Scott Huff’s notebook previews all the District One Tournament playoff games featuring SOL football teams on ‘Revenge Friday.’
By Scott Huff
And the beat goes on…
Revenge Friday …
There is not a single solitary high school football coach in his right mind that would preach revenge to his players – at least not in public.
Payback may be a more politically correct term, and all four PIAA Class 6A District One Quarterfinal games are knee deep in the vengeance waters.
Pennsbury (9-2) lost a heartbreaking 21-20 contest to archrival Neshaminy (10-1) just two weeks ago. And now the Falcons and Redskins are right back at each other in the competitive fire this week in the district playoffs. The game will be played at historic Heartbreak Ridge – home of the Redskins.
Perkiomen Valley (10-1) lost its only game of the 2017 season to Pennridge (9-2) in Week 3 of the season – 29-0. And now the Vikings and Rams are on a collision course this week in a critical district playoff game to be played at Perkiomen Valley.
Garnet Valley (10-1) had to look ahead in the playoff brackets and hope for a return match with North Penn (9-2). Last year the Jaguars were defeated in the PIAA 6A District One championship game 48-38 by the Knights. The game will be played at Garnet Valley.
Downingtown East (10-1) and Coatesville (10-1) also played just two weeks ago in a Ches-Mont League National Division title game. The Cougars battled the Red Raiders but suffered their only loss of the season by a 38-27 score. This time the game will be played at Coatesville.
‘Payback’ could also be a theme in the PIAA 5A quarterfinal game between Marple Newtown (7-4) and Upper Moreland (10-0). For the third straight year the Tigers and the Golden Bears have met in the district playoffs – last year MN claimed a convincing 35-7 victory and ended title hopes for UM. This quarterfinal tilt will be played on the new Golden Bear turf.
Are Pennsbury, Perkiomen Valley, Garnet Valley, Downingtown East, and Upper Moreland motivated by recent losses to current playoff opponents?
No revenge here – but maybe paybacks.
PIAA 6A District One Quarterfinals
No.8 Pennsbury Falcons (9-2) @ No. 1Neshaminy Redskins (10-1)
Playoff Resume:
Pennsbury opened the PIAA 6A District One playoffs with a 17-0 victory over No. 9 Central Bucks South. The Falcon defense limited the Titans to less than 100 yards in the win, while quarterback Zach Demarchis rushed for a score and threw a touchdown pass. Demarchis rushed for 167 yards as the game’s leading rusher.
Neshaminy opened the PIAA 6A District One playoffs with a 42-21 victory over No. 16 Spring-Ford. The Redskins led 21-14 at the half and dominated the second half of the game. Joel Stills rushed for a game-high 235 yards and scored three touchdowns for the winners.
Regular Season Resume:
Pennsbury finished the regular season in second place in the Suburban One League National Conference.
Neshaminy finished the regular season as the champion of the Suburban One League National Conference.
Signature Wins:
Pennsbury collected signature wins over Academy Park (27-20), Penn Wood (41-28), Truman (47-32), and Central Bucks South (17-0).
Neshaminy collected signature wins over Pennridge (23-14), Truman (56-7), Central Bucks South (21-14 in OT), Pennsbury (21-20), and Spring-Ford (42-21).
Losses:
Pennsbury has lost games to North Penn (29-20) and Neshaminy (21-20).
Neshaminy lost its only game of the year to Downingtown West (37-33).
Pennsbury Head Coach Dan McShane says:
“There is no revenge factor here – just Pennsbury and Neshaminy. It just happens to be in the district playoffs this time.
“It will be a good football game with good players and good coaches on each side. At this point of the year, we knew we were going to play a good football team – and Neshaminy is a good football team.
“Playing at Neshminy, much like playing in Fairless Hills, is a great environment. Great communities that love their high school football.
“The keys are getting the ball and keeping it. We didn’t do that in the last game with them, and we missed some major opportunities to take control of the game.”
Neshaminy Head Coach Steve Wilmot says:
“This is a rivalry game with more at stake. The Suburban One National title was nice, but getting to the District One semifinals is what this team is focused on right now.
“This is the first time our two programs have faced each other in the district playoffs, and that makes the game even more special. It doesn’t matter whether we faced them two weeks ago, or in the finals. If you want to be district champions, you have to beat good teams.
“The plan will continue to be to contain (Zach) Demarchis both on the ground and in the air. Our defense will have to give us the same effort they gave in the first game against them.
“Playing at home is always nice, but the last game against them our side was full and it felt like a home game. I expect this to be a very good game between two teams that have next week to fight for.”
Winner Gets:
The winner of this game will play the winner of the game between No. 4 Coatesville and No. 5 Downingtown East in the PIAA 6A District One semifinals.
No. 7 Pennridge Rams (9-2) @ No. 2 Perkiomen Valley (10-1)
Playoff Resume:
Pennridge opened the PIAA 6A District One playoffs with a 24-0 victory over No. 10 Quakertown. The Ram defense was led by Penn State recruit Nick Tarburton. Tarburton was also the leading rusher on offense and scored a touchdown. Kyle Schetter rushed for over 100 yards and scored two touchdowns.
Perkiomen Valley overcame a 30-14 deficit in the second half to claim a stunning 38-30 victory over No. 15 Penn Wood. Malik Smith II – a transfer from Norristown – fueled the second half comeback. Smith rushed for over 100 yards and two touchdowns as the Vikings scored 24 unanswered points in the second half.
Season Resume:
Pennridge finished the regular season as the second place team in the Suburban One League Continental Conference.
Perkiomen Valley was the champion of the Pioneer Athletic Conference Liberty Division.
Signature Wins:
Pennridge won key games this season over Perkiomen Valley (29-0), Central Bucks West (26-6), Central Bucks South (21-7), and Quakertown (24-0).
Perkiomen Valley collected signature wins over Downingtown West (38-0), Upper Dublin (31-9), Spring-Ford (28-7), and Penn Wood (38-30).
Losses:
Pennridge has lost games to Neshaminy (23-14) and North Penn (45-35).
Perkiomen Valley has lost its only game to Pennridge (29-0).
Pennridge Head Coach Jeff Hollenbach says:
“We know that Perk Valley is an excellent team and we have a great deal of respect for them.
“One of their strengths is that they know how to win. Perk Valley’s non-league record over the past three seasons is 28-2
“Offensively, they like to get their speed to the outside. They throw the ball well, and the quarterback is also a good runner.
“Last year they beat us at their place, and this year we played well at our place. I think that sets up to be an excellent game. Our players can’t take them lightly because of the Week 3 score (29-0 PHS win).
“Pennridge has made it to the district semifinals four times (1998, 2000, 2004, & 2012), so it would be a great accomplishment for this team to join that list – but we are going to have to play extremely well on Friday to get that win.”
Winner Gets:
The winner of this game will get the winner of the game between No. 3 Garnet Valley and No. 6 North Penn in the PIAA 6A District One semifinals.
No. 6 North Penn Knights (9-2) @ No. 3 Garnet Valley (10-1)
Playoff Resume:
North Penn opened the PIAA 6A District One playoffs with a 41-26 victory over Haverford. KJ Cartwright sparked a punishing Knight rushing attack with 269 yards and three touchdowns. North Penn finished the game with 470 rushing yards.
Garnet Valley opened the PIAA 6A District One playoffs with a 32-13 victory over No. 14 Central Bucks West. Matt Lassik rushed for 100 yards, while running back mate Danny Guy rushed for 95 yards. The Jaguars sacked the CB West quarterback seven times during the win.
Regular Season Resume:
North Penn finished the regular season as the champion of the Suburban One League Continental Conference.
Garnet Valley finished the regular season as the second place team from the Central League.
Signature Wins:
North Penn has collected signature wins over Pennsbury (29-20), Pennridge (45-35), Central Bucks South (40-9), Central Bucks West (28-14), and Haverford (41-26).
Garnet Valley has registered key wins over Bayard Rustin (19-7), Haverford (28-13), Marple Newtown (34-31), and Central Bucks West (32-13).
Losses:
North Penn lost its first two games of the year to La Salle (41-28) and Downingtown East (61-44).
Garnet Valley lost its only game of the year to Springfield (Delco) – 14-7.
North Penn Head Coach Dick Beck says:
“Great Valley is an extremely well coached football team. Their defense plays like their hair is on fire and their offensive line is very physical.
“On offense, we need to score every time we touch the football. We have to be more balanced than we were last week. We need to use all of our weapons. On defense, we need to not give up the big play.”
Winner Gets:
The winner of this game will play the winner of the game between No. 2 Perkiomen Valley and No. 7 Pennridge in a PIAA 6A District One semifinals.
PIAA 5A District One Playoffs
No. 5 Upper Dublin (7-3) @ No. 4 Academy Park (7-3)
Playoff Resume:
Upper Dublinopened the PIAA 5A District One playoffs with a 27-21 victory over No. 12 Radnor. Malik Bootman rushed 31 times for 125 yards and three touchdowns. Julian Gimbel completed eight passes for 153 yards and a touchdown.
Academy Park opened the PIAA 5A District One playoffs with a 39-12 victory over No. 13 Chichester. Nathaniel Holmes carried 14 times for 138 yards. Holmes and Dwayne Leslie each returned kickoffs for touchdowns.
Season Resume:
Upper Dublin finished the regular season tied for second place in the Suburban One League American Conference.
Academy Park finished as the second place team in the Delaware Valley League.
Signature wins:
Upper Dublin collected signature wins over Hatboro-Horsham (14-7), Plymouth Whitemarsh (28-14), and Radnor (27-21)
Academy Park registered signature wins against Great Valley (43-20), Chichester (28-7), Interboro (50-27), and Chichester (39-12).
Losses:
Upper Dublin has lost games to Perkiomen Valley (31-9), Quakertown (34-28 in OT), and Upper Moreland (21-20).
Academy Park has lost games to Pennsbury (27-20), Unionville (23-20), and Penn Wood (14-12).
Upper Dublin Head Coach Bret Stover says:
“The thing that is making this group so successful is the way that they have gotten better each week on the field. Their ability to continue not to be satisfied and to continue to grind out every day in practice has been impressive. This can be said of all 39 healthy players.
“Going into halftime their was no panic (losing 21-14 to Radnor). My coaching staff made the necessary adjustments and my players went out and executed the game plan. My staff continues to demand the best of each player and keeps putting them in position to make plays. I am blessed to work with the hardest working staff in the district.
“Academy Park has size, SPEED, and are well coached. They have the ability to take any play to the house, whether it is on offense, defense, or special teams. They are really impressive on film.
“We actually look forward to the drive down to Academy Park. We have never played them and this is what the playoffs are all about. New opportunities to play a quality opponent in a hostile environment. I can’t wait.”
Winner Gets:
The winner of this game will play the winner of the game between No. 1 Springfield (Delco) and No. 8 West Chester Rustin in the PIAA 5A District One semifinals.
No. 7 Marple Newtown (7-4) @ No. 2 Upper Moreland (10-0)
Playoff Resume:
Marple Newtown opened the PIAA 5A District One playoffs with a 42-13 victory over No. 10 Oxford. Marion Weathers stole the spotlight in this one with a 258-yard, four-touchdown performance.
Upper Moreland opened the PIAA 5A District One playoffs with a 57-30 victory over No. 15 Sun Valley. The Golden Bears featured a balanced offensive attack. Caleb Mead rushed for 129 yards and two scores, while Sterlen Barr rushed for 94 yards and a touchdown. Quarterback Brendan Olexa completed 12 of 17 passes for two touchdowns.
Season Resume:
Marple Newtown finished the regular season in fourth place in the Central League.
Upper Moreland finished the regular season as the champion of the Suburban One League American Conference.
Signature Wins
Marple Newtown defeated Penncrest (35-0), Radnor (45-14), Strath Haven (38-28), and Oxford (42-13).
Upper Moreland defeated Hatboro-Horsham (41-40), Quakertown (35-14), Upper Dublin (21-20), and Sun Valley ) 57-30).
Losses:
Marple Newtown lost games to Florida State HS (19-18), Haverford (35-0), Garnet Valley (34-31), and Springfield (42-19).
Upper Moreland – None.
Upper Moreland Head Coach Adam Beach says:
“Marple Newtown has a nice quarterback and a tough running back. They have several quality wide receivers.
“The key is to play fundamentally sound in all phases of the game – offense, defense, and special teams.
“Against Sun Valley we did a nice job of moving the football and scoring on most of our drives.
“It is always good to be playing another home game in the ‘Grove’ – and if we win this week, we get another night game in the ‘Grove.’ And that is very important to our seniors.”
Winner Gets:
The winner of this game will get the winner of the game between No. 3 Unionville and No. 11 Strath Haven in a PIAA 5A District One semifinal.
Exit Door
There were four Suburban One League teams that were shown the playoff exit door after the opening round of the PIAA 6A District One games.
No. 9 Central Bucks South (7-4) was shown the exit door by No. 8 Pennsbury – 17-0. The Titan defense – led by senior linebacker Matt Norris – was once again outstanding. CB South held the high scoring Pennsbury offense scoreless in the second half. The Titans opened the season 5-0 but suffered a crushing blow when exceptional senior quarterback Jack Johns went down with an injury. Johns did not take another snap under center the remainder of the season.
No. 10 Quakertown(7-3) was more than competitive with No. 7 Pennridge (9-2) in the first half trailing by just a 6-0 score. But the Rams outscored the Panthers 18-0 in the second half, and Quakertown suffered a 24-0 loss. Q-town will get its chance for redemption on Thanksgiving morning as the Black Cats return to Helman Field for the annual Turkey Day rivalry.
No. 13 Harry S Truman (7-4) capped off a historic season with a 51-22 setback against powerful No. 4 seed Coatesville (10-1). Many feel that the Red Raiders might be the odds on favorite to win the district title this year. Coach Mike LaPalombara led the Tigers to their first ever appearance in the postseason.
No. 14 Central Bucks West (6-5) closed out its season with a 32-13 loss to No. 3 Garnet Valley (10-1). The Bucks were limited defensively with outstanding linebacker Jake Reichwein battling and elbow injury. He only played on the offensive side of the ball. CB West quarterback Josh Crecca scored on a 2-yard run and also threw a 24-yard touchdown pass to Riccardo Washington.
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