Scott Huff previews the games featuring the 10 SOL schools that will be in action when the District One Tournament begins.
By Scott Huff
Council Rock North was on life support.
Or at least so it seemed after the Indians stumbled to a 44-43 overtime loss at Norristown, a game that threatened to be the beginning of the end. Instead it turned out to be a new beginning.
The Indians responded to that loss with four straight wins, a remarkable stretch that included an upset of then undefeated Quakertown as well as an emotional 35-14 win over archrival Council Rock South last Saturday that ensured the Indians a coveted District One Quad-A playoff berth.
“We had a lot of guys banged up in the Norristown game,” senior Brandon McIlwain said. “It wasn’t our excuse, but we were just figuring things out.
“After that week, we really found something. We started playing together. We started playing hard and playing for each other, and that’s really what made the difference. Our coaches kept us focused, and as a team, we figured out what we wanted to do. We knew we had the talent, and we knew we had the potential to do big things – win the league championship and get to the playoffs and even do damage in the playoffs. It all came to fruition.”
Ignoring the critics who had written them off, the Indians went about the business of saving their season after a 3-3 start.
“We try not to listen to critics too much, but you definitely hear it,” senior captain James Closser said. “That’s a big motivating factor for us. When everyone is criticizing you, it helps you come together as a team. It gets you fired up a little bit, and I think we needed that.
“That loss (to Norristown) – it made us better as a team, and we showed that the past four weeks. You can never go against Brandon. When you have the best player on the field, you always have a shot. We didn’t worry. We had a mess up at Norristown, and that happens, but we didn’t let up. We just took it one game at a time, and good things happened. Our coaches did a great job of keeping us focused, and we just kept playing.”
As he watched his team celebrate its win over Rock South, an emotional Adam Collachi acknowledged it had been quite a journey.
“When kids like Brandon and James and kids like Seth (Leuz) and Colin (Drotar) and Devon (Bibbens) show up when they’re freshmen and 14 years old – we throw them out there in varsity football games and say ‘Go out there and play,’” the Indians’ coach said. “You watch them turn into grown men – it’s special.
“They’ve been so impactful in my life. I’m proud of them, and they truly deserve it. They’re a great group of kids, and they represent our program.
“They’re the greatest of kids, and our coaching staff is phenomenal. They just put the time and effort in and come up with ways to make the kids better. The kids just bought into it. It’s just fun to watch.”
In one memorable night last Saturday, the Indians captured the SOL Continental Conference crown, they won the Unity Cup and, above all, they kept their season alive.
“This is perfect,” Closser said. “You can’t write it any better than this. Two big wins heading into the playoffs is great, but what would make it even better would be if we won a playoff game. We have to keep it going.”
The Indians will travel to Upper Darby on Friday for a 7 p.m. game against the sixth-seeded Royals.
And the beat goes on…
PIAA District One Quad-A Playoffs
# 14 Garnet Valley Jaguars (7-3) @ # 3 Upper Dublin Cardinals (10-0)
Friday – November 13, 2015, 7 pm
Winner gets the winner of # 6 Upper Darby (9-1) vs. # 11 Council Rock North (7-3)
Season Resume:
- Upper Dublin finished the season as the champion of the Suburban One League American Conference.
- Garnet Valley finished the season as the third place finisher in the Central League.
Signature Wins:
Upper Dublin
- Defeated Plymouth Whitemarsh 42-0
- Defeated Upper Moreland 35-7
- Defeated Hatboro-Horsham 31-10
Garnet Valley
- Defeated Ridley 28-10
- Defeated Conestoga 14-7
- Defeated Marple Newtown 40-17
Losses:
Upper Dublin
- None
Garnet Valley
- Lost to Unionville 37-13
- Lost to Haverford 29-21
- Lost to Upper Darby 41-34
Stat Track:
Upper Dublin – 46.0 points per game * 7.8 points allowed per game * + 38.2 margin of victory.
Garnet Valley – 33.7 points per game * 18.5 points allowed per game * + 15.2 margin of victory.
Players To Watch:
Upper Dublin – Ryan Stover, Kalief Lee & Jack Rapine.
Garnet Valley – Derrick West, Matt Hamby & Jacob Buttermore.
Upper Dublin Head Coach Bret Stover says: “We really don’t try and put any pressure on the players. It is tough to do what we did this year – to run the table – and we did that by focusing on the team we were playing and not looking ahead. We are impressed with Garnet Valley with what we saw on film. I am happy for our seniors to be playing in the playoffs, and they have prepared each and every day.”
# 11 Council Rock North Indians (7-3) @ # 6 Upper Darby Royals (9-1)
Friday – November 13, 2015, 7 pm
Winner gets the winner of # 3 Upper Dublin (10-0) vs. # 14 Garnet Valley (7-3)
Season Resume:
- Upper Darby finished the season tied for a league title with Haverford in the Central League.
- Council Rock North finished the season as the champion of the Suburban One League Continental Conference.
Signature Wins:
Upper Darby
- Defeated Conestoga 25-22
- Defeated Garnet Valley 41-34
- Defeated Ridley 25-16
Council Rock North
- Defeated Central Bucks East 26-21
- Defeated Quakertown 41-31
- Defeated Council Rock South 35-14
Losses:
Upper Darby
- Lost to State College 28-0
Council Rock North
- Lost to Perkiomen Valley 56-36
- Lost to Pennsbury 41-19
- Lost to Norristown 44-43
Stat Track:
Upper Darby – 30.2 points per game * 15.6 points allowed per game - * +14.6 margin of victory.
Council Rock North – 35.8 points per game * 26.6 points allowed per game * + 12.2 margin of victory
Players To Watch:
Upper Darby – Christian Minott, Isaiah Bruce & Brandon Morton.
Council Rock North – Brandon McIlwain, Devon Bibbens & Tyler Nowmos.
Council Rock North Head Coach Adam Collachi says: “We have really been playing playoff games since we lost to Norristown – we had to win out the last four weeks. The seniors – and really the whole team – have rallied around what the coaching staff has given them. We beat Central Bucks East, Quakertown, and Council Rock South in our own conference, and those are three of the best teams in the district.”
# 16 Plymouth Whitemarsh Colonials (8-2) @ # 1 Downingtown East Cougars (10-0)
Friday – November 13, 2015, 7 pm
Winner gets the winner of # 8 Unionville (8-2) vs. # 9 North Penn (8-2)
Season Resume:
- Plymouth Whitemarsh finished the season as the second place finisher in the SOL American Conference.
- Downingtown East finished the season as the champion of the Ches-Mont National Conference.
Signature Wins
Plymouth Whitemarsh
- Defeated Hatboro-Horsham 31-28
- Defeated Souderton 20-14
- Defeated Norristown 20-16
Downingtown East
- Defeated North Penn 28-24
- Defeated Unionville 49-13
- Defeated Downingtown West 21-14
Losses
Plymouth Whitemarsh
- Lost to Upper Moreland 49-35
- Lost to Upper Dublin 42-0
Downingtown East
- None
Stat Track:
Plymouth Whitemarsh – 32.2 points per game * 21.3 points allowed per game - + 10.9 margin of victory
Downingtown East – 37.2 points per game * 9.9 points allowed per game - + 27.3 margin of victory
Players To Watch:
Plymouth Whitmarsh – Nafeese Nasir, Joe Stoberi & Luke Mascio.
Downingtown East – Cary Angeline, Saunders Healy & Jack Kincade.
Plymouth Whitemarsh Head Coach Dan Chang says: “We wanted a shot at the best – and we’re going to get it. Their offensive and defensive lines and big, fast, and physical. We are going to have to find a way to get off blocks on defense – and to hold blocks on offense. We have prepared hard for this game – and we’re excited to get on the bus and play in a playoff game.”
# 9 North Penn Knights (8-2) @ # 8 Unionville Indians (8-2)
Friday – November 13, 2015
Winner gets the winner of # 1 Downingtown East (10-0) vs. # 16 Plymouth Whitemarh (8-2)
Season Resume:
- North Penn finished the season as the champion of the Suburban One League National Conference.
- Unionville finished the season as the Ches-Mont American Conference champion.
Signature Wins:
North Penn
- Defeated Neshaminy 17-7
- Defeated Pennsbury 27-20
- Defeated Pennridge 31-7
Unionville
- Defeated Great Valley 21-18
- Defeated Rustin 28-21
- Defeated Garnet Valley 37-13
Losses:
North Penn
- Lost to La Salle 24-12
- Lost to Downingtown East 28-24
Unionville
- Lost to Exeter 31-13
- Lost to Downingtown East 49-13
Stat Track:
North Penn – 36.9 points per game * 19.9 points allowed per game * + 17.0 margin of victory
Unionville – 30.5 points per game * 18.4 points allowed per game * + 12.1 margin of victory
Players To Watch:
North Penn – Reece Udinski, Nyfease West & Nick Isabella.
Unionville – Brandon Boon, Brendan Boyle & Tyler Marmo.
North Penn Head Coach Dick Beck says: “This is a program that is in the playoffs every year – this is nothing new for them. They are very good at the skill positions – and they have a nice compliment of both size and speed. It is a long bus ride down there, but we’re excited to be in the playoffs and we feel that we will be ready to play our best.”
# 13 Neshaminy Redskins (7-3) @ # 4 Spring-Ford Rams (10-0)
Friday – November 13, 2015, 7 pm
Winner gets the winner of # 5 Central Bucks East (8-2) vs. # 12 Quakertown (8-2)
Season Resume:
- Neshaminy finished the season tied for second place in the SOL National Conference.
- Spring-Ford finished the season as the champion of the Pioneer Athletic Conference.
Signature Wins:
Neshaminy
- Defeated Montclair State 37-31
- Defeated Council Rock South 27-25
- Defeated Pennsbury 16-14
Spring-Ford
- Defeated State College 28-25
- Defeated Perkiomen Valley 28-14
- Defeated Pottsgrove 22-13
Losses:
Neshaminy
- Lost to Downingtown West 20-13
- Lost to Pennridge 17-7
- Lost to North Penn 22-17
Spring-Ford
- None.
Stat Track:
Neshaminy – 24.7 points per game * 16.8 points allowed per game * + 7.9 margin of victory
Spring-Ford – 43.5 points per game * 8.6 points allowed per game * + 34.9 margin of victory
Players To Watch:
Neshaminy – Will Dogba, Mason Jones & Denzel Hughes.
Spring-Ford – Matt Gibson, Selwyn Simpson & Ricky Venuto.
Neshaminy Head Coach Steve Wilmot says: “We have a lot of respect for Spring-Ford – a 10-0 record can get your attention – and they are going to be a challenge. I am impressed with what they have done on offense with the no-huddle, spread offense. They have a quarterback that can both run and pass. We had to play hard and beat a good Pennsbury team last week – and there is no reason why that can’t carry over into the playoffs.”
# 12 Quakertown Panthers (8-2) @ # 5 Central Bucks East Patriots (8-2)
Saturday – November 14, 2015, 1 pm
Winner gets the winner of # 4 Spring-Ford (10-0) vs. # 13 Neshaminy (7-3)
Season Resume
- Quakertown finished the season in a second place tie in the SOL Continental Conference.
- CB East finished the season in a second place tie in the SOL Continental Conference.
Signature Wins:
Quakertown
- Defeated Norristown 49-7
- Defeated Council Rock South 35-14
- Defeated Hatboro-Horsham 38-19
Central Bucks East
- Defeated Quakertown 24-23
- Defeated Pennridge 16-10
- Defeated Norristown 37-21
Losses:
Quakertown
- Lost to Central Bucks East 24-23
- Lost to Council Rock North 41-31
Central Bucks East
- Lost to Council Rock North 26-21
- Lost to Council Rock South 32-26
Stat Track:
Quakertown – 38.5 points per game * 12.5 points allowed per game * + 26.0 margin of victory
Central Bucks East – 30.7 points per game * 17.9 points allowed per game * +12.6 margin of victory
Players To Watch:
Quakertown – Rob Burns, Nick Bonomo & Tom Garlick.
Central Bucks East – Jack Lamb, Alex Gibson & Owen Griffin.
Quakertown Head Coach George Banas say: “You don’t want to go into the playoffs with two straight losses (41-31 to CR North & 24-23 to Central Bucks East). You want to be able to go into the playoffs playing at your peak. My job is to get the troops 100 per cent ready for the playoffs.”
Central Bucks East Head Coach John Donnelly says: “We like that fact that we are playing a home playoff game on a Saturday afternoon. We have had to earn this game – and the players are excited. We just played them last week – the preparation may be a little lighter. But Quakertown has an explosive offense and is sound of defense. This is where we want to be – with a brand new season – and in a single elimination tournament.”
# 15 Pennsbury Falcons (7-3) @ # 2 Downingtown West Whippetts (9-1)
Saturday – November 14, 2015, 7 pm
Winner gets the winner of # 7 Haverford (9-1) vs. # 10 Perkiomen Valley (9-1)
Season Resume:
- Pennsbury finished the season tied for second place in the SOL National Conference.
- Downingtown West finished the season in second place in the Ches-Mont National Conference.
Signature Wins:
Pennsbury
- Defeated Pennridge 38-32
- Defeated Council Rock South 13-6
- Defeated Council Rock North 41-19
Downingtown West
- Defeated Coatesville 31-16
- Defeated Neshaminy 20-13
- Defeated Haverford 41-3
Losses:
Pennsbury
- Lost to La Salle 14-0
- Lost to North Penn 27-29
- Lost to Neshaminy 16-14
Downingtown West
- Lost to Downingtown East 21-14
Stat Track:
Pennsbury – 29.4 points per game * 15.7 points allowed per game * + 13.7 margin of victory
Downingtown West – 38.7 points per game * 18.0 points allowed per game * + 20.7 margin of victory
Players To Watch:
Pennsbury – Mike Alley, Chris Rupprecht & Luke Snyder.
Downingtown West – Jake Barr, Braden Harper & Thomas Mattioni.
Pennsbury Head Coach Galen Snyder says: “We faced them in the first round last year and that was a (63-55) shootout with us winning. They give you a lot of looks offensively and they have an interesting mixture of styles on offense. I think we’re fine (after losing to Neshaminy) – and getting the extra day to rest and prepare is going to be good for us. We had a tough 10-week schedule – and especially the last four weeks with Pennridge, North Penn, Central Bucks South, and Neshaminy.”
PIAA District One Class AAA Playoffs
# 3 Pottstown Trojans (7-3) @ # 2 Upper Moreland Golden Bears (8-2)
Friday – November 13, 2015, 7 pm
Winner gets the winner of # 3 Pottsgrove (7-3) vs. # 6 Marple Newtown (8-2)
Season Resume:
- Pottstown finished in fourth place in the Pioneer Athletic Conference
- Upper Moreland finished second in the SOL American Conference
Signature Wins:
Pottstown
- Defeated Phoenixville 20-0
- Defeated Chichester 14-3
- Defeated Pope John Paul 42-34
Upper Moreland
- Defeated Plymouth Whitemarsh 49-35
- Defeated Conwell-Egan 20-10
- Defeated Penncrest 28-15
Losses:
Pottstown
- Lost to Perkiomen Valley 42-0
- Lost to Spring-Ford 34-0
- Lost to Pottsgrove 21-9
Upper Moreland
- Lost to Hatboro-Horsham 20-13
- Lost to Upper Dublin 35-7
Stat Track:
Pottstown – 21.2 points per game * 17.5 points allowed per game * + 3.7 margin of victory
Upper Moreland – points per game 29.1 * 17.8 points allowed per game * + 12.7 margin of victory
Players To Watch:
Pottstown – Bryant Wise, Brandon Tinson & Isaiah Mayes.
Upper Moreland – Rodney Morgan, Casey Decker & Nick DeLucas.
Upper Moreland Head Coach Adam Beach says: “We have worked very hard to get a home playoff game. We only had four home games this year – and to be able to get a # 2 seed will get us a home game – and two home games if we can win the first game. We played a very difficult schedule this year playing in the (SOL) American Conference with the five 4-A teams. But playing that schedule really gets us ready for the playoffs.”
PIAA District One Class AA Playoffs
# 3 Bristol Warriors (5-5) @ Springfield Spartans (3-6)
Friday – November 13, 2015, 7 pm
Winner gets the winner of # 1 New Hope Solebury (8-1) vs. # 4 Lower Moreland (2-7)
Season Resume:
- Bristol finished the season in third place in the Bicentennial League.
- Springfield finished the season in sixth place in the SOL American Conference.
Signature Wins:
Bristol
- Defeated Jenkintown 26-0
- Defeated Lower Moreland 50-13
- Defeated Valley Forge Military 46-13
Springfield
- Defeated Lower Moreland 42-0
- Defeated Wissahickon 34-20
- Defeated Upper Merion 33-20
Stat Track:
Bristol – 25.2 points per game * 21.7 points allowed per game * + 3.5 margin of victory
Springfield – 17.6 points per game * 39.8 points allowed per game * - 22.2 margin
Players To Watch:
Bristol – Darryl Mehn, Eric Bell & Samir Brisbon.
Springfield – Justin Hill, Brett Righter & Ben Fisher.
Springfield Head Coach Chris Shelly says: “Bristol is a team with a lot of good athletes and are always tough kids. They have a four-year starter at quarterback and also have some size up front. We have seen a lot of size this year playing teams like Upper Dublin and Plymouth Whitemarsh, so we know what it’s like to play big teams. I think this is the first AA school we have played since the beginning of the season – and we showed during the year that we could beat some of the bigger schools like Wissahickon and Upper Merion.”
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