Scott Huff features Neshaminy, Upper Moreland and William Tennent and highlights some of the SOL’s week’s top performances.
By Scott Huff
The second season begins this weekend for all Suburban One League teams as conference games begin. These are the games that ‘count’ for SOL conferences titles – and the three game non-league contests have simply served as a barometer for success.
Sure Neshaminy, North Penn, and Plymouth Whitemarsh finished with 1-2 non-league records this season – but there isn’t anyone that feels that the Redskins, Knights, and Colonials won’t seriously contend for conference titles. After all, North Penn was 0-3 last season and marched to a SOL Continental Conference title – won ten straight games – and finished 10-4. PW was 0-2 at the outset of the season and marched to a SOL American Conference championship – won eight straight games – and finished 8-3.
And the beat goes on…
SOL National Conference ‘Snapshot’
Neshaminy Redskins
Neshaminy (1-2) has an extremely proud and storied past, and when the defending PIAA Quad-A District One champion Skins began the season 0-2 there was a lot of heartbreak on ‘Heartbreak Ridge’. But those losses came against nationally ranked Gonzaga Prep (DC) by a 42-3 score – and District One power Downingtown West by a 28-7 margin.
“Those games were good for us in that we got a good measure as to how good a football team we are,” said first-year Neshaminy head coach Mike Frederick. “Gonzaga Prep had seven Division One football players – and we had four returning starters. The players are smart – they knew the quality of teams we were playing. They know that’s where we want our program to go.”
Neshaminy captured its first win of the season last week with a 49-15 non-league victory over Council Rock South (1-2). The Skins will open the SOL National Conference schedule against unbeaten Abington (3-0) this week.
“Abington is a program with both terrific athletes and an excellent head coach,” said Frederick in reference to Ghost head coach Tim Sorber. “He has the most tenure of any coach in the league (15 years) and knows what it takes to win.”
Neshaminy knew would it take to win last week against Rock South. Everyone is well aware of the blue-chip running back in the Skin backfield in Villanova-bound D’Andre Pollard – and now everyone is getting to know the Redskins’ gifted sophomore quarterback Mason Jones.
“Mason is the son of a football coach (father Ray was an assistant under former Neshaminy head coach Mark Schmidt for 15 years) and has been around the game all his life,” said Frederick. “He is not your typical sophomore. He is under the gun, but he knows how to deal with adversity. He makes good decisions, and he won the starting job this season because of the way he throws the football.
“We had a 3,000-yard back returning in the backfield in D’Andre,” added Frederick. “We needed someone that would force defenses to get 11 men out of the box. And he has done that so far.”
Jones fired 3 touchdown passes last week against CR South – and he just might have to do the same this week against Abington.
“The depth of great football teams in our league is amazing,” said Frederick. “Pennsbury, North Penn, Abington, Pennridge, CB South – and really all the teams – are tremendous. The only reason that we don’t have more teams ranked high in the polls is that we are going to beat each other up during the season.”
And even at 1-2, only a fool would not count Neshaminy among that elite group.
SOL National Conference ‘Honor Roll’
Charles Snorweah of Pennsbury rushed for a game-high 240 yards and four touchdowns as the Falcons soared to a 57-20 victory over Council Rock North.
Josh Adams and Kevin Witchey of Central Bucks South put up impressive numbers as the Titans marched to a 42-24 victory over Central Bucks East. Adams scored a school record six touchdowns and rushed for 146 yards, while Witchey passed for 116 yards.
Juawine Sowell of Abington rushed for a game-high 221 yards and returned a kickoff 80 yards for a TD as the Ghosts defeated Upper Dublin 27-20.
Mason Jones of Neshaminy passed for 150 yards and three touchdowns as the Redskins captured a 49-15 victory over Council Rock South.
Joe Unangst of Pennridge rushed for 140 yards and two touchdowns, as the Rams remained unbeaten with a 35-23 victory over Central Bucks West.
Joey Curotto of Souderton threw for 124 yards and set up the hook-and-ladder that scored a touchdown on the final play of the game as the Big Red captured a 20-14 victory over Wissahickon.
Nyfeese West of North Penn scored the lone touchdown for the Knights as NP was defeated by Archbishop Wood 42-7.
This Week in the SOL National Conference
Abington Ghosts (3-0) @ Neshaminy Redskins (1-2)
Last Week: Abington defeated Upper Dublin 27-20 & Neshaminy defeated Council Rock South 49-15.
Pennsbury Falcons (3-0) @ Souderton Indians (2-1)
Last Week: Pennsbury defeated Council Rock North 57-20 & Souderton defeated Wissahickon 20-14.
Pennridge Rams (3-0) @ North Penn Knights (1-2)
Last Week: Pennridge defeated CB West 35-23 & North Penn lost to Archbishop Wood 42-7.
Bensalem Owls (0-3) @ Central Bucks South Titans (2-1)
Last Week: Bensalem lost to Archbishop Ryan 53-0 & CB South defeated CB East 42-24.
SOL American Conference ‘Snapshot’
Upper Moreland Golden Bears
Upper Moreland (3-0)prepped for its run for a SOL American Conference title run with an unbeaten non-league season. And – is it Thanksgiving already? – the Golden Bears will open its conference schedule with neighborhood rival Hatboro-Horsham.
“The decision to play them twice this year was made by someone higher up than me,” said Upper Moreland head coach Adam Beach as the Bears and Hatters will still play Thanksgiving morning. “And even though it isn’t Thanksgiving, the people in the community are still very excited about the game. We beat them last year – and I told the kids that they will have revenge on their minds.”
Hatboro Horsham also had a perfect preseason record – but the Hatters were 0-3. And Hatboro Horsham will have to contend with a powerful Upper Moreland offense that features a terrific offensive line and a pair of senior leaders in the backfield.
Senior running back Tyler Whitmore came into the season with high expectations. And the two-sport star – he also excels in track – has not disappointed.
“Last year Tyler gained most of his yards by using his speed,” said Beach. “This year he has developed into more of a runner. He has a much better offensive line to run behind – those linemen are both bigger and stronger than last year.”
Whitmore also has an invaluable complement in the backfield this season in senior quarterback Josh Abrams.
“Josh is the hardest working player on the field,” said Beach. “He is a great leader – one of our captains – and he is extremely smart – in the top ten in his class.
“Teams are going to load 11 guys in the box in order to stop Tyler,” added Beach. “And Josh has been able to throw the ball effectively and get them out of that defense. He has responded very well to what we want him to do.”
Hatboro Horsham will have a lot on its plate this week – even if it isn’t Thanksgiving.
SOL American Conference ‘Honor Roll’
Tyler Whitmore of Upper Moreland rushed for a game-high 178 yards and two touchdowns as the Golden Bears captured a 35-28 victory over Conwell-Egan.
Jake Winterbottom of Plymouth Whitemarsh rushed for a game-high 130 yards and two touchdowns as the Colonials marched to a 35-6 win over Norristown.
Josh Smith of Wissahickon rushed for a game-high 273 yards and a touchdown – and also threw a TD pass – as the Trojans lost to Souderton 20-14.
Ryan Stover of Upper Dublin passed for 221 yards and two touchdowns as the Flying Cardinals were defeated by Abington 27-20.
Brett Righter of Springfield scored two touchdowns as the Spartans lost for the first time this season in a 23-20 loss Penn Charter.
Greg Morris of Cheltenham scored the lone touchdown as the Panthers were defeated by Quakertown 20-7.
Isaiah Graham-Mobley of Upper Merion threw for 127 yards and a touchdown as the Vikings were sunk by Haverford 42-6.
Casey Walsh of Hatboro-Horsham passed for 209 yards as the Hatters were topped by Lansdale Catholic 28-13.
This Week in the SOL American Conference
Springfield Spartans (2-1) @ Wissahickon Trojans (1-2)
Last Week: Springfield lost to Penn Charter 23-20 & Wissahickon lost to Souderton 20-14.
Cheltenham Panthers (1-2) @ Upper Dublin Cardinals (2-1)
Last Week: Cheltenham lost to Quakertown 20-7 & Upper Dublin lost to Abington 27-20.
Upper Moreland Golden Bears (3-0) @ Hatboro Horsham Hatters (0-3)
Last Week: Upper Moreland defeated Conwell Egan 35-28 & Hatboro Horsham lost to Lansdale Catholic 28-13.
Upper Merion Vikings (0-3) @ Plymouth Whitemarsh Colonials (3-0)
Last Week: Upper Merion lost to Haverford 42-6 & Plymouth Whitemarsh defeated Norristown 35-6.
SOL Continental Conference ‘Snapshot’
William Tennent Panthers
William Tennent (2-1) will open conference play this week against unbeaten Quakertown (3-0), and WT head coach Bob Rosenberger really doesn’t have too much to say about Tennent’s shift from the SOL National Conference to the SOL Continental Conference.
“To be honest, I’m a little tired of talking about the move,” said Rosenberger as the Panthers have ‘traded’ Neshaminy, Pennsbury, Abington, and Bensalem for CB East, CB West, Council Rock North, Council Rock South, Quakertown, and Norristown on their conference schedule. “All the coaching staff and all the players want to really do is play the game.”
And the players have played the game – for the most part – well in the 2014 season.
“We let one slip away the first week against Mastery,” said Rosenberger. “But I thought we came back and played well the last two weeks against Fels and Oxford. We have moved the ball well in every game, and that has been a big part of our success.”
A huge part of that success has been the play of senior quarterback Nik Banks.
“Nik is a special kid that has provided invaluable leadership and athletic ability to the team,” said Rosenberger. “He has worked real hard in the weight room – gained 29 pounds. He and (receiver) John Ryan have developed into a nice passing pair.
“Quakertown is going to be a real challenge for us this week,” added Rosenberger. “They are undefeated and are really well coached. Plus there is the excitement about playing on the new turf in their stadium.”
Quakertown will open its stadium doors at the iconic Alumni Field with a much faster track.
“It is going to be a great atmosphere,” said Rosenberger. “I live right down the street from the field – and my kids go to Quakertown schools. I guess I own a part of that turf with the taxes I pay.”
And Rosenberger would like nothing better than to cash in its first conference win.
SOL Continental Conference ‘Honor Roll’
Mark Lopez-Shefcyk of Truman rushed for 96 yards and two touchdowns and passed for 177 yards as the Tigers captured a 37-14 victory over Cardinal O’Hara.
Nik Banks of William Tennent passed for 137 yards and three touchdowns as the Panthers collected a 31-13 victory over Oxford.
Rob Burns of Quakertown rushed for 95 yards and a touchdown and also scored on a punt return as the Panthers collected a 20-7 victory over Cheltenham.
Brandon McIlwain of Council Rock North passed for 189 yards and three touchdowns as the Indians were defeated by Pennsbury 57-20.
Luke Durkin of Central Bucks West scored two touchdowns as the Bucks were defeated by Pennridge 35-23.
David Gressgott of Central Bucks East scored two touchdowns as the Patriots were beaten by Central Bucks South 42-24.
Vince Alimenti of Council Rock South rushed for a team-high 112 yards and scored a touchdown as the Golden Hawks were defeated by Neshaminy 49-15.
Corey Davenport of Norristown scored the lone touchdown as the Eagles were defeated by Plymouth Whitemarsh 35-6.
This Week in the SOL Continental Conference
Truman Tigers (2-1) @ Council Rock South Golden Hawks (1-2)
Last Week: Truman defeated Cardinal O’Hara 37-14 & CR South lost to Neshaminy 49-15.
Central Bucks East Patriots (1-2) @ Council Rock North Indians (2-1)
Last Week: CB East lost to CB South 42-24 & CR North lost to Pennsbury 57-20.
William Tennent Panthers (2-1) @ Quakertown Panthers (3-0)
Last Week: William Tennent defeated Oxford 31-13 & Quakertown defeated Cheltenham 20-7.
Central Bucks West (1-2) @ Norristown Eagles (2-1)
Last Week: CB West lost to Pennridge 35-23 & Norristown lost to Plymouth Whitemarsh 35-6.
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