There were some real blowouts during the second week of the season concerning Suburban One League teams – some teams were on the ‘good side’ – others were not.
North Penn rebounded from its opening week loss to La Salle and punished cross-town rival Lansdale Catholic – 42-0. Central Bucks South routed visiting Council Rock North – by that same 42-0 tally.
Souderton took no prisoners at Graterford as the Big Red whipped Perkiomen Valley – 39-0. And Central Bucks West remained unbeaten as the Bucks rolled to a 49-7 victory over host William Tennent.
But there were four games that featured SOL teams that came down to the final exciting moments. Truman, Quakertown and Pennsbury came out gut-check winners – while Wissahickon (27-20) suffered a tough setback.
“This was a much needed win for our program,” said Truman head coach Ed Cubbage after his Tigers edged Ben Franklin, 20-12. “It sure wasn’t pretty, but it was a great way for the seniors to win their first game of the year. It got a little too exciting at the end.”
Ben Franklin had the ball on the Tiger 27-yard line with 0.5 seconds left in the game. A final desperation pass fell incomplete.
Quakertown’s final desperation pass was complete with just 22 seconds left in the game from quarterback Zac Gravelle to Nick Barndt to seal the Panthers come-from-behind 35-28 victory over host Pocono Mountain East.
“We hung in there, and we were able to pull out the victory,” said Quakertown head coach George Banas – who claimed his first career varsity win as a head coach. “You always will remember your first win, but to score with 20 seconds left makes it even more special.”
The football gods were not so kind to Wissahickon in its 27-20 loss to Archbishop Ryan. The Trojans had numerous chances to come back for the win – and a fourth-and-goal failure late in the contest spelled defeat.
“We were down 27-7, but we couldn’t make it all the way back,” said Wissahickon head coach John DeSimone. “We had the game right where we wanted it – on the one-yard line – but we just couldn’t get it done.”
Pennsbury did get it done late in the game in its 32-28 win over Harrisburg. Brandon Pepper scored for the Falcons with 3:43 left in the game, and an interception in the Pennsbury end zone - by Jay Jabat with 56 seconds remaining - saved the game.
This was the Week that Was in the Suburban One League
Suburban One League National Conference
Truman (1-1) – with a roster of just 24 varsity players – has created some huge interest recently when former head coach John Iannucci decided to exit the program three days before the Tigers were to open the season with Cheltenham.
“I knew John was frustrated about the way the program was headed, but I had no idea that he was going to step down,” said Truman head coach Ed Cubbage as the Tigers lost that opener – 26-8. “Not only have I been teaching and coaching here at Truman for just two years, but most of the coaching staff is new this year, and I have known them for about a month.
“Everyone at the school and the community have been overwhelmingly supportive,” added Cubbage – who teaches at the high school in the ESL program. “Everything has been real positive.”
The biggest positive had to be the Tigers 20-12 win over Ben Franklin last week.
Truman scored a pair of offensive touchdowns as Derron Thompson scored on a one-yard run, and Thompson fired a 23-yard scoring pass to Ishmil Bullock. Bullock also scored on a 75-yard return of an interception.
“Right now we have 24 players on the team, and we don’t expect to add any more,” said Cubbage. “The seniors really want to play with the kids we have now, and I am going to respect their wishes.
“The Suburban One League is a great league, and we will have a tough time,” added Cubbage. “But we are looking forward to the rest of the season.”
Next: Truman (1-1) @ Upper Dublin (1-1)
Last Year: Truman 12 – Upper Dublin 6
Prediction: Upper Dublin 28 – Truman 13
Neshaminy (2-0) scored the first 28 points of the game and coasted to a 35-7 win over Hatboro-Horsham (1-1).
Charlie Marterella threw a pair of TD passes – one to Tadas Karusevicius (22 yards) and another to Justin Andrews (15 yards). Marterella completed 10 passes for 145 yards. Corey Majors scored on a pair of one-yard plunges, while Anthony Woodroffe scored on a four-yard run.
Next: Central Bucks East (1-1) @ Neshaminy
Last Year: Did Not Play
Prediction: Neshaminy 34 – CB East 10
Pennsbury (1-1) played a game that could have been seen at the U.S. Open tennis match as the game went back and forth with the Falcons finally holding serve at 32-28, against Harrisburg (1-1).
Brandon Pepper led the Pennsbury ground attack with 170 yards on 24 carries and a pair of touchdowns – including the game winner in the fourth period. Adam Lewis returned a missed field goal attempt and scooted 91 yards for a key special teams touchdown.
Next: Frankford (1-1) @ Pennsbury (1-1)
Last Year: Pennsbury 24 – Frankford 12
Prediction: Pennsbury 21 – Frankford 8
Council Rock South (2-0) played a terrific defensive game in whitewashing Central Bucks East (1-1), 20-0.
The Golden Hawk defense registered nine sacks against the Patriots. Rock South had a pair of field goals by place kicker Ben Solis of 32 and 37 yards and also scored on TD runs by Bill Fleming (nine yards) and Mark Damirgian (two yards).
Next: Pennridge (2-0) @ Council Rock South (2-0)
Last Year: Did Not Play
Prediction: Council Rock South 27 – Pennridge 21
Abington (1-1) earned its first victory of the season with a hard fought 13-7 victory over Plymouth Whitemarsh (1-1).
Tailback-turned-quarterback Julien Ireland scored both touchdowns for the Ghosts on TD runs of five and one yard. Ireland rushed for a game-high 133 yards on 30 carries.
Next: Souderton (1-1) @ Abington (1-1)
Last Year: Did Not Play
Prediction: Souderton 28 – Abington 13
Bensalem (0-2) had a nice comeback against Pennridge (2-0) before losing to the host Rams, 34-24.
The Owl passing game was in full flight as quarterback Anthony Prisco completed 21 passes for 250 yards – including a 65-yard scoring strike to Davonte Newkirk. Bensalem finished the game with 395 yards of total offense.
Next: Archbishop Ryan (1-1) @ Bensalem (0-2)
Last Year: Did Not Play
Prediction: Bensalem 27 – Archbishop Ryan 21
William Tennent (1-1) scored the first touchdown of the game, but was outscored 49-0 for the rest of the game in a 49-7 loss to Central Bucks West (2-0).
Shakat Kofa scored the lone touchdown for the Panthers and accounted for 86 yards of total offense. Connor Geiger led the team in rushing with 79 yards on just six carries.
Next: William Tennent (1-1) @ Upper Merion (0-2)
Last Year: William Tennent 39 – Upper Merion 14
Prediction: William Tennent 20 – Upper Merion 14
Council Rock North (0-2) is off to a slow start with two successive losses – including a 42-0 loss to Central Bucks South.
The Indians – with Division One players Brandon Cottom and John Raymon out of the lineup due to injury – managed just four first downs on offense. Brandon Knotts completed eight passes and rushed for a team-high 30 yards.
Next: Hatboro-Horsham (1-1) @ Council Rock North (0-2)
Last Year: CR North 17 – Hatboro-Horsham 13
Prediction: Hatboro-Horsham 14 – CR North 13
Suburban One League Continental Conference
Quakertown (1-1) is on the ‘fringe’ of the Suburban One League as the school on the northern most boundary of the league.
The Panthers hopped on a bus – rode north to the Poconos – and found a way to come home with a 35-28 victory over Pocono Mountain East.
“We took that very long bus ride, about an hour and 40 minutes, and we came back with a win,” said first-year head coach George Banas. “We had three schools drop us from their schedule, so we had to scramble a little bit to get a game this week.
“We made quite a few mistakes again this week,” added Banas – who claimed his first ever coaching win on the varsity level. “But we played as a team and were able to be successful.”
Junior quarterback Zac Gravelle was spectacular with a game winning TD pass to Nick Barndt with 22 seconds left. He threw another TD pass to Barndt – and also scored on a 93-yard touchdown run.
Quakertown outscored Pocono Mountain East 14-0 in the fourth period.
Next: Quakertown (1-1) @ Cheltenham (2-0)
Last Year: Quakertown 35 – Cheltenham 6
Prediction: Quakertown 24 – Cheltenham 21
North Penn (1-1) stopped its two-game losing streak (Ridley last year and La Salle this season) with a convincing 42-0 victory over cross-town rival Lansdale Catholic.
Craig Needhammer rushed the ball nine times for 110 yards and scored on touchdown runs of 20 and 34 yards. Corey Ernst threw his first touchdown pass of the season with a 66-yard scoring aerial to Gerard Wendowski. Brandon Mercer scored on a 70-yard punt return.
Next: St. Joe Prep (1-1) @ North Penn (1-1)
Last Year: North Penn 28 – St. Joe Prep 14
Prediction: North Penn 27 – St. Joe Prep 14
Souderton (1-1) took out its revenge for its loss to Neshaminy (21-19) by stomping Perkiomen Valley (0-2), 39-0.
Big Red running back Tyler Scholl scored four touchdowns and rushed for 115 yards – on only eight carries. Clint Passarella highlighted the defensive effort with a 70-yard TD return of an interception.
Next: Souderton (1-1) @ Abington (1-1)
Last Year: Did Not Play
Prediction: Souderton 28 – Abington 13
Central Bucks West (2-0) brought back memories of yesteryear as the Bucks bullied William Tennent (1-1), 49-7.
Rashaad Williams rushed for 156 yards on 17 carries and scored on runs of four and ten yards. Jake Poeske added 91 yards on 10 carries for the winners.
Next: Wissahickon (0-2) @ Central Bucks West (2-0)
Last Year: Wissahickon 26 – CB West 14
Prediction: Central Bucks West 35 – Wissahickon 14
Pennridge (2-0) held off a second half charge to remain unbeaten with a 34-24 victory over Bensalem (0-2).
The Ram offense generated a staggering 420 yards of total rushing offense. Jesse Knepp rushed for a game-high 225 yards, while Brandon Cope added 145 rushing yards.
Next: Pennridge (2-0) @ Council Rock South (2-0)
Last Year: Did Not Play
Prediction: Council Rock South 27 – Pennridge 21
Central Bucks South (1-1) had a terrific day on both the offensive and defensive sides of the ball as the Titans shut out Council Rock North, 42-0.
CB South quarterback Matt Johns had a wonderful afternoon throwing for 204 yards and a touchdown. Johns also scored on a 26-yard run, while Ben Torres rushed for a pair of scores.
Next: Central Bucks South (1-1) @ Norristown (1-1)
Last Year: Norristown 41 – CB South 14
Prediction: CB South 20 – Norristown 14
Hatboro-Horsham (1-1) had a date with an SOL heavyweight and suffered a 35-7 black eye against Neshaminy (2-0).
Sophomore running back Travis Young rushed for a team-high 80 yards on eight carries. Young also scored the lone touchdown for the Hatters in a nine-yard run.
Next: Hatboro-Horsham (1-1) @ Council Rock North (0-2)
Last Year: Council Rock North 17 – Hatboro-Horsham 13
Prediction: Hatboro-Horsham 14 – CR North 13
Central Bucks East (1-1) had a difficult time protecting the passer in a 20-0 loss to Council Rock South (2-0). East quarterback Josh Bernard was sacked nine times in the game.
The Patriots played without starting running back Justyn White and could only generate 99 yards of total offense.
Next: Central Bucks East (1-1) @ Neshaminy (2-0)
Last Year: Did Not Play
Prediction: Neshaminy 34 – Central Bucks East 10
Suburban One League American Conference
Wissahickon (0-2) has been one of the most consistent programs the last few seasons. But the Trojans lost a ton of seniors that played last season, and the huge holes on both the offense and defense are there.
“We have one returning offensive player (Jaron Parham) and two defensive players (Parham and Tyler Leard) back from last season,” said Wissahickon head coach John DeSimone. “We start six sophomores on offense and defense, and the upside is that I have learned patience.
“It reminds me a lot of when I took the program over here at Wissahickon,” added DeSimone. “It is a good group of juniors and sophomores, and we hope to improve from week to week.”
Wissahickon dropped a heartbreaker to Archbishop Ryan, 27-20. J.T. Crits completed 15 passes for 150 yards and a pair of touchdowns – one to Varney Dassin and the other to Parham. Jemmy Thelemaque returned a punt 50 yards for a score.
Next: Wissahickon (0-2) @ Central Bucks West (2-0)
Last Year: Wissahickon 26 – CB West 14
Prediction: CB West 35 – Wissahickon 14
Upper Moreland (2-0) remained unbeaten in its nonleague schedule with a 26-14 victory over Pottstown (1-1).
Quarterback Matt Sawick had an efficient night completing seven of eight passes for 165 yards and a pair of touchdowns – one to Kyle Lockhard and the other to James Norton. Jordan Spector scored a pair of touchdowns on runs of one and ten yards.
Next: Upper Moreland (2-0) @ Furness (2-0)
Last Year: Did Not Play
Prediction: Upper Moreland 20 – Furness 14
Cheltenham (2-0) kept its 2010 season record spotless with a 27-14 win over Bishop McDevitt.
Kenneth Cropper threw three TD passes – all to Dan Rouse – and passed for 220 yards. Rouse finished with four catches for 155 yards. Dimitri Morris rushed for 115 yards and a touchdown.
Next: Quakertown (1-1) @ Cheltenham (2-0)
Last Year: Quakertown 35 – Cheltenham 6
Prediction: Quakertown 24 – Cheltenham 21
Upper Dublin (1-1) rebounded from its season opening loss to defeat Upper Perkiomen (1-1), 27-14.
Quarterback Andrew Derr fired a pair of touchdown passes to Jeff Buchanan – one of 44 yards and the other for 40 yards. Derr completed nine passes for 150 yards.
Next: Truman (1-1) @ Upper Dublin (1-1)
Last Year: Truman 12 – Upper Dublin 6
Prediction: Upper Dublin 28 – Truman 13
Plymouth Whitemarsh (1-1) was involved in a defensive struggle as the Colonials dropped a 13-7 contest.
Russon Phillips scored the lone Plymouth Whitemarsh touchdown in the first period on a one-yard run.
Next: West Chester Henderson (2-0) @ Plymouth Whitemarsh (1-1)
Last Year: West Chester Henderson 35 – PW 0
Prediction: W.C. Henderson 28 – PW 7
Norristown (1-1) took on District One Power Downingtown East (2-0) and was clipped 49-10.
The Eagles tied the game at 7-7 on a 20-yard TD pass from Shannon Mayer to Ikeem Boyd, and closed to within 14-10 on a 23-yard field goal by Gerard Fox.
Next: Norristown (1-1) @ Central Bucks South (1-1)*
Last Year: Norristown 41 – CB South 14
Prediction: Central Bucks South 20 – Norristown 14
*Note the change in location of the Norristown/CB South game to CB South.
Upper Merion (0-2) opened the season with a 39-0 loss. Things improved last week despite a 14-7 loss to Methacton.
The Viking defense limited the Warriors to just 25 yards of total offense in the first half.
Next: William Tennent (1-1) @ Upper Merion (0-2)
Last Season: William Tennent 39 – Upper Merion 14
Prediction: William Tennent 20 - Upper Merion 14
Suburban One Sports.com Super Seven
1. North Penn Knights (1-1)
2. Neshaminy Redskins (2-0)
3. Council Rock South Golden Hawks (2-0)
4. Pennsbury Falcons (1-1)
5. Souderton Indians (1-1)
6. Pennridge Rams (2-0)
7. Central Bucks West Bucks (2-0)
- Log in to post comments
0
