Pennridge defeated CB South in a key SOL contest. Check out all of Saturday's results. To view photos of the CB South/Pennridge game, please visit the Photo Gallery.
By Scott Huff
Warrington – No, no, no. Not again - not on this pristine Saturday morning/afternoon at Central Bucks South.
“I have never been around a team that lost two incredibly tough games in the final minute like this team the last two weeks,” said Pennridge head coach Jeff Hollenbach after his Rams (5-2, 1-2) captured a critical 24-13 Suburban One League Continental Conference victory over CB South (4-3, 2-2). “The losses to both CB West (21-20) and Souderton (32-29) have been very difficult for us to handle.
“It came down to making a big play at the end of the game, and we weren’t able to do it the last two weeks,” added Hollenbach. “We are really two plays away from being undefeated, but we kept our spirits up and came up with a big win today.”
And the win over the Titans fanned the Pennridge district playoff hopes – a loss might have brought those aspirations to an abrupt end.
“We mentioned playoffs to the players before this game, and they responded to that,” said Hollenbach. “This is a team with seniors who have played in district playoffs last year, and they know what it takes to get back to that level.”
The seniors who responded to that challenge were the usual suspects – quarterback Matt DiPasquale, wide receiver Micah Stutzman, and running back Michael Class. And that talented trio – who rack up impressive offensive numbers each and every week – were equally impressive on the defensive side of the ball in the win over the faster than fast Titans.
“Coach wanted as much speed on the field on the edge, and I got my first game on defense this year,” said DiPasquale who was an all-conference selection as an outside linebacker last year. “I have really missed not being on the field on defense, and I hope that I can get on the field next week against North Penn on defense. We have good chemistry – me, Micah, and Michael.”
“To be able to hold a team as explosive as CB South to 13 points is a huge thing,” said Class who spent time in the secondary and outside linebacker for the Rams on this day. “Micah, Matt, and I have all played both ways as freshman, and it was great to be back together today.”
“I love being able to play both ways,” said Stutzman who played deep safety for the Rams. “Any time I’m on the sideline, I just wish I could be out there. I love to hit people.”
Central Bucks South – playing without the services of game-breaker junior Josh Adams, who is lost for the season with a broken ankle – actually took a 7-0 lead in the first period. The Titans pieced together a nice 11-play drive that covered 50 yards for the touchdown. The scoring play came on a 15-yard scoring strike from senior quarterback Matt Radwanski to senior wideout Paul Weeks. Jon Williams added the point after touchdown, and the 7-0 score would prove to be the first period score.
Pennridge knotted the score at 7-7 with its first scoring drive late in the second period. The Rams moved the ball 73 yards on eight plays with Class scoring on a 3-yard touchdown burst and senior placekicker Peter Psomiadis adding the PAT. The highlight of the drive was a 25-yard aerial from DiPasquale to Jon Unangst.
The Pennridge defense forced a punt, and the Ram offense marched down the field later in the period, Psomiadis converted on a 32-yard field goal in the final seconds of the half to give PHS a 10-7 halftime lead. The highlight of the drive was a spectacular 38-yard pass completion from DiPasquale to Stutzman.
Pennridge added to its lead on its first possession of the second half. DiPasquale capped a 12-play, 89-yard scoring drive with a 2-yard touchdown run. The PAT kick was blocked, and the Rams settled for a 16-7 lead. The highlight of the drive was an 18-yard pass completion from DiPasquale to Unangst.
Central Bucks South closed to within 16-13 with a scoring drive of its own on the ensuing possession. The Titans took nine plays and covered 73 yards to pay dirt as Weeks took an inside handoff to score on a 3-yard run. The kick failed and the score remained 16-13. The highlight of the drive was a 17-yard run by Dion Clifton.
Pennridge would score what proved to be the final touchdown – and only touchdown – of the final period. Stutzman – who made incredible catches all morning/afternoon – would catch a 5-yard scoring pass – on his back. Devon Balmer ran a fake PAT into the end zone for the 2-point conversion, and the 24-13 margin would become the final score. The drive was set up by a terrific 70-yard kickoff return by Class and a 14-yard pass from DiPasquale to Stutzman.
“Pennridge made plays, and we didn’t,” said Central Bucks South head coach Dave Rackovan. “We had opportunities, but we weren’t consistent in critical situations. That # 3 (Stutzman) made some incredible plays for them at big times during in the game.”
As good as Stutzman, DiPasquale, and Class were on the defensive side of the ball – the offensive numbers were once again there.
Stutzman caught 8 passes for 112 yards and a touchdown; DiPasquale completed 12 of 17 passes for 173 yards and a score and also rushed for a TD; and Class rambled 125 yards on 27 carries and scored the other Ram touchdown.
The Ram defense, though, not only limited the talented Titan offense to 13 points but also generated four costly Titan turnovers. Class, Stutzman, and Unangst all intercepted passes and Balmer recovered a fumble for the Rams.
“Coach (Dave) Heying came up with a great defensive game plan,” said Hollenbach. “We bent a little, but we didn’t break.”
And that resulted in significant Pennridge victory – a win that keeps those playoffs hopes alive.
Extra Points – Pennridge will now travel to North Penn (4-3, 4-0) to face the first place Knights…CB South’s Paul Weeks – in addition to his rushing touchdown – caught 9 passes for 90 yards…There was a nice breeze at Titan Stadium that helped Pennridge punter Peter Psomiadis boom punts of 59 and 48 yards in addition to his 32-yard field goal…CB South will travel to district rival CB East (3-2, 2-2) to meet the Patriots next week.
Pennridge Rams 0 10 6 8 * 24
Central Bucks South Titans 7 0 6 0 * 13
CBS: Paul Weeks 15 pass from Matt Radwanski (Jon Williams kick)
PHS: Michael Class 3 run (Peter Psomiadis kick)
PHS: Psomiadis 32 Field Goal
PHS: Matt Di Pasquale 2 run (kick blocked)
CBS: Weeks 3 run (kick failed)
PHS: Micah Stutzman 5 pass from DiPasquale (Devon Balmer run)
Pennridge Rams CB South Titans
16 First Downs 17
184 Rushing Yards 122
173 Passing Yards 183
357 Total Offense 305
5-37 Punts / Average 3-30
4-30 Penalties / Yards 6-35
Pennridge:
Rushing: Michael Class 27-125-TD; Imeir Simmons 3-28; Matt DiPasquale 7-15-TD; Joe Unangst 3-9; Ryan Sterling 3-7; Luke Williams 1-0. Totals 44-184 & 2 TD.
Passing: DiPasquale 12-17-0; 173 yards and TD.
Receiving: Micah Stutzman 8-112 & TD; Unangst 2-43; Class 2-18. Totals 12-173
Interceptions: Unangst, Class, & Stutzman.
Central Bucks South:
Rushing: Dion Clifton 21-88; Matt Radwanski 3-31; & Paul Weeks 1-3 & TD.
Passing: Radwanski 18-36-3; 183 yards & TD.
Receiving: Weeks 9-90 & TD; Ryan Jacober 4-48; Clifton 2-16; Eric Katz 1-17; Troy Robertson 1-9; and Nick Gannon 1-3. Totals 18-183 & TD.
Interceptions: None .
Around the SOL…
(Stats are provided courtesy of Calkins Media. For complete high school football coverage, please visit the web site www.PhillyBurbs.com.)
COUNCIL ROCK NORTH 36, BENSALEM 10
The Indians blew open a close game in the fourth quarter, scoring 21 unanswered point to turn a 15-10 lead into a 36-10 win. The Owls led 10-8 after Devante Porter took it in from 22 yards out. A Brandon McIlwain 18-yard TD pass to Chris Weide put the Indians on top 15-10. That lead stood until Weide hauled in another McIlwain touchdown pass in the fourth quarter, a score that ignited a 21-0 Rock North tear.
The Indians accumulated 396 total yards of offense with 317 of those yards coming on the ground. McIlwain (97 yards) and Weide (93 yards) led a balanced Indian attack. The Owls, led by Ian Pisarchuk’s 63 yards, had 202 yards of total offense.
Rock North (5-2, 2-2 SOL) will travel to Pennsbury next Saturday while the Owls (1-6, 1-3) will travel to Neshaminy on Friday.
Bensalem 0-10-0-0 10
Council Rock North 0-15-0-21 36
CENTRAL BUCKS EAST 28, SOUDERTON 16
A Nate Landes three-yard touchdown run and the PAT gave the Indians a 7-0 second quarter lead, but Alex Gibson answered with a 50-yard TD run to knot the score. When Gibson hauled in a 16-yard TD pass from quarterback Zach Nelson, the Patriots had a lead they would not lose.
Gibson had another big day for the Patriots, rushing for 173 yards and two touchdowns and adding 17 more yards and a TD in the air. Nelson threw for 105 yards.
The Indians, who were coming off an exhilarating upset of Pennridge a week earlier, were led by the 126-yard passing effort of senior quarter AJ Curotto. Manny Nieves had 65 yards to lead the Indians’ ground game.
The Patriots (3-4, 2-2 SOL) will face archrival Central Bucks South next Friday while the Indians (1-6, 1-3) will host Quakertown.
Souderton 0-7-6-3 16
Central Bucks East 0-14-7-7 28
SPRINGFIELD (MONTCO) 35, NORRISTOWN 14
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