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Back for its fifth season, the popular Intelligencer/Courier Times ‘Let’s Talk Football’ features high school football beat writers Drew Markol and Dan Dunkin. Markol covers schools in the Intelligencer area while Dan Dunkin covers teams in the Courier Times area. Both share their perspective on the teams in their coverage area. Scott Huff, football writer for SuburbanOneSports.com, shares his thoughts about the American Conference squads. To stay on top of the high school football news in the area, visit the Intelligencer/Courier Times web site http://www.phillyburbs.com/sports/high_school/
SuburbanOneSports.com: After covering Pennsbury’s big win over Garnet Valley, what are your thoughts about the Falcons and their performance?
Dan Dunkin: “Garnet Valley is a very competitive team, very solid on both sides of the ball, especially their front seven on defense. It was a tight first half (14-14). They hit Pennsbury with a couple of big passing plays to help set up their touchdowns. Pennsbury just stuck with what they’re doing. They didn’t panic. They knew it would be a tough game, but because they stick with what they do so well and they mix in the I-formation with the wing-t, their running game just wore down Garnet Valley.
The second half was all Pennsbury (31-0). I was impressed with how they took Garnet Valley’s best shot, and like a championship- caliber team does, you turn a so-so night into a great night with a great second half. You play great when you have to, stand in there and go toe-to-toe and then be the victor because you have more will as well as talent.
“You’re going to have games like that because the deeper you go in the playoffs, everybody is good, and it’s not going to be pretty for a while, but you just grind it out and play football. That’s what Pennsbury does. They haven’t played a complete tremendous game in either playoff game. The first game they were unbelievable offensively, but they had some defensive holes, and it was a little bit overdone I thought because Downingtown West was scrambling to catch up and put up 55 points by just passing it every down. In Friday’s game against Garnet Valley, it was an even game until halftime, and then Pennsbury totally dominated the second half. Their defense played very well, too, and got three turnovers. They’re right on target toward a championship showdown with, I think, Coatesville. They have a tough matchup this week with Upper Dublin, too.”
SuburbanOneSports.com: Who were some of Pennsbury’s players who you thought really stepped up in Friday’s win?
Dan Dunkin: “Charles Snorweah is having one of the most amazing seasons I’ve ever seen by a high school running back. He’s over 2100 yards now, and he’s got 620 yards rushing in the two playoffs games. This is a kid who is just your model kid and football player. To me, he’s the most complete running back in the state. He’s been a four-year starter, very unselfish. He came in mainly as a blocking back, a wing back as a freshman and just every year has assumed more responsibility and gotten better. He’s gotten better every year and really gone to another level the last two years with 1600 yards last year and 2100 this year. He’s a slashing, explosive runner with 4.4 40 speed who’s as tough inside as he is outside.
“Raheem Thompson and Victor Delgado are excellent Pennsbury running backs who also have had very good years. Between the three Pennsbury running backs, you’re talking over 3500 yards this year, which is amazing.
“Mike Alley only threw it a couple times, but their running game was doing so well they didn’t ask him to throw. He had over 100 yards rushing that game, and he had a long touchdown run.
“Pennsbury’s offensive line is tremendous. It ranks with any Galen Snyder has had in school history. They’re tough, physical, aggressive, smart. They’re led by Austin O’Neill, who may be the best lineman in Suburban One this year, but their whole line collectively is terrific.
“Jack Kenney is among many defensive standouts. He was really good against Garnet Valley. He had a batted down pass on a big fourth down and also recovered a fumble that really was a turning point in the game.”
SuburbanOneSports.com: Your thoughts about the Pennsbury/Upper Dublin game on Friday night.
Dan Dunkin: “That’s going to be interesting for Pennsbury. Upper Dublin is a pretty fast team. They have good quickness on defense and a lot of playmakers on offense. Council Rock North found out - their offense couldn’t do anything against Upper Dublin’s defense, and Brandon McIlwain couldn’t get outside, he couldn’t make any big plays. Their defense was completely overmatched against Upper Dublin’s running game. Upper Dublin has a lot of balance on offense. The coach’s son, Ryan Stover, is a very good passer. He didn’t have to throw it hardly against Council Rock North, but he will against Pennsbury because Pennsbury’s got a quick defense themselves and is very good at containing teams outside.
“The last couple of weeks Pennsbury has seen some big passing plays going against them in one-on-one coverage, so that’s something to keep your eyes on. Upper Dublin may want to try and get some one-on-one matchups and get their passing game going, but you’re not going to big-play Pennsbury and beat them. You’re going to have to get in there and punch with them. You’re not going to be able to get enough big plays against them to beat them. You’re going to have to beat them playing tough in-the-trenches football, and that’s where this game separates. Whereas Garnet Valley was a different challenge – pretty tough up the middle with their front seven, but once you got to the second level, you could outrun those guys as Snorweah did. Upper Dublin is a faster defense, and they’re physical but not as physical as Garnet Valley. I think Pennsbury can run the ball on them as they do against everybody, and they’re going to control the clock. I think it’s going to be an interesting game and probably close for a while, but I think Pennsbury will assert control and win the game by a couple of touchdowns.”
SuburbanOneSports.com: You covered the Quakertown/Downingtown East game last Friday. Your thoughts.
Drew Markol: “Quakertown turned the ball over early in the second quarter of a scoreless game, and if they had gotten that first touchdown, obviously, you get a 7-0 lead and a boost of confidence, but again, Downingtown East is very good. They were moving the ball whereas Quakertown had a hard time moving the ball. Especially in the second half, Quakertown could do very little offensively. They did not even cross midfield. Would it have helped if they had scored? Sure, but I’m not sure it would have made a difference in winning the game.
“Quakertown wasn’t blown out. They just ran into a good team, but you’re in the quarterfinals of districts, and teams you’re playing should be good. Now they have to try and bounce back for Pennridge on Thanksgiving, and that could be very difficult for them because Pennridge is looking for revenge whereas if you’re Quakertown you won the one you wanted to win against them. To come back and beat them again, you have to get yourself back up because I’m sure they thought they would win and still be playing in the district tournament. We’ll see if they can bounce back.
“They were representative, and they’re in the midst of a great season. We’ll see how they can wrap it up.”
SuburbanOneSports.com: Upper Dublin upset Rustin. Your comments.
Drew Markol: “Upper Dublin hopefully has erased the label, but the American Conference is looked down upon because it’s the small schools. Upper Dublin is the ninth smallest out of the 44 schools that play in Quad A in District One, but obviously, they’re showing that they belong. They’re kind of speaking for the whole conference in Quad A that we can do this, and you have Springfield beating Bristol in the Class AA championship game, which is a nice win for them. The American Conference still has two teams playing, and they needed that. I’m sure everyone in the conference is cheering for them because it shines well on the whole conference.
“Upper Dublin has to play Pennsbury now, and it looks like it could be the end of the road, but most people thought it was the end of the road two weeks ago, and they just keep going. Imagine the confidence they must have. Good for them. You need to prove people wrong, and now they have.”
SuburbanOneSports.com: Your thoughts looking ahead in districts. Do you think it will be a Coatesville/Pennsbury district final?
Drew Markol: “Those are your two top seeds, and that’s the way it should fall. I saw Coatesville play early in the season. It’s a younger team, but they haven’t done anything wrong. They still have to get past Downingtown East. They needed a late touchdown to beat them the first time. Would it be a shock if Downingtown East turned a 15-9 regular season loss into a win? Not really. Again, it looks like Pennsbury/Coatesville, but me and my comrades have been wrong quite often, my comrades more so that myself.”
SuburbanOneSports.com: What are your thoughts on both Upper Dublin and Pennsbury getting to the District One semifinals?
Scott Huff: “Upper Dublin getting to the semifinals was without question the bigger surprise. There has been a serious lack of respect for the Suburban One American Conference for the last few years, and most high school ‘experts’ felt that it would be a cold day in h*** before a team from that conference would make a run at a district title.
“Well, it has been pretty darn cold lately, and Upper Dublin has earned its trip to the semifinals against a powerful Pennsbury team.
“There is no denying that the Cardinals got a good ‘draw’ for the first two rounds of the playoffs. Round one was against a Council Rock North team that had seen its season spiral downward toward the end of the season. And the second round game was against a West Chester Rustin team that was considered the favorite – but a team that played in the Ches-Mont American – a conference that most consider a step below the more prestigious Ches-Mont National.
“Don’t get me wrong - Upper Dublin has more than earned its glory this postseason.
“Junior quarterback Ryan Stover – son of head coach Bret Stover – has proven to be one of the elite quarterbacks in the district. Matt Thompson has developed into a threat at wide receiver – and the running duo of Kaleif Lee and John Lee (no relation) has been terrific. And both the undersized offensive and defensive lines have stood up against the ‘big boys’ big time.
“Pennsbury – on the other hand – was expected to be playing this deep into November. The Falcons were hyped in the preseason as one of the premier teams not only in the SOL National Conference and the SOL – but also in the entire state. And with the exception of its seemingly yearly stumble against North Penn, Pennsbury has been that team.
“The Falcons have continued its mantra of ‘Ground and Pound’ – and why not? The stable of Pennsbury running backs features the electric Charles Snorweah but also has quality backs in Victor Delgado, Raheem Thompson, Daulton Hose – and a fine running quarterback in Mike Alley. And those jet quick Falcons run behind a massive offensive line that includes Austin O’Neill among others.
“Pennsbury showed some vulnerability to the pass in its 63-55 victory over Downingtown West in the first round. DW quarterback Tyler McNulty passed for 425 yards and four touchdowns against a Falcon defense that was down three starters to injury. However, Snorweah was ridiculous in the West game with 433 yards rushing and seven – count them, seven – rushing touchdowns.
“The Falcons advanced to the semifinal game with a 45-14 win over Garnet Valley. Again, the Black and Orange featured the ‘ground and pound,’ and again there was no answer for the overmatched Jaguars.”
SuburbanOneSports.com: Who wins that semifinal game?
Scott Huff: “Pennsbury.
“There are just too many hurdles for Upper Dublin to overcome in its match up with the Falcons.
“(1) Size – Pennsbury is not just a little bit bigger than Upper Dublin – the Falcons are much bigger along with the offensive and defensive lines.
“(2) Depth – Pennsbury features a lot of one-way players that play either exclusively on the offensive or defensive side of the ball. There are a lot of two-way players for Upper Dublin. The male enrollment at Pennsbury is 1384 students – the male enrollment at Upper Dublin is 546 – and that enrollment number translates into roster depth.
“(3) The weather – Pennsbury is almost exclusively a running football team, and that style of offense is less problematic to feature on a frigid Friday night. Upper Dublin – which has shown that it can run the football – managed to pass the ball last week against West Chester Rustin in the bitter cold, nut it is still far more challenging to have an effective passing game in the freezing temperatures.
“(4) The home field – almost everyone will tell you that the home field advantage in high school football doesn’t really exist. However, Pennsbury is unbeaten on its grass and dirt field this year – and Upper Dublin has played its home games on its brand new turf field. Plus – there is still the bus ride for Upper Dublin from Fort Washington to Fairless Hills – and there should be more fans in the stands for the host Falcons.
“Don’t count Upper Dublin out – though. The Cardinals have proved almost everyone wrong so far.”
SuburbanOneSports.com: What are your thoughts on Springfield winning the District One championship?
Scott Huff: “All season long Springfield was beaten up in the SOL American Conference, winning just two of seven games against schools with much larger enrollments. The brutal schedule – however - prepared the Spartans well.
“Springfield opened the Class AA playoffs as a # 2 seed and easily won the playoff opener 35-19 over # 4 New Hope-Solebury as Chris Stone threw a pair of touchdown passes and ran for a third. The Spartans turned in a spartan effort in the District One final with the 15-14 victory over # 1 seed Bristol.
“Bristol – which featured an elite running back in Donte Simmons – came into the game with a Bicentennial League championship resume. Simmons managed to gouge the Spartans for 312 rushing yards and a pair of touchdowns, but Springfield managed to come up with the critical plays to earn the victory.”
Suburban One Sports: Who wins the Class AA playoff game between Springfield and Neumann-Goretti?
Scott Huff: “How about those Springfield Spartans?
“At the beginning of this Class AA playoffs, conventional wisdom had a match up between Bicentennial League champion Bristol versus Philadelphia Catholic League AA champion West Catholic. And right now, neither is there and the reason is that both Springfield and Neumann-Goretti defied that conventional wisdom.
“Springfield took care of Bristol (see above) in the District One final and Neumann-Goretti took care of West Catholic – 32-14 – in the PCL Class AA final. Both were considered upsets – except maybe to both Springfield and Neumann-Goretti.
“All season long Springfield head coach Chris Shelly had hoped that the tough lessons learned by playing in the rugged SOL American Conference would pay off in victories in the playoffs.
“I believe he is right – again.”