Scott Huff features three of this weekend’s marquee games and highlights some of the SOL’s top performances.
By Scott Huff
The spotlight will shine this Friday night, as Upper Dublin will host Plymouth Whitemarsh in what should be the game that decides the SOL American Conference championship. Both the Cardinals (5-1, 3-0) and the Colonials (4-2, 3-0) are unbeaten in conference play and should go through the remainder of the conference schedule undefeated.
Last week, Upper Dublin routed Wissahickon (2-4, 1-2) 39-0 and PW collected a 33-20 victory over Upper Moreland (4-2, 1-2). In other conference action, Cheltenham (3-3, 2-1) won for the second straight week with a 41-8 win over winless Upper Merion (0-6, 0-3), and Springfield (3-3, 1-2) won its first conference game with a 27-21 victory over Hatboro-Horsham (1-5. 1-2).
The spotlight will shine on Saturday night as Pennsbury (6-0, 3-0) will host Pennridge (5-1, 2-1) in a game that should be the biggest challenge to date for the unbeaten Falcons. The only bump in the Pennridge road this season was a 47-27 loss to North Penn.
Last week, Pennsbury dismantled overmatched Bensalem (0-6, 0-3) – 56-0 and Pennridge defeated Abington (3-3, 0-3) – 35-22. In other conference action, Central Bucks South (5-1, 3-0) routed Neshaminy (2-4, 1-2) – 52-36, and North Penn (3-3, 1-2) torched Souderton (3-3, 1-2) – 42-7.
The spotlight will shine this Friday night as Quakertown (6-0, 3-0) will put its unbeaten season on the line against visiting Central Bucks West (2-4. 1-2). The Panthers continue to impress as they work through the 2014 season.
Last week, Quakertown edged Truman (3-3, 1-2) – 24-21 and Central Bucks West was impressive in a 34-20 victory over Council Rock South (3-3, 2-1). In other conference action, Council Rock North (5-1, 3-0) remained unbeaten in conference play with a 47-7 rout of Norristown, and Central Bucks East (2-4, 1-2) won its first conference game with a 15-13 win over William Tennent (2-4, 0-3).
And the beat goes on…
SOL National Conference ‘Snapshot’
Pennridge Rams
Pennridge did not receive any help from the schedule makers as the Rams play the two top contenders for the Suburban One National Conference back-to-back weeks. Pennridge (5-1, 2-1) will be on the road the next two Friday nights playing at state-ranked Pennsbury (6-0, 3-0) and explosive Central Bucks South (5-1, 3-0).
“It really is an unbelievable challenge for our football team,” said Pennridge head coach Jeff Hollenbach. “I don’t know that a Pennridge team ever had to play against Division One running backs (Charles Snorweah of Pennsbury [Rutgers] and Josh Adams of CB South [Notre Dame]) back-to-back weeks.
“We’ve had two good wins the last two weeks at home,” added Hollenbach in reference to the Rams 21-14 win over Neshaminy and a 35-22 win over Abington. “But now its back on the road against two excellent football teams.
“To be honest, the kids are really comfortable playing on the road,” continued Hollenbach. “I really don’t think that there is a huge advantage playing at home – we will have a good following the next two weeks.”
First up is a Pennsbury team that has buried all six of its opponents with a remarkable running offense that features not only Snorweah – but also Victor Delgado and Raheem Thompson. And quarterback Mike Alley has provided a threat in the passing game.
“Pennsbury has a huge offensive line that is very tough to deal with – and the running backs are all fast,” said Hollenbach. “I like their quarterback. This team reminds me a little of the good CB West teams that can run the football but still hurt you with the pass.”
Pennridge hurt Neshaminy with the pass two weeks ago when junior DeVon Balmer threw three touchdown passes – but it has been the running of senior Joe Unangst that has grabbed the headlines. Unangst rushed for 257 yards and tied the Pennridge record with five touchdowns in the win over Abington.
“We knew when we moved to the National that there was going to be a challenge each and every week,” said Hollenbach. “But Pennsbury and CB South back-to-back is an extreme challenge.”
SOL National Conference ‘Honor Roll’
Josh Adams and Kevin Witchey of Central Bucks South rolledup huge numbers as the Titans marched to a 52-36 win over Neshaminy. Adams rushed for 246 yards and scored four touchdowns, while Witchey completed 13 passes for 199 yards and two touchdowns.
Joe Unangst of Pennridge rushed for a game-high 257 yards and scored 5 touchdowns as the Rams defeated Abington 35-22.
Nyfease West and John Posavec of North Penn were the touchdown makers as the Knights marched to a 42-7 win over Souderton. West scored three rushing touchdowns – while Posavec added two rushing touchdowns for the winners.
Charles Snorweah and Victor Delgado of Pennsbury each scored two touchdowns as the Falcons soared to a 56-0 victory over Bensalem.
D’Andre Pollard and Mason Jones of Neshaminy posted terrific offensive numbers as the Redskins were defeated by Central Bucks South 52-36. Pollard rushed for a team-high 243 yards and scored three touchdowns while Jones passed for 210 yards and two touchdowns.
Juawine Sowell of Abington rushed for team-high 165 yards and scored a touchdown as the Ghosts were defeated by Pennridge 35-22.
Koby Khan of Souderton scored the lone touchdown for the Big Red in a 42-7 loss to North Penn.
This Week in the SOL National Conference
Pennridge Rams (5-1, 2-1) @ Pennsbury Falcons (6-0, 3-0)
Last Week: Pennridge defeated Abington 35-22 & Pennsbury defeated Bensalem 56-0.
Central Bucks South Titans (5-1, 3-0) @ Abington Ghosts (3-3, 0-3)
Last Week: Central Bucks South defeated Neshaminy 52-36 & Abington lost to Pennridge 35-22.
Neshaminy Redskins (2-4, 1-2) @ Souderton Indians (3-3, 1-2)
Last Week: Neshaminy lost to CB South 52-36 & Souderton lost to North Penn 42-7.
Bensalem Owls (0-6, 0-3) @ North Penn Knights (3-3, 2-1)
Last Week: Bensalem lost to Pennsbury 56-0 & North Penn defeated Souderton 42-7.
SOL American Conference ‘Snapshot’
Upper Dublin Flying Cardinals
Upper Dublin can finally focus on playing Plymouth Whitemarsh in what most SOL American Conference observers would agree is the conference championship game.
“We tried not to get caught looking ahead on the schedule,” said Upper Dublin head coach Bret Stover. “Plymouth Whitemarsh is much bigger than us – the biggest team we will play all year – and our biggest player is 215.
“We are going to have to be creative to combat that difference in size,” added Stover. “We are going to show up with a game plan and do our best to execute.
“Last week we got a nice game from (running back) Kaleif Lee,” continued Stover. “He has the ability to be one of the elite backs in the area. And when he runs like he did last week, it takes the pressure off our passing game.”
The passing game for the Cardinals has been sensational all season as junior quarterback Ryan Stover has been outstanding.
“It should be a great atmosphere Friday night to play a high school football game,” said Stover. “Fans will want to get there early.”
SOL American Conference ‘Honor Roll’
Kaleif Lee of Upper Dublin rushed for a game-high 170 yards and scored three touchdowns as the Cardinals soared to a 39-0 victory over Wissahickon.
Nyfeese Nasir and Jake Winterbottom of Plymouth Whitemarsh each rushed for over 100 yards as the Colonials marched to a 33-20 victory over Upper Moreland. Nasir rushed for 102 yards and scored three touchdowns, while Winterbottom added 111 yards and two touchdowns.
Martin Worgan, Chris Stone, and Justin Hill of Springfield each accounted for over 100 yards as the Spartans marched to a 27-21 victory over Hatboro-Horsham. Worgan rushed for 101 yards and a score; Stone completed 9 passes for 156 yards and a score; and Hill had 137 receiving yards and a score.
Greg Morris of Cheltenham scored four touchdowns as the Panthers routed Upper Merion 41-8.
Tyler Whitmore of Upper Moreland rushed for a game-high 142 yards and scored three touchdowns as the Golden Bears lost to Plymouth Whitemarsh 33-20.
Casey Walsh of Hatboro-Horsham passed for two touchdowns and also ran for another score as the Hatters were topped by Springfield 27-21.
Shannon Canard of Upper Merion accounted for 122 yards of total offense – 95 rushing and 27 pass receiving – as the Vikings were sunk by Cheltenham 41-8.
This Week in the SOL American Conference
Plymouth Whitemarsh Colonials (4-2, 3-0) @ Upper Dublin Flying Cardinals (5-1, 3-0)
Last Week: Plymouth Whitemarsh defeated Upper Moreland 33-20 & Upper Dublin defeated Wissahickon 39-0.
Springfield Spartans (3-3. 1-2) @ Cheltenham Panthers (3-3, 2-1)
Last Week: Springfield defeated Hatboro-Horsham 27-21 & Cheltenham defeated Upper Merion 41-8.
Wissahickon Trojans (2-4, 1-2) @ Hatboro-Horsham Hatters (1-5, 1-2)
Last Week: Wissahickon lost to Upper Dublin 39-0 & Hatboro-Horsham lost to Springfield 27-21.
Upper Merion Vikings (0-6, 0-3) @ Upper Moreland Golden Bears (4-2, 1-2)
Last Week: Upper Merion lost to Cheltenham 41-8 & Upper Moreland lost to Plymouth Whitemarsh 33-20.
SOL Continental Conference ‘Snapshot’
Quakertown Panthers
Quakertown head coach George Banas was worried last Thursday night. His unbeaten Panthers were making the hour-plus trip to play an improved Truman team. However, Quakertown played good football and remained unbeaten with a 24-21 victory over the Tigers.
“Truman presented a tough challenge on a short week of practice,” said Banas. “They run that triple option and we don’t see that. Plus they have a lot of good athletes
“This week we play a very good CB West team,” added Banas. “They might have a 2-4 record – but we will prepare for them like they are 5-1 or 6-0. Teams in this conference are going to lose some conference games.
“There isn’t a team in this conference that you can circle on the schedule and say that you can’t beat them,” continued Banas. “And there also isn’t a team in this conference that can’t beat you. It is great for competition, but can be very nerve wracking for a coach.”
Some are surprised that the Panthers are unbeaten to this point – some are not.
“We started in summer camp saying that we can only win the game we play that week,” said Banas. “We can’t think ahead. And after 10 weeks, we will see where we are – if we met our goal of being a league champion and a district playoff team.
“Right now we have to continue to remain humble,” added Banas. “How will the kids respond to us being unbeaten?”
So far the Panthers have responded perfectly.
SOL Continental Conference ‘Honor Roll’
Dallas Owen of Central Bucks West rushed for 231 yards and scored four touchdowns as the Bucks defeated Council Rock South 34-20.
Oliver Boucher of Central Bucks East kicked three field goals as the Patriots marched to a 15-13 win over William Tennent.
Brandon McIlwain and Chris Welde sparked Council Rock North to a 47-7 win over Norristown. McIlwain threw two touchdown passes and rushed for another score, while Welde scored two rushing touchdowns.
Nick Bonomo of Quakertown scored two touchdowns as the Panthers defeated Truman 24-21.
Vince Alimenti of Council Rock South rushed for a team-high 141 yards and a touchdown as the Golden Hawks were defeated by CB West 34-20.
Nik Banks of William Tennent passed for 75 yards and a touchdown as the Panthers were defeated by CB East 15-13.
Kamar Wallace of Norristown caught 9 passes for 93 yards as the Eagles were defeated by Council Rock North 41-7.
Mark Lopez-Shefcyk of Truman threw a touchdown pass as the Tigers were defeated by Quakertown 24-21.
This Week in the SOL Continental Conference
Council Rock North Indians (5-1, 3-0) @ Truman Tigers (3-3, 1-2)
Last Week: Council Rock North defeated Norristown 41-7 & Truman lost to Quakertown 24-21.
Central Bucks West Bucks (2-4, 1-2) @ Quakertown Panthers (6-0, 3-0)
Last Week: CB West defeated CR South 34-20 & Quakertown defeated Truman 24-21.
William Tennent Panthers (2-4, 0-3) @ Council Rock South Golden Hawks (3-3, 2-1)
Last Week: William Tennent lost to CB East 15-13 & CR South lost to CB West 34-20.
Norristown Eagles (3-3, 1-2) @ Central Bucks East Patriots (2-4, 1-2)
Last Week: Norristown lost to CR North 41-7 & CB East defeated William Tennent 15-13.
Suburban One Sports.com
Top Ten
1. Pennsbury Falcons (6-0, 3-0)
2. Central Bucks South Titans (5-1, 3-0)
3. North Penn Knights (3-3, 2-1)
4. Pennridge Rams (5-1, 2-1)
5. Council Rock North Indians (5-1, 3-0)
6. Quakertown Panthers (6-0, 3-0)
7. Upper Dublin Flying Cardinals (5-1, 3-0)
8. Plymouth Whitemarsh Colonials (4-2, 3-0)
9. Abington Ghosts (3-3, 0-3)
10. Neshaminy Redskins (2-4, 1-2)
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