Scott Huff recaps all of last weekend’s SOL action. To view photos of the Pennridge/Abington and CB South/Haverford games, please visit the Photo Gallery.
By Scott Huff
The first round of the 2012 PIAA District One Playoffs is in the history books.
There were some real surprises – none bigger than Wissahickon’s stunning 38-35 victory over top-seeded Downingtown East. The lightly regarded Suburban One League American Conference runner-up knocked out what was considered by many pundits as a potential state champion.
Even in the movie Rocky – Rocky does not beat Apollo Creed. The Trojans did more than put up a good fight, they KO’d the Cougars and jettisoned them from the playoffs.
Also in the surprising category was the 21-13 victory by Pennsbury over West Chester Rustin. Not that the Falcons won the game – but the fact that quarterback Breon Clark threw for a pair of touchdowns. Clark threw just three passes – but two TD completions counted for 14 Pennsbury points.
In the somewhat surprising category was Neshaminy’s easy 42-21 victory over Plymouth Whitemarsh. According to the seeding process, PW was a # 4 seed while the Skins were a # 13 seed. Most observers, though, felt that the game would be close – and maybe even favored Neshaminy.
Also in the somewhat surprising category was Upper Moreland’s 35-23 loss to Academy Park. The setback was not the surprise – the fact that at the Golden Bears led the Delaware Valley champion 10-7 at the close of the first quarter might have been.
And in the totally unsurprising category was Pennridge moving on to the second round with a 35-14 victory over Abington. The score was not a surprise – and the fact that the Ghosts could not contain Ram megastar Michael Class was also not a surprise. Class rushed for 283 yards and scored four touchdowns.
Also in the totally unsurprising category was Central Bucks South moving on to the second round with an easy 38-14 victory over Haverford. The score was not a surprise – and the fact that the Fords could not contain Titan sophomore sensation Josh Adams was also not a surprise. Adams rushed for 159 yard and three touchdowns – all in the first half.
This week, the playoffs move into a second round with still more surprises – or not – to come.
The playoff menu has Pennsbury (9-2) at Pennridge (10-1); Neshaminy (8-3) at Central Bucks South (10-1); and Wissahickon (8-3) at Coatesville.
Enjoy.
SOL District One Playoffs
A Closer Look
Pennridge (10-1) had another remarkable game turned in by Michael Class as the Rams advanced with the 35-14 victory over visiting Abington (7-4). Pennridge’s Class scored on long distance touchdown runs of 48, 49. 45, and 73 yards. Quarterback Alex Krivda fired an 8-yard touchdown pass to Micah Stutzman.
Abington – which will play its final game of the season on Thanksgiving Day against Cheltenham – was led by senior quarterback Dylan Collins. Collins rushed for 82 yards and passed for 117 yards. Craig Reynolds rushed for a team-high 166 yards and scored a touchdown, while wideout Kendall Stewart caught seven passes.
Neshaminy (8-3) put a physical beating on Plymouth Whitemarsh (9-2) as the Redskins captured a 42-21 victory.
Tailback Nate Hall was outstanding with 134 yards on 19 carries and scored four touchdowns. Hall scored on runs of three, two, 27, and 15 yards. Denny Lord scored on a 1-yard run, while Cole Creighton scored on a 9-yard pass from Hugh Hart.
The season closed for the Colonials, and PW will have to settle for being the SOL American Conference champion. Not too shabby a season. Corey Kelly scored a pair of touchdowns for the Colonials – both on two-yard touchdown runs. The final score of the game – and the season – came on a four-yard TD run by quarterback Pete Giorgio. The explosive PW offense was limited to just 160 yards of total offense.
Wissahickon (8-3) handed Downingtown East (10-1) its first loss of the season as the Trojans kicked a game-winning 22-yard field goal by Greg McDonough late in the game to register a 38-35 win.
Dave Stellato was terrific with a four-touchdown outing as he scored on runs of 19, one, 14, and eight yards. Stellato rushed for a game-high 155 yards. Dan Murphy scored on a 1-yard run and rushed for 111 yards.
Central Bucks South (10-1) had very little difficulty in beating Haverford (8-3) – 38-14.
Sophomore Josh Adams scored on runs of 10, 62, and four yards to pace the rushing attack. Quarterback John Pileggi completed nine passes for 160 yards that included a 52-yard TD pass to Cale Mosher. Mosher – who caught a team-high five passes - also scored on a 12-yard run on a reverse.
Pennsbury (9-2) led 14-0 at the half and was able to hold off West Chester Rustin (8-3) – 21-13.
Quarterback Breon Clark threw a 39-yard touchdown pass to Shawn Pepper and a 53-yard touchdown pass to Anthony Bullaro. Pepper – who scored on an 85-yard touchdown run in the fourth period – led the Falcons with 136 yards rushing on 16 carries.
Upper Moreland (6-5) led 10-7 early but the Golden Bears could not complete their upset efforts in a 35-23 loss to highly touted Academy Park (10-1).
Robert Knox rushed for a game-high 176 yards on 28 carries and scored a pair of touchdowns. Knox scored on runs of 16 and one yards. Dan Cripps booted a 26-yard field goal for the Bears. Chris Kitchens scored on an 11-yard pass from Charlie Hooker. Hooker completed seven passes for 90 yards as the Golden Bears finished the night with 398 yards of total offense.
The Rest of the Story
SOL Non-Playoff Games
Central Bucks East (4-6, 2-5) won its final 2012 SOL Continental Conference game as the Patriots routed Quakertown (1-9, 0-6) – 31-13. The game was played Friday in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy.
It was a good game for a pair of Patriots named Vince. Vince Careghini set a school record with 61 catches in a season and with 12 catches in a game that included a pair of TD receptions. Vince Thompson went over the 1000-yard mark for the winners and scored on runs of 20, 2, and 11 yards.
Quakertown scored a pair of touchdowns courtesy of running back Mike Sawyer. Sawyer scored on a 27-yard pass reception and also scored on a 14-yard run. Sawyer finished the game with 126 yards on 22 carries. The Panthers – who have now lost nine straight games – will close out their season on Thanksgiving morning against Pennridge.
Cheltenham (8-3) prepped for its Thanksgiving Day contest with Abington with a huge 55-12 victory over Hatboro-Horsham (1-10). The Hatters will also play on Thanksgiving Day against Upper Moreland.
Ahjavon Patrick scored on a 53-yard run for the Panthers and also scored on a pair of long distance touchdown passes from Mark Heiman of 56 and 95 yards. Mark Thompson and Greg Morris each scored a pair of rushing touchdowns for Cheltenham, while Ryan Phillips also found the end zone for the Panthers.
Hatboro-Horsham – which trailed the Panthers 48-12 at the half – had a pair of touchdown runs by Chris Ejimonyeugwo. Ejimonyeugwo – who rushed for a team-high 70 yards - scored on runs of 34 and 11 yards.
Souderton (7-4) scored early and often as the Indians closed out their 2012 season with a 49-27 victory over host Boyertown (3-8) in a non-league game.
Souderton – which led 35-0 at the half – played without its top rusher - Anthony Williams. Jarrett Reinhold stepped into the role and rushed for a game-high 150 yards and three touchdowns. Senior Kyle Wenger closed out his career with five catches for 175 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Quarterback AJ Curotto completed four passes for 95 yards and a touchdown.
Upper Merion (2-9) closed out its season with a victory as the Vikings rallied to defeat Owen J Roberts (3-8) - 28-21 in a non-league contest.
Upper Merion trailed 21-14 in the fourth period but came back to claim its second win of the season. Hassan Gardner led the Vikings in rushing with 175 yards on 26 carries. Evon Dixon and JeQuan Mitchell each scored a pair of touchdowns for the winners, and Carmen Fortino threw a pair of TD passes. Connor McGrath – in addition to Dixon – grabbed touchdown passes for the Vikings.
Norristown (1-10) finished a tough season as the Eagles were defeated by non-league rival Methacton – 31-16.
Norristown – which collected its lone win of the season over Upper Merion – had a fine game turned in by senior Darius Wills. Wills rushed for a team-high 175 yards and scored on touchdown runs of 33 and three yards. Place kicker Tom Detwiler booted a 28-yard field for the Eagles.
Suburban One Sports.com
Top Ten
1. Pennsbury Falcons (9-2)
2. Pennridge Rams (10-1)
3. Central Bucks South Titans (10-1)
4. Neshaminy Redskins (8-3)
5. North Penn Knights (6-4)
6. Plymouth Whitemarsh Colonials (9-2)
7. Wissahickon Trojans (8-3)
8. Abington Ghosts (7-4)
9. Souderton Indians (7-4)
10. Cheltenham Panthers (8-3)
- Log in to post comments
