By Scott Huff
There was an interesting sidebar to the huge 42-21 Abington victory last week over Council Rock South in a key Suburban One National Conference game.
Ghost quarterback Sam Kind fired five touchdown passes and passed for 180 yards to fuel the potent Abington offense. But the junior quarterback took a sack in the second period – and head coach Tim Sorber’s head almost exploded.
“Both Coach Sorber and I strive for perfection,” smiled Kind. “When I play a perfect game, he might stop yelling at me.”
Kind has had huge shoes to fill as Kevin Morton finished a career that saw him set most Suburban One League passing records.
In fact, Council Rock South coach Vince Bedesem had nothing but high praise for Kind and his superlative performance against his Hawks.
“I would argue that this kid might be better than the one Abington had last year,” said Bedesem. “He not only can throw the ball, but he can tuck the ball and run as well.”
“I always kidded Morton and told him that it was the system – and not him,” grinned Sorber. “Sam had a great opportunity to watch Kevin and leared the system as a ninth and tenth grader.”
Kind, who did not begin playing football until the eighth grade, also appreciated his time as the QB caddy for Morton.
“I got a chance to watch an excellent quarterback last year,” said Kind. “Last year was fun, but it’s even more fun this year.”
Even if the coach gets in your face once in a while.
Suburban One American Conference
There is a traffic jam at the top of the SOL American that would rival the crush of cars at rush hour on the expressway.
Five of the seven teams in the conference have a single conference loss – Upper Moreland (2-1), Cheltenham (2-1), Norristown (2-1), Upper Merion (2-1), and Upper Dublin (1-1) are still on the road to a conference championship.
Upper Moreland (5-1 overall) created the conference logjam with a 35-14 victory over Upper Merion (4-2).
The Golden Bears had another outstanding performance turned in by running back Chris Smallwood. Smallwood tallied three TD runs of 2, 5, & 15 yards. Tom Knox also found pay dirt twice – on a 78-yard punt return and on an 8-yard TD pass from Mike Rosenblum.
The Vikings – who entered the game unbeaten in conference play – trailed the Bears in the fourth quarter by just a 20-14 count. The scoring plays for Upper Merion came on TD connections of 49 and 11 yards from quarterback Alex Phanthovong to Dexter Bridges.
Cheltenham (4-2) kept pace in the conference with a thrilling 24-21 win over Wissahickon (3-3, 0-2).
The Panthers received another fine performance by Makhail Reed who rushed for 145 yards and two touchdowns. Damian Finley also rushed for 104 yards. The game-winning points came off the foot of Jake Smith who kicked a 32-yard field goal.
Wissahickon had two players figure into its three scoring plays. Quarterback Brandon Gunn – who rushed for a team-high 103 yards – rushed for a score. Trojan running back Myron Ross ran for a score and scored on a 34-yard TD pass from Gunn,
Norristown (4-2) also kept in the conference title hunt with a 41-13 victory over Plymouth-Whitemarsh (0-6, 0-3).
Diminutive running back Sheldon Mayer racked up some not-so-diminutive numbers as he rushed for 184 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Sam Kiliojor, Angelo Berry, and Michael Goode also scored for the Eagles.
Plymouth-Whitemarsh (0-6, 0-3) did close the score to 14-6 in the first half as quarterback David O’Neill threw a 12-yard scoring pass to John Staudenmayer.
Upper Dublin (4-2) had a bye this week.
Suburban One Continental Conference
The top of the conference ticket is no surprise as North Penn (3-0) remains unbeaten. But both Central Bucks East (2-1) and Hatboro-Horsham (2-1) under first year coaches Tim Michael (CBE) and Tom Butts (HH) are within striking distance.
North Penn (6-0 overall) led 28-0 at the half and coasted to a huge 49-7 conference win over Central Bucks West (2-4, 1-2).
Running back Tyler Smith spearheaded the Knight rushing attack with 170 yards on 12 carries and a pair of TD runs that included an 88-yard scamper. Quarterback Justin Davey was an effective 11 of 18 passing with a touchdown.
The Bucks have featured the running attack of Raashad Williams and Ted Conrad all season. The tandem was held on a combined 50 yards by the Knights, although Conrad did score a fourth period touchdown for West to avert the shutout.
Hatboro-Horsham (3-3) hung a startling 32-0 loss against visiting Souderton (3-3, 1-2) last week.
The Hatters had huge scoring plays turned in by Eddie Coombs who scored on a 64-yard TD run and on a 33-yard scoring pass from quarterback Dan Lineberger. Darryl Neville also dialed long distance for H-H with a 77-yard TD dash.
Souderton – which has showcased one of the most potent offenses in the area this season – struggled for only eight first downs and 140 yards of total offense. Numerous injuries may have finally taken its toll on the Big Red.
Central Bucks East (3-3) scored an astounding 26 fourth quarter points to defeat host Pennridge (3-3, 0-2), 45-35.
The Patriots had both an effective passing game and running game against the Rams. Quarterback Kyle Bernard threw for 260 yards and a pair of touchdowns, while running back Devon Passman rushed for 155 yards on 24 carries.
Pennridge – which has now lost three straight – looked good on offense. Sophomore Jesse Knepp rushed for 145 yards and scored three times. Quarterback Brad Herrrman rushed for 130 yards and threw a TD pass. Ryan Metzgar scored on an 80-yard kickoff return.
Quakertown (5-1, 1-1) stunned Central Bucks South (3-3, 1-2) by a 29-27 score at Alumni Field.
The Panthers Tyler Burke returned a kickoff 78 yards for a score, while Tony Latronica added a pair of TD’s and rushed for 135 yards. The game winning score came on a pass from Ryan Tinknell to Mike Olimpo.
The Titans once again featured their passing game in the loss. Receiver Mike Doty caught 11 passes for 230 yards and three touchdowns. Quarterback Tom Johns threw four TD passes in all for South.
Suburban One National Conference
The kings of the hill in the National Conference – as expected – are Neshaminy (3-0) and Pennsbury (3-0). And both had no competition this week as the Skins and the Falcons were dominating in victory.
Neshaminy (5-1 overall) blasted William Tennent (0-6, 0-3) by a 41-0 margin.
The Redskins have outscored opponents by a remarkable 132-0 in their last four wins. Neshaminy running back Bryan Dean scored a pair of touchdowns for the Skins.
The lone loss for Neshaminy this season was a 14-13 setback against Souderton in Week One.
William Tennent, which has been outscored by a staggering 113-12 in conference games this season, had only one first down and 52 yards of total offense.
Pennsbury (5-1) blasted Harry S Truman (0-6, 0-3) by a 40-0 margin.
The Falcons once again showcased their brutal rushing attack against the Tigers. Pennsbury rushed for a total of six touchdowns – two each by Brandon Pepper (20 and 11) and Richie Applegate (37 and 7).
The lone loss for Pennsbury was a 20-6 setback against Glen Mills in Week Three.
Truman, which has been outscored by a staggering 102-6 in its conference games, had only four first downs and 70 yards of total offense.
Abington (5-1, 2-1) remained in the conference championship mix with a 42-21 thumping of Council Rock South (4-2, 1-2).
In addition to the superb performance by quarterback Sam Kind [5 TD passes], the Ghosts had a 100-plus rushing effort by Julien Ireland. Ireland was impressive as he ran for 164 yards and scored a pair of touchdowns.
Rock South led early as B.J Deola capped an 86-yard scoring drive with a 3-yard TD bolt. But the Hawks were outscored 42-0 from that point until Billy Flemming and Andrew Haviland scored fourth quarter touchowns.
Bensalem (3-3, 2-1) came up with a thrilling 30-24 conference victory over Council Rock North (1-5, 1-2).
Owl quarterback Ron Vogelei tossed three touchdown passes for the winners that included a 64-yard beauty to Jerry Davis. Running back Camryn LaSalle added 120 yards on 24 carries.
Rock North – which led 21-14 at one point of the game – failed to score from the Bensalem six-yard line as the game ended. Quarterback Tyler Hamilton connected on 16 passes for 250 yards and a touchdown.
Football Fever Forecast
(* Home Team)
Abington 42 *Council Rock North 20
Truman 20 *William Tennent 13
*Pennsbury 35 Bensalem 28
*Neshaminy 35 Council Rock South 13
*North Penn 38 Quakertown 7
Hat-Horsham 28 *Pennridge 21
CB South 31 *Souderton 17
CB East 28 *CB West 20
*Upper Dublin 35 Plymouth Whitemarsh 13
*Norristown 27 Upper Merion 21
*Upper More. 31 Wissahickon 21
St. Joe Prep 35 *Cheltenham 13
SuburbanOneSports.Com Fab Five
1. North Penn Knights 6-0 3-0
2. Pennsbury Falcons 5-1 3-0
3. Neshaminy Redsk 5-1 3-0
4. Abington Ghosts 5-1 2-1
5. Upper Moreland Bears 5-1 2-1
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