Scott Huff features three of the SOL’s top running backs – Pennridge junior Michael Class, Upper Moreland senior Robert Knox and Pennsbury senior Daquan Mack. He also lists some of the SOL’s top returning players. 
By Scott Huff
The 2012 Suburban One League football season is straight ahead, and the following is a reminder of the blue-chip talent that will be on the respective SOL gridirons this fall.
SOL Player To Watch – Continental Conference
Michael Class – Pennridge Rams – Running Back/Defensive Back
There will be no surprises this season – not about flashy Pennridge junior running back Michael Class.
“Last year nobody really knew anything about Mike Class,” said Pennridge head coach Randy Cuthbert. “He was an unknown at the beginning of the season, but as the year went along, everyone took notice.”
It was impossible to ignore the impressive numbers put up by Class during his sophomore season for the Rams. Class rushed for 1522 yards (6.2 yards per carry) and scored 15 rushing touchdowns. He also caught 12 passes for an additional 159 yards and two scores. The final math tabulation is a sensational 1681 yards of total offense and 17 touchdowns.
“If Mike can remain healthy, he is going to hit the ground running and have a big year,” said Cuthbert. “This year he is bigger, stronger, and even faster. He will help us on both sides of the football.”
Class is listed this season at 5-foot, 11-inches and 180 pounds compared to last season when he played at 165 pounds. He has invested countless hours in the weight room to improve his strength, and his prowess on the Pennridge track team during the spring has improved his speed.
Another ‘X’ factor that might improve the 2012 season performance of Class is the improvement the Rams are sure to have along the offensive line.
“Our line this year is much bigger, and we have greater height along the line than last season,” said Cuthbert. “They should be able to open up some space for Mike. We want to be able to spread the field and get Michael the ball more in the open field to take advantage of his abilities.
“The top flight players begin to get a lot of notice by colleges after their junior year,” added Cuthbert. “Mike should be one of those guys. He has all the intangibles that any college recruiter would be looking for, and he is a very smart kid.
“Mike leads our team by example, and he has continued to mature,” continued Cuthbert. “He knows what to expect this season, and he is very confident in himself.”
The only surprise about Class this season would be if he doesn’t have a superb season.
SOL Player To Watch – American Conference
Robert Knox – Upper Moreland Golden Bears – Running Back/Defensive Back
Upper Moreland senior Robert Knox will have a huge impact on the success of the 2012 Upper Moreland football team – and will do it literally on each and every down from all over the field.
“On offense, we plan to use him at running back, wide receiver, and sometimes at quarterback in a wildcat formation,” said second year Upper Moreland head coach David Heying. “He will be our featured running back, but we will take advantage of him as a wide out, and we will use him with a direct snap at quarterback.
“Rob has the ability to get the hard yards on third down but also can create a mismatch with his speed as a receiver,” added Heying. “His combination of strength, size, and speed make him very dangerous.”
Knox – who began the season as the Golden Bear quarterback but was moved to running back early in the season – rushed for 1002 yards (5.5 average) and scored seven touchdowns. Knox also caught 19 passes for an additional 398 yards (20.9 average) and scored four touchdowns. That totals 1400 yards of total offense with 11 touchdowns.
Knox also has the same valuable versatility on the defensive side of the football. He will be used in the Bears’ defensive backfield as a safety and will also move up to play outside linebacker on critical running downs.
“Rob breaks well on the ball in the defensive secondary and is the quarterback of our secondary,” said Heying. “And he is an awesome tackler – a textbook tackler – as a linebacker. If he were to play on the college level, I think he would project as a safety. But baseball is his number one sport, and I don’t believe that college football is in his future.
“We have a senior dominated team, and we will not have team captains,” added Heying. “Each game we will have game captains, but that doesn’t mean that Rob isn’t one of our leaders.
“He has earned the respect of his teammates, and is a calming influence on the team,” continued Heying. “He may not be vocal, but when he speaks everyone listens. His offensive line worships him, and there are five seniors on that offensive line. He is our most valuable player.”
Robert Knox – much like Fort Knox – is worth his weight in gold.
SOL Player To Watch – National Conference
Daquan Mack – Pennsbury – Running Back/Defensive End
The adage of the Pennsbury Falcon football program under the coaching of Galen Snyder has always been Ground and Pound.
And the poster child for that motto is far from a child in the person of 6-foot, 1-inch – 250-pound senior running back Daquan Mack. The powerfully built Mack Truck was the featured back last season as a junior that helped lead the Falcons to a 9-4 overall mark and a 5-2 record in the SOL National Conference.
Mack finished the season with 1006 yards on 194 carries for a 5.1 average per carry. Mack blasted into the end zone 15 times for the Falcons to lead the team in scoring.
“There is no question that Daquan is a top level running back,” said Snyder. “And should be considered an all-league back at the end of the season.”
The highlight of the season for Mack came on the big stage in the Falcons 42-21 victory over Coatesville in the PIAA Quad-A District One playoffs. Mack was handed the ball 22 times and gained 186 yards (8.5 yards per carry) and scored a pair of touchdowns.
“Daquan is a powerful back with good feet, good quickness, and good vision,” said Snyder. “In our Wing-T offense, he will be our fullback/tailback and get a lot of carries.
“He played most of his sophomore season at fullback, and then came back and had the good year last season as a junior,” added Snyder. “He can be a very vocal player that shows good leadership qualities, and he also sets an example by working hard. He is just a good kid.”
The offensive load that Mack will carry will limit his play along the Falcon defensive line. Mack will see time at defensive end on certain downs during the course of the season.
“As a defensive player, he has great size and strength and a tremendous mobility,” said Snyder. “We want to mix him in on defense because of his ability to get to the football.
“Right now Daquan in leaning toward to University of Massachusetts,” continued Snyder. “He is a good student and can play in a Division One program.”
It looks like theMack Truck will be headed north next season.
The following is a list of the all-league performers returning this season in the respective SOL Conferences.
Suburban One League – National Conference
Abington Ghosts – senior Angel Carlo – 2nd team offensive lineman; senior James Heiler – 3rd team linebacker; senior Gage Gormley – honorable mention wide receiver.
Bensalem Owls – senior Richie Duncan-Murphy – 3rd team offensive lineman.
Council Rock North Indians – senior Curtis Cothran – 2nd team offensive lineman & 2nd team defensive lineman; senior John Devine – 2nd team defensive back; senior Billy Foote – 3rd team defensive lineman; senior Max Pednoft – 3rd team punter; junior Tyler Callander – honorable mention defensive lineman.
Council Rock South Golden Hawks – senior Christian Crane – honorable mention running back; junior Eric Gallo – honorable mention offensive lineman.
Harry S Truman Tigers - junior Marvin Todd – 2nd team running back & 3rd team defensive back; junior Nate Cortes – 3rd team offensive lineman.
Neshaminy Redskins – senior Justin Andrews – 2nd team wide receiver; junior Nick Tucci – place kicker; senior Steve Olenski – 3rd team linebacker; junior Cole Creighton – honorable mention defensive back.
Pennsbury Falcons – senior Daquan Mack – 1st team running back; senior Tom Hose – 1st team linebacker; senior Mickhail Knaizwich – place kicker; senior Shawn Pepper – 2nd team linebacker; junior Charlie Fisher – honorable mention linebacker; senior Luke Johnson – honorable mention defensive lineman; senior Sykeem Steward – honorable mention defensive lineman.
William Tennent Panthers – senior Jeff Ledford – 2nd team defensive back & 3rd team wide receiver; senior Dave Taufele honorable mention defensive lineman.
Suburban One League – Continental Conference
Central Bucks East Patriots – senior Vince Careghini – 2nd team wide receiver & 3rd team defensive back; senior Ed Hicks – 3rd team offensive lineman; senior Joe Roesinger – honorable mention offensive lineman.
Central Bucks South Titans – senior Steve Veal – 2nd team defensive back; senior Jon Mullin – 3rd team linebacker; senior Tyler Paradysz – 3rd team defensive end; senior Evan Stahl – honorable mention place kicker.
Central Bucks West Bucks – senior Sherrod Higginbotham – 3rd team running back; senior Chris Bagnick – 3rd team offensive lineman; senior Cory Radkins – honorable mention defensive lineman; Kevin Duggan – honorable mention linebacker; senior Kevin McCormack – honorable mention defensive end; junior John Fitz – honorable mention punter.
Hatboro-Horsham Hatters – junior Luke Spahits – honorable mention defensive back.
North Penn Knights – senior Derek Brandt – 1st team defensive lineman; senior Brandon Mandes – 1st team punter & 2nd team place kicker; Joe Potkovac – 2nd team offensive lineman.
Pennridge Rams – junior Mike Class – 1st team running back; senior John Dubyk – 1st team defensive end & 3rd team punter; junior Shane Kraynik – 2nd team offensive lineman & 3rd team defensive lineman; senior John Kim – 2nd team defensive back; senior Tyler Kio – honorable mention offensive and defensive lineman; senior Kenny Crawford – honorable mention defensive end.
Quakertown Panthers – none.
Souderton Indians – junior Rick Young – 1st team offensive & defensive lineman; senior Jeff Wolf – 3rd team place kicker; senior Colby Johnson – 3rd team linebacker; junior Josh Lister – 3rd team defensive end; senior Anthony Williams – 3rd team defensive back; senior Ben Licona – honorable mention offensive lineman; senior Kyle Wenger – honorable mention wide receiver.
Suburban One League - American Conference
Cheltenham Panthers – senior Dwayne Bowers – 2nd team defensive lineman; senior Hyneef Dockery – 2nd team defensive back; senior Swayne Bowser – 3rd team offensive guard.
Norristown Eagles – senior Darius Wills – 1st team linebacker.
Plymouth Whitemarsh Colonials – senior Alton Custis – 1st team wide receiver; senior Ryan Lunney – 1st team offensive tackle & 2nd team defensive end; senior Corey Kelly – 3rd team running back; senior Chris Gehringer – 3rd team offensive guard; senior Tre-Scott Jackson – 3rd team defensive lineman; senior Conor Walton – honorable mention linebacker.
Springfield Spartans – senior Eamon Henry – 1st team offensive center; senior Phil Ianozi – 2nd team offensive guard & honorable mention defensive lineman; senior Billy Dahm – honorable mention wide receiver - senior Tyler Bond – place kicker; sophomore Chris Stone – punter. Note that Springfield was a member of the Bicentennial League last season.Upper Dublin Flying Cardinals – senior Khalid Weems – honorable mention running back; senior Ben Winebrake – honorable mention offensive tackle; Derek Jones – honorable mention defensive end.
Upper Merion Vikings – senior Hassan Gardner – 3rd team running back; senior Adam Tancini – honorable mention offensive center; junior Clay Greenway – honorable mention linebacker.
Upper Moreland Golden Bears – senior Robert Knox – 1st team running back and 1st team defensive back; senior Evyn Stadulis – 2nd team offensive guard; senior Chris Kitchen – 2nd team linebacker; senior Daniel Cummings – 3rd team wide receiver; senior Joe Smith – 3rd team offensive lineman; senior Vince Cardelli – honorable mention defensive lineman; junior Tim Robinson – punter.
Wissahickon Trojans – senior Khalil Roberts – 1st team offensive lineman; senior Joe Gorman – 2nd team defensive lineman; senior Greg McDonough – 2nd team punter; senior CJ Virtu – 3rd team offensive center; senior Randy Frankenfield – honorable 3rd team linebacker; senior Gordon Bentley – honorable mention wide receiver & defensive back.
Final Standings for the 2011 Suburban One League Football Season
SOL National Conference
1. Abington Ghosts 6-1 10-2
2. Council Rock South Golden Hawks 6-1 12-2
3. Pennsbury Falcons 5-2 9-4
4. Neshaminy Redskins 4-3 8-4
5. Council Rock North Indians 4-3 5-5
6. William Tennent Panthers 2-5 4-7
7. Bensalem Owls 1-6 3-7
8. Harry S Truman Tigers 0-7 1-11
SOL Continental Conference
1. North Penn Knights 7-0 13-3
2. Central Bucks South Titans 5-2 8-4
3. Pennridge Rams 5-2 7-5
4. Souderton Indians 5-2 6-5
5. Central Bucks West Bucks 3-4 5-6
6. Quakertown Panthers 1-6 5-7
7. Hatboro-Horsham Hatters 1-6 5-7
8. Central Bucks East Patriots 1-6 1-9
SOL American Conference
1. Plymouth Whitemarsh Colonials 6-0 8-2
2. Upper Dublin Flying Cardinals 5-1 7-3
3. Wissahickon Trojans 4-2 7-3
4. Norristown Eagles 3-3 5-5
5. Cheltenham Panthers 2-4 5-7
6. Upper Moreland Golden Bears 1-5 2-10
7. Upper Merion Vikings 0-6 0-10
Bicentennial League
1. Springfield Spartans 7-0 11-1
Springfield will play in the Suburban One League American Conference in 2012
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