Check back Thursday for a preview of this week's District One Class AAAA semifinal games.
By Scott Huff
One of the endearing charms of high school football is the tradition of Thanksgiving morning football.
This is the true Homecoming Game for those respective teams as alumni come home from all points east and west, north and south, to see the folks.
It is the game where 40-plus balding, overweight, and out of shape men recall the good old days when Quakertown beat Pennridge, or Pennridge beat Quakertown.
The very same can be said about those Turkey Day rivalries between Upper Moreland-Hatboro Horsham, or Abington-Cheltenham, or Truman-Egan.
It is the sense of intense pride – community pride.
“There is no question that the old timers care much more about the Upper Moreland game than us getting into the district playoffs,” said Hatboro-Horsham head coach Gary Pagliaro. “Last year we won the game 15-14 with 30 seconds left in the game, and I’m sure that both our fans and their fans will remember that game for a long time.
“The first thing we talked about after our heartbreaking loss to Bensalem (36-34) was that we still have a chance to end the season with a win against Upper Moreland,” added Pagilaro. “The kids live around the corner from each other, and the players on both teams are always excited to play the game.”
The Pennridge-Quakertown game last season produced the same amount of drama as the UM-HH game when Dan Caya booted a field goal on the last play of the contest to give the Rams a thrilling 31-28 win.
“That was an amazing game played by both teams,” said Pennridge head coach Randy Cuthbert. “We are expecting another huge crowd, and it is a great community event for both schools.
“It is really a special game for the seniors,” continued Cuthbert. “It gives them a nice stage to play on to end their high school careers.”
There was a doubt that the Abington-Cheltenham game would remain on the Thanksgiving Day schedule.
The Ghosts had moved to a second round PIAA District One Quad-A playoff game against Neshaminy. An Abington win would have eliminated the Turkey Day date with the Panthers.
Abington lost to Neshaminy by a 35-21 score, and the game was on.
“Sure we would have rather been playing West Chester Rustin this week because that would mean we were still playing for a district championship,” said Abington head coach Tim Sorber. “But we are looking forward to Thanksgiving morning and giving our seniors one more game.
“Being an Abington alumnus, I know a lot of people love coming back to the high school to see us play,” added Sorber – a 1989 Abington graduate. “A lot of people have a lot of great memories, and they get to share them at the game.”
The Abington-Cheltenham game may have hinged on playoff implications. The Truman-Egan contest hinged on something far more important.
There was a time when the fate of the 2010 Truman football season was in serious question.
In fact, the Tigers had to ‘surrender’ in the second half of the Council Rock South game when injuries and a lack of numbers forced Truman to board the bus for home.
“That night was about as low as you can possibly believe for both the coaching staff and the players,” said Harry S Truman head coach Ed Cubbage. “But the players continued to stick together, the coaches continued to coach, and we were able to finish the season.
“With all the craziness of the season, we are very excited to be able to finish the season against Egan,” added Cubbage. “In a way it is a relief, but it will be the end of a memorable season.”
Hatboro-Horsham vs. Upper Moreland
When – Thanksgiving morning – 10 am
Where – Upper Moreland High School
Records:
Upper Moreland 8-3
Hatboro-Horsham 2-9
Last Year:
Hatboro-Horsham 15 – Upper Moreland 14
The players/stats –
Upper Moreland showcases a power running game that features both Greg Adamson and Jordan Spector. Adamson has rushed for a team-high 870 yards and has scored nine touchdowns, while Spector has rushed for 798 yards and nine touchdowns. Kyle Lockhard is the leading receiver with 20 catches for 328 yards and a pair of scores. Matt Sawick has completed 45 passes for 769 yards and seven touchdowns.
Hatboro-Horsham also is a run-first team that features a pair of strong running backs. Nick Dovidio has rushed for seven touchdowns and has garnered a team-high 563 yards. Dom DeFazio has averaged 7.2 yards per carry and has scored four touchdowns for the Hatters. Benji Abercrombi has caught 20 balls for 202 yards to lead HH receivers. Quarterback Matt Hollenbeck has completed 48 passes and thrown for four touchdowns.
Prediction: Upper Moreland 28 – Hatboro-Horsham 14.
Pennridge vs. Quakertown
When – Thanksgiving morning – 10:15 am
Where – Alumni Field in Quakertown
Records:
Pennridge 6-5
Quakertown 4-7
Last Year:
Pennridge 31 – Quakertown 28
The players/stats:
Pennridge runs a diversified offense that features both the run and pass. Quarterback Kyle Peters should go over the 1000-yard passing mark for the season. Peters has completed 56 passes for 994 yards and nine touchdowns. Running back Jesse Knepp should go over the 1000-yard rushing mark for the season. Knepp has rushed for 982 yards and nine touchdowns this season. Rocky Ferrier is the leading receiver for the Rams with 23 catches for 393 yards and six touchdowns.
Quakertown is all about the terrific numbers put up by senior quarterback Zac Gravelle. Gravelle is the leading rusher for the Panthers with 946 yards and six touchdowns. Joe Able has rushed for 427 yards and four scores. Gravelle has completed 101 passes for 1473 yards and 17 touchdowns. Q-town has a pair of gifted receivers named Nick. Nick Barndt has snared 38 balls for 584 yards and nine touchdowns, while Nick Perrine has 26 catches for 541 yards and six scores.
Prediction: Pennridge 21 – Quakertown 20
Cheltenham vs. Abington
When – Thanksgiving morning – 10 am
Where – Schwarzman Stadium – Abington
Records:
Abington – 9-3
Cheltenham – 9-2
Last Year:
Abington 28 – Cheltenham 14
Players/stats
Abington is led by the multi-talented Julien Ireland. Ireland led the Ghosts in rushing with 1191 yards and has scored 20 running touchdowns. Ray Schreiner has added 780 yards on the ground for the Ghosts. Ireland has passed for 680 yards and has thrown nine touchdown passes. DJ McFadden is the number one receiver for Abington with 14 catches for 381 yards and six touchdowns.
Cheltenham has shown the ability to score on the big play all season. The Panthers have been able to break the big play on the ground behind the quick strike running of Aquil Reed and Chris Stephens. Senior quarterback Kenneth Cropper has been lethal in the passing game throwing to senior Dan Rouse.
Prediction: Abington 31 – Cheltenham 14
Conwell-Egan vs. Harry S Truman
When – Thanksgiving morning – 10 am
Where – Hank Johns Field – Truman
Records:
Harry S Truman 2-9
Conwell-Egan 0-9
Last Year:
Conwell-Egan 28 – Harry S Truman 21
Players/stats:
Truman almost exclusively runs the football and has been more competitive than its record might indicate. Running back Larry Winton has rambled for 1111 yards running the football and has scored six touchdowns. Quarterback Derron Thompson should go over 1000 yards rushing in the game. Thompson has 997 yards and has scored 13 touchdowns for the Tigers. The other Truman offensive threats are Lionel Chapman and Ishmail Bullock.
Conwell-Egan is in search of its first win. The Eagles are led in rushing by Rick Brown with 431 yards on 117 carries and five touchdowns. Quarterback John Clark has completed 23 of 43 passes for 210 yards and one touchdown.
Prediction: Harry S Truman 42 – Conwell-Egan 13
Suburban One Sports.com – Top Ten
1. North Penn Knights [11-1]
2. Council Rock South Golden Hawks [11-1]
3. Neshaminy Redskins [11-1]
4. Abington Galloping Ghosts [9-3]
5. Central Bucks West Bucks [9-3]
6. Souderton Indians [7-4]
7. Upper Dublin Flying Cardinals [7-3]
8. Cheltenham Panthers [9-2]
9. Upper Moreland Golden Bears [8-3]
10. Pennsbury Falcons [5-5]
- Log in to post comments
0
