Scott Huff features Abington, CB West and Springfield and highlights some of the SOL’s top performances.
Macy Golder was on the sidelines of the Pennsbury/Frankford game for SuburbanOneSports. Check out her video below.
By Scott Huff
The Suburban One League plays its final non-league games this week as teams prepare for upcoming conference seasons. And there are eight teams that enter this final non-league week with 2-0 records – and five teams that have come out of the gates 0-2.
The 2-0 teams – Pennsbury, Abington, Pennridge, Council Rock North, Quakertown, Upper Dublin, Springfield, and Upper Moreland – are all hoping to sweep into conference play with 3-0 records.
Special attention points to the battle of the SOL unbeaten teams as Abington hosts Upper Dublin and Council Rock North hosts Pennsbury. And there are two other unbeaten battles as Upper Moreland travels to Conwell Egan and Springfield hosts Penn Charter.
The 0-2 teams – Neshaminy, Plymouth Whitemarsh, Hatboro-Horsham, Bensalem, and Upper Merion – are desperately looking for that first win of the season. Neshaminy and Plymouth Whitemarsh were PIAA Quad-A District One playoff teams a season ago and are almost in must-win mode before the conference season begins.
And the beat goes on…
SOL Continental Conference ‘Snapshot’
Central Bucks West Bucks
Central Bucks West opened the season with a loss – a taken to the woodshed spanking by district rival Central Bucks South 41-14 loss.
“Not only was it a loss – but an embarrassing loss to another school in our district,” said Central Bucks West head coach Brian Hensel. “We as a coaching staff got the kids together to figure what to do next. They really had to figure out if they really loved the game of football.”
The Bucks figured it out pretty quickly as West spotted favored Souderton a 13-3 lead but came back and collected a convincing 34-19 victory over the Big Red.
“We came out flat, but then we played out of our minds,” said Hensel. “I have never coached a team that started the season 0-2 – and I’m just glad I didn’t have to do that this year.”
The spark behind the CB West victory was running back Dallas Owen. Owen rushed for 165 yards and three touchdowns and is now in the conversation as one of the better backs in the SOL Continental Conference.
“Dallas was our secret weapon,” said Hensel. “He only ran the ball once against South, but when we gave him the chance to carry the ball against Souderton, he made the most of his opportunity. He is a determined runner with great vision.”
Owen will have both good eyesight and determination when the Bucks host unbeaten Pennridge this week.
“This is our third straight (Suburban One League) National Conference team,” said Hensel. “We could have played other teams, but we wanted to challenge ourselves to play the best competition we could find. We wanted to accept the challenge, and our games with Pennridge have always been tight – exciting – games.”
And don’t expect that return to the woodshed.
SOL Continental Conference ‘Honor Roll’
Brandon McIlwain of Council Rock North accounted for six touchdowns as the Indians captured a 40-25 victory over Simon Gratz. McIlwain completed 21 passes for 159 yards and four touchdowns and also carried the ball 11 times for 165 yards and two touchdowns.
Dallas Owen of Central Bucks West rushed for a game-high 165 yards and scored three touchdowns as the Bucks collected a 34-19 victory over Souderton.
Vince Alimenti of Council Rock South rushed for 143 yards and three touchdowns as the Golden Hawks soared to a 41-0 victory over Bensalem.
Alec Vera of Quakertown passed for 166 yards and three touchdowns, as the Panthers remained unbeaten with a 40-13 win over Hatboro-Horsham.
Joe Cross and Isaiah Samuel of Norristown each scored a defensive touchdown – Cross on a fumble recovery and Samuel on an interception – as the Eagles remained unbeaten with a 14-13 victory over Wissahickon.
Tyler Lynch of William Tennent – who played in the second half – was the game-high rusher with 117 yards as the Panthers destroyed Fels 56-14.
Mark Lopez-Shefcyk of Truman passed for 155 yards on just four completions as the Tigers were defeated by Upper Dublin 28-21.
Connor O’Keefe of Central Bucks East passed for 211 yards and a score – and ran for another – as the Patriots were defeated by Pennridge 35-18.
This Week in the SOL Continental Conference
Pennsbury Falcons (2-0) @ Council Rock North Indians (2-0)
Last Week: Pennsbury defeated Frankford 56-8 & CR North defeated Simon Gratz 40-25.
Quakertown Panthers (2-0) @ Cheltenham Panthers (1-1)
Last Week: Quakertown defeated Hatboro-Horsham 40-13 & Cheltenham defeated Bishop McDevitt 24-7.
Plymouth Whitemarsh Colonials (0-2) @ Norristown Eagles (2-0)
Last Week: Plymouth Whitemarsh lost to Abington 23-8 & Norristown defeated Wissahickon 14-13.
Pennridge Rams (2-0) @ Central Bucks West Bucks (1-1)
Last Week: Pennridge defeated CB East 35-18 & CB West defeated Souderton 34-19.
Central Bucks East Patriots (1-1) @ Central Bucks South Titans (1-1)
Last Week: CB East lost to Pennridge 35-18 & CB South lost to Coatesville 47-34.
Truman Tigers (1-1) @ Cardinal O’Hara (0-2)
Last Week: Truman lost to Upper Dublin 28-21 & Cardinal O’Hara lost to Washington 15-6.
Oxford Rams (0-2) @ William Tennent Panthers (1-1)
Last Week: Oxford lost to Newark (Del.) 40-25 & William Tennent defeated Fels 56-14.
Council Rock South Golden Hawks (1-1) @ Neshaminy Redskins (0-2)
Last Week: Council Rock South defeated Bensalem 41-0 & Neshaminy lost to Downingtown West 28-7.
SOL National Conference ‘Snapshot’
Abington Ghosts
Abington has opened the seasonwith a pair of wins and will put its unbeaten season on the line when the Ghosts host unbeaten Upper Dublin this Friday night.
“This is without doubt one of the best teams that (Cardinal head coach) Bret (Stover) has had,” said Abington head coach Tim Sorber. “His son (Ryan) is a very talented quarterback who can throw the ball and make great decisions. He can read defenses, and they do a great job of protecting the quarterback.”
The Abington quarterback – junior David Kretschman – has also gotten off to a terrific start. Kretschman threw a touchdown pass in the final moments to give the Ghost a thrilling 35-34 win over Northeast and followed with a strong performance as Abington bested Plymouth Whitemarsh 23-8.
“The great thing about playing Upper Dublin is that they are a good football team and it gives us a game against a school in our area,” said Sorber. “With the new realignment and us being in the SOL National – it has taken away most of our rivalry games. It takes you back to the old Suburban One League days.”
Abington has also received an excellent start from running back Juawine Sowell. Sowell set a school record in the win over Northeast with an astounding 45 carries.
“Juawine has the ability to run both outside – with his speed – and inside – with his power,” said Sorber. “He didn’t get a whole lot of carries last year because we had Reynolds, but he has made the most of his opportunities this year.”
A victory over Upper Dublin will be the 100th career win for Sorber.
“I’m sitting at 99 with the win last week – and I would rather get 100 sooner than later,” said Sorber. “I always joked that once I got to 100 I would resign.”
Everyone in the Abington program hopes that is a joke.
SOL National Conference ‘Honor Roll’
Juawine Sowell and David Kretschman of Abington led the Ghost offense in a 23-8 victory over Plymouth Whitemarsh. Sowell rushed for 75 yards and two touchdowns, while Kretschman passed for 109 yards and a touchdown.
Charles Snorweah and Mike Alley of Pennsbury played only the first half as the Falcons soared to a 56-8 win over Frankford. Snorweah rushed for three touchdowns, while Alley threw for two scores and rushed for another.
Matt Ammendola of North Penn booted four fields including the game winner in overtime as the Knights edged West Catholic 19-16. Ammendola kicked fields goals of 37, 21, 30 and 27 yards.
Joe Unangst of Pennridge rushed for a game-high 236 yards and two touchdowns as the Rams remained unbeaten with a 35-18 victory over Central Bucks East.
Josh Adams and Kevin Witchey of Central Bucks South put up some impressive numbers as the Titans were defeated by Coatesville 47-34. Adams raced for 143 yards and two touchdowns, while Witchey threw for 224 yards and three touchdowns.
Nate Landes of Souderton rushed for a team-high 70 yards and scored a touchdown as the Indians were defeated by Central Bucks West 34-19.
D’Andre Pollard of Neshaminy rushed for a team-high 194 yards as the Redskins remained winless in a 28-7 loss to Downingtown West.
This Week in the SOL National Conference
Pennsbury Falcons (2-0) @ Council Rock North Indians (2-0)
Last Week: Pennsbury defeated Franford 56-8 & CR North defeated Gratz 45-20.
Upper Dublin Cardinals (2-0) @ Abington Ghosts (2-0)
Last Week: Upper Dublin defeated Truman 28-21 & Abington defeated PW 23-8.
Pennridge Rams (2-0) @ Central Bucks West Bucks (1-1)
Last Week: Pennridge defeated CB East 35-18 & CB West defeated Souderton 34-19.
Central Bucks East Patriots (1-1) @ Central Bucks South Titans (1-1)
Last Week: CB East lost to Pennridge 35-18 & CB South lost to Coatesville 47-34.
Souderton Indians (1-1) @ Wissahickon Trojans (1-1)
Last Week: Souderton lost to CB West 34-19 & Wissahickon lost to Norristown 14-13.
Archbishop Wood Vikings (2-0) @ North Penn Knights (1-1)
Archbishop Wood defeated Martin Luthur King 46-7 & North Penn defeated West Catholic 19-16.
Archbishop Ryan (1-1) @ Bensalem Owls (0-2)
Last Week: Archbishop Ryan lost to Haverford School 31-14 & Bensalem lost to CR South 41-0
Council Rock South Golden Hawks (1-1) @ Neshaminy Redskins (0-2)
Last Week: CR South defeated Bensalem 41-0 & Neshaminy lost to Downingtown West 28-7.
SOL American Conference ‘Snapshot’
Springfield Spartans
Springfield has been in playoff modesince day one of the 2014 football season.
“To us, these are all district championship playoff games,” said Springfield head coach Chris Shelly in reference to the Spartans three game non-league schedule. “As a AA school that plays in the (SOL) American Conference with schools larger than us – the games we play against AA schools is huge.”
Springfield has opened the season with a 35-0 win over Lower Moreland and followed with a 29-7 victory over Lansdale Catholic. Next on the schedule is unbeaten Penn Charter. And the leader for the Spartans this season has been senior quarterback Chris Stone who missed his entire junior year to injury.
“We call it Stoney Football – Johnny Football without the attitude,” said Shelly. “Chris can – and does – make all the plays. He has stepped up since his sophomore year into more of a leadership role. Having him on the team has made a huge difference.”
Springfield will have its hands full when the regular SOL American Conference season begins next week.
“We really believe that we can compete for a league championship – we have high expectations,” said Shelly. “But we can’t look past Penn Charter this week.”
After all, it is a so-called playoff game.
SOL American Conference ‘Honor Roll’
Ryan Stover of Upper Dublin completed 14 passes for 181 yards and 3 touchdowns as the Cardinals defeated Truman 28-21.
Josh Abrams and Tyler Whitmore of Upper Moreland sparked the Golden Bear offense in a 35-17 victory over Archbishop Carroll. Abrams fired 2 touchdown passes and ran for another, while Whitmore rushed for 154 yards and 2 touchdowns in the first half.
Greg Morris and Brandon Mack of Cheltenham sparked the Panther offense in a 24-7 win over Bishop McDevitt. Morris rushed for a game-high 112 yards, while Mack passed for 120 yards and 3 touchdowns.
Martin Worgan of Springfield rushed for 104 yards and a touchdown and also caught a TD pass as the Spartans marched to a 29-7 win over Lansdale Catholic.
Anthony Mirable and James Rodgers of Plymouth Whitemarsh connected on a 60-yard TD pass as the Colonials fell to Abington 23-8.
Josh Smith of Wissahickon rushed for a game-high 104-yard and a touchdown as the Trojans lost a 14-13 contest to Norristown.
Casey Walsh of Hatboro-Horsham passed for 224 yards as the Hatters were topped by Quakertown 40-13.
Shannon Carnard of Upper Merion rushed for 140 yards and a touchdown as the Vikings lost a 30-28 contest to Octorara.
This Week in the SOL American Conference
Upper Dublin Cardinals (2-0) @ Abington Ghosts (2-0)
Last Week: Upper Dublin defeated Truman 28-21 & Abington defeated Plymouth Whitemarsh 23-8.
Upper Moreland Bears (2-0) @ Conwell Egan (2-0)
Last Week: Upper Moreland defeated Archbishop Carroll 35-17 & Egan defeated Archmere 42-0.
Souderton Indians (1-1) @ Wissahickon Trojans (1-1)
Last Week: Souderton lost to CB West 34-19 & Wissahickon lost to Norristown 14-13.
Quakertown Panthers (2-0) @ Cheltenham Panthers (1-1)
Last Week: Quakertown defeated Hatboro-Horsham 40-13 & Cheltenham defeated Bishop McDevitt 24-7.
Penn Charter (2-0) @ Springfield Spartans (2-0)
Last Week: Penn Charter defeated Neumann-Goretti 18-13 & Springfield defeated Lansdale Catholic 29-7.
Upper Merion Vikings (0-2) @ Haverford High (1-1)
Last Week: Upper Merion lost to Octorara 30-28 & Haverford defeated Lower Merion 35-0.
Plymouth Whitemarsh Colonials (0-2) @ Norristown Eagles (2-0)
Last Week: Plymouth Whitemarsh lost to Abington 23-8 & Norristown defeated Wissahckon 14-13.
Hatboro-Horsham Hatters (0-2) @ Lansdale Catholic Crusaders (0-2)
Last Week: Hatboro-Horsham lost to Quakertown 40-13 & Lansdale Catholic lost to Springfield 29-7.
Macy Golder's interview following the Pennsbury/Frankford game.
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