Ten SOL football teams will be in action when the District One Tournament begins on Friday. Check out the previews.
It’s been 10 long weeks since the start of the 2016 football season, and come Friday, the playoffs – or second season as some call it – begin. For some teams, like North Penn, this year has been exactly what they dreamed of as they position themselves for a lengthy playoff run through November and early December. For others, the playoffs offer a chance at redemption. They offer a chance to prove that while you may have just snuck into the field, you deserve to be there.
Adding even more drama to the mix is the reclassification of teams, which went into effect this year. Now, instead of just the Single A through Quad A classifications, the PIAA goes as high as 6-A, allowing even more teams to qualify for the playoffs and injecting even more drama into November.
North Penn – led by the strong arm of quarterback Reece Udinski and a stable of standout receivers – comes into the postseason looking like the favorite, and for good reason. Last year’s District 1-AAAA runner-up returned a plethora of offensive talent and has yet to be beaten this season.
Undefeated Neshaminy, the tournament’s second seed, looks to be the real deal this year as well. Will Dogba, Mason Jones and Zach Tredway have led the Redskins’ high-powered offensive attack on their way to a 10-0 record.
Eight SOL teams were selected for this year’s 6-A playoffs, meaning that half the entire field comes from the conference. It’ll be up to lower seeded teams like Abington, Plymouth Whitemarsh and Souderton to prove that they belong in the field as they draw tough first round opponents.
In the 5-A playoffs, Upper Dublin and Upper Moreland are in the 16-team field. Upper Dublin, led by QB Justin Horn, looks to build off the success they had last year on their way to the District 1 Quad A title. The team graduated 20 of 22 starters from that surprising run, but their 9-1 record makes them a good bet to make some noise this year as well.
This is, without a doubt, the best time of year for high school football in Pennsylvania. The playoffs bring about something from the players that can’t be replicated in the regular season. The win-or-go-home stakes that come with these games has always produced some of the greatest bouts in District 1 history, and looking at the slate for this year, we should expect no difference this time around.
PIAA District One Six-A Playoffs
# 16 Haverford Fords (6-4) at # 1 North Penn Knights (10-0)
Friday – November 4, 7 pm
Winner gets the winner of # 8 Spring-Ford (8-2) vs. # 9 Central Bucks East (8-2)
Season Resume:
• North Penn (10-0) finished a perfect regular season as the champion of the Suburban One League Continental Conference.
• Haverford (6-4) was the fifth place finisher in the Central League.
Signature Wins:
North Penn
• Defeated LaSalle 33-24
• Defeated Central Bucks South 42-13
• Defeated Downingtown East 23-7
Haverford
• Defeated Garnet Valley 34-28
• Defeated Strath Haven 23-17
• Defeated Penncrest 28-0
Losses:
North Penn
• None
Haverford
• Lost to Ridley 7-0
• Lost to Springfield (D) 24-17
• Lost to Marple Newtown 26-13
Stat Track:
North Penn – 40.7 points per game * 12.5 points allowed per game * + 28.2 margin of victory. Haverford – 25.3 points per game * 13.3 points allowed per game * + 12.0 margin of victory.
Players To Watch:
North Penn
• Reece Udinski, QB: 144-240, 2,610 yards, 27 TD, 5 INT
• Ricky Johns, WR: 34 Rec, 682 yards, 5 TD
• Jake Hubler, WR: 30 Rec, 696 yards, 5 TD
Haverford
• Jake Ruane, QB
• Mike Romanofsky, RB
• Jordan Mosley, WR
North Penn Head Coach Dick Beck: “You use all the clichés – one game at a time, so we don’t really look ahead. I look at this Haverford team – they have a great player in junior wide receiver Jordan Mosley. He’s very, very good, and they’re one of those scrappy Central League teams that won’t back down from anybody. They don’t have a ton of size, but they’re very tough, and we would expect them to come out flying around, expecting to win."
# 15 Pennridge Rams (5-5) at # 2 Neshaminy Redskins (10-0)
Friday – November 4, 7 pm
Winner gets the winner of # 7 Central Bucks South (8-2) vs. # 10 Garnet Valley (8-2)
Season Resume:
• Neshaminy (10-0) was the champion of the Suburban One League National Conference
• Pennridge (5-5) was the fourth place finisher in the Suburban One League Continental Conference
Signature Wins:
Neshaminy
• Defeated Pennridge 31-24
• Defeated Central Bucks South 42-14
• Defeated Abington 21-0
Pennridge
• Defeated Souderton 38-10
• Defeated Central Bucks West 30-21
Losses:
Neshaminy
• None
Pennridge
• Lost to Neshaminy 31-24
• Lost to North Penn 45-21
• Lost to Central Bucks South 21-14
Stat Track:
Neshaminy– 38.1 points per game * 13.6 points allowed per game * +24.5 margin of victory.
Pennridge– 26.9 points per game * 22.5 points allowed per game * + 4.4 margin of victory
Players To Watch:
Neshaminy
• Will Dogba, RB: 159 carries, 1,144 yards, 16 TD
• Mason Jones, QB: 115-213, 2,170 yards, 26 TD, 2 INT
• Zach Tredway, WR: 39 Rec, 664 yards, 8 TD
Pennridge
• Jager Hartshorn, QB: 142 carries, 1,087 yards, 14 TD; 49-123, 863 yards, 7 TD, 3 INT
• Josh Pinkney, RB: 56 carries, 275 yards, 4 TD
• Anthony Kelly, WR, 11 Rec, 269 yards, 1 TD
Neshaminy Head Coach Steve Wilmot : "Our last game with Pennridge was a very hard fought game. They are a very physical football team and run a dangerous offense. We are looking for another physical game."
Pennridge Head Coach Jeff Hollenbach:“We are excited to be in the playoffs again. Our final game of the regular season (a 35-0 loss to Central Bucks East) was difficult at different levels, and it’s good for us to refocus as a team on a different opponent. Neshaminy is an outstanding team with great tradition, and we know it is not easy to win there. We are looking forward to the challenge."
# 10 Garnet Valley Jaguars (8-2) at # 7 Central Bucks South Titans (8-2)
Friday – November 4, 7 pm
Winner gets the winner of # 2 Neshaminy (10-0) vs. # 15 Pennridge (5-5)
Season Resume:
• Central Bucks South (8-2) was the second place finisher in the Suburban One League Continental Conference.
• Garnet Valley (8-2) as the third place finisher in the Central League.
Signature Wins
Central Bucks South
• Defeated Abington 13-6
• Defeated Souderton 7-0
• Defeated Central Bucks East 27-6
Garnet Valley
• Defeated Springfield (D) 21-14
• Defeated Upper Darby 66-22
• Defeated W.C. Rustin 24-16
Losses
Central Bucks South
• Lost to North Penn 42-13
• Lost to Neshaminy 42-14
Garnet Valley
• Lost to Ridley 28-20
• Lost to Haverford 34-28
Stat Track:
Central Bucks South – 21.8 points per game * 14.3 points allowed per game * + 7.5 margin of victory
Garnet Valley– 38.3 points per game * 18.3 points allowed per game * + 20.0 margin of victory
Players To Watch:
Central Bucks South
• Sam Thompson, QB/RB: 36-77 619 yards 8 TD 2 INT; 100 rushes, 484 yards, 3 TD
• Jack Johns, QB: 48-113, 656 yards, 3 TD
• Tyler Watson, RB: 129 carries, 780 yards, 6 TD
Garnet Valley
• Jacob Buttermore, RB: 92 carries, 639 yards, 12 TD
• Matt Lassik, RB: 66 carries, 429 yards, 7 TD
• Austin Patton, RB: 63 carries, 373 yards, 5 TD
Central Bucks South Head Coach Tom Hetrick: “We’ve been to the playoffs a few times in the last four or five years, but it’s been a few years since we hosted a home game. These seniors have only had two chances to play on the new turf, and towards the end of the season, one of the many things we were playing for was a chance to get at least one more game back on our turf. We have an unbelievable student section. It’s a game full of adrenaline, and anytime you can play in front of a crowd as good as ours, it only feeds your adrenaline. In my mind, this is what it’s all about. It’s a community event, so we’re excited.
“Garnet Valley once again has some very solid football players, and they are very, very well coached. They know how to play the game. They have a scheme that forces you to be sure you’re prepared. We need to be equally prepared and put ourselves in a position to be more physical than they are because they’re a very physical well-coached football team. We have to match, if not exceed, their physicality, and we have to execute in our schemes against them. They play solid football.”
# 9 Central Bucks East Patriots (8-2) at # 8 Spring-Ford Rams (8-2)
Friday – November 4, 7pm
Winner gets the winner of # 1 North Penn (10-0) vs. # 16 Haverford (6-4)
Season Resume:
• Central Bucks East (8-2) was the third place finisher in the Suburban One League Continental Conference.
• Spring-Ford (8-2) w as the second place finisher in the PAC-10-Liberty Conference.
Signature Wins:
Central Bucks East
• Defeated Souderton 37-36
• Defeated Pennridge 35-0
• Defeated Central Bucks West 23-6
Spring-Ford
• Defeated Unionville 33-3
• Defeated Upper Perkiomen 56-7
• Defeated Owen J. Roberts 58-0
Losses:
Central Bucks East
• Lost to Central Bucks South 27-6
• Lost to North Penn 33-14
Spring-Ford
• Lost to Wilson 41-40 (2OT)
• Lost to Perkiomen Valley 28-16
Stat Track:
Central Bucks East– 29.9 points per game * 14.0 points allowed per game * + 15.9 margin of victory
Spring-Ford – 44.3 points per game * 12.1 points allowed per game * + 32.2 margin of victory
Players To Watch:
Central Bucks East
• Wes Verbit, RB: 45 Rec, 854 yards, 11 TD
• Matt Szczypiorski, QB: 88-172, 1265 yards, 13 TD, 6 INT
• Jake Ventresca, RB: 46 rushes, 323 yards, 5TD
Spring-Ford
• TJ Pergine, QB: 106-184, 1,910 yards, 24 TD, 7 INT
• Matt Gibson, RB: 109 carries, 702 yards, 5 TD
• Selwyn Simpson, RB: 78 carries, 647 yards, 20 TD
Central Bucks East Head Coach John Donnelly: "Our players have helped the program take enormous steps the last two years. The last time CB East earned back-to-back playoff spots was before half of our players were even born (2000-2001). We are fortunate to be in the playoffs again this year because it is not an easy thing to do. Five Continental Conference teams are in the playoffs this week for 6A. That says a lot about the programs in Suburban One. However, our goal this year was to earn a spot and advance. Only one team in school history has won a playoff game (2005). Our players understand and want to revise that history.
"Spring Ford is an excellent team. They are explosive on offense and play very sound defensive football. They have creative play calling and do a good job of getting their athletes in space. They give you a lot of different looks on defense. We have to get off the field on defense and win on 1st down on offense. We have had a great week of practice and our players are focused squarely on our goals."
# 11 Souderton Indians (6-4) at # 6 Downingtown East (8-2)
Friday – November 4, 7 pm
Winner gets the winner of # 3 Perkiomen Valley (10-0) vs. # 14 Penn Wood (7-3)
Season Resume:
• Souderton (6-4) was the fifth place finisher in the Suburban One League Continental Conference.
• Downingtown East (8-2) was the second place finisher in the Ches-Mont National Conference.
Signature Wins:
Souderton
• Defeated Plymouth Whitemarsh 38-23
• Defeated Quakertown 26-20
• Defeated Hatboro-Horsham 42-27
Downingtown East
• Defeated Downingtown West 42-20
• Defeated Unionville 42-5
• Defeated Bishop Shanahan 28-21
Losses:
Souderton
• Lost to Pennridge 38-10
• Lost to Central Bucks South 7-0
• Lost to North Penn 48-13
Downingtown East
• Lost to North Penn 23-7
• Lost to Coatesville 40-7
Stat Track:
Souderton – 27.1 points per game * 24.2 points allowed per game * + 2.9 margin of victory
Downingtown East– 26.8 points per game * 14.3 points allowed per game * + 12.5 margin of victory
Players To Watch:
Souderton
• Koby Khan, RB: 180 carries, 1373 yards, 16 TD
• Joe Curotto, QB: 70-133, 1176 yards, 8 TD, 6 INT
• Brandon Taranga, RB: 58 carries, 443 yards, 6 TR
Downingtown East
• Dan Liaudatis, RB
• Jeremy Jennings, RB/WR
• Bryce Lauletta QB
Souderton Head Coach Ed Gallagher: “After missing the playoffs for the past few years, it feels great for our team to accomplish that first goal. This is the fifth time in Souderton history that we have qualified for playoffs but the first since 2010. We have only won one playoff game in school history (our first one in 2006 over Downingtown East), so it would be huge for our program to get at least one playoff victory this year.”
“East has a huge front on both sides of the ball, so it will be critical for us to run the ball and defend the run. Those have been our strengths this year, but I'm anxious to see if we can match the physicality of Downingtown.”
# 12 Plymouth Whitemarsh Colonials (8-2) at # 5 Ridley Raiders (9-1)
Saturday – November 4, 7 pm
Winner gets the winner of # 4 Coatesville (9-1) vs. # 13 Abington (6-4)
Season Resume
• Plymouth Whitemarsh (8-2) was the co-champion of the Suburban One League American Conference.
• Ridley (9-1) was the co-champion of the Central League.
Signature Wins:
Plymouth Whitemarsh
• Defeated Upper Dublin 24-21
• Defeated Abington 7-0
• Defeated Hatboro-Horsham 35-13
Ridley
• Defeated Garnet Valley 28-20
• Defeated Haverford 7-0
• Defeated Marple Newtown 17-14
Losses:
Plymouth Whitemarsh
• Lost to Souderton 38-23
• Lost to Quakertown 26-17
Ridley
• Lost to Springfield (D) 20-14 (OT)
Stat Track:
Plymouth Whitemarsh – 22.0 points per game * 17.6 points allowed per game * + 4.4 margin of victory
Ridley – 31.6 points per game * 8.5 points allowed per game * +23.1 margin of victory
Players To Watch:
Plymouth Whitemarsh
• Joe Stoberl, QB
• Khan Jamal, RB
• Blaise Gravinese, RB
Ridley
• Cade Stratton, RB
• Brock Anderson, RB
• Ociele Miller, WR/RB
Plymouth Whitemarsh Head Coach Dan Chang: “The loss to Quakertown in our last game is a little boost for us – we have that sour taste in our mouth of losing, and we definitely don’t want to go out losing our last two games. We talked a lot this week about our seniors and really taking in what it means to have your last practice, maybe have your last game as a high school kid, so we’re motivated. We’re ready to go. Our kids are fired up. We know it’s a challenge – Ridley is an excellent football team on both sides of the ball. It’s a tough place to play, but all the kids, all the coaches, our community – everybody is supporting us, and we’re very excited.”
# 13 Abington Galloping Ghosts (6-4) at # 4 Coatesville Red Raiders (9-1)
Friday – November 4, 7 pm
Winner gets the winner of # 5 Ridley (9-1) vs. # 12 Plymouth Whitemarsh (8-2)
Season Resume:
• Abington (6-4) was the second place finisher in the SOL National Conference.
• Coatesville (9-1) was the champion of the Ches-Mont National Conference.
Signature Wins:
Abington
• Defeated Pennsbury 20-13
• Defeated Cheltenham 27-0
• Defeated Bensalem 21-11
Coatesville
• Defeated Downingtown East 40-7
• Defeated Bishop Shanahan 20-13
• Defeated W.C. Henderson 41-14
Losses:
Abington
• Lost to Plymouth Whitemarsh 7-0
• Lost to Neshaminy 21-0
• Lost to North Penn 45-7
Coatesville
• Lost to Cumberland Valley 41-21
Stat Track:
Abington – 19.9 points per game * 18.9 points allowed per game * + 1.0 margin of victory
Coatesville– 40.8 points per game * 16.0 points allowed per game * + 24.8 margin of victory
Players To Watch:
Abington
• Daryl Davis-McNeil, RB: 231 carries, 1799 yards, 18 TD
• Keenan Lambright, RB: 45 rushes, 348 yards, 2 TD
• George Reid, WR: 29 Rec, 517 yards, 5 TD
Coatesville
• Rickey Ortega, QB
• Aaron Young, RB
• Avery Young, WR
Abington Head Coach Kevin Conlin says: “This is a big moment in the rebuilding of the program. Our kids have worked extremely hard and are ready for the tough task ahead of taking on Coatesville. However, win or lose, this team has gone beyond any of our wildest expectations because of where they were last year. Abington has had a lot of success in the past in making the playoffs, but none of our current players have ever been to districts, so this is a really exciting time for them and I couldn't be happier for our seniors.
“We are hoping to keep the game competitive, especially in the early going. Coatesville is so explosive on offense and has such great quickness on defense, and we have to make sure we do not fall behind. Our main strength this whole year has been the running game, but we still don't know if Darryl Davis McNeil will be playing – he is still a game-time decision. So hopefully we can get him back and our running game going to keep the Coatesville offense off the field.
“I am so proud of the way our kids have competed this whole year. We lost a few and won a lot of close games, and that is a tribute to them because they learned very quickly how hard it is to win tough games. Starting out 0-2 was rough on them, especially after the past two years, but they hung in there and stuck by what the coaches were saying and have responded with great effort throughout the year.”
PIAA District One Class Five-A Playoffs
# 13 Strath Haven(4-6) at # 4 Upper Dublin Cardinals (9-1)
Friday – November 4, 7 pm
Winner gets the winner of # 5 W.C. Henderson (7-3) vs. # 12 Sun Valley (6-4)
Season Resume:
• Upper Dublin (8-1) was the co-champion of the Suburban One League American Conference.
• Strath Haven (4-6) was the seventh place finisher in the Central League
Signature Wins:
Upper Dublin
• Defeated Quakertown 18-7
• Defeated Hatboro-Horsham 42-21
• Defeated Upper Moreland 41-21
Strath Haven
• Defeated Radnor 22-14 (OT)
• Defeated Penncrest 34-6
• Defeated Lower Merion 41-13
Losses:
Upper Dublin
• Lost to Plymouth Whitemarsh 24-21
Strath Haven
• Lost to Ridley 38-17
• Lost to Haverford 23-17
• Lost to Springfield (D) 20-7
Stat Track:
Upper Dublin – 30.7 points per game * 8.8 points allowed per game * + 21.9 margin of victory
Strath Haven– 24.7 points per game * 22.6 points allowed per game * + 2.1 margin of victory
Players To Watch:
Upper Dublin
• Justin Horn, QB: 59-106, 1060 yards, 13 TD, 4 INT, 41 carries, 444 yards, 7 TD
• Naiim Huff, RB: 44 carries, 295 yards, 3 TD
• Michael Cottom, RB: 46 carries, 390 yards, 1 TD
Strath Haven
• Zach Newlon, RB: 162 carries, 687 yards, 13 TD
• Hunter Mazur, RB: 66 carries, 491 yards, 2 TD
• Thomas Foster, WR: 19 Rec, 409 yards, 4 TD
Upper Dublin Head Coach Bret Stover: “(Earning a spot in the playoffs) is our second goal each season after trying to win a conference championship each year. Its like a fresh start, we enjoy playing teams we typically do not see in the regular season and the challenges that brings. We will need to stop Strath Haven’s wing-T running attack. If not, we will be in for a long night. Offensively, we need to finish drives with points. Lastly, our special teams need to step up and provide a big play, while not allowing any. My team is excited to have the opportunity to defend their District 1 Championship, but they are taking it one game at a time."
#14 Upper Moreland (5-5) at #3 Marple Newtown (9-1)
Friday – November 4, 7 pm
Winner gets the winner of # 6 Unionvile (7-3) vs. # 11 W.C. East (4-6)
Season Resume:
• Marple Newtown (9-1) was the co-champion of the Central League.
• Upper Moreland (5-5) finished the season in fifth place in the Suburban One League American Conference.
Signature Wins:
Upper Moreland
• Defeated Upper Perkiomen 41-34
• Defeated Lower Cheltenham 34-19
• Defeated Wissahickon 26-13
Marple Newtown
• Defeated Haverford 26-13
• Defeated Strath Haven 33-14
• Defeated Upper Darby 37-12
Stat Track:
Upper Moreland – 18.5 points per game * 21.7 points allowed per game * – 3.2 margin of victory
Marple Newtown – 33.1 points per game * 12.9 points allowed per game * – 20.2 margin
Players To Watch:
Upper Moreland
• Sterlen Barr, RB: 137 carries, 735 yards, 6 TD
• Casey Decker, QB: 62-169, 622 yards, 3 TD, 1 INT; 67 carries, 190 yards, 7 TD
• Caleb Mead, RB: 19 carries, 173 yards, 3 TD
Marple Newtown
• Anthony Paoletti, QB
• Marlon Weathers, RB
• Cameron Mathes, WR
Upper Moreland Head Coach Adam Beach: “We are excited to go back to the playoffs. We need our quarterback to be consistent and our line needs to play well. This is a great opportunity for our program.”
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