoffs, and we sure don’t want it to be one and done. To be able to play a home playoff game is fantastic. Playing the tough schedule in the (SOL) American Conference has made us a hardened football team. The kids – though – get re-energized to play in the playoffs. New Hope is a team we are very familiar with in that we used to be in the Bicentennial League with them. The coaching staff is still the same – and they are young with a lot of good athletes. Their quarterback (Nick Garritano) threw for over 1000 yards – and they also have an outstanding receiver (Blake Hildebrandt).”
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