Scott Huff previews the two Thanksgiving Day games as well as the District One 5A and 6A title games.
By Scott Huff
And the beat goes on…
There are four Suburban One League high schools, along with their respective communities, that are extremely thankful for the traditional Thanksgiving morning football games.
Pennridge (Sell-Perk) & Quakertown will square off for the 87th time this frigid turkey day morning at Quakertown, while Upper Moreland & Hatboro-Horsham (Hatboro) will meet for the 86th time at Upper Moreland.
Happy Thanksgiving Day to all Ram, Panther, Hatter, and Golden Bear players and fans – and all followers of scholastic football.
Q & A with Quakertown head coach George Banas and Pennridge head coach Cody Muller
Does this game still have great importance to the community?
George Banas says: “Just follow me around for the week or two leading up to this game and you can see. The people that reach out via text, email and phone calls are unbelievable. Many community members will just walk up and tell me about a memory they have from the game and wish us good luck. So, yes this is still having great importance to our community.”
Cody Muller says: “There isn't much that has to be said to our kids to get them ready for this game. It's something that they've grown up waiting to play in and it's a special time each year. The tradition and pride that goes into this game is unmatched.”
2. Some people believe that the Thanksgiving Day game should end because it bleeds into the winter sports season. Should these games continue?
Banas says: “Many players, including myself, played on Thanksgiving and then went to basketball or wrestling practice the next day. Our seasons were not hindered because we respected a tradition.”
Muller says:“This game means more than just a win or loss on a team's record. It's something that the communities rally around and that's marked on the calendar each year by families and alum. To get rid of this tradition would take away something that brings pride to Pennridge and Quakertown, similar to the games that Easton and Phillipsburg play. We've had numerous alumni reach out about this game and what it truly means, so losing it would be heartbreaking for the communities.”
3.Your last game was a tough loss, what have you and your coaching staff done the last couple of weeks to keep your team focused?
Banas says:“We have given the players off a couple days to recover both mentally and physically. They participated in coaching powder puff and we have had fun, productive practices. Players do not need much motivation to keep focused for this game.”
Muller says: “It was tough to take in for a while, and we gave the players some time off and away from the football field to regroup. Once we got back into the swing of practicing and competing, the team was bringing new energy and focused in. We had an inter-squad scrimmage to keep things fresh, and it gave the players something to look toward in the long break we've had since playing. But again, this game on Thursday doesn't need a whole lot of extra juice, it's something that these guys are dialed in for.”
4. What impresses you about (Pennridge/Quakertown)? What is the key to winning?
Banas says:“Their line is huge, and they have some really great players at the skill positions. Their QB (Zak Kantor) does a really nice job of running the offense. Their run game is solid with #11 (Ryan Garner) and #40 (Shane Hartzell). They have #87 (Jon Post), #80 (Connor Pleibel) on the outside and #28 (Cole Urich) in the slot who all run and catch very well. The D flies around and makes big plays with lots of pressure from all over. Keys to winning will be turnovers and who can ride the momentum swings longer.”
Muller says: “Quakertown has always been a tough and hardworking team, and they've been that way since I played against them back at Souderton. The players always play with heart and pride, and the coaches prepare them each week. It will be a tough hard-nose game that I believe starts in the trenches. The key is going to be the play of the big boys upfront.”
TURKEY DAY MENU
Pennridge Rams (4-6) @ Quakertown Panthers (9-3)
10:15 am
Pennridge leads the series 55-28-3
Last Year: Pennridge 34 – Quakertown 6
Last Q-town win: Q-Town 28-Pennridge 21 (2015)
Offense/Defense Snapshot
Team Yds Rushing Yds Passing Points
Pennridge (Offense) 139.0 151.0 27.0
Quakertown (Defense) 120.1 60.7 18.9
Quakertown (offense) 140.5 84.9 23.3
Pennridge (Defense) 144.2 82.3 24.9
Quarterback Completions Attempts Yards TD
Zak Kantor (PR) 87 201 1510 18
Brad Bryan (QT) 72 109 934 6
Running Backs Attempts Yards Ave. TD
Ryan Garner (PR) 118 479. 4.1 5
Zak Kantor (PR) 47 193 4.1 5
Shane Hartzell (PR) 43 191 4.4 2
Joe Muntz (PR) 42 184 4.4 1
Taj Utsey (PR) 50 179 3.6 1
Christian Patrick (QT) 135 778 5.8 8
*(inj) Michael Terra (QT) 59 231 3.9 9
Tyler Merwarth (QT) 39 195 5.0 1
Brad Bryan (QT) 75 173 2.3 5
Receiving Receptions Yards Ave. TD
Jonathan Post (PR) 20 397 19.9 9
Connor Pleibel (PR) 20 440 22.0 4
Shane Hartzell (PR) 16 264 16.5 2
Tyler Merwarth (QT) 23 298 13.0 2
Tim Garlick (QT) 21 298 14.2 1
TURKEY DAY MENU
[Course 2]
Hatboro-Horsham head coach Michael Kupusta is thankful that his seniors will have one more game to add to their careers.
“The team mantra we have been preaching has been to give the seniors a great sendoff,” said Kupusta. “We would love to have them end their careers 3-0 on Thanksgiving against Upper Moreland, and with three straight winning seasons.
“We love the tradition, we love the dynamic, and we are one of the few schools that have hung on to playing on Thanksgiving,” added Kapusta. “To play a final game in front of a big crowd and in front of both communities is awesome.
“But to be honest, the month layoff between our final game and this one can be brutal at times, and we have had to be creative in how we deal with it,” continued Kapusta. “We played two games before school even started – and then we get this long layoff. It’s tough.
“And it is a little awkward in that we have already played Upper Moreland in our league season,” added Kapusta. “We won a tight 14-8 game – and we had to score late in the game to win it. It could be another close game.”
Upper Moreland head coach CJ Szydlik is coaching his first Thanksgiving Day game and the Golden Bear coach is excited for the challenge.
“I imagine that it should be a very competitive game,” said Szydlik. “They scored late to beat us – and we actually scored after that but had the touchdown called back for pass interference.
“The game could get off to a rough start with the layoff and the cold weather,” continued Szydlik. “But we look at the game as if it were like a bowl game for a college team.
“We have a very young team and we used the layoff to lift some weights and study some film,” added the coach. “This month we have had with the young players can be a real help to our program.
“We started the season with a roster 40 and we will dress 40 on Thanksgiving,” continued the coach. “The players and coaches are still excited to play in this game – and that is a good thing.”
Upper Moreland Golden Bears (3-6) @ Hatboro-Horsham Hatters (5-4)
10 am
Hatboro-Horsham leads the series 53-27-5
Last Year: Hatboro-Horsham 34 – Upper Moreland 0
Last Upper Moreland win: UM 34-HH 19 (2014)
Offense/Defense Snapshot
Team Yds Rushing Yds Passing Points
Upper Moreland (offense) 198.8 104.7 19.6
Hatboro-Horsham (defense) 88.4 74.7 20.3
Hatboro-Horsham (offense) 160.3 58.1 16.7
Upper Moreland (defense) 161.8 68.4 28.8
Quarterbacks Completions Attempts Yards TD
Jon Knight (UM) 61 109 942 8
Will Riemenschneider (HH) 31 56 324 2
Running Backs Attempts Yards Ave. TD
Caleb Mead (UM) 167 1542 9.2 13
Safier Barr (UM) 21 114 5.4 0
Jordan Collazo. (HH) 72 668 9.3 6
Amir Bookard. (HH) 53 352 6.6. 3
Ismael Collazo (HH) 49 185 3.8 2
Receiving Receptions Yards Ave. TD
Jahaire Johnson (UM) 24 505 21.0 3
T.J. Troxell (UM) 22 239 10.9 3
Jordan Collazo (HH) 8 154 19.3 1
Amir Bookard (HH) 10 79 7.9 1
Ismael Collazo (HH) 5 65 13.0 1
FRIDAY NIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP LIGHTS
North Penn head coach Dick Beck and his unbeaten Knights will have their fourth ‘home away from home’ PIAA District One 6-A playoff game this week. The No. 1 seeded Knights played their initial two ‘home’ playoff games at Wissahickon and a third ‘home’ game at No. 4 Downingtown West due to an unplayable grass and dirt field at Crawford Stadium.
Now, North Penn can call the turf at Pennridge High School its ‘home away from home’ in the D-1 championship game against No. 2 Coatesville.
“Pennridge has a bigger venue than Wissahickon, and we are hoping for a huge crowd,” said Beck. “Plus, we’re hoping that we get a lot of fans from Bucks County to show up at the game and support us.
“To be honest, I never thought about playing Coatesville until after we beat Downingtown West,” added Beck. “It really never crossed my mind, we remained focused on the team we were playing that week.
“Coatesville has a lot of explosive players,” continued Beck. “(Matt) Ortega, (Aaron) Young, and (Dapree) Bryant can all hurt you with the big play.
“We have to get some turnovers and keep them from making the big plays,” added Beck. “And we are going to have to make some big plays of our own.
“I want this team to live in the moment,” continued Beck. “I want them to be able to look back on the season and enjoy what they have done this year.”
PIAA District One 6-A Final Playoff Game
Friday – November 24, 2018 @ 7 pm
@ Pennridge High School
No. 2 Coatesville Red Raiders (13-0) vs. No. 1 North Penn Knights (13-0)
Playoff Resume:
Coatesville advanced to the PIAA 6-A District One final with a convincing 42-7 victory over previously unbeaten and No. 3 seed Garnet Valley in the semifinals. The Red Raiders rolled up 324 yards of total offense in the win and was led by elite running back Aaron Young who rushed for 227 yards. Young – the 5’11, 190-pound Michigan State recruit – led Coatesville to the mercy-rule victory.
The Red Raiders advanced to the PIAA 6-A District One semifinals with a 38-19 rout of Ches-Mont rival Downingtown East. Quarterback Rick Ortega threw for three touchdown passes and also rushed for a score. Wide receiver Dapree Bryant caught four passes for 110 yards and two touchdowns.
Coatesville opened the PIAA 6A District One playoffs with a 48-10 victory over No. 15 Central Bucks East. Ortega passed for 117 yards and a pair of touchdowns and also rushed for 74 yards and a touchdown.
North Penn advanced to the PIAA 6A District One finals with a 35-21 victory over No. 4 Downingtown West in the semifinals. Shamar Edwards was spectacular with 29 carries for a staggering 318 yards and three touchdowns. Edwards scored on runs of 29, 4, and 39 yards. RJ Macnamara scored a pair of rushing touchdowns for NP.
The Knights advanced to the PIAA 6A District-1 semifinal with a hard fought 13-6 quarterfinal victory over No. 8 Neshaminy. Solomon Robinson erased a 6-0 Redskin lead as the Knight quarterback scored on an eight-yard run. North Penn sealed the win late in the game when Evan Spann returned an intercepted pass 30 yards for the final touchdown of the contest.
North Penn opened the district playoffs with a 26-16 victory over No. 16 Ridley. RJ Macnamara scored a pair of rushing touchdowns for the Knights, while Shamar Edwards rushed for a game-high 105 yards on 17 carries. Solomon Robinson threw for a pair of scores – one of those scores was a 62-scoring pass to Edwards.
Season Resume:
Coatesville finished the regular season as the champion of the Ches-Mont National Conference.
North Penn finished the regular season as the champion of the SOL Continental Conference.
Signature Regular Season Wins:
Coatesville registered signature wins over Harrisburg (37-6), Cumberland Valley (35-19), and Downingtown West (42-14)..
North Penn registered signature wins over Neshaminy (34-33-OT), Pennsbury (33-7), and Council Rock South (27-24 OT).
Players To Watch;
Coatesville
Aaron Young, RB — 148 carries, 1438 yards, 23 TDs; 12 receptions, 271 yards, 5 TDs
Ricky Ortega, QB — 108-163, 2053 yards, 34 TDs, 3 INTs; 98 carries, 806 yards, 11 TDs
Dapree Bryant, WR — 50 receptions, 1018 yards, 16 TDs
Dymere Miller, WR — 21 receptions, 437 yards, 9 TDs
Frankie Sherman, WR — 16 receptions, 261 yards, 4 TDs
North Penn
Solomon Robinson, QB – 57-133, 1063 yards, 7 TD; 10 INT; 133 carries, 507 yards, 6 TD
Shamar Edwards, RB – 197 carries, 1545 yards, 7.8 ave; 13 TD
Julian White, RB – 99 carries, 633 yards, 6.4 avg; 14 TD
Jon Haynes, WR – 21 receptions, 451 yards, 21.5 avg; 4 TD
Evan Spann, WR – 13 receptions, 281 yards; avg 21.6; 2 TD
FRIDAY NIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP LIGHTS
(PART TWO)
Upper Dublin head coach Bret Stover reminds his Flying Cardinals each week during playoff season that Friday nights are promised to you but practice the next Monday is not.
“Our seniors want another Monday afternoon practice,” said Stover. “But you have to win on Friday night to get that next week of practice.
“We were able to get another home game this week, and that is a great thing,” added Stover. “To be able to play in front of our fans, and not to have to get on a bus for a long bus ride is a plus.
“And what makes it even better is that a lot of alumni are home for Thanksgiving,” continued Stover. “It might take me an hour or an hour and a half to get back to the locker room after the game.
“Those former players all have great memories of playing at Upper Dublin,” added Stover. “And now it is time for this team to continue to make some memories of their own.
“West Chester Rustin runs an effective Wing-T and gets to the football on defense,” continued Stover. “Any time you get to the final eight in the state – you are going to have big challenge ahead of you.”
PIAA District One 5-A Final Playoff Game
Friday – November 24, 2018 @ 7 pm
No. 5 West Chester Rustin (11-2) @ No. 2 Upper Dublin Cardinals (11-1)
Playoff Resume:
West Chester Rustin advanced to the PIAA 5-A District One finals with a 10-8 upset victory over No. 1 seed Penn Wood. Tommy Powers booted the game winning field goal in the fourth quarter to secure the victory. The lone WCR touchdown came on a seven-yard pass from Will Pileggi to Sean Hopkins.
The Golden Knights advanced to the semifinals with a surprising 42-6 ‘upset’ victory over No. 4 Academy Park. Pillegi completed 10 of 11 passes for 124 yards and three touchdowns, while running back Owen Walsh rushed for an even 100 yards and a touchdown.
WC Rustin opened the district playoffs with a 28-0 win over No. 13 Oxford. Collin Hurley rushed for 96 yards and had an interception for the Golden Knights, while Michael Colbert led the team with 106 yards rushing.
Upper Dublin advanced to the PIAA 5-A District One finals with a stunning 40-7 win over defending 5-A champion - and No. 11 seed Unionville. Lucas Roselli led the Cardinal rushing attack with 145 yards and a pair of touchdowns and also caught a 60-yard touchdown pass from Mike Slivka. Mason Novak and Slivka also scored rushing touchdowns for the winners. UD also scored a special team touchdown on a blocked punt.
The Flying Cardinals advanced to the PIAA 5-A District One semifinal with a convincing 27-0 quarterfinal victory over No. 7 Cheltenham. The Flying Cardinals had a superlative defensive effort to shut down the explosive Panther offense. Upper Dublin featured the talents of quarterback Mike Slivka plus running backs Mason Novak and Lucas Roselli. Slivka rushed for 96 yards to lead the attack, while Novak added 83 yards and a score, and Roselli rushed for 71 yards and a touchdown.
Upper Dublin scored 41 straight points at the outset of the game and flew to a 41-12 victory over No. 15 Phoenixville in the first round of the playoffs. Cardinal running back Lucas Roselli scored 4 touchdowns for the winners, while UD quarterback Mike Slivka threw a pair of TD passes.
Season Resume:
West Chester Rustin finished the regular season as champion of the Ches-Mont American Conference.
Upper Dublin finished the regular season as the champion of the SOL American Conference.
Signature Regular Season Wins:
West Chester Rustin registered signature wins over Penn Wood (43-28), Kennett (28-7), and Unionville (14-0).
Upper Dublin registered signature wins over Hatboro-Horsham (34-7), Cheltenham (20-7), and Quakertown (14-13).
Losses:
West Chester Rustin lost games to West Chester East (31-21) and Coatesville (52-21).
Upper Dublin lost its only game of the year to Penn Charter (42-17).
Players To Watch:
West Chester Rustin
Michael Covert, RB — 147 carries, 1023 yards, 16 TDs; 12 receptions, 185 yards, 2 TDs
Colling Hurley, RB/S — 74 carries, 376 yards, 2 TDs; 6 INTs on defense
Nick Madonna, RB — 85 yards, 743 yards, 10 TDs (hasn’t played the last two weeks but may be back)
Sean Hopkins, TE/DE — 14 receptions, 296 yards, 3 TDs (probably the best defender also)
Will Pileggi, QB — 62-116, 912 yards, 9 TDs, 8 INTs
Upper Dublin
Mike Slivka, QB – 98-156, 1473 yards, 17 TD; 4 INT; 70 carries, 318 yards, 5 TD
Lucas Roselli, RB – 111 carries, 714 yards, 13 TD; 26 receptions, 429 yards. 4 TD
Mason Novak, RB – 125 carries. 548 yards, 9 TD
Selvin Haynes, WR - 22 receptions, 310 yards, 5 TD
Suburban One Sports.com Top Ten
Rank | Team | Record | Ranking Last Week |
1 | North Penn Knights | 12-0 | 1 |
2 | Upper Dublin Cardinals | 11-1 | 4 |
3 | Truman Tigers | 10-2 | 2 |
4 | Neshaminy Redskins | 8-4 | 3 |
5 | Quakertown Panthers | 9-3 | 5 |
6 | Cheltenham Panthers | 8-4 | 6 |
7 | CR South Hawks | 6-5 | 7 |
8 | CB East Patriots | 6-5 | 8 |
9 | Pennsbury Falcons | 5-6 | 9 |
10 | Hatboro-Horsham Hatters | 5-4 | 10 |
- Log in to post comments
