Scott Huff features CB South’s Josh Adams and North Penn’s Frank Tranzilli and highlights the top returning players from the National Conference.
By Scott Huff
This is it – the so-called Super Conference of the Suburban One League.
The conference with all the ‘big boys’ – North Penn, Pennsbury, Neshaminy, Abington, Pennridge, Central Bucks South, Souderton, and Bensalem.
The conference that showcases the terrific trio of running backs – Josh Adams (CB South), D’Andre Pollard (Neshaminy), and Charles Snorweah (Pennsbury).
The conference that showcases veteran coaches with impressive winning resumes – a list that includes Dick Beck (North Penn), Tim Sorber (Abington), Galen Snyder (Pennsbury), Ed Gallagher (Souderton) and Jeff Hollenbach (Pennridge).
Two new head coaches that will begin their tenure in what is considered one of the elite conferences in the state. Tom Hetrick (Central Bucks South) will replace Dave Rackovan, while Mike Frederick (Neshaminy) has the task of replacing Mark Schmidt.
Preseason pollsters list no less than four schools – North Penn, Pennsbury, Abington, and Neshaminy – among the elite in the state.
Buckle your seatbelts – it is going to be an exhilarating ride.
Suburban One League National Conference Player To Watch
Josh Adams
Central Bucks South Titans
Nobody would blame Josh Adams if the talented CB South senior running back heard the Notre Dame fight song in the back of his head this season.
Adams – who has committed to play for the Irish in the 2015 season – will do his best to remain focused on the 2014 season as a leader of the Titans.
“One of the reasons that I chose my school early was to be able to remain focused on my senior season,” said Adams. “It is a huge positive to get that out of the way and be able to do everything I can to help the team this year.”
Adams is coming back from a torn ACL in his knee, an injury he suffered midway through his junior season.
“I was blessed to have the people around me to motivate me to recover,” said Adams. “To me, it really isn’t that big a deal. I have a positive attitude that everything is going to be fine, and I just feel that I need to step up and play.”
First year head coach Tom Hetrick has seen Adams step up and play early in the preseason.
“I believe that Josh is stronger now than he was before – he is around 210 pounds and can bench 300,” the Titans’ coach said. “He is getting over the mental part of the injury – and he is playing without fear.
“One of the most impressive thing about Josh is his ability to be a leader,” continued Hetrick. “He has been a leader here since his sophomore year – and when we went through the transition from Dave (Rackovan) to myself, he was great in getting the players together.”
Adams is excited about the move from the SOL Continental Conference to the SOL National Conference.
“It is always a challenge to compete – and now we play in an excellent new conference,” said Adams. “The better the competition – the better you become as a football player.”
Adams will elevate his game in the SOL National Conference – and Notre Dame will elevate his game even more in 2015.
SOL National Conference Player To Watch
Frank Tranzilli
North Penn Knights
There is no question that North Penn is one of the elite programs in the state of Pennsylvania – and there is no doubt that Knight senior tackle Frank Tranzilli is currently the very best of the NP lineman.
“Frank is a three-year starter for us and is an extremely hard worker,” said North Penn head coach Dick Beck. “And for a kid that is 6-foot, 2-inches and 275 pounds he is very athletic.
“Frank has great feet and is both an excellent pass blocker and run blocker,” continued Beck. “He is a leader on this team – one of our captains – and has put a great deal of time in the weight room in the off season.”
Tranzilli- who has Wagner, Stony Brook, Villanova, Lafayette, Lehigh, Holy Cross, and Bucknell on his college radar for next season – is pumped for the upcoming season.
“We should do well in the new league, but it is a league where you can never be comfortable,” said Tranzilli. “Every team is going to present a challenge. You can’t put on the brakes for any team on our schedule.
“North Penn has a reputation of being one of the best teams – and we want to get back to where we want to be,” added Tranzilli. “And we are going to have to work hard to get there.”
Tranzilli is no stranger to working hard.
“I worked hard with our strength coach – Jim Ward – in the offseason,” said Tranzilli. “I want to set an example as a team captain to practice hard and be humble. It is a big honor to be a team captain for a program like North Penn.”
North Penn has proven to be a class program – and Tranzilli is at the head of the class.
The following is a list of underclass all-conference players from the 2013 season
Abington Ghosts (4): Jordan Neely (WR) senior; Terrell Tolbert (OL) junior; David Kretscham (quarterback) junior; and Nick Fitpatrick (DL) senior.
Bensalem Owls (3): Melvin Forkpa (TE) senior; Alex Archangeli (LB) senior; and Will Roller (DL) senior.
**Central Bucks South Titans (5): Josh Adams (RB) senior; Dan Young (OL) senior; Deion Clifton (RB) senior; Luke Wiley (DB) senior; and Luke Kohler (LB) junior.
**North Penn Knights (6): Frank Tranzilli (OL) senior; Matt Ammendola (PK) senior; Nyfeese West (RB) junior; Andrew Thomas (OL) senior; Nick Argento (OL) senior; and Marquise Watson (DB) senior.
Neshaminy Redskins (6): D’Andre Pollard (RB) senior; Dylan McDonald (PK) sophomore; Hunter Kelly (OL) junior; Denzel Hughes (DB) junior; and Matt Magdelnskas (DB) senior.
**Pennridge Rams (2): Joe Unangst (DB) senior, Zack Hockman (LB) senior, and Imeir Simmons (DL) senior.
Pennsbury Falcons (9): Charles Snorweah (RB) senior; Austin O’Neill (OL) senior; Raheem Thompson (RB) senior; Sam Raywood (DB) senior; Victor Delgado (LB) senior; Robert Daly (DB) junior; Dalton Hose (LB) junior; Jordan O’Neill (LB) senior; and Jack Kenny (DL) junior.
**Souderton Indians (5): Evan Sweet (OL) senior; Blake Gular (RB) junior; Jake Smerecki (TE) junior; Markeem Graham (WR) senior; and Andrew Horton (LB) junior.
**Central Bucks South, North Penn, Pennridge, and Souderton all played in the SOL Continental Conference in 2013.
Just the facts for the SOL National Conference
Male Enrollment
North Penn – 1861
Pennsbury – 1384
Neshaminy – 1080 (est)
Central Bucks South – 972
Abington – 930
Bensalem – 922
Pennridge – 909
Souderton - 882
2013 Final Standings
**Pennsbury Falcons 7 0 10 2
**Neshaminy Redskins 6 1 13 2
**Abington Ghosts 5 2 10 4
**Council Rock North Indians 4 3 7 4
Truman Tigers 2 5 6 6
Council Rock South Hawks 2 5 2 8
Bensalem Owls 1 6 1 9
William Tennent Panthers 1 6 2 8
**Pennsbury, Neshaminy, Abington, and Council Rock North all qualified for the PIAA District One playoffs in 2013.
***North Penn qualified for the PIAA District One playoffs in 2013 as a member of the SOL Continental Conference.
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