Scott Huff previews the upcoming Thanksgiving Day games and also recaps Friday night’s District One AAAA playoff games.
By Scott Huff
Passion.
That significant element is often missing when the PIAA showcases its best talent in the postseason playoffs. Brackets determine opponents, and within the boundaries of District One, there can be a major distance between playoff caliber schools.
A Wissahickon-Downingtown East game doesn’t exactly get the juices flowing.
Passion.
That significant element is evident when Thanksgiving Day comes around and community pride is on the line. Pennridge-Quakertown; Cheltenham-Abington; Hatboro-Horsham-Upper Moreland; Harry S Truman-Conwell Egan; and Springfield Montco-Lower Moreland all share that wonderful tradition of playing on Turkey Day.
“I went to scout Pennridge against Pennsbury last Friday, and I was really surprised at how empty the visiting stands were at Pennridge for a game of that importance,” said Quakertown head coach George Banas in reference to the Rams 28-27 PIAA Quad-A quarterfinal game. “That would never happen at a Quakertown-Pennridge game. No matter what the records are between the teams, those stands at (Poppy Yoder Field) or (Alumni Field) are always packed. And people stand three or four rows deep around the field.
“We have a bonfire, a pep rally, and a special breakfast that we share with Pennridge,” added Banas. “It is not just the day of the game that is special, but a whole week of memories and tradition.
“I always tell our players to look around when they play the national anthem and take in the size of the crowd,” continued Banas – who played at Quakertown. “Look for family, look for friends, and just take in the fact that this is something you will always remember.”
And then go out and play for community pride – with passion.
Suburban One League
Thanksgiving Day Menu
Pennridge Rams @ Quakertown Panthers
Records: Pennridge – 10-1. * Quakertown 1-9.
Last Year: Pennridge 21 * Quakertown 20.
Offensive Scoring Average: Pennridge – 33.6 points per game * Quakertown 12.7 points per game.
Defensive Scoring Average: Pennridge – 18.3 points per game * Quakertown 30.2 points per game.
Last Game: Pennridge defeated Pennsbury 28-27 in a PIAA District One Quad-A quarterfinal game *** Quakertown lost to Central Bucks East 31-13 in a SOL Continental Conference game.
Players To Watch: Pennridge features the talents of megastar junior running back Michael Class. Other weapons for the Rams include Kyle Bigam, Kenny Crawford, Alex Krivda, John Dubyk, and Micah Stutzman. * Quakertown features the talents of standout two-way performer Mike Sawyer. Other weapons for the Panthers include Doug Barndt, Keegan Williamson, Alec Vera, and Pat SanAngelo.
Pennridge head coach Randy Cuthbert says - “Quakertown is always a great tradition and a great rivalry for us. Playing the game this week makes it a little difficult in that we play Spring-Ford on Saturday in the district semifinal. We are going to play the game – we won’t forfeit – and we want to win our conference championship outright.”
Quakertown head coach George Banas says – “On paper, Pennridge looks to be a much better team, but that does not guarantee a win. Pennridge is intense, emotional, and physical. Michael Class is a tremendous player that never gives up on a play. Mike Sawyer is our go-to guy and will have to carry our offense. It is a special day for both teams.”
Cheltenham Panthers @ Abington Ghosts
Records: Cheltenham – 8-3. * Abington 7-4.
Last Year: Abington 42 * Cheltenham 7.
Offensive Scoring Average: Cheltenham – 28.7 points per game * Abington – 23.2 points per game.
Defensive Scoring Average: Cheltenham – 18.8 points per game * Abington – 21.8 points per game.
Last Game: Cheltenham routed Hatboro-Horsham 55-12 in a non-league game. Abington lost a 35-14 contest to Pennridge in the opening round of the PIAA District One Quad-A playoffs.
Players To Watch: Cheltenham features the talents of running back Mark Thompson. Other weapons for the Panthers include Ryan Phillips, Greg Morris, Hyneef Dockery, Mark Heiman, and Ahjavon Patrick. * Abington features the talents of quarterback Dylan Collins. Other weapons for the Ghosts include Craig Reynolds, Kendall Stewart, Gage Gormely, Tyler Schreiner, and Trey Guaglionona.
Cheltenham head coach Joe Gro says – “Abington has dominated us the last five years, and we would like to prove to them that we can also play good football. We have had a hard time getting all of our best players on the field at the same time, but we might just be able to do that this week. I was very impressed with Abington by what I saw on film. We want to represent ourselves well.”
Abington head coach Tim Sorber says - “Cheltenham is a playoff caliber team, and Mark Thompson is one of the most explosive backs that we have seen in Suburban One – right up there with (Pennridge’s Michael) Class and (Pennsbury’s Shawn) Pepper. The game is always great for the alumni from both schools, and it is just a great atmosphere to play a football game in.”
Hatboro-Horsham Hatters @ Upper Moreland Golden Bears
Records: Hatboro-Horsham – 1-10. * Upper Moreland 6-5.
Last Year: Hatboro-Horsham 48 * Upper Moreland 0.
Offensive Scoring Average: Hatboro-Horsham 12.1 points per game * Upper Moreland 19.4 points per game
Defensive Scoring Average: Hatboro-Horsham 39.1 points per game * Upper Moreland 20.1 points per game
Last Game: Hatboro-Horsham dropped a 55-12 non-league contest to Cheltenham * Upper Moreland lost a 35-23 contest to Academy Park in the first round of the PIAA District One Class AAA playoffs.
Players To Watch: Hatboro-Horsham features the talents of senior quarterback Steve Palo – who also excels on defense at linebacker. Other weapons for the Hatters include Chris Ejmonyeugwo, Jimmy Murphy, and Jeff Panara. * Upper Moreland features the talents of running back Robert Knox – who also excels on defense. Other weapons for the Golden Bears are Chris Kitchens, Dan Cummings, Charlie Hooker, and Tyler Whitemire.
Hatboro-Horsham head coach Gary Pagliaro says – “I have decided to step down as head coach after this game. It was time – the players need a fresh face to lead them. I wanted the players to know before the game, so they could concentrate on just having fun. All season this has been a team that has played hard, and most of them will be playing the last organized football game against Upper Moreland.”
Upper Moreland head coach Dave Heying says – “This game is a huge games for our seniors – they have never beaten Hatboro-Horsham. I love the rivalry; I love hearing people on the street yelling ‘Go Bears’. Last year was my first, and it was a great experience. The fact that Coach Pagliaro is stepping down should bring an extra emotional level to the game. He is a good guy who cares about his players and cares about his community. I both respect and appreciate that fact.”
Conwell Egan @ Harry S Truman
Records: Conwell Egan – 6-4. * Harry S Truman 2-8.
Last Year: Truman 49 * Bishop Egan 14.
Offensive Scoring Average: Conwell Egan 22.7 points per game. * Harry S Truman 14.2 points per game.
Defensive Scoring Average: Conwell Egan 25.3 points per game. * Harry S Truman 33.7 points per game.
Last Game: Conwell Egan beat Morrisville 21-6 in a non-league game. * Harry S Truman lost a 34-31 contest to Bensalem in its SOL National Conference finale.
Players To Watch: Conwell Egan features the talents of quarterback Kyle Techtmann. Other weapons for the Eagles were Markel Bracket and Chaz Carson. * Harry S Truman features the talents of Manny Fisher. Other weapons for the Tigers are Jordan Livingston, Jake Zolna, and Bobby Hill.
Harry S Truman head coach Ed Cubbage says – “Conwell Egan really has had a pretty great year – give them credit. Kyle Techtmann is one of the best players that we had to prepare for all season. He is one bad dude. This rivalry is intense – we share the same field during the season – and the players all know each other.”
Springfield Spartans @ Lower Moreland Lions
Records: Springfield – 4-6. * Lower Moreland – 6-3.
Last Year: Springfield 55 * Lower Moreland 7.
Offensive Scoring Average: Springfield 21.0 points per game. * Lower Moreland 14.0 points per game.
Defensive Scoring Average: Springfield 22.2 points per game. * Lower Moreland 11.6 points per game.
Last Game: Springfield lost its last game to Suburban One League American Conference champion Plymouth Whitemarsh – 28-6. Lower Moreland won the PIAA District One Class AA championship with a 14-13 victory over New Hope-Solebury.
Players To Watch: Springfield features the talents of quarterback Chris Stone. Other weapons for the Spartans include Brendan Doyle, Jhaloni Johnson, and Billy Dahm. * Lower Moreland features the talents of running back Joe Leventhal. Other weapons for the Lions include Max Sandberg and Ryan Killion.
Springfield head coach Chris Shelly says – “This is a great tradition for us to get back – it has been 15 or so years since we played Lower Moreland on Thanksgiving. We told our players that this is their version of a bowl game. We had a tough Suburban One League season, and Lower Moreland won the Class AA district title. We want to show people that we are one of the best Class AA teams in the district, and now we get that chance.”
Suburban One League
PIAA District One Playoff
Snapshots
Pennridge (11-1) captured a thrilling 28-27 PIAA District One Quad-A quarterfinal victory over visiting Pennsbury (9-3) in a game played at legendary Poppy Yoder Field in Perkasie.
The Rams led 28-7 in the second half and then were forced to withstand a furious Falcon comeback. Junior megastar Michael Class rushed for a game-high 150 yards and scored on touchdown runs of 69 and nine yards. Senior quarterback Alex Krivda threw a 25-yard scoring pass to Kyle Bigam, and running back John Kim scored on a 16-yard run.
The Falcon comeback was fueled by senior Shawn Pepper, who rushed for a team-high 70 yards and scored on a 45-yard TD scamper late in the game. Daquan Mack and quarterback Breon Clark both scored on 1-yard runs for Pennsbury, and Clark fired a 27-yard touchdown pass to Tommy Hose.
Pennridge will advance to the PIAA District One Quad-A semifinals with a home game against Spring-Ford on Saturday afternoon. Those Rams advanced with a 28-26 victory over second seeded Ridley.
Neshaminy (9-3) played shutdown defense as the Redskins won their PIAA District One Quad-A quarterfinal game over host Central Bucks South (10-2) – 14-7.
The Skins had a wonderful game played by running back Nate Hall to secure the win. Hall – who finished with a game-high 276 yards on 36 carries – scored on touchdown runs of 11 and 19 yards. Neshaminy controlled the ball of offense and racked up 368 yards of total offense.
The Titans ended the season with their lowest offensive output of the season by scoring just the single touchdown. The score came on an 18-yard pass from John Pileggi to Steve Veal. Central Bucks South sophomore running back Josh Adams rushed for a team-high 175 yards and 22 carries but was kept out of the end zone by the Skin defense.
Neshaminy will advance to the PIAA District One Quad-A semifinals with an away game against Coatesville on Friday night. The Red Raiders advanced with a 42-21 victory over Wissahickon.
Wissahickon (8-4) concluded its season with that 42-21 PIAA District One Quad-A quarterfinal loss to Coatesville.
The Trojans trailed 42-7 going into the final period and closed with a couple of scores late. Dan Murphy led Wissahickon with 78 yards on 13 carries and scored on runs of one and 22 yards. Dave Stellato scored on a 29-yard run for the Trojans.
Suburban One Sports.com
Top Ten
1. Pennridge Rams (11-1)
2. Pennsbury Falcons (9-3)
3. Neshaminy Redskins (9-3)
4. Central Bucks South Titans (10-2)
5. North Penn Knights (6-4)
6. Plymouth Whitemarsh Colonials (9-2)
7. Wissahickon Trojans (8-4)
8. Abington Ghosts (7-4)
9. Souderton Indians (7-4)
10. Cheltenham Panthers (8-3)
- Log in to post comments
