This week’s notebook features Bensalem, Upper Merion and William Tennent and highlights some of the SOL’s top performances.
By Scott Huff
The third week of the non-conference season is in the books – and the Suburban One League conference season begins this week.
After three weeks of play, simple math reveals teams have records of 3-0, 2-1, 1-2, or 0-3 – unless the team is Springfield, which split its two non-conference contests.
The best of the 3-0 teams is without question Upper Dublin. The Cardinals played ‘up’ against schools with bigger enrollment – and crushed all three of those teams. The ‘rankings’ of the other 3-0 teams – in my humble opinion – are Central Bucks East, Quakertown, Plymouth Whitemarsh, Upper Moreland, and William Tennent.
The best of the 2-1 teams is Pennsbury. The defending PIAA Quad-A District One champion has its only loss coming against private school power La Salle – 14-0. The ‘rankings’ of the other 2-1 teams – in my humble opinion – are Neshaminy, Pennridge, Souderton, Norristown, Truman, and Upper Merion.
The best of the 1-2 teams is North Penn. The Knights have losses to the power programs of La Salle and Downingtown East – and NP was more than competitive in a 28-24 loss to DE. The rankings of the other 1-2 teams – in my humble opinion – are Council Rock South, Council Rock North, Central Bucks South, Cheltenham, and Wissahickon.
The best of the 0-3 teams is Bensalem. The Owls were tied with Truman 7-7 last week and had it chances to win in the second half. The rankings of the other 0-3 teams – in my humble opinion – are Abington, Central Bucks West, and Hatboro-Horsham.
And the beat goes on…
SOL Continental Conference ‘Snapshot’
William Tennent Panthers
William Tennent (3-0) first year head coach Leo Plenski was not at all surprised that his Panthers went through the non-conference schedule unbeaten.
“We’re excited about the season,” said Plenski who came to William Tennent after a successful tenure as head coach at Bristol. “The kids have done everything that we have asked them to do.
“This is the new head coach in the last four years,” added Plenski. “We are all about working our butts off the rebuild this program.”
The Panthers’ non-conference schedule did not present a serious challenge as far as competitive games. William Tennent captured decisive wins over Mastery Charter North (34-19), Fels (44-0), and Oxford (54-14).
“This is a team that lacks varsity experience,” said Plenski. “It was great to be able to give our players a chance to get some experience and gain some confidence.”
One player that gained both experience and confidence was quarterback Tyler Lynch.
“Tyler is getting better learning how to run our style of offense,” said Plenski. “We run a hurry up – no huddle offense – and he has improved every game.
“Right now I would say that he has a running back’s mentality,” added Plenski. “But he continues to work hard on his passing game.”
William Tennent will put its unbeaten mark on the line this week as the Panthers open the SOL Continental Conference schedule against unbeaten Quakertown.
“It wasn’t too long ago that Quakertown was struggling,” said Plenski in reference to the defending SOL Continental Conference champions. “Coach (George) Banas has put his mark of success on the program and that is what we want to do here at William Tennent.
“We expected both us and Quakertown to be 3-0,” added Plenski. “This game is going to be a measuring stick to where we are right now. This is the game we have been waiting for.”
‘Notable Numbers’ in the SOL Continental Conference
Tyler Lynch of William Tennent completed 13 passes for 203 yards and three touchdowns as the Panthers remained unbeaten with a 54-14 victory over Oxford.
Rob Burns of Quakertown rushed for a game-high 131 yards and scored three touchdowns as the Panthers remained unbeaten with a 42-6 victory over Cheltenham. Tom Garlick passed for 122 yards and two touchdowns for the Black Cats.
Brendan Patterson of Council Rock South had a spectacular night with 240 yards and two touchdowns as the Golden Hawks were defeated by Neshaminy 27-25.
Justin Fant of Truman rushed for a game-high 117 yards and a touchdown as the Tigers roared to a 21-7 victory over Bensalem.
Alex Gibson of Central Bucks East rushed for a game high 106 yards and scored a touchdown as the Patriots marched to a 40-27 victory over Central Bucks West. Jack Lamb completed 7-of-9 passes for 137 yards and a TD for the winners.
Brandon McIlwain of Council Rock North rushed for two touchdowns and passed for a third score as the Indians were defeated by Pennsbury 41-19.
Griffin Shields of Central Bucks West rushed for a team-high 44 yards as the Bucks were gunned down by Pennridge 34-0.
Khalif Sinclair of Norristown scored a touchdown and led the Eagles in rushing as Norristown lost its first game of the year to Plymouth Whitemarsh – 20-16.
This Week in the SOL Continental Conference
Quakertown Panthers (3-0) @ William Tennent Panthers (3-0)
Truman Tigers (2-1) @ Council Rock South Golden Hawks (1-2)
Council Rock North Indians (1-2) @ Central Bucks East Patriots (3-0)
Norristown Eagles (2-1) @ Central Bucks West (0-3)
SOL American Conference ‘Snapshot’
Upper Merion Vikings
Upper Merion (2-1)head coach Harold Smith learned a lot about his team after the Vikings edged Sun Valley by a 14-13 score last week.
“There were a lot of things that didn’t go our way in the game,” said Smith. “Last year when we faced adversity, we didn’t always respond very well. We overcame some things last week – and that was great to see.
“We continued to follow the game plan – do what we wanted them to do,” added Smith. “And when it was over, we got a nice win.”
There are a trio of seniors that have stepped up in the early going for the Vikings – Isaiah Graham-Mobley, Kori Smith, and Tony Zevallos.
“Isaiah has been a nice leader and has done a great job for us so far,” said Smith. “Kori has run the ball really well, and Tony has done a tremendous job on both the offensive and defensive side of the ball.
“Going into our tough league schedule 2-1 is nice – but we would have rather been 3-0,” kidded Smith. “But regardless of the record, we gained some confidence and a lot of experience.”
Upper Merion will open the SOL American Conference schedule with a home game against unbeaten Plymouth Whitemarsh (3-0).
“I have seen PW on film – and they look really good again this year,” said Smith. “We have to prepare and be very sound defensively. (PW quarterback – Nafeese) Nasir is an excellent football player.
“It is great that we get PW right away on our league schedule,” continued Smith. “It is going to be a huge challenge for our kids – but we are going to find our a lot about this team.”
‘Notable Numbers’ in the SOL American Conference
Kori Smith of Upper Merionrushed for a team-high 124 yards and scored a touchdown as the Vikings sailed to a 14-13 victory over Sun Valley.
Nafeese Nasir of Plymouth Whitemarsh rushed for two touchdowns as the Colonials remained unbeaten with a 20-16 victory over Norristown.
Ryan Stover of Upper Dublin fired three touchdown passes and ran for a fourth score as the Flying Cardinals remained unbeaten with a resounding 63-14 victory over Abington.
Casey Decker of Upper Moreland rushed for two touchdowns as the Golden Bears remained unbeaten with a 20-10 victory over Conwell-Egan.
Mike Marino of Wissahickon completed 19 passes for 186 yards and a touchdown as the Trojans were defeated by Souderton 29-7.
Brenden Mack of Cheltenham threw a 77-yard touchdown pass as the Panthers were defeated by Quakertown 42-6.
Calvin Broaddus of Hatboro-Horsham caught a 42-yard touchdown pass from Casey Walsh as the Hatters were topped by Lansdale Catholic 45-20.
This Week in the SOL American Conference
Plymouth Whitemarsh Colonials (3-0) @ Upper Merion Vikings (2-1)
Upper Dublin Cardinals (3-0) @ Cheltenham Panthers (1-2)
Wissahickon Trojans (1-2) @ Springfield Spartans (1-1)
Hatboro-Horsham Hatters (0-3) @ Upper Moreland Golden Bears (3-0)
SOL National Conference ‘Snapshot’
Bensalem Owls
Bensalem (0-3) head coach Ed Cubbage helped rebuild the Harry S Truman program before stepping down as the head coach of the Tigers after the 2013 season. And after a year of coaching middle school football in Bristol – Cubbage is back in the construction business with the struggling Owl football program.
Last week, Cubbage took his young Owls into a game with former HST and watched as his Blue & White fell to the veteran Tigers – 21-7.
“It was an emotionally draining week for me,” said Cubbage. “I know how hard those (Truman) kids have worked to bring back that program – and it was with a sense of pride that I competed them.
“That coaching staff there are my friends,” added Cubbage. “But I was proud of the way that we (Bensalem) played – it was a game that we could have won.”
The game between Truman and Bensalem was tied 7-7 at the half.
“Winning games is tough – and getting to the point where we have a shot to win is where we want to be right now,” added Cubbage. “I told the kids at halftime that we should go out in the second half and have some fun.”
Bensalem senior quarterback Kenny O’Connell and sophomore Keith Parrish have played well for the Owls.
“Kenny is getting better each week learning the offense,” said Cubbage. “And Keith has played very well at both safety and running back.”
The schedule through the treacherous SOL National Conference will begin this week for the Owls.
“The final seven weeks of our schedule is going to be brutal,” said Cubbage. “Every one of those program is established – and all of those programs are good.”
‘Notable Numbers’ in the SOL National Conference
Chris Rupprecht of Pennsbury rushed for a game-high 183 yards and 4 touchdowns as the Falcons soared to a 41-19 victory over Council Rock North.
Will Dogba of Neshaminy rushed for a team-high 163 yards and 3 touchdowns as the Redskins captured a 27-25 victory over Council Rock South.
Jamar White of Souderton rushed for a game-high 171 yards and a touchdown as the Indians captured a 29-7 victory over Wissahickon.
Nick Hirsch of Pennridge rushed for 2 touchdowns as the Rams shut out Central Bucks West 34-0.
Sam Thompson of Central Bucks South completed 13 passes for 221 yards and 3 touchdowns as the Titans were defeated by Central Bucks East 40-27.
Nyfease West of North Penn rushed for 191 yards and a touchdown as the Knights were defeated by Downingtown East – 28-24.
Kenny O’Connell of Bensalem threw a touchdown pass to Kevin Whea as the Owls were defeated by Truman 21-7.
David Kretscham of Abington threw a 73-yard touchdown pass to George Reid as the Ghosts were routed by Upper Dublin – 63-14.
This Week in the SOL National Conference
North Penn Knights (1-2) @ Pennridge Rams (2-1)
Souderton Indians (2-1) @ Pennsbury Falcons (2-1)
Neshaminy Redskins (2-1) @ Abington Ghosts (0-3)
Central Bucks South Titans (1-2) @ Bensalem Owls (0-3)
Suburban One Sports.com
Top Ten
1. Upper Dublin Cardinals (3-0)
2. Pennsbury Falcons (2-1)
3. North Penn Knights (1-2)
4. Neshaminy Redskins (2-1)
5. Central Bucks East Patriots (3-0)
6. Quakertown Panthers (3-0)
7. Plymouth Whitemarsh Colonials (3-0)
8. Pennridge Rams (2-1)
9. Council Rock South Golden Hawks (1-2)
10. Upper Moreland Golden Bears (3-0)
10. + William Tennent Panthers (3-0)
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