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Back for a third season is the popular Intelligencer/Courier Times ‘Let’s Talk Football,’ featuring high school football beat writers Kevin Cooney and Dan Dunkin. Cooney, the Phillies beat writer, covers schools in the Intelligencer area while Dan Dunkin – who has been covering sports at the high school and professional level for 25 years - will cover teams in the Courier Times area. Both share their perspective on the teams in their coverage area. To stay on top of the high school football news in the area, visit the web site http://www.phillyburbs.com/sports/high_school/
SuburbanOneSports.com: The game of significance in your coverage area last weekend was North Penn’s win over Souderton that kept the Indians out of the playoffs. Share your thoughts about that game.
Kevin Cooney: “I wasn’t there, but it sounds like Souderton was the one in control for three quarters. I’ve heard Souderton people complaining about the officiating at the end of the game, and a fumble apparently went against them, but it’s just another case – you can’t let it get to the final week. For Souderton, this has become too much of a recurring a trend. It always comes down to that last game. It hasn’t always been North Penn, but now that it is North Penn it’s like a double whammy. When you let yourself get in that spot – and they did with that non-league loss to Unionville, you have to beat either Pennridge or CB South. Those were the teams that were the cream of the division this year. You have to beat North Penn because they’re the cream of the division every year. You have to take care of business. If you had a bad call go against you, that bad call was nine weeks in the making. Obviously, I can’t comment on the call. It sounds like it was pretty awful, but again, the lesson is to avoid going into the final week with this hanging over them. Until that happens, they’re going to keep risking this. That’s not a knock on Souderton. Sometimes it happens. I think perhaps they weren’t as talented as the other teams in their division this year. They’re probably a fourth place team, and that’s where they finished.”
SuburbanOneSports.com: You were at the Pennridge/Hatboro-Horsham game and saw the Rams close out their conference season undefeated. Your comments about that contest.
Kevin Cooney: “Let’s give credit to Pennridge. Pennridge did what a good team is supposed to do. They took care of business, put the mercy rule on and got the starters out the week before the playoffs.
“Hatboro was just disorganized, and that’s the worst thing you can be at this point in the season. This isn’t week one. Obviously, last week’s chaos with Hurricane Sandy didn’t help with no practices and you don’t know who has power and all that, but it sounds like this is not a new trend with them. If that’s the case, you have to look at where the program is at and see what’s going to take place going forward. Not having a deep pool of talent and being disorganized is a bad combination.
SuburbanOneSports.com: Pennridge will host Abington in Friday’s opening round of districts. Your thoughts about that game.
Kevin Cooney: “I was just crunching the numbers. Pennridge has won eight in a row, they are the three seed and beat a couple of different playoff teams to get there, they’ve played very well all the way through, they have a 2,000-yard running back in Michael Class, it’s at Poppy Yoder and all that. You flip it over to Abington. They’re 7-3, they’ve lost to all three teams they’ve faced that have above .500 records and weren’t really competitive in two of those losses. They don’t look like they match up weapons-wise when you look at Class, Bigam and Crawford for Pennridge and Reynolds and Collins for Abington.
“Then there’s something that pops out at you. These teams have one common opponent, and that one common opponent is Bensalem. Bensalem beat Pennridge at home in overtime in week two, and Abington beat Bensalem pretty badly (39-20). Pennridge has zero playoff experience, and Abington has been there five straight years. You start adding it together, and you go - hmmmm, maybe this is a little more interesting that you thought. On the surface, if Pennridge plays its game, Pennridge should probably win the game fairly comfortably, but there’s this little wild card factor. You don’t quite know how Pennridge is going to react. Abington has played in enough of these big games over the years, and if they land the first haymaker, the game changes. That’s what is going to be interesting about this game. I think Pennridge should win it. I’ve heard people say they think Pennridge will win it easily, but I don’t know – there’s just something about it that’s nagging me. Things are not going to fall as easily as having Pennridge and Pennsbury playing each other next week. It’s not going to be as easy as it looks right now. Right now I’ll go with Pennridge, but I think it’s going to be closer than people think.”
SuburbanOneSports.com: Central Bucks South will host Haverford in Friday’s opening round. What are your thoughts about that game?
Kevin Cooney: “I think I said last week that I thought CB South had kind of plateaued after beating North Penn, and then they had that loss to Pennridge, and it seemed as though they were flat. I think it was a 20-14 game after three quarters against CB West last week, but they keep finding ways to win, which is a really good thing. Josh Adams seems to be getting the engine running again. (Quarterback) John Pileggi seems like he’s throwing the ball very well. They have a lot of different ways they can beat you. The quarterback is 5-9 and has no business throwing the ball into the windows he’s throwing it into. He’s throwing the rainbow passes, which you wonder in November – will the wind take ahold of it? But there’s something pretty cool about that team right now.
“Haverford has a good quarterback, and again, there’s not a lot of common opponents between the two. They lost their game against Garnet Valley last week (30-13), so they’re coming in a little bit down. It’s rough when you get these north-south games because you don’t see that end of the district a lot. Right now, South has a lot of weapons. They have some playoff experience from last year. I think they’ll get by this one.”
SuburbanOneSports.com: What are your thoughts about the Plymouth Whitemarsh/Neshaminy game?
Kevin Cooney: “The PW/Neshaminy game is interesting because the American Conference hasn’t won in the postseason since the first Bush administration. I think the American Conference’s last playoff win was 2001. PW appeared to have everything lined up perfectly last year when they had CB South at home, and South blew the doors off of them. Here comes Neshaminy who has played really well and played very well last week losing 7-0 to Pennsbury, which was one of those real tight defensive games that you expect. I think I’m leaning towards Neshaminy. I think we’re going to see Neshaminy and CB South next weekend. I think the Neshaminy/PW game will be a squeaker this weekend.”
SuburbanOneSports.com: Pennsbury is hosting Bayard Rustin. Your comments on that game.
Kevin Cooney: “There’s no doubt in my mind that Pennsbury is the team from the SOL that has the best chance of getting to the district final and win the district. When you talk about how physical they are – they’re able to run the ball with Shawn Pepper and their running backs, who have looked really good. Their defense has been stout, and they played that really hard first three-week non-conference schedule. They played Easton, Downingtown East and Frankford, which won the Public League. Frankford is your breather game in the mix, which shows you that you’ve played a really high level schedule. Right now they’re confident with the way they’re playing. I think the bracket is favorable to them. If Pennsbury plays Pennridge next week, they have a size advantage on them. I think Pennsbury can match up with Ridley, and to me, Pennsbury is the team that has the best shot. Now can they avoid the trip-up? They’ve had that happen to them in the past. I think winning two playoff games on the road last year helps them. It showed they can win on the road even though they’re home now. Quite frankly, they’re the team that I believe can get through to the final. I’m not sure they can beat Downingtown East, but I think they’ll win pretty handily this week and will get to the final. I don’t think Rustin has enough depth, and I’m not sure that league prepares them to play up here.”
SuburbanOneSports.com: Wissahickon travels to Downingtown East on Friday night. Your thoughts about that game.
Kevin Cooney: “Congratulations on making the playoffs. They had a (heck) of a win over Upper Moreland last week, but I really don’t like the matchup. I’m picking Downingtown East to win the district. I think it will be a 20-25-point game.”
SuburbanOneSports.com: Upper Moreland will travel to Academy Park in Friday night’s Class AA opener. Your comments about that game.
Kevin Cooney: “There are not many times you see a team give up 50 points in their last regular season game and then have a playoff game the next week. Do you chalk it up to just a bad week with all the chaos going on? But now you’re talking about an Academy Park team that beat Interboro for the first time since 1994. They’re a team that can beat you in a lot of different ways. Upper Moreland has to go on the road on Friday night. It’s a real tough spot.”
SuburbanOneSports.com: Pennsbury defeated Neshaminy 7-0 to win sole possession of the National Conference crown. Talk about that game.
Dan Dunkin: “It was a low-scoring game off a short week with the horrible storm. You have to give a lot of credit to both defenses. Shawn Pepper and Breon Clark are both big-play guys, and they were the difference in a very tightly defended game. Those two have been ‘X’ factors in games and are a big reason why Pennsbury is poised to take another step this year.
“A lot of credit to Pennsbury for going undefeated in the conference and winning the championship. They bounced back really well the last two years after that subpar 2010 season. Galen Snyder has really put together quite a record there for the past 11 years. He has a fine staff, and give him, his staff and kids a lot of credit. They bounced back also from their difficult non-conference schedule. They took a big challenge and went 1-2. They got beat pretty badly by Easton, but there’s no shame in that. Easton is a top 10 team in the state. They played Downingtown East very well for the better part of three quarters, and Downingtown East is the number one seed in the district, and they beat Frankford. You looked at them at the end of their non-conference games and thought, ‘Well, they played a tough schedule, and they should be in the hunt in the SOL National.’ I think they were better than people thought they would be. In fact, I think Pennsbury is very close to reaching its potential, which is hard to do with a group of guys.
“Pennsbury got better every game in the conference, and they did benefit from their non-conference schedule. Both their offensive and defensive lines were terrific. They got better and better. Their running backs and skill people speak for themselves, and their defense was superior. They’ve given up 48 points in seven conference games. You can’t do much better than that. It was a great conference season for Pennsbury, but it’s just a step toward where they want to go.”
SuburbanOneSports.com: What are your thoughts about Neshaminy after their performance against Pennsbury last week?
Dan Dunkin: “Look out for Neshaminy. People say, ‘They got shut out by Pennsbury.’ Well, on the other side of it, the glass is half-full because their defense has really come on. When you hold Pennsbury to seven points, that really is quite an achievement. In fact, they did so well going toe-to-toe with Pennsbury that Pennsbury was forced to beat them with a big pass play. They did a pretty good job containing Shawn Pepper, holding him to 83 yards rushing. He did beat them on the pass play, and Clark made a great read, and they made a great call on that play and found a seam down the middle.
“Neshaminy, as Neshaminy does every year and similar to Pennsbury – they’re playing their best football now. Their offense draws a lot of respect from people because they are so hard to prepare for, and I know this from talking to the other coaches in the SOL National. They squeaked out a win against Abington, 21-14, they didn’t score against Pennsbury, but we all know what they’re capable of offensively with that deep running game, their offensive line firing off the ball. The way their defense is playing – they have some quick, aggressive, tough kids, and I think they’ve improved and gotten a read on things pretty well the last three or four weeks.”
SuburbanOneSports.com: Pennsbury will host West Chester Rustin in Friday night’s opening round. Your thoughts about that game?
Dan Dunkin: “I like Pennsbury in this game. I like Pennsbury to make a good run in the playoffs. They’re extremely physical and tough, and they’re a fast team. Their defense is fast, and Neshaminy saw that on Saturday. Along with the speed at their skill positions and in their running game, their defense is excellent. Speed is everything in this day and age. I think that will serve them well going forward in the playoffs.
“Rustin runs an offense very similar to theirs – a wing-t, and I think that plays to their favor. Rustin has a very robust running game, not quite like Pennsbury’s, but they’ve earned their way. They’re a consistent team. I just think Pennsbury is playing exceptionally well right now. They’re one of the few teams that has just continued to get better the last seven weeks, and there’s a real premium on that. I think they’ve built to November for the playoffs, and I expect them to win this game.”
SuburbanOneSports.com: Neshaminy travels to Plymouth Whitemarsh. What are your thoughts about that game?
Dan Dunkin: “A lot of people think it’s a tall order – and it is – to go into Plymouth Whitemarsh, which has really been putting up some big numbers. I’m picking Neshaminy to win this game. I think they’re going to go in there and play an exceptional game on both sides of the ball, and they’re going to have to be able to run the ball. I think they’ll stick with it. I think Nate Hall, Denny Lord and company and their offensive line will churn it out enough to set up some good pass plays and win this game by a touchdown. I think it will be tight, but I think Neshaminy will go in there and surprise Plymouth Whitemarsh.
“These seedings can be overblown. Neshaminy is way better than a 13 seed. I have news for you – they are. I think they’re going to take some umbrage at that. I’m not a big fan of the American Conference. I just think Neshaminy is quicker, more prepared and more experienced in this kind of situation, and they have a lot to prove to themselves, their fans and their coaches. For this big junior class, this is a launching point for them because last year they righted the ship, they got two games into the district playoffs, and they need to go further this year. On paper, it’s 13 against four, and it’s kneejerk to say, ‘I’ll pick four.’ If you really look at it and look at the relative strengths of the program and where they’ve been and their conferences, I just think Neshaminy is better equipped to win this game.”
SuburbanOneSports.com: What are your thoughts about the Abington/Pennridge game?
Dan Dunkin: “I like Pennridge a lot. Pennridge has really been the team of the year in our area. You just can’t say enough good things about what Randy Cuthbert, his staff and his kids have done. They’ve beaten everybody – except who would have thought – Bensalem. It was a big year for the Continental Conference, and they were the best team. You’re looking at CB South and North Penn – North Penn will finish with four losses, but they’re the best four or five-loss team we’ve seen in 20 years. Look what their schedule was before their conference season, and then look how tough their conference was.
“The thing you look at most specifically with them – besides the obvious, Mike Class, who’s a great running back and the way they’re able to move the ball and as consistently excellent as Class has been – their defense is outstanding. They shut down North Penn, and they shut down CB South. Especially that CB South game, that’s amazing because you look at their run-pass balance and the ridiculous numbers their running back (Josh Adams) has put up this year and how Dave Rackovan has coached their team up this year. I think they’ve really been the best offensive team in the whole Philadelphia area this year. Pennridge went in there and shut them down.
“Pennridge is ready to rock. Abington has gotten a lot out of its kids this year. It was a big challenge to come back and replace a lot of skill position kids. They’re undersized in some spots, but you have to give them credit for making it into the playoffs. They’ve done a great job of getting the most out of their potential, but I just think this is going to be a really tall order for them because Pennridge has become this exceptionally sound team on both sides of the ball as proven by their record.”
SuburbanOneSports.com: What about Wissahickon vs. Downingtown East?
Dan Dunkin: “Downingtown East is very difficult to prepare for with that spread pass offense. The one thing that’s going to be interesting about them as we get into these cold weather games – East can run it, but they’re a really pass-oriented team, and it may play a little bit of havoc with their system. If you get into a weather situation where it’s cold and you have to slug it out more, I could see them getting knocked off down the road somewhere. Pennsbury would love to get another shot at them, and I would love to see them get another shot at them. I think it would be a different game this time. They hung with their passing game for a long stretch in that game, but they are difficult to prepare for. They are the team to beat. I don’t think there is a team that’s head and shoulders above everyone else, but they’re a deserving one seed.
“Pennridge has a great chance to get to the district final. I don’t think anybody really wants to play Pennsbury or Neshaminy. Their traditions speak for themselves, and they’re both playing well. I think Neshaminy can be really encouraged. Even though they lost 7-0, look who they lost to and look who they slowed down. I think they can’t wait to play. Neshaminy loves to play these other conferences and take it to them, and I expect them to.”