Pennridge/Abington photos courtesy of Tracy Valko: https://solsports.zenfolio.com/f129542182
Football Forecast – Volume 4
By Scott Huff
No SOPHOMORE JINX last week in the Suburban One League
Last week the coaching staffs @ Pennridge, North Penn, Souderton, and William Tennent all handed the keys (key fobs?) to the offense to be driven by sophomore quarterbacks.
And the Rams, Knights, Indians, and Panthers all navigated their way to Suburban One League victories.
The most impressive of the sophomore signal callers last week was Pennridge quarterback Noah Keating. Keating – who saw some significant playing time behind center as a freshman for the Rams – fired 3 touchdown passes to different receivers and passed for 180 yards as Pennridge captured a 28-0 SOL National Conference victory over Abington.
North Penn sophomore QB Matt Bucksar has been instrumental to the offense this season as the Knights have rebounded after two losses to win their last two games. Bucksar – who left the game in the first half with an injury - threw a critical TD last week in North Penn’s 22-14 SOL National Conference opener over Neshaminy and was magnificent as he tossed 3 touchdown passes two weeks ago as the Knights routed Upper Dublin, 42-7.
Souderton is unbeaten this season and boasts the leadership of sophomore quarterback Ben Walsh. Walsh engineered the Indians to narrow victories over Haverford (21-17), Pennridge (19-14), and Central Bucks East (23-21). Walsh, however, was injured and did not play last week – but Souderton started sophomore Cody Kawaguchi behind center as the Indians rolled to a 42-0 SOL Continental Conference win over Council Rock North.
William Tennent finished the last two seasons with dismal 1-8 records; however, the Panthers have won two straight non-conference games with sophomore Derrick Guenther calling the signals. Guenther was injured in the third period in last week’s 24-6 non-conference win over Hatboro-Horsham and head coach Colin Leach called on still another sophomore quarterback – Mike LuBrant – to close out the game.
Keating, Bucksar, Walsh, Kawaguchi, Guenther, and LuBrant may or may not be legally able to drive a car – but those youngsters appear more than ready to successfully drive a high school offense.
Stay tuned.
Paybacks can be a B * * * *
Upper Dublin will host Wissahickon this week in a neighborhood rivalry that has been anything but kind to the visiting Trojans in the last decade.
Consider:
- Upper Dublin defeated Wissahickon 47-0 last year – it was the 10th straight victory for the Cardinals over the Trojans. It was Rory Graver’s first year as head coach of the Blue & Gold.
- Upper Dublin defeated Wissahickon 43-0 in 2021 – it was Bruce Fleming’s last year as head coach of the Trojans.
- Upper Dublin – in addition to the lopsided victories the last two years – has punished Wissahickon on several other occasions during the 10-game win streak. The Flying Cardinals won 47-0 in 2018, 42-7 in 2017, 37-6 in 2016, 49-0 in 2015, and 38-0 in 2014.
- Upper Dublin has averaged 40.7 points per game over that 10-game span and has allowed just an average of 8.7 points per game to Wissahickon. A winning margin of 32.0 points per game.
- Upper Dublin last lost a game to Wissahickon back in 2012 when the Trojans defeated the Cardinals 41-21. Jeff Cappa was the head coach of the Blue & Gold.
- Cappa – by the way - was the last head coach to have a winning record at Wissahickon when the Blue & Gold finished 6-4 back in 2013.
However, this is 2023 – and these aren’t your Trojans and Cardinals of yesteryear.
Wissahickon is unbeaten this season and has been more than impressive in racking up victories over Council Rock North (48-28), Hatboro-Horsham (41-40), Lower Merion (35-18), and Simon Gratz (44-28).
The explosive Trojan offense features Jaden McLean, Nolan Pounds, Jaden Randall, and Quasir Sampson…among others.
Upper Dublin, however, is still the defending PIAA District One 5A champion – and still the defending SOL Continental Conference champion - despite struggling somewhat in 2023 with a 2-2 record this season.
The Cardinals have captured convincing non-conference victories over Kennett (21-0) and Bensalem (31-7), but the Cardinal & Gray have not been competitive in losses to SOL National Conference powers CB West (37-7) and North Penn (42-7).
High School players come and go … but at Upper Dublin the one constant over the past decade has been the excellent leadership of head coach Bret Stover.
In the previous 10 seasons Stover has a superior resume that boasts a total of 98 wins and just 24 losses – a winning percentage of 80.3%. And not a single losing season over that decade.
However, if there was ever a year that Wissahickon could break the stranglehold that Upper Dublin has on the Trojans, you would think it could be this year.
You would think – but all you know is that you don’t know.
Stay tuned.
Thank Goodness there are no ties
The PIAA does not allow scholastic football games to end in a tie.
And that is good news for both the Council Rock North Indians (0-4) and the Bensalem Owls (0-4) as the two teams meet this week.
Either visiting Rock North or host Bensalem will end the game with a much-needed victory – while the loser will suffer its fifth painful loss of the season.
The numbers tell the numbing story of both the Indians and the Owls this season.
Council Rock North has lost to Wissahickon (48-28), Abington (44-7), Central Bucks South (47-0), and Souderton (42-0). The Indians have allowed 45.3 points per game while scoring 8.8 points per game – a losing margin of 36.5 points per game.
Bensalem has lost to Lower Merion (6-0), Central Bucks East (36-0), Pennridge (33-0), and Upper Dublin (31-7). The Owls have allowed 25.8 points per game while scoring just 1.8 points per game – a losing margin of 24.0 points per game.
The 2023 losing streak for either the Indians or the Owls will finally come to an end this week.
You can bet on it!
Stay tuned.
I Spy With My Little Eye….
There are a few Suburban One League games to be played this week that might have a huge bearing on who will contend for the conference championship.
In the SOL National Conference, unbeaten CB South (4-0, 1-0) will be on the road to play Pennsbury (2-2, 0-1) in a critical conference game, while unbeaten CB West (4-0, 1-0) will host North Penn (2-2, 1-0) in another key conference game.
In the SOL Continental Conference, surprising Council Rock South (3-1, 1-0) will have to endure the hostile environment @ Alumni Field as the Golden Hawks will meet the Quakertown Panthers (2-2, 0-0) in a key conference ballgame.
Stay tuned.
And the beat goes on…
SOL National Conference
Central Bucks South Titans (4-0, 1-0) @ Pennsbury Falcons (2-2, 0-1)
Last Year:
Pennsbury 28 – Central Bucks South 6
Last Week:
CB South won its SOL National Conference game against Central Bucks East, 13-6. Jim Wade scored a TD on a 3-yard run for the unbeaten Titans, while Anthony Leonardi scored the game winner on a 10-yard run.
Pennsbury lost its SOL National Conference opener against Central Bucks West, 20-3. The lone score for the Falcons came on a 38-yard field goal by Angelo Periera.
Prediction:
Pennsbury Falcons 20 – Central Bucks South Titans 14
North Penn Knights (2-2, 1-0) @ Central Bucks West Bucks (4-0, 1-0)
Last Year:
CB West 35 – North Penn 21 (regular season)
CB West 44 – North Penn 35 (district playoff)
Last Week:
North Penn won its SOL National Conference opener against Neshaminy, 22-14. The Knights scored on offense with touchdown receptions by Marc Cobbs and Rashad McNeil – on defense with a 77-yard interception return for a TD by Jackson Schurmann – and on special teams as Ryan Bocklet kicked a 42-yard field goal.
CB West won its SOL National Conference opener against Pennsbury, 20-3. Cooper Taylor scored on runs of 1 & 5 yards, while Ryan Clemens booted a pair of field goals – one of 31 yards – and the other of 27 yards.
Prediction:
Central Bucks West Bucks 35 – North Penn Knights 21
Central Bucks East Patriots (2-2, 0-1) @ Pennridge Rams (2-2, 1-0)
Last Year:
CB East 16 – Pennridge 13
Last Week:
CB East lost its SOL National Conference opener to Central Bucks South, 13-6. The lone score for the Patriots came on a 20-yard touchdown run by Dean Blackwell.
Pennridge won its SOL National Conference opener against Abington, 28-0. Noah Keating threw 3 TD passes – one to Joe Gregoire – one to Nick Stolarski – and one to Chase Marshall. Jacob Artega scored a rushing touchdown for the Rams.
Prediction:
Central Bucks East Patriots 28 – Pennridge Rams 13
Neshaminy Redskins (1-3, 0-1) @ Abington Ghosts (1-2, 0-1)
Last Year:
Neshaminy 26 – Abington 0
Last Week:
Neshaminy lost its SOL National Conference opener to North Penn, 22-14. Carter Clee scored both touchdowns for the Redskins – one on a 1-yard run – and the other on a 3-yard pass from Colin Baker.
Abington lost its SOL National Conference opener to host Pennridge, 28-0.
Prediction:
Neshaminy Redskins 31 – Abington Ghosts 13
SOL Continental Conference
Council Rock South Golden Hawks (3-1, 1-0) @ Quakertown Panthers (2-2, 0-0)
Last Year:
Quakertown 16 – CR South 0
Last Week:
CR South won its SOL Continental Conference opener against Harry S Truman, 48-19. Chase Ennis scored 3 touchdowns for the Golden Hawks with 2 passing touchdowns and one rushing score. Chase Myers scored 3 Rock South touchdowns – 2 receiving scores and one rushing touchdown. Ryan Small scored a rushing touchdown, while Wes Waniger returned a kickoff for a special teams score.
Quakertown won its non-conference game against Plymouth Whitemarsh, 21-0. Vince Micucci threw a 4-yard touchdown pass to Aiden Burgy and scored on runs of one and 6 yards.
Prediction:
Council Rock South Golden Hawks 24 – Quakertown Panthers 21
Souderton Indians (4-0, 1-0) @ Harry S Truman Tigers (1-3, 0-1)
Last Year:
Souderton 38 – Truman 0
Last Week:
Souderton won its SOL Continental Conference opener against Council Rock North, 42-0. Danny Dyches scored on runs of 12 & 9 runs and also had a pick-6. Chase Johnson scored on a 40-yard touchdown pass from Cody Kawaguchi. Ryan Sadowski and JoeJoe Suti scored rushing touchdowns for the winners.
Truman lost its SOL Continental Conference opener against Council Rock South, 48-19. The Tigers trailed 42-0 at the half and outscored Rock South 19-6 during the mercy-rule portion of the game.
Prediction:
Souderton Indians 49 – Truman Tigers 7
Council Rock North Indians (0-4, 0-1) @ Bensalem Owls (0-4, 0-1)
Last Year:
Bensalem 22 – CR North 14
Last Week:
CR North lost its SOL Continental Conference opener against Souderton, 42-0. The Indians remain winless and have been outscored 181-35 so far this season.
Bensalem lost its SOL Continental Conference opener against Upper Dublin, 31-7. The Owls remained winless and have been outscored 101-7 so far this season.
Prediction:
Bensalem Owls 20 – Council Rock North Indians 14
SOL Non-Conference Games
Wissahickon Trojans (4-0) @ Upper Dublin Cardinals (2-2)
Last Year:
Upper Dublin 47 – Wissahickon 0
Last Week:
Wissahickon won its non-conference game against Simon Gratz, 44-28. The Trojans led 44-0 at the half. Quasir Sampson scored 2 rushing touchdowns for the winners, while Kareem and Quentin West each added rushing scores. Amari Nash and Jaden McLean caught touchdown passes for the winners.
Upper Dublin won its SOL Continental Conference opener against Bensalem, 31-7. Chris Kohlbrenner and Shyne Roberts were among the touchdown makers for the Flying Cardinals.
Prediction:
Wissahickon Trojans 28 – Upper Dublin Flying Cardinals 21
Upper Moreland Golden Bears (1-3) @ New-Hope Solebury Lions (3-1)
Last Year:
Upper Moreland 35 – New-Hope Solebury 13
Last Week:
Upper Moreland lost a non-conference game to Radnor, 26-20.
New-Hope Solebury was awarded a 1-0 forfeit victory over Jenkintown.
Prediction:
Upper Moreland Golden Bears 28 – New-Hope Solebury Lions 14
JP McCaskey Red Tornado (1-3) @ Plymouth Whitemarsh Colonials (2-1)
Last Year:
Plymouth Whitemarsh 46 – McCaskey 0
Last Week:
JP McCaskey lost last week to Hempfield, 41-20.
Plymouth Whitemarsh lost its non-conference game to Quakertown, 21-0. The Colonials had beaten Q-town 49-0 last season.
Prediction:
Plymouth Whitemarsh Colonials 34 – JP McCaskey Red Tornado 20
Roman Catholic Cahallites (3-1) @ Cheltenham Panthers (0-3)
Last Year:
Did Not Play
Last Week:
Roman Catholic lost for the first time this season, falling to DeMatha Catholic (MD) 25-23.
Cheltenham lost a non-conference game to Perkiomen Valley, 27-12.
Prediction:
Roman Catholic Cahallites 34 – Cheltenham Panthers 14
Father Judge Crusaders (1-3) @ William Tennent Panthers (2-2)
Last Year:
Did Not Play
Last Week:
Father Judge lost to Pope John Paul II, 49-20.
William Tennent won its non-conference game against Hatboro-Horsham, 24-6. Gary Miluzzo scored on a pair of touchdown runs for the Panthers, while Lorenzo Hurley scored on a 33-yard run.
Prediction:
Father Judge Crusaders 27 – William Tennent Panthers 20
SUPER SEVEN
1. CENTRAL BUCKS WEST BUCKS (4-0)
2. CENTRAL BUCKS SOUTH TITANS (4-0)
3. SOUDERTON INDIANS (4-0)
4. PENNSBURY FALCONS (2-2)
5. WISSAHICKON TROJANS (4-0)
6. COUNCIL ROCK SOUTH GOLDEN HAWKS (3-1)
7. CENTRAL BUCKS EAST PATRIOTS (2-2)
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