Scott Huff features Truman, Upper Merion and Quakertown and highlights some of the week’s top offensive performances. To view photos of the Cheltenham/Springfield, CR North/Abington and Truman/Pennsbury games, please visit the Photo Gallery.
By Scott Huff
The Suburban One League – with the exception of Pennridge and Quakertown – opened conference play last week with few surprises.
In the National Conference, the winners all scored 40 or more points as Neshaminy, Pennsbury, Abington and (surprise) Bensalem all were able to put huge numbers on the scoreboard. Neshaminy routed William Tennent (41-7); Pennsbury routed Truman (43-7); Abington routed Council Rock North (41-6); and (surprise - surprise) Bensalem edged Council Rock South (42-35).
In the American Conference, Upper Dublin won a statement game as the Flying Cardinals remained unbeaten with a 45-28 win over Wissahickon; Plymouth Whitemarsh opened its defense of a conference championship with a dominating 48-28 victory over Upper Moreland; Upper Merion edged Norristown 31-27 with a touchdown with 6 seconds remaining; and Cheltenham edged Springfield 28-26 in another nail biter.
In the Continental Conference, North Penn looked like the Knights of old, winning its first game of the season in a 27-0 win over Central Bucks East; Central Bucks West rallied back to defeat Souderton 34-21; Central Bucks South rallied back to defeat Hatboro-Horsham 30-16. Pennridge won its non-conference game with Academy Park 28-13, while Quakertown lost its first game of the season with a 49-27 non-conference loss to Pocono Mountain East.
And the beat goes on …
Suburban One League National Conference ‘Snaphot’
Harry S Truman Tigers
Harry S Truman led powerful Pennsbury 7-0 in the first period – and the Tigers were tied with the high-flying Falcons 7-7 at the half. But things went awfully wrong in the second half as Pennsbury (3-1, 1-0) buried Truman (2-2, 0-1) by a final count of 42-7.
“The moment was just too big for us,” said Truman head coach Ed Cubbage. “We played great in the first half, but we were just too emotional in the second half.
“It was the first time that we were in a situation to beat one of the big boys in our conference,” added Cubbage. “We actually had a bunch of kids hyper ventilating in the second half because they were so excited. We started to laugh about what was going on, but I still love that fact that we were that excited.”
The schedule maker did not do Truman any favors as the Tigers must compete next week against one of the elite teams not only in the National Conference – but the state – in Neshaminy (4-0, 1-0).
“We talked after the game about how we have to be able to make the experience of the Pennsbury game pay off for us down the road,” said Cubbage. “We get Neshaminy this week – and that is going to be tough for us. But we have some games down that road where we should be able to keep ourselves in ballgames and come up with some wins.
“We looked at the film of the Pennsbury game, and we saw a lot of positives in the first half,” added Cubbage. “And then we played the second half.”
SOL National Conference ‘Honor Roll’
Raquay Smith and Charles Snorweah of Pennsbury featured a punishing rushing attack as the Falcons soared to a 42-7 victory over Truman. Smith rushed for 150 yards and scored 4 touchdowns, while Snorweah ran for an even 100 yards and a score.
D’Andre Pollard of Neshaminy collected 185 yards on 13 carries and scored a pair of touchdowns as the Redskins routed William Tennent 41-7.
Craig Reynolds of Abington was magnificent in the open field racing for 288 yards and 4 touchdowns as the Ghosts ran away from Council Rock North 41-6.
Ian Pisarchuk and Alex Archangelli of Bensalem had career days as the Owls flew by Council Rock South 42-35. Pisarchuk rushed for a game-high 180 yards and scored 3 touchdowns, while Archangelli rushed for 125 yards and a score.
Brandon McIlwain of Council Rock North fired 21 completions for 242 yards and scored a rushing touchdown as the Indians were defeated by Abington 41-6.
Nik Banks of William Tennent led the Panthers in rushing with 80 yards and scored the only touchdown as WT lost to Neshaminy 41-7.
Manny Fisher of Truman scored the only points for the Tigers with a TD as Pennsbury defeated Truman 42-7.
Greg Paprocki of Council Rock South fired three touchdowns passes as the Golden Hawks were beaten by Bensalem 42-35.
Suburban One League National Conference Schedule
Pennsbury Falcons (3-1, 3-0) @ Council Rock South Golden Hawks (0-4, 0-1)
Last Week: Council Rock South lost to Bensalem 42-35 & Pennsbury defeated Truman 42-7.
Last Year: Pennsbury 28 – Council Rock South 7.
Council Rock North Indians (3-1, 0-1) @ William Tennent Panthers (1-3, 0-1)
Last Week: Council Rock North lost to Abington 41-6 & William Tennent lost to Neshaminy 41-7.
Last Year: Council Rock North 17 – William Tennent 0.
Abington Ghosts (4-0, 1-0) @ Bensalem Owls (1-3, 1-0)
Last Week: Abington defeated CR North 41-6 & Bensalem defeated CR South 42-35.
Last Year: Abington 39 – Bensalem 20.
Truman Tigers (2-2, 0-1) @ Neshaminy Redskins (4-0, 1-0)
Last Week: Truman lost to Pennsbury 42-7 & Neshaminy defeated William Tennent 41-7.
Last Year: Neshaminy 48 – Harry S Truman 13.
Suburban One League American Conference ‘Snapshot’
Upper Merion Vikings
Upper Merion is off to a wonderful start to the 2013 football season as the Vikings have sailed to a 3-1 record overall and opened the SOL American Conference schedule with a thrilling 31-27 victory over Norristown. Upper Merion – which won just a single game last season – scored with just six seconds remaining to avenge a loss to the Eagles a season ago.
“A really big thing with this team is not looking back to what happened last year,” said Upper Merion head coach Harold Smith. “We want all of our focus on what we are doing this year. It is a new season – a new team – and these players are worried about the next game.
“Beating Norristown the way we did should be a great experience for us playing in close games later in the season,” added Smith. “The players never quit, and now we know that we have the ability to come back in close games.”
A huge factor in the fast start for the Vikings has been the play of running back Jequan Mitchell. Mitchell rushed for a staggering 299 in an Upper Merion win over Olney.
“Jequan has gone through a lot in his life, and he has developed into a great team leader,” said Smith. “He is extremely motivated, and that motivation has been picked up on by the other members of the team.”
Upper Merion will have a shot at winning its second conference game this week as the Vikings meet Upper Moreland. The Golden Bears (1-3, 0-1) lost a 48-28 contest to Plymouth Whitemarsh last week.
“Upper Moreland has one of the best backs in the area in Tyler Whitmore,” said Smith. “He looks unbelievable on tape, and we are going to have our work cut out for us to try and contain him.”
A job well done could create a yet another Upper Merion victory.
SOL American Conference ‘Honor Roll’
Kalief Lee of Upper Dublin scored 4 touchdowns as the Flying Cardinals soared to a 45-28 victory over Wissahickon.
Jose Vega of Plymouth Whitemarsh scored 3 touchdowns as the Colonials marched to a 48-28 victory over Upper Moreland.
Greg Morris of Cheltenham rushed for a team-high 125 yards and scored 2 touchdowns as the Panthers clawed Springfield 28-26.
Jequan Mitchell of Upper Merion rushed for a game-high 120 yards and scored a touchdown as the Vikings edged Norristown 31-27.
Martin Worgan of Springfield rushed for a game-high 215 yards and scored 3 touchdowns in a losing effort as the Spartans were beaten by Cheltenham 28-26.
Dave Stellato of Wissahickon rushed for a game-high 130 yards and 2 touchdowns in a losing effort as the Trojans were beaten by Upper Dublin 45-28.
Charlie Hooker of Upper Moreland completed 15 passes for 240 yards and 2 touchdowns in a losing effort as the Golden Bears were beaten by Plymouth Whitemarsh.
Suburban One League American Conference Schedule
Plymouth Whitemarsh Colonials (2-2, 1-0) @ Cheltenham Panthers (2-2, 1-0)
Last Week: Plymouth Whitemarsh defeated Upper Moreland 48-28 & Cheltenham defeated Springfield 28-26.
Last Year: Plymouth Whitemarsh 34 – Cheltenham 28.
Wissahickon Trojans (1-3, 0-1) @ Springfield Spartans (2-1, 0-1)
Last Week: Wissahickon lost to Upper Dublin 45-28 & Springfield lost to Cheltenham 28-26.
Last Year: Wissahickon 27 – Springfield 13.
Norristown Eagles (0-4, 0-1) @ Upper Dublin Flying Cardinals (4-0, 1-0)
Last Week: Norristown lost to Upper Merion 31-27 & Upper Dublin defeated Wissahickon 48-28.
Last Year: Upper Dublin 35 – Norristown 19.
Upper Merion Vikings (3-1, 1-0) @ Upper Moreland Golden Bears (1-3, 0-1)
Last Week: Upper Merion defeated Norristown 31-27 & Upper Moreland lost to Plymouth Whitemarsh 48-28.
Last Year: Upper Moreland 35 – Upper Merion 20.
Suburban One League Continental Conference ‘Snapshot’
Quakertown Panthers|
Quakertown is coming off a loss for the first time this season when the Panthers dropped a 49-28 non-conference game to Pocono Mountain East. But a 3-1 start is a huge step in the right direction for a program that could claim just a single win a season ago.
“We played our worst game of the season, but it was a game that we were capable of winning,” said Quakertown head coach George Banas. “Mentally, sometimes it can be tough on high school kids, but we should be able to bounce back.
“The 3-1 record has really helped with our mindset as we begin our (SOL Continental) league season,” added Banas. “We still have to get over the hump in some areas, but we should continue to get better.”
Quakertown has an enormous test to pass this week as the Panthers host North Penn (1-3, 1-0). The Knights – who lost their 3 non-conference games to Philadelphia Catholic League powers La Salle, Archbishop Wood, and St. Joe Prep – opened their conference schedule last week with a 27-0 victory over Central Bucks East.
“I found it interesting that the score of the East game was 0-0 at halftime,” said Banas. “But North Penn dominated the second half, and they have some weapons both running the ball with the sophomore running back (Nyfease West) and throwing the ball (senior Austin Sheaerer). We will have to play well.”
SOL Continental Conference ‘Honor Roll’
Dion Clifton of Central Bucks South rushed for a game-high 160 yards on 21 carries as the Titans defeated Hatboro-Horsham 30-16.
Nyfease West and Luke Berry of North Penn led the Knight rushing attack as NP whitewashed Central Bucks East 27-0. West ran for a game-high 165 yards, while Berry scored a pair of touchdowns for the winners.
Marvin Todd of Central Bucks West led all rushers with 185 yards and scored 2 touchdowns as the Bucks captured a 34-21 victory over Souderton.
Michael Class of Pennridge led all rushers with 230 yards and scored 2 touchdowns as the Rams collected a 28-13 non-conference victory over Academy Park.
Alec Vera of Quakertown scored 2 running touchdowns as the Panthers were handed their first loss of the season in a 49-28 defeat against Pocono Mountain East.
Casey Walsh of Hatboro-Horsham completed 12 passes for 185 yards and 2 touchdowns as the Hatters were topped by Central Bucks South 30-16.
Zach Nelsen of Central Bucks East completed 15 passes for 140 yards as the Patriots were defeated by North Penn 27-0.
AJ Curotto of Souderton completed 9 passes for 125 yards that included a 75-yard TD pass to Manny Nieves as the Indians were beaten 34-21 by Central Bucks West.
Suburban One League Continental Conference Schedule
Central Bucks West Bucks (3-1, 1-0) @ Pennridge Rams (4-0, 0-0)
Last Week: Central Bucks West defeated Souderton 34-21 & Pennridge defeated Academy Park 28-13.
Last Year: Pennridge 28 – Central Bucks West 21.
Hatboro-Horsham Hatters (2-2, 0-1) @ Central Bucks East Patriots (1-3, 0-1)
Last Week: Hatboro-Horsham lost to Central Bucks South 30-16 & Central Bucks East lost to North Penn 27-0.
Last Year: Central Bucks East 43 – Hatboro-Horsham 29.
Central Bucks South Titans (3-1, 1-0) @ Souderton Indians (0-4, 0-1)
Last Week: Central Bucks South defeated Hatboro-Horsham 30-16 & Souderton lost to Central Bucks West 31-24.
Last Year: Central Bucks South 44 – Souderton 28.
North Penn Knights (1-3, 1-0) @ Quakertown Panthers (3-1, 0-0)
Last Week: North Penn defeated Central Bucks East 27-0 & Quakertown lost to Pocono Mountain East 49-28.
Last Year: North Penn 42 – Quakertown 7.
Suburban One Sports.com
Super Seven
1. Neshaminy Redskins (4-0, 1-0)
2. Pennridge Rams (4-0, 0-0)
3. Pennsbury Falcons (3-1, 1-0)
4. Abington Ghosts (4-0, 1-0)
5. Central Bucks South Titans (3-1, 1-0)
6. North Penn Knights (1-3, 1-0)
7. Upper Dublin Flying Cardinals (4-0, 1-0)
7+. Plymouth Whitemarsh Colonials (2-2, 1-0)
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