By Scott Huff
Mid-term.
The Suburban One League is midway through the 2011 football season and success cannot only be measured in wins and losses. Both Upper Moreland (0-6, 0-3 SOL American Conference) and Harry S Truman (0-6, 0-3 SOL National Conference) are still in anxious search of a victory, but both the Golden Bears and Tigers have showcased a pair of promising sophomores in recent weeks.
“We are still taking baby steps, and you have to be able to crawl before you can walk,” said Upper Moreland first year head coach Dave Heying. “We have had to evaluate talent as this season has gone along, and I think we have found a good quarterback in Charlie Hooker.”
Hooker – a 6-foot, 1-inch – 175-pound sophomore – made his first varsity start against Norristown a memorable one. Hooker completed 11 of 19 passes for 193 yards and a pair of touchdowns in the Bears 38-28 loss to the Eagles. Hooker fired a 24-yard touchdown pass to Dan Cummings and a 50-yard scoring strike to Robert Knox.
“We had Robert Knox at quarterback, but he is also an excellent running back,” said Heying. “We wanted to expand our offense, and with both Charlie and Robert in the offense, we should be better. And Dan Cummings is a track star that is going to be an explosive receiver.
“Nobody wants the type of season we are having,” continued Heying. “We have seven seniors, and I feel for them. We don’t have a lot of depth, and to play three games in eleven days is especially tough for us. When you become physically tired, you also become mentally tired.”
“I know that we are making progress with the football program,” said Truman head coach Ed Cubbage. “We began the season with a lot of freshman and sophomores, but I told them that from now on I consider them sophomores and juniors.”
One of those transformed sophomores-to-juniors is Marvin Todd. Todd – who leads the Tiger rushing attack for the season with 366 yards on 49 carries for a 7.5 average per carry – has been able to score points as both a running back and a kick returner. In the heartbreaking 22-14 loss to William Tennent two weeks ago, Todd weaved his way through and around the Panthers for a 50-yard touchdown punt return.
“(Todd) is starting to get his legs,” said Cubbage. “He is new to our football program, and I could tell during the summer that he could be a decent football player.
“The loss to Tennent was very hard on the team,” continued Cubbage as the Tigers took a 14-7 lead into the final period. “The win was right in front of us, and finally there was going to be a payoff for all the hard work that the team had put in. We play in the Suburban One League, and wins are always very hard to get. The next three weeks we get Council Rock North, Neshaminy, and Pennsbury – and that is a lot for any team to handle.”
In the SOL Continental Conference there are a pair of terrific sophomores making an impact on their respective football programs.
Pennridge sophomore running back Mike Class has not had to grow into his impact role – head coach Randy Cuthbert placed Class in the spotlight from the beginning of the season.
Class has rushed the ball 102 times for 695 yards (6.8 yards per carry) and seven touchdowns so far this season. He has also caught eight passes for an additional 133 yards (16.6 yards per reception) and three touchdowns.
“I would love to see how Mike would do on a (home) turf field,” said Cuthbert as the Rams are forced to play their home games at the ‘Swamp’ called Poppy Yoder Field. “He has a great deal of potential.”
Central Bucks West sophomore quarterback John Fitz did not begin the season at the helm for the Bucks. The 15-year old had a baptism by fire last week in a 40-14 loss to North Penn.
Fitz connected with his new best friend in senior wide receiver Seth Ehlo for eight pass completions for 186 yards that included an 87-yard touchdown pass. Fitz – who stands 6-1 and 185 pounds - completed 12 of 23 for 217 yards against the Knights. Fitz threw a second touchdown pass – this one for eight yards to Mitch Borbon.
Mid-Term Leaders
**stats provided by Todd Thorpe – PhillyBurbs.com sportswriter **
Standings
SOL National Conference – Abington Ghosts – (6-0, 3-0)
- Pennsbury Falcons (5-1, 3-0)
SOL Continental Conference – North Penn Knights (4-2, 3-0)
SOL American Conference – Plymouth Whitemarsh Colonials (5-1, 3-0)
SOL Team Scoring Leaders – (Points Scored)
1. Central Bucks South Titans – 207 – [34.5 ppg]
2. Abington Ghosts – 201 – [33.5]
3. North Penn Knights – 199 – [33.2]
4. Norristown Eagles – 160 – [26.7]
5. Cheltenham Panthers – 150 – [25.0]
SOL Team Defensive Leaders – (Points Allowed)
1. Plymouth Whitemarsh Colonials – 39 – [6.5 ppg]
2. Pennsbury Falcons – 75 – [12.5]
3. Upper Dublin Flying Cardinals – 75 – [12.5]
4. Abington Ghosts – 77 – [12.8]
4. Neshaminy Redskins – 77 – [12.8]
SOL Rushing Leaders (Yardage)
1. Brandon Shippen – Norristown Eagles – 824 yards
2. Ray Schreiner – Abington Ghosts – 711 yards
3. Mike Class – Pennridge Rams – 695 yards
4. Sean Ulmer – Neshaminy Redskins – 687 yards
5. Brian Donnelly – Council Rock South Golden Hawks – 664 yards
SOL Passing Leaders (Yardage)
1. Corey Ernst – North Penn Knights – 1008 yards
2. Ken Cropper – Abington Ghosts – 776 yards
3. Andrew Derr – Upper Dublin Flying Cardinals – 766 yards
4. Matt Johns - Central Bucks South Titans – 764 yards
5. Zac Gravelle – Quakertown Panthers – 579 yards
SOL Receiving Leaders – (Yardage)
1. Dovante Newkirk – Bensalem Owls – 344 yards
2. Vince Careghini – Central Bucks East Patriots – 259 yards
3. Alton Custis – Plymouth Whitemarsh Colonials – 216 yards
4. Billy McAlister – Council Rock North – 255 yards
5. Aquil Reed – Cheltenham Panthers – 166 yards
This Was the ‘Week That Was’ In the Suburban One League
SOL National Conference
Abington (6-0, 3-0) remained the only unbeaten team in the SOL as the Ghosts clocked host Truman (0-6, 0-3) – 48-12. Abington led by a 34-6 margin at the close of the first half. Ken Cropper threw a pair of touchdown passes to Josh Lee – one for 30 yards – and the other for 17 yards. Cropper completed eight passes for 155 yards,while Lee caught three balls for 97 stripes. Ray Schreiner rushed the ball 10 times for 155 yards and a touchdown. The Ghosts accumulated 491 yards of total offense that included 327 rushing yards.
Pennsbury (5-1, 3-0) won its fifth straight game and remained unbeaten in the conference as the Falcons soared to a 44-7 victory over William Tennent (2-4, 1-2). Pennsbury dominated the game from the outset as the Falcons scored on their first five possessions of the game. Bruce Campbell scored on a pair of five-yard TD bursts, while Adam Lewis scored on a 33-yard run. Lewis finished with a game-high 109 yards rushing on 10 carries. Chuck Snorweah scored on a four-yard run, while Mikhail Kniaziewicz booted a field goal for the winners.
Next: Pennsbury Falcons @ Abington Galloping Ghosts
Last Year: Abington 14 – Pennsbury 13
Prediction: Abington 21 – Pennsbury 17
Neshaminy (4-2, 1-2) fell to below .500 in the conference as the Redskins were edged by Council Rock North (3-3, 2-1) – 17-14. The Skins barely missed an overtime period when their final possession of the game ended in a field goal attempt that was just short of the mark. Quarterback Joe Bianchino completed 14 passes for Neshaminy that included a pair of TD tosses to Bobby Marterella – one of 14 yards – and the other of 16 yards. Sean Ulmer led the Skin rushing attack with 74 yards on 22 carries.
Council Rock South (5-1, 2-1) remained in the hunt for a conference title as the Golden Hawks flew to a 23-7 conference victory over Bensalem (2-4, 0-3). Quarterback Brian Donnelly scored a pair of touchdowns for Rock South – one on a 31-yard run – and the other on a 3-yard burst. Christian Crane – who led the Hawks with 72 yards rushing on 11 carries – found pay dirt on a 13-yard run.
Next: Neshaminy Redskins @ Council Rock South Golden Hawks
Last Year: CR South 28 – Neshaminy 21
Prediction: Neshaminy 24 – Council Rock South 21
Council Rock North (3-3, 2-1) came up with a huge conference victory as the Indians edged Neshaminy (4-2, 1-2) – 17-14. The winning touchdown came in the waning moments when Trevor Guzy fired a 47-yard scoring strike to Billy McAlister. McAlister had seven catches for 125 yards, while Guzy finished with 15 completions for 175 yards. AJ Garboski scored on a four-yard TD pass, while place kicker Max Pedinoff booted a 27-yard field goal.
Harry S Truman (0-6, 0-3) is still in search of its first win as the Tigers were caged by unbeaten Abington (6-0, 3-0) – 48-12. Marvin Todd scored a pair of touchdowns for HST on scoring jaunts of 58 and 17 yards. The Tigers accounted for zero passing yards but rushed for 212 yards. Todd rushed for a team-high 150 yards on 13 carries.
Next: Harry S Truman Tigers @ Council Rock North Indians
Last Year: Truman 27 – Rock North 8
Prediction: Council Rock North 31 – Harry S Truman 13
Bensalem (2-4, 0-3) was competitive but still lost its fourth straight contest as the Owls were clipped by Council Rock South (5-1, 2-1) – 23-7. Bensalem entered inside the Rock South 10-yard line on three different occasions but failed to come away with points. The Owls generated 20 first downs during the game. Quarterback Kevin Hopkins completed 19 passes for 215 yards, which included an 11-yard scoring pass to Davonte Newkirk.
William Tennent (2-4, 1-2) had a difficult time both offensively and defensively in a 44-7 loss to Pennsbury (5-1, 3-0). The lone bright spot offensively for the Panthers came in the second half. Running back Matt McKenna capped a 55-yard scoring drive with a 1-yard touchdown run. Mike Wasserleben kicked the extra point for WT.
Next: Bensalem Owls @ William Tennent Panthers
Last Year: Bensalem 14 – William Tennent 13
Prediction: Bensalem 21 – William Tennent 14
SOL Continental Conference
North Penn (4-2, 3-0) won its 24th consecutive conference game as the Knights handled Central Bucks West (2-4, 0-3) – 40-14. North Penn had a wonderful game turned in by senior quarterback Corey Ernst who completed nine passes for 140 yards and three touchdowns. Ernst threw scoring strikes to Danny Wynne (four yards), Dan Gervitz (53 yards), and Shayne Watson (27 yards). James Fielder scored on a 42-yard scoring burst, while Ernst scored on a spectacular 74-yard scoring dash.
Quakertown (4-2, 1-1) lost its first conference game of the season as the Panthers were caged by Central Bucks South – 37-13. Q-town led 13-7 in the first half courtesy of a nine-yard touchdown run by Justin Wieder and a 91-yard kickoff return by Matt Roberts. Quarterback Zac Gravelle completed 16 passes for 142 yards while Wieder led the Panthers with 72 rushing yards on 12 carries.
Next: North Penn Knights @ Quakertown Panthers
Last Year: North Penn 35 – Quakertown 20
Prediction: North Penn 42 – Quakertown 21
Central Bucks South (4-2, 2-1) rallied from a 13-7 deficit to torch visiting Quakertown (4-2, 1-1) – 37-13. Senior Dan Brown – who scored on touchdowns runs of 2, 48, and 1 yards – led all ball carriers with 170 yards on 20 totes. The Titans added a pair of rushing scores by Bobby Mallon (13 yards) and Matt Johns (20 yards). Johns completed nine passes for 212 yards to balance the South attack.
Souderton (3-3, 2-1) needed overtime to defeat visiting Hatboro-Horsham (3-3, 1-2) – 28-27. Quarterback Tanner Allem scored on a 1-yard run in the OT, and place kicker Jeff Wolf added the game winning PAT. The Big Red tied the game with just 6.4 seconds left in the game on a 19-yard pass from Allem to Ry Yozallinas. Javon White – who missed the last two games due to injury – rushed for a game-high 120 yards and scored on a 29-yard run. Joe McNamara scored on a six-yard run for the Big Red.
Next: Souderton Big Red @ Central Bucks South Titans
Last Year: Souderton 45 – Central Bucks South 35
Prediction: Central Bucks South 38 – Souderton Big Red 28
Pennridge (3-3, 2-0) remained unbeaten in conference games with a 28-14 victory over host Central Bucks East (0-6, 0-3). The Rams had another brilliant outing turned in by sophomore Mike Class who scored three touchdowns and rushed for an even 100 yards on 21 carries. Class scored on runs of one, 16, and nine yards. James Marrero scored the final PHS touchdown. The Rams rushed for 240 yards and had 320 yards of total offense.
Hatboro-Horsham (3-3, 1-2) lost an agonizing conference game in overtime to host Souderton (3-3, 2-1) – 28-27. Casey Saverio scored an offensive touchdown on a 15-yard run and added a defensive touchdown on a 47-yard fumble return. Dom DeFazio scored on a one-yard run and led the Hatters with 90 yards rushing on 18 carries. Quarterback Aaron Channing completed four passes and tossed a TD pass to Frankie Coluntuono.
Next: Pennridge Rams @ Hatboro-Horsham Hatters
Last Year: Pennridge 35 – Hatboro-Horsham 8
Prediction: Pennridge 28 – Hatboro-Horsham 21
Central Bucks West (2-4, 0-3) is still in search of its first conference win after the Bucks were defeated by North Penn (4-2, 3-0) – 40-14. Sophomore quarterback John Fitz completed 12 passes for 217 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Fitz gave CB West a 7-0 first period lead when he connected with Seth Ehlo on an 87-yard scoring strike. Ehlo caught eight passes for 170 yards. Fitz also fired an eight-yard TD pass to Mitchell Barbon.
Central Bucks East (0-6, 0-3) is still in search of its first win of the season after the Patriots were defeated by visiting Pennridge (3-3, 2-0) – 28-14. CBE trailed the Rams 28-0 after three quarters, but rallied to score the only points in the fourth period. Brandon Sparks led the Pats with 84 yards rushing and scored on a six-yard run. Quarterback Josh Bernard also scored for Central Bucks East on a two-yard run.
Next: Central Bucks West Bucks @ Central Bucks East Patriots
Last Year: Central Bucks West 13 – Central Bucks East 12
Prediction: Central Bucks West 28 – Central Bucks East 14
SOL American Conference
Plymouth Whitemarsh (5-1, 3-0) took a huge step toward a conference title with a 23-7 victory over visiting Upper Dublin (4-2, 2-1). The Colonial backfield of Russhon Phillips (122 yards on 11 carries) and Xavier Ellington (116 yards on 20 carries) produced three touchdowns for the winners. Phillips scored on runs of 60 and five yards, while Ellington scored on a 43-yard burst. Tyler Haney booted a 36-yard field goal for PW.
Cheltenham (4-2, 1-1) won its first conference game of the season as the Panthers clawed winless Upper Merion (0-6, 0-2) – 34-20. Aquil Reed had jetted for a game-high 195 yards on 20 carries and scored on touchdown runs of 11, 38, and 51 yards. Panther quarterback Hyneef Dockery scored on a 41-yard run as CHS amassed 330 rushing yards.
Next: Plymouth Whitemarsh Colonials @ Cheltenham Panthers
Last Year: Plymouth Whitemarsh 28 – Cheltenham 25
Prediction: Plymouth Whitemarsh 42 – Cheltenham 13
Upper Dublin (4-2, 2-1) lost its first conference game of the season as the Flying Cardinals were grounded by host Plymouth Whitemarsh (5-1, 3-0) – 23-7. Upper Dublin took an early 7-0 lead in the first period when quarterback Andrew Derr fired a 12-yard scoring strike to Chris Naughton. Derr finished the game with 169 passing yards on 17 completions.
Norristown (4-2, 2-1) exploded for 410 rushing yards as the Eagles soared to a 38-28 victory over Upper Moreland (0-6, 0-2). Brandon Shippen collected 180 yards on 17 carries and scored on runs of 33 and 83 yards. Quarterback Shannon Mayer scored on runs of 15, three, and 26 yards and also threw an 11-yard touchdown pass to Davin Reynolds. Jalen Ramsey rushed for 142 yards and 12 carries for the Birds.
Next: Norristown Eagles @ Upper Dublin Flying Cardinals
Last Year: Upper Dublin 14 – Norristown 10
Prediction: Upper Dublin 28 – Norristown 24
Wissahickon (4-2, 1-1) went outside the confines of the SOL to defeat Episcopal Academy (2-3) – 34-12 – in a non conference game. Gordon Bentley returned not one – but two – kickoffs for touchdowns. Running back Anthony DeLegall scored three touchdowns for the Trojans and rushed for a game-high 131 yards on 11 carries. DeLegall scored on runs of 61, 30, and three yards. Wissahickon rushed for 240 yards against the Churchmen.
Upper Moreland (0-6, 0-2) is still in search of its first win of the season as the Golden Bears were caged by Norristown (4-2, 2-1) – 38-28. Upper Moreland had its best offensive showing of the season with 320 yards of total offense. Robert Knox scored on a three-yard run and on a 51-yard TD pass from quarterback Charlie Hooker. Hooker – who completed 10 passes for 206 yards – fired a 24-yard touchdown pass to Dan Cummings. Tyler Whitemore returned a kickoff 90 yards for a Golden Bear score.
Next: Wissahickon Trojans @ Upper Moreland Golden Bears
Last Year: Upper Moreland 37 – Wissahickon 6
Prediction: Wissahickon 24 – Upper Moreland 13
Upper Merion (0-6, 0-3) is still in search of its first win of the season as the Vikings were sunk by Cheltenham (4-2, 2-1) – 34-20. Hassan Gardner – who scored on touchdown runs of five and two yards - led all rushers with a gaudy 208 yards on 32 carries. Quarterback Carmen Fortino also scored for the Vikes on a one-yard run. Upper Merion managed 17 first downs in the setback.
Next: BYE
***SUBURBAN ONE SPORTS.COM ***TOP TEN***
1. Abington Galloping Ghosts (6-0, 3-0)
2. North Penn Knights (4-2, 3-0)
3. Pennsbury Falcons (5-1, 3-0)
4. Plymouth Whitemarsh Colonials (5-1, 3-0)
5. Council Rock South Golden Hawks (5-1, 3-0)
6. Central Bucks South Titans (4-2, 2-1)
7. Neshaminy Redskins (4-2, 1-2)
8. Quakertown Panthers (4-2, 1-1)
9. Upper Dublin Flying Cardinals (4-2, 2-1)
10. Wissahickon Trojans (4-2, 2-1)
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