This week’s football notebook features Pennsbury, Quakertown and Upper Dublin and highlights some of the weekend’s top performances.
By Scott Huff
The third week of the Suburban One League Conference season is in the books – and with the teams almost at the halfway mark, the schedule becomes much more competitive for the conference leaders as the regular season comes to a close.
Upper Dublin and Hatboro-Horsham both remained tied for the SOL American Conference lead with an unbeaten 3-0 mark.
The Cardinals will play @ Plymouth Whitemarsh (2-1), @ Upper Moreland (2-1), home versus Hatboro-Horsham (3-0) and @ Upper Merion (0-3). The Hatters close out their season @ Wissahickon (0-3), home against PW (2-1), @ Upper Dublin (3-0), and home versus Cheltenham (1-2).
Quakertown and Council Rock South remained tied for the SOL Continental Conference lead with an unbeaten 3-0 mark.
The Panthers will play @ Central Bucks West (2-1), @ Council Rock South (3-0), home versus Council Rock North (2-1), and @ Central Bucks East (1-2). The Hawks will play @ William Tennent (0-3), home versus Quakertown (3-0), @ Norristown (1-2), and @ Council Rock North (2-1).
Pennsbury and North Penn both remained tied for the SOL National Conference lead with an unbeaten 3-0 mark.
The Falcons will play @ Pennridge (2-1), home versus North Penn (3-0), @ Central Bucks South (1-2), and home versus Neshaminy (2-1). The Knights close out the season @ Bensalem (0-3), @ Pennsbury (3-0), home versus Neshaminy (2-1), and home against Abington (0-3).
And the beat goes on…
SOL American Conference ‘Snapshot’
Upper Dublin Cardinals
Upper Dublin head coach Bret Stover can’t wait for what might the showdown for conference supremacy when
the Cardinals visit Plymouth Whitemarsh this Friday.
“It’s time to see if we are as good as everyone says we are,” said Stover. “The rivalry we have with PW is a good
one – it has either been them or us the last few years playing for the conference championship – and we
welcome that challenge.
“I’m sure that both teams have had this game circled on their calendars,” added Stover. “(Even thought PW lost
last week) the intensity is going to be there regardless. It should be a fun high school game to watch.”
Upper Dublin has run roughshod over the SOL American Conference the first three weeks of the season. The
Cardinals have had little competition in victories over Cheltenham (42-6), Springfield (62-0), and Wissahickon
(49-0) – outscoring opponents by a staggering 153-6.
“We tried not to look too far ahead when we prepared for those teams,” said Stover. “We run the gauntlet
against very good teams the next three weeks in PW, Upper Moreland, and Hatboro-Horsham.
“Our focus right now is on PW – I have a lot of respect for them,” added Stover. “We play at their place – and it
is a very difficult place to play. We have to be prepared and ready to go.”
‘Notable Numbers’ in the SOL American Conference
Casey Decker of Upper Moreland rushed for 102 yards and two touchdowns and passed for 92 yards and two
touchdowns as the Golden Bears captured a 49-35 vicotry over Plymouth Whitemarsh. Rodney Morgan rushed
for 253 yards and two scores for Upper Moreland.
Kalief Lee of Upper Dublin scored four touchdowns – three rushing touchdowns and a pass reception for a
score – as the Cardinals soared to a 49-0 victory over Wissahickon. Stacey Gardner rushed for two touchdowns
for the winners.
Jordan Mason of Hatboro-Horsham carried the ball just four times but collected 162 yards and scored three
touchdowns as the Hatters topped Springfield 63-21. Casey Walsh completed just two passes for 95 yards and
a touchdown.
Branden Mack of Cheltenham passed for 107 yards and a touchdown and also rushed for 100 yards as the
Panthers collected a 22-14 overtime victory over Upper Merion.
Joe Stoberi of Plymouth Whitemarsh completed 17 passes for 250 yards and four touchdowns as the Colonials
were defeated 49-35 by Upper Moreland. Nafeese Nasir rushed for a team-high 99 yards and scored a
touchdown and also caught five passes for 120 yards and a score for PW.
Justin Hill of Springfield rushed 26 times for 112 yards and a touchdown as the Spartans were defeated by
Hatboro-Horsham 63-21.
Kori Smith of Upper Merion scored on an 86-yard run as the Vikings dropped a 22-14 overtime loss to
Cheltenham.
This Week in the SOL American Conference
Upper Dublin Cardinals (6-0, 3-0) @ Plymouth Whitemarsh Colonials (5-1, 2-1)
Hatboro-Horsham Hatters (3-3, 3-0) @ Wissahickon Trojans (1-5, 0-3)
Upper Moreland Bears (5-1, 2-1) @ Upper Merion Vikings (2-4, 0-3)
Cheltenham Panthers (2-4, 1-2) @ Springfield Spartans (2-3, 1-2)
SOL Continental Conference ‘Snapshot’
Quakertown Panthers
Quakertown head coach George Banas is excited about the remainder of the season as the Panthers prepare to
defend their SOL Continental Conference championship.
“We played the same schedule last year – and we have tried to work out all of the wrinkles – fix the mistakes,”
said Banas in reference to the early season success of the Panthers against some less than stellar teams. “We get
the players ready – but they see the film. But they prepared hard for every game.
“They also know the games are coming where we are going to have to play all four quarters,” added Banas. “We
play CB West this week and they should be our biggest test of the season.”
Quakertown has run roughshod over the SOL Continental Conference the first three weeks of the season. The
Panthers have had little competition in victories over William Tennent (56-7), Norristown (49-7), and Truman
(42-0) – outscoring opponents by a staggering 147-14.
“Last week against Truman we were able to get a chance to throw the ball,” said Banas as senior quarterback
Tom Garlick threw for 202 yards and three touchdowns. “Truman packed the box and we were forced to throw
the ball.
“Rob Burns and Nick Bonomo have been great running the football – and teams might want to pack the box
against them,”added Banas. “But we were able to open up our running game by passing the football.
“The players are really going to get up for the West game,” continued Banas. “There is nothing like playing high
school football on a Friday night under the lights in front of a big crowd.”
‘Notable Numbers’ in the SOL Continental Conference
Corey Davenport of Norristown rushed for an incredible 303 yards and scored four touchdowns as the Eagles
soared to a 44-43 overtime victory over Council Rock North. Khalif Sinclair completed seven passes for 84 yards
and a touchdown –and also scored the game-winning two-point conversion for Norristown.
Tom Garlick of Quakertown completed 11 passes for 202 yards and three touchdowns as the Panthers roared
to a 42-0 victory over Truman. Kyle Baskin caught five passes for 140 yards and two touchdowns, while Rob
Burns rushed for 148 yards and scored two touchdowns for Q-town.
Kyle Hickey and Brendan Patterson of Council Rock South each scored three touchdowns as the Golden
Hawks soared to a 50-15 victory over Central Bucks West. Shaun Stackhouse completed just four passes for an
astounding 174 yards and two touchdowns for Rock South.
Alex Gibson of Central Bucks East rushed for a game-high 111 yards and scored two touchdowns as the Patriots
marched to a 28-3 victory over William Tennent. Matt Szczyplorski completed nine passes for 116 yards and a
touchdown.
Brandon McIlwain of Council Rock North completed 13 passes for 226 yards and four touchdowns and also
rushed for 102 yards and a score as the Indians lost to Norristown 44-43. Devon Bibbens caught 10 passes for
164 yards and four touchdowns for Rock North.
Eddie Shields of Central Bucks West completed 11 passes for 236 yards and a touchdown as the Bucks were
defeated by Council Rock South 50-15. Kevin O’Hanlon caught four passes for 92 yards to lead the CBW receivers.
Dakota Wherrity of William Tennent booted a 25-yard field goal as the Panthers were defeated by Central Bucks
East 28-3.
This Week in the SOL Continental Conference
Quakertown Panthers (6-0, 3-0) @ Central Bucks West Bucks (2-4, 2-1)
Council Rock South Hawks (4-2, 3-0) @ William Tennent Panthers (3-3, 0-3)
Truman Tigers (2-4, 0-3) @ Council Rock North Indians (3-3, 2-1)
Central Bucks East Patriots (4-2, 1-2) @ Norristown Eagles (3-3, 1-2)
SOL National Conference ‘Snapshot’
Pennsbury Falcons
Pennsbury head coach Galen Snyder and his Falcons will move into the challenging part of the SOL National Conference in the next month.
“I really haven’t thought about it like that – but it is true,” said Snyder as his Falcons ready for Pennridge this week and still have North Penn and Neshaminy in coming weeks. “Pennridge has a real good looking team – they are big – and they are physical. That program plays a good brand of football.
“We will be making a long road trip to get there, but we have played well on the road,” continued Snyder. “It will be a different feel playing up there on turf and in a new stadium (Helman Field).
“We came out of the gate slow – but it always seems like we start a season slowly,” added Snyder. “But it seems like after week three we have been playing good football.”
Pennsbury has run roughshod over the SOL National Conference the first three weeks. The Falcons soared to victories over Souderton (37-0), Abington (52-21), and Bensalem (52-12) – outscoring opponents by a staggering 141-33.
“The schedule is tough – but we’ll be alright,” said Snyder. “We will just take it week to week.”
‘Notable Numbers’ in the SOL National Conference
Reece Udinski of North Penn completed 18 passes for 328 yards and five touchdowns as the Knights marched to a 39-14 victory over Souderton. Ricky Johns caught seven passes and had two TD receptions for the winners.
Daulton Hose of Pennsbury carried 18 times for 193 yards and a touchdown as the Falcons soared to a 52-12 victory over Bensalem. Mike Alley carried just five times for 70 yards and scored two touchdowns for the winners.
Will Dogba of Neshaminy carried 27 times for 127 yards and a touchdown as the Redskins captured a 21-14 victory over Central Bucks South. Mason Jones completed eight passes for 84 yards and a touchdown.
Devon Balmer of Pennridge passed for two touchdowns as the Rams collected a 38-15 victory over Abington. Juden Desrosiers scored two rushing touchdowns for the winners.
Joe Bechta of Central Bucks South rushed for a team-high 120 yards as the Titans were defeated by Neshaminy 21-14.
David Kretchman of Abington completed 13 passes for 107 yards and a touchdown as the Ghosts were defeated by Pennridge 28-15.
Kenny O’Connell of Bensalem completed seven passes for 84 yards and a touchdown as the Owls were defeated by Pennsbury 52-12. Malcom Carey scored on a 79-yard run for Bensalem.
Alec Morshead of Souderton rushed for a team-high 46 yards and scored a touchdown as the Indians were beaten by North Penn 39-14.
This Week in the SOL National Conference
Pennsbury Falcons (5-1, 3-0) @ Pennridge Rams (4-2, 2-1)
Souderton Indians (3-3, 1-2) @ Neshaminy Redskins (4-2, 2-1)
Abington Ghosts (0-6, 0-3) @ Central Bucks South Titans (2-4, 1-2)
North Penn Knights (4-2, 3-0) @ Bensalem Owls (0-6, 0-3)
SuburbanOneSports.com
Top Ten
1. Upper Dublin Cardinals (6-0, 3-0)
2. Pennsbury Falcons (5-1, 3-0)
3. North Penn Knights (4-2, 3-0)
4. Quakertown Panthers (6-0, 3-0)
5. Pennridge Rams (4-2, 2-1)
6. Neshaminy Redskins (4-2, 2-1)
7. Council Rock South Hawks (4-2, 3-0)
8. Plymouth Whitemarsh Colonials (5-1, 2-1)
9. Council Rock North Indians (3-3, 2-1)
10. Central Bucks East Patriots (4-2, 1-2)
About the Author
