By Scott Huff
Friday Night Lights
District One Quad-A Playoffs
#9 Abington (9-2) @ #1 North Penn (11-0)
7:30 p.m.
The Season:
Abington finished third in the Suburban One National Conference behind both Neshaminy and Pennsbury. The Ghosts only losses during the season were to both the Redskins (7-0) and the Falcons (24-14).
North Penn was the Suburban One Continental Conference champion. The Knights finished the regular season with a perfect 10-0 record.
Playoff Action:
Abington opened the PIAA Class AAAA playoffs last week with a come-from-behind 48-35 victory over Glen Mills. The Ghosts trailed 28-7 early in the second quarter but forged a comeback to advance to the second round.
North Penn opened the PIAA Class AAAA playoffs last week with a 35-7 victory over Souderton. The Knights were tied 7-7 at halftime, but dominated the second half to coast to the win.
Who’s Who:
Abington features a terrific offensive attack that showcases a pair of underclassmen. Junior quarterback Sam Kind has thrown for 1910 yards and 24 touchdowns, while sophomore running back Julien Ireland has rushed for 1244 yards and 12 touchdowns.
North Penn also features a potent rushing attack in Ronnie Akins and Tyler Smith. Akins – who scored four touchdowns last week – has found the end zone 24 times this season. Quarterback Justin Davey has proven to be a very effective weapon throwing the football.
Abington coach Tim Sorber said:
“No one really expected us to be in this position,” said Sorber. “North Penn is the ranked team – the team that everyone expected to be there.
“Glen Mills was very talented, and to be honest, maybe more talented than us,” added Sorber. “But we showed our character, and we were able to come back and win the game.
“Looking at the film of North Penn it is tough to see any weaknesses,” continued Sorber. “We have to come out loose and see what happens.”
North Penn coach Dick Beck said:
“One of the keys for us is going to be to confuse the quarterback,” said Beck. “Abington can move the ball, and we’re going to have to cover guys on defense.
“Another thing we want to be able to do is sustain drives when we do have the ball,” added Beck. “If we have it – they don’t.
“We have had a good week of practice – very businesslike,” continued Beck. “But on game night, the kids will be excited.”
#11 Ridley (9-2) @ #3 Neshaminy (10-1)
7 p.m.
The Season:
Ridley finished the season with the third best record in the Central League. The Green Raiders lost to both Penncrest (26-19) and unbeaten Garnet Valley (41-28).
Neshaminy finished its season as the Suburban One National Conference champion. The Redskins only loss of the season came in the season opener against Souderton (14-13). 
Playoff Action:
Ridley – the defending District One champion – opened its PIAA District One Class AAAA title defense with a 21-0 victory over Quakertown. The Green Raiders shut down the high-powered Panther offense and scored single touchdowns in the first, third, and fourth periods.
Neshaminy used its punishing rushing attack to pound out 330 yards rushing in its 24-6 PIAA District One Class AAAA playoff victory over visiting Downingtown East. The Skin defense limited East to just one yard rushing and only 181 yards of total offense.
Who’s Who:
Ridley is a team that features the passing of senior quarterback Andrew Pidgeon, who fired 25 passes in the win over Quakertown – two for touchdowns – and has passed for 1276 yards this season. The Green Raider rushing attack showcases sophomore Shahaid Smith and John Harshaw.
Neshaminy is a team that features a balanced attack. The run game has a blend of speed and power evidenced by running backs Quilan Arnold, Bryan Dean, and Jay Colbert. Quarterback Brian Titus has shown excellent touch, and place kicker Seth Jeffries is a superb kicker.
Neshaminy coach Mark Schmidt said:
“Ridley is a good football team, very well coached,” said Schmidt. “I was impressed with the way they prepare and the way they execute on the field.
“We want to move the football and keep their defense on the field,” added Schmidt. “Field position is going to be a key part of the game.
“Ridley punched us in the mouth last year,” continued Schmidt in reference to the Green Raiders 27-7 win in the district semis a year ago. “Some of our juniors and seniors are going to remember that game.”
#7 Pennsbury (9-2) @ #2 Garnet Valley (11-0)
7 p.m.
The Season:
Pennsbury was the second place finisher in the Suburban One National Conference. The Falcons lost a pair of games this season – one to Glen Mills (20-7) – and the other to SOL National Conference champion Neshaminy (16-13).
Garnet Valley is unbeaten this season and is the Central League champion. The Jaquars have averaged 34.3 points per game this season and have given up an average of 10.9 points per game.
Playoff Action:Pennsbury was extremely impressive in its 45-14 victory over Penncrest in the first round of the PIAA District One Class AAAA playoffs. The Falcons flew to 421 yards of total offense – scoring three rushing touchdowns, two passing touchdowns and a defensive score. They also kicked a field goal.
Garnet Valley was less than impressive in its 21-7 victory over Pennridge in the first round of the PIAA District One Class AAAA playoffs. The Jaguars led 14-0 at the half, but held just a 14-7 lead after three periods. GV rushed for 250 yards and three touchdowns.
Who’s Who:
Pennsbury is known for its awesome running attack that showcases the inside power of Richie Applegate and the outside speed of Dante Devine and Jordan Lollis. However, sophomore quarterback Brandon Pepper - also a spectacular runner - threw a pair of TD passes to Devine in the win over Penncrest.
Garnet Valley is also known more for its running attack. The Jags have two running backs that have scored 14 touchdowns each this season – Tim Keyser and Jared Bonacquisti. The passing attack showcases the talents of Mark McHugh, who has passed for 865 yards and eight touchdowns.
Pennsbury coach Galen Snyder said:
“Garnet Valley is an excellent football team,” said Snyder moments after the Falcons defeated Penncrest last week. “You don’t go through a season undefeated unless you are a good football team.
“They run a tight veer offense, and we’ll have to be ready for that,” added Snyder. “Penncrest ran more of an open veer, and it seems like some of the teams in the Central League like to run the veer.
“We will have to take a good look at the film,” continued Snyder. “We have to come up with a good game plan and play a good football game.”
District One Triple-A Playoffs
#5 Owen J Roberts (9-2) @ #1 Upper Moreland (9-1)
7:30 p.m.
The Season:
Owen J Roberts finished as the second place team in the Pioneer Athletic League behind champion Pottsgrove. The Wildcats lost only to Pottsgrove (41-14) and to Downingtown West (47-21).
Upper Moreland was the Suburban One League American Conference co-champion with Upper Dublin. The lone loss of the season for the Golden Bears was a 19-14 loss to Upper Dublin.
Playoff Action:
The most exciting of the PIAA District One Class AAA playoff games had to be Owen J Roberts 30-29 double overtime victory over host Great Valley. The Wildcats elected to go for two-points after their second overtime TD, and a pass from Dan Miller to Brad Davis sealed the deal.
Upper Moreland struggled somewhat in its 26-20 first round PIAA District One Class AAA playoff game against visiting Phoenixville. The Bears scored the winning touchdown with just 2 minutes, 27 seconds left in the game.
Who’s Who:
The big man on campus for Owen J Roberts is sophomore running back Ryan Brumfield. Brumfield has rushed – no juke – for 2003 yards this season. The Wildcats average 29.8 points per game and 298.2 rushing yards per game.
The big man on campus for Upper Moreland has been running back Chris Smallwood. Smallwood has scored 22 touchdowns and has rushed for 1571 yards. Upper Moreland also features the passing combination of Mike Rosenbaum to Tom Knox.
Upper Moreland coach Adam Beach said:
“Nothing can get a team ready for the playoffs better than winning a close game,” said Beach as both the Cats and the Bears won close games last week. “Brumfield has explosive speed and we’re going to have to do a good job of containing him.
“I feel that we have some big play makers ourselves,” continued Beach. “If we can run the ball effectively with Chris (Smallwood), it should open up our passing game.
“Last week, for whatever reason, we came out flat,” added Beach. “If we do that again, we might be out of the playoffs.”
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