This week’s notebook features Upper Dublin and includes the SOL offensive leaders as well as a look ahead.
By Scott Huff
And the beat goes on…
100 & Counting….
Upper Dublin head coach Bret Stover won his 100th game as coach of the Flying Cardinals last week. Upper Dublin presented Stover with his centennial victory with a 27-8 non-league win over Central.
“We tried to keep it quiet, but it got out there,” said Stover. “There are a lot of special memories during the years I have been here.”
Stover was reminded of the 0-11 UD squad he coached in 2004 – and also of the 14-1 Cardinal team that captured a District One Quad-A title in 2015.
“The 0-11 year always keeps you grounded,” said Stover. “And the rise of the program that came with the 14-1 record was special in a lot of ways.
“To be able to have my son, Ryan, be part of that success was great,” added Stover of his 2015 quarterback. “To have a front row seat with Ryan and all his friends that used to come over to the house when they were younger that played on the team will always be a great memory.
“And to think back and see what we accomplished in that (2015) run was something,” continued Stover. “We beat Upper Darby, Pennsbury, and North Penn back-to-back-to-back in the playoffs – and they were the three biggest schools in the district.”
Upper Dublin will no longer have to contend with those much larger enrollment teams under the current PIAA District One playoff format. The Cardinals compete on a 5A level – not the 6A level of a North Penn, etc.
“We were proud to have played those larger schools in the playoffs – that’s how the players and coaches wanted it,” said Stover in reference to the 2015 run. “But I guess that it really makes more sense to play teams closer to our enrollment.
“We only have 39 players dress each week,” added Stover. “We have a lot of kids playing both ways – and we’re playing a lot of sophomores.
“I am so proud of the improvement the team has made from week to week,” continued Stover of his 2017 Cardinals. “They have been successful and carried on the Upper Dublin tradition.”
Upper Dublin is currently 5-2 overall and 3-1 in the Suburban One League American Conference. The only losses on the season came against 6A power Perkiomen Valley (7-1) in the non-conference season opener (31-9) and to 6A conference foe Quakertown (6-2, 3-1) in a thrilling 34-28 overtime loss.
The Cardinals are perched in great shape in the 5A District One playoffs currently seeded sixth in the district – and Upper Dublin is still in contention for a fourth straight American Conference title.
The championship chase is a difficult one, though, as UD must beat both Hatboro-Horsham (4-3, 2-2) and unbeaten Upper Moreland (7-0, 4-0) the next two weeks. The problematical wins would most likely share the title with Quakertown and Upper Moreland at the close of the season.
“Hatboro is still playing for a (6A) playoff spot, and Upper Moreland (5A) played a great game the other night to beat Quakertown to stay undefeated,” said Stover. “We play a lot of great football in the American Conference.”
A pair of seniors have had tremendous seasons for the Cardinals. Malik Bootman and Max Winebrake both play in the UD offensive backfield – and both play inside linebacker on defense.
“It really has been no surprise that Malik and Max have carried us on their backs this season,” said Stover. “It seems like they make all the plays on both offense and defense.”
And both Bootman and Winebrake will have to be at their very best making the big plays the next two weeks if Stover wants to add wins 101 and 102 to his coaching resume.
0-25 & Counting…
William Tennent (0-8, 0-4) played an exceptional game last week in a 35-26 loss to SOL Continental Conference power Pennridge (6-2, 3-1).
The Black Cats – behind a brilliant 343-yard and four-touchdown passing performance by senior quarterback Mitchell Vierling – tied the game twice (13-13 and 20-20) and trailed by just 28-26 in the fourth quarter.
The agonizing loss was the 25th straight setback for the Panthers. Tennent has not won a game since beating Oxford (54-14) back on September 18, 2015 – and has not won a Suburban One League game since October 18, 2014 when the Panthers defeated Norristown (42-13).
“Each Monday we come up with a game plan and try to figure it out,” said William Tennent head coach Leo Plenski. “The coaches and the players continue to work very hard to prepare for the game we play that week.
“We are going to have to play our ‘A’ game if we want to beat the teams in our conference,” added Plenski. “The last two weeks – against Souderton (21-16 loss) and Pennridge we are finally starting to see the team that we can be.
“We have just not been consistent enough this year,” continued Plenski. “We tend to play great against the tough teams, and lose. And then we don’t play as well against the teams we can compete against, and lose those games, too.
“We played very well against great teams like Pennsbury and Pennridge,” added Plenski. “And we had our chances to beat Souderton, Bensalem, and CB East.
“We just never really know what team is going to show up on Friday night,” continued the coach. “Who knows? Maybe we could still shock some teams this year.”
William Tennent will have to perform the ultimate shocker if the Panthers want to end its current streak this season.
Tennent closes the SOL Continental Conference season with games against conference powers North Penn (6-2, 4-0) and Central Bucks South (6-2, 3-1).
The Panthers may have to wait until next year.
SOL Continental Conference Snapshot
Central Bucks South (6-2, 3-1) set up its ‘North Penn Bridesmaid Bowl’ showdown this Friday at Pennridge with a nerve-wracking 21-20 victory over rival Central Bucks West (5-3, 1-3). The only conference loss for both the visiting Titans and the host Rams came against North Penn (6-2, 4-0) – and both also lost a non-conference game to Neshaminy (7-1).
The game has huge implications for the district playoffs. Both teams have earned 145 points in district rankings and place them in a three-way tie for seventh place with Coatesville (7-1). The top eight teams receive a home game in the first round of the districts, and a win by either Pennridge or CB South in this game should earn them that home game.
SOL American Conference Snapshot
Upper Moreland (7-0, 4-0) opened its brand new turf stadium with a huge statement victory. The Golden Bears remained unbeaten with a convincing 35-14 victory over Quakertown (6-2, 4-1).
Cheltenham (1-7, 1-3) earned its first victory of the season – and the first ever win for first year head coach Ryan Nase – as the Panthers clawed their way to a 20-13 victory over Wissahickon (2-6, 0-5).
SOL National Conference Snapshot
Neshaminy (7-1, 5-0) and Pennsbury (7-1, 4-0)both have one more huge step to take before a potential conference title showdown in two weeks at Falcon Field. The Redskins must defeat an improving Council Rock South (3-5, 2-2) this Friday, while the Falcons must defeat an improving Abington (4-4, 2-3) also on Friday.
Bensalem (4-4, 1-3) and Truman (5-3, 2-3) have struggled since a fast start. But both the Owls and the Tigers will be favored to win games this week as Bensalem plays Council Rock North (1-7, 0-4) and Truman meets Souderton (2-6) in a non-conference game.
Sneak Peek @ SOL 6A District One Rankings
Top 16 Qualify for District Playoffs
3. Neshaminy Redskins 7-1 160.000
4. North Penn Knights 5-2 158.750
5. Pennsbury Falcons 7-1 157.500
7. Pennridge Rams 6-2 145.000
7. Central Bucks South Titans 6-2 145.000
11. Quakertown Panthers 6-2 135.000
12. Central Bucks West Bucks 5-3 131.250
15. Harry S Truman Tigers 5-3 120.000
On the bubble….
18. Hatboro Horsham Hatters 4-3 115.714
20. Bensalem Owls 4-4 103.750
21. Abington Ghosts 4-4 102.500
23. Central Bucks East Patriots 4-4 101.250
Sneak Peek @ SOL 5A District One Rankings
Top 16 Qualify for District Playoffs
2. Upper Moreland Golden Bears 7-0 174.286
6. Upper Dublin Flying Cardinals 5-2 127.143
SOL ‘Fab Five’ Offense
Points Scored Per Game
1. North Penn Knights 39.8
2. Upper Moreland Golden Bears 38.3
3. Harry S Truman Tigers 32.6
4. Neshaminy Redskins 32.5
5. Pennsbury Falcons 31.6
SOL ‘Fab Five’ Defense
Points Allowed Per Game
1. Central Bucks South Titans 14.2
2. Central Bucks West Bucks 15.5
3. Upper Moreland Golden Bears 15.9
4. Neshaminy Redskins 16.8
5. Pennridge Rams 17.3
SOL ‘Fab Five’ Passing Leaders
QBR C/Att Yds TD/INT
1. Evan O’Donnell (CBE) 183.9 98/142 1559 14/7
2. Steve DePaul (NP) 166.3 74/133 1258 15/4
3. Brody McAndrew (Nesh) 153.3 92/164 1396 14/2
4. Christian Jabbar (CRS) 150.6 75/121 964 11/5
5. Zach DeMarchis (PB) 148.4 84/149 1202 14/5
SOL ‘Fab Five’ Rushing Leaders
Att. Yds. Avg. TD
1. Darryl Davis-McNeil (A) 128 1051 8.2 10
2. Sterlen Barr (UM) 116 1031 8.9 10
3. Malik Bootman (UD) 135 1011 7.5 17
4. Caleb Mead (UM) 91 928 10.2 12
5. Zach DeMarchis (PB) 108 917 8.5 12
SOL ‘Fab Five’ Receiving Leaders
Rec. Yds. Avg. TD
1. Justis Henley (NP) 35 639 18.3 6
2. Mike Garlick (Nesh) 31 564 18.2 6
3. Andrew Vera (CRS) 30 567 18.9 7
4. Cory Joyce (Nesh) 29 404 13.9 5
5. Chris Lochetta (CBE) 27 538 19.9 7
Tim Shevlin (Q) 27 398 14.7 4
SOL Continental Conference Schedule
#Game of the Week
Central Bucks South (6-2, 3-1) @ Pennridge (6-2, 3-1)
Last Year: CB South 21 – Pennridge 14
Last Week:
CB South 21 – CB West 20
Pennridge 35 – William Tennent 26
Central Bucks West (5-3, 1-3) @ Central Bucks East (4-4, 2-2)
Last Year: CB East 23 – CB West 6
Last Week:
Central Bucks East 47 – CR North 21
Central Bucks South 21 – Central Bucks West 20
William Tennent (0-8, 0-5) @ North Penn (6-2, 5-0)
Last Year: North Penn 52 – William Tennent 6
Last Week:
North Penn 47 – Souderton 20
Pennridge 35 – William Tennent 26
SOL American Conference Schedule
#Game of the Week
Hatboro-Horsham (4-3, 2-2) @ Upper Dublin (5-2, 3-1)
Last Year: Upper Dublin 42 – Hatboro-Horsham 21
Last Week:
Hatboro-Horsham 49 – Plymouth Whitemarsh 28
Upper Dublin 27 – Central 8
Upper Moreland (7-0, 4-0) @ Wissahickon (2-6, 0-5)
Last Year: Upper Moreland 26 – Wissahickon 13
Last Week:
Upper Moreland 35 – Quakertown 14
Cheltenham 20 – Wissahickon 13
Plymouth Whitemarsh (1-6, 1-3) @ Cheltenham (1-7, 1-3)
Last Year: PW 26 – Cheltenham 20
Last Week:
Hatboro-Horsham 49 – PW 28
Cheltenham 20 – Wissahickon 13
Quakertown has a bye.
SOL National Conference Schedule
Pennsbury Falcons (7-1, 5-0) @ Abington (4-4, 2-3)
Last Year: Abington 20 – Pennsbury 13
Last Week:
Pennsbury 25 – CR South 14
Abington 14 – Truman 0
Neshaminy (7-1, 4-0) @ CR South (3-5, 2-2)
Last Year: Neshaminy 42 – CR South 7
Last Week:
Neshaminy 48 – Bensalem 27
Pennsbury 25 – CR South 14
Bensalem (4-4, 1-3) @ CR North (1-7, 0-4)
Last Week:
Neshaminy 48 – Bensalem 27
CB East 47 – CR North 21
SOL Non-Conference Schedule
# Game of the Week
Souderton (2-6, 1-4) @ Truman(5-3, 2-3)
Last Year: Souderton 35 – Truman 7
Last Week:
North Penn 47 – Souderton 20
Abington 14 – Truman 0
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