Scott Huff features Pennsbury’s Luke Snyder and Neshaminy’s Hunter Kelly and lists some of the top returning players for the SOL National Conference.
By Scott Huff
The 2015 Suburban One League National Conference season will be the last season of the ‘new’ configuration of the schools based solely on the highest male school enrollment. With the exit of both Norristown and Upper Merion from the SOL for the 2016 football season – the SOL opted for the ‘old’ configuration based on geography rather then enrollment.
The 2015 SOL National Conference will include eight schools - Pennsbury, North Penn, Central Bucks South, Pennridge, Neshaminy, Abington, Souderton, and Bensalem. The 2016 SOL National Conference will include seven schools - Pennsbury, Neshaminy, Abington, Bensalem, Truman, Council Rock North, and Council Rock South.
“I feel that going back to that alignment will help the entire Suburban One League have more success in the (PIAA Quad-A District One) playoffs,” said Pennsbury head coach Galen Snyder. “The way the conferences are set up now it is extremely tough to get through a season without getting really banged up. I know we made a run through the playoffs last year, but we were also really hurt with injuries in the playoffs.
“Plus it would be great to get back to playing schools that we have had rivalries with in the past,” added Snyder. “The conference would still be very balanced and competitive.”
“I can see both sides of going back to the way it was,” said first year Neshaminy head coach Steve Wilmont. “I will miss the high level of competition that we played every single week.
“I enjoy playing North Penn,” added Wilmont. “That is a program that is always a benchmark to gauge how good a team you are. We took some lumps from them over the years, but I will miss playing them during the regular season.”
And the beat goes on…
Player To Watch
Luke Snyder – Pennsbury Falcons
The tradition of Pennsbury football is a storied one. And the Falcons added to that impressive tradition last season with both a SOL National Conference co-championship and a PIAA Quad-A District One title.
A huge part of the success of the Black & Orange a season ago was the superlative play of linebacker Luke Snyder. Snyder – the son of Pennsbury head coach Galen Snyder – earned first team all-conference recognition with his ferocious hits and his overall tenacity on the field.
“Luke had a nice year last year,” understated Coach Snyder. “He has come back this year a little bigger – a little stronger – and a little faster. His main goal is to do whatever it takes to win football games.
“At the end of last year we had to put him in the backfield during the playoffs because we had some injuries,” added the coach. “He did a great job of lead blocking in the ‘I’ formation and carried the ball a little bit. He was willing to go out and do the dirty work.”
Snyder fully understands his role with the Falcons.
“If they need me to block – I’ll block, if they need me to run the ball – I’ll run,” said the senior. “If they need me to catch a pass – I’ll catch a pass. I just want to be that guy who goes out and gives it his all and will do whatever it takes for us to win.
“So far this season we have come out and worked real hard,” added Snyder. “We should do well this season – we are determined and have gotten down to business. We play in a very tough league – and we will be ready for any test that we get.”
“Playing for my Dad really isn’t different than any other player who plays for my Dad,” continued Snyder. “We just go on the field and do whatever he tells us to do – no questions.”
“Luke understands the expectations that comes with playing football at Pennsbury,” said Coach Snyder. “He knows it is going to take a lot of work for us to get back to where we were last year.”
And that is playing championship caliber football.
Player To Watch
Hunter Kelly - Neshaminy
Neshaminy senior Hunter Kelly will take his sizeable talents to both sides of the football this season for the Redskins.
“Hunter started the last two seasons on the offensive line – 25 games in all,” said first year head coach Steve Wilmot in regard to his 6-foot, 3-inch – 285 pound tackle. “And we have asked him to go both ways this year.
“Hunter has the experience to be a good leader,” added Wilmont. “He was a starter on a district champion – and we expect him to use that experience to help us this season.”
“The coaches have challenged me to play both ways this season, and I wanted to accept that challenge” said Kelly. “I was very comfortable on the offensive line, but I have picked up playing defense pretty well.
“I have played under Coach Wilmont ever since I have been playing at Neshaminy,” added Kelly. “I have known him forever, and the transistion to him being the head coach has been smooth.
“Last year was an off year for Neshaminy football,” continued Kelly in reference to the Skins 4-6 overall record. “We have come into this season with a different mindset – and we will turn things around.”
Kelly has worked hard in the off-season in an effort to open a few eyes in State College. Penn State head coach James Franklin – a graduate of Neshaminy High School – was impressed with what he saw this summer at a Nittany Lion summer camp.
“I talked with him and he liked what he saw in me,” said Kelly. “There wasn’t an (scholarship) offer, but he said he would see how I progressed this season. He said he would keep me on his radar.
“If I were able to play at Penn State – either as a walk-on or recruit – I would most likely play center,” continued Kelly. “I have played some at center and I feel that I could play any position on the offensive line.
“Also, Delaware is high on my list,” added Kelly of the Division I-AA school. “All I want to do, though, is focus on the season ahead.”
List of Underclass All-Conference Players From 2014
Pennsbury (12) – Luke Snyder (LB); Michael Alley (QB); Chris Rupprecht (OL); Vincent Ratamess (TE); Maurice Stukes (OL); Robert Daly (DB); Jerimiah Wells (DB); Daulton Hose (LB); Joe Maurer (DE); John Jack Kenny (DE), Greg Lichtenstein (OLB), Nick Paragano (DT).
Neshaminy (9) – Bill Ritchey (TE); Denzel Hughes (WR, DB); Mason Jones (QB); Hunter Kelly (OL); Zach Tredway (WR); Dylan McDonald (PK); Daulton Fox (LB); and Harman Yalartai (DE).
Souderton (6) – Phil Stolfi (OL); Matt Pierce (LB, OL); Blake Gular (RB); DaJone Averett (WR); Andrew Stein (DL); and Koby Khan (LB).
North Penn (4) – Nyfease West (RB, DB); Nick Isabella (RB); Ricky Johns (LB); and Keith Earle (DE).
Central Bucks South (4) – Joe Vitelli (WR); Bill Donahue (DL); Nate Norris (LB); and Luke Kohler (LB).
Abington (2) – George Reid (WR); and David Kretschman (QB).
Pennridge (3) – Luke Basquill (OL); Matt Mauer (PK, P); and Juden Desrosiers (LB).
Bensalem (0).
Final Standings for the 2014 Season
1. Pennsbury Falcons 6-1 13-2
North Penn Knights 6-1 7-4
3. Central Bucks South Titans 5-2 7-4
4. Pennridge Rams 4-3 7-4
5. Neshaminy Redskins 3-4 4-6
6. Abington Ghosts 2-5 6-5
Souderton Indians 2-5 4-6
8. Bensalem Owls 0-7 0-11
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