By Scott Huff
The Suburban One League is sorting the Pretenders from the Contenders week by week.
Abington (3-0, 1-0) earned its Contender tag in the Suburban One National Conference with a thrilling 28-24 victory over visiting Neshaminy (3-1, 0-1).
“The league has been dominated by both Neshaminy and Pennsbury ever since I’ve been here,” said Abington coach Tim Sorber. “We really respect both of those programs, and we will continue to work hard to get where they are now.”
Council Rock North (3-1, 1-0) will be the team attempting to earn its Contender badge in the SOL National Conference this week as the Indians travel to meet unbeaten Pennsbury (4-0, 1-0).
“Pennsbury is a program that is very physical and with talented skill players,” said Rock North coach Tom Coates. “They execute and make no mistakes. Pennsbury is right where we want to be.”
The next few weeks will sift out the contenders from the pretenders in both the SOL Continental and American Conferences.
Stay tuned.
SOL National Conference
Council Rock North (3-1, 1-0) has gotten off to a nice start this season.
“These kids don’t hope to win – they expect to win,” said Rock North head coach Tom Coates. “Some of the three-year starters – like Tyler Hamilton, Ty Bostain, and Lee Marvel – have been through some of the tough times.
“They are tired of having moral victories,” added Coates. “We tested ourselves by playing Father Judge in our first game (35-21 loss), and we learned a lot about our football team.”
North has played well – but Coates knows that his tribe can play better.
“We are focusing on taking care of the little things,” said Coates. “We have driven the football on everyone, but we haven’t finished a lot of drives. If we want to compete with the top tier on our league, we are going to have to execute and eliminate the mistakes.
“Our no-name offensive line has been outstanding,” said Coates in reference to Mike English, Charlie Sladek, Ryan Campbell, Brian Applegate, Kevin Krimm, and Brendon Kozub. “They are going to continue to improve.”
Council Rock North opened the SOL National Conference schedule with a 38-14 victory over William Tennent.
Hamilton completed 8-of-14 passes for 122 yards that included a 75-yard TD pass to Adam Yborra. Brandon Cottom returned the opening kickoff 95 yards for a touchdown and also had a 70-yard punt return.
Pennsbury (4-0, 1-0) opened the curtain on its conference schedule with a 30-7 victory over Council Rock South (3-1, 0-1). Dante Devine rushed for 125 yards and a pair of touchdowns for the Falcons while Joe Brown also had a pair of touchdown runs. Quarterback Brandon Pepper rushed for 71 yards on 17 carries and also had 114 yards through the air.
Next: Council Rock North (3-1, 1-0) @ Pennsbury (4-0, 1-0).
Last Year: Pennsbury 35 – CR North 21
Prediction: Pennsbury 31 – CR North 17
Abington (3-0, 1-0) led 28-10 in the fourth period, but was forced to cling to a 28-14 SOL National victory over Neshaminy (3-1, 0-1). Sam Kind threw for 234 yards and two touchdowns – both to wide receiver Anthony Hensley. Junior running back Julien Ireland rushed for 145 yards.
William Tennent (1-3, 0-1) lost to Council Rock North (3-1, 1-0) by a 38-14 margin in its SOL National opener. The good news for the Panthers was that they rushed for 200+ yards and scored a pair of touchdowns. Matt Piroli led the team with 82 rushing yards, while Tyler Hamlet added 54 yards.
Next: Abington (3-0, 1-0) @ William Tennent (1-3, 0-1).
Last Year: Abington 37 – William Tennent 0
Prediction: Abington 42 – William Tennent 7
Council Rock South (3-1, 0-1) fell in its SOL National opener to powerful Pennsbury (4-0, 1-0), 30-7. The Golden Hawks led 7-0 on a one-yard TD run by quarterback Billy Fleming. South could muster just 140 total yards and six first downs against the Falcon defense.
Bensalem (2-2, 1-0) scored the game-winning touchdown with 39 seconds left in the game to edge Harry S Truman (1-3, 0-1), 16-12. Quarterback Tim Farlow rushed for 130 yards and passed for an additional 130 yards.
Next: Bensalem (2-2, 1-0) @ CR South (3-1, 0-1)
Last Year: CR South 16 – Bensalem 12
Prediction: CR South 14 – Bensalem 13
Neshaminy (3-1, 0-1) made a furious comeback in its game last week with Abington (3-0, 1-0), but lost to the host Ghosts – 28-24. Bryan Dean ran for 95 yards and scored on runs of three and 40 yards. Quarterback Brian Titus completed 12 passes and threw a TD pass.
Harry S Truman (1-3, 0-1) dropped a tough 16-12 contest to Bensalem (2-2, 1-0) in the final 39 seconds of the game. Tiger quarterback Drew Peterson threw a nine-yard TD pass to Lionel Chapman. Chapman also scored on an 18-yard run.
Next: Truman (1-3, 0-1) @ Neshaminy (3-1, 0-1)
Last Year: Neshaminy 42 – Truman 0
Prediction: Neshaminy 49 – Truman 14
SOL Continental Conference
Central Bucks East (0-4, 0-1) played a terrific game under the circumstances in a 14-7 loss to Hatboro-Horsham (2-2, 1-0).
The circumstances concern the surprise resignation of head coach Tim Michael three games into the season.
“I think that the coaches had the kids very well prepared,” said Larry Greene, former head coach who is working with program this season. “It was our best game of the season.”
Greene, along with (defensive coordinator) Mike Barainyak, (offensive coordinator) Jason Hepler, and (special teams coach) Joe Maza, will lead the Patriots this season. The team will not hire a new head coach until the 2010 football season.
“My role here is a multi-purpose one,” said Greene. “I want to support the coaches in any way that I can – I will do literally anything they want.
“I spent about six or seven hours breaking down film of North Penn,” continued Greene as the Patriots will face the talented Knights this week. “And at the end of the season, I will help with any of the college recruiting.”
The Central Bucks East defense was wonderful in the setback against the Hatters. The Patriots limited the H-H offense to just five first downs.
The offensive load was once again carried by running back Justyn White. White rushed for 110 yards on 18 carries, while Jake Schwartz scored the lone TD on a two-yard run.
North Penn (4-0, 1-0) battled to an unexpected 7-7 first half tie with CB South (0-4, 0-1) before rallying to a 27-7 SOL Continental Conference win over the Titans. Knight quarterback Todd Smolinsky threw for a pair of TD passes, while running back Craig Needhammer scored on runs of two and 63 yards. Needhammer finished with 112 rushing yards.
Next: Central Bucks East (0-4, 0-1) @ North Penn (4-0, 1-0).
Last Year: North Penn 42 – CB East 10
Prediction: North Penn 42 – CB East 10
Quakertown (4-0, 0-0) ran the table in its non-league schedule with a 27-14 victory over Plymouth-Whitemarsh (0-4, 0-0). Panther senior running back Tony Latronica helped Q-town erase a 14-7 first half deficit. Latronica rushed 20 times for 115 yards and three touchdowns. Kurtis Roberts played in place of injured QB Ryan Tincknell and was an efficient 9-of-17 for 125 yards.
Hatboro-Horsham (2-2, 1-0) moved into a first place tie in the conference standings with a 14-7 SOL Continental Conference win over CB East. The Hatters scored on a one-yard TD run by Matt Hollenbeck and a one-yard TD run by Nick Dovidio. H-H added a two-point conversion from Hollenbeck to Connor Poston.
Next: Hatboro-Horsham (2-2, 1-0) @ Quakertown (4-0, 0-0).
Last Year: Hatboro-Horsham 23 – Quakertown 22
Prediction: Quakertown 20 – Hatboro-Horsham 13
Pennridge (2-2, 0-0) will open its SOL Continental Conference schedule this week with Souderton. The Rams split their four non-league games with wins over Plymouth-Whitemarsh and Bensalem, and losses to Pottsgrove and last week to Archbishop Wood (2-2) – 16-0. Ram QB Kyle Peters completed 10 passes for 115 yards.
Souderton (1-3, 1-0) put a number in the win column last week with a 20-14 SOL Continental Conference win over Central Bucks West (1-3, 0-1). The Indians had a pair of long-distance TD passes from Connor Brokenshire – one of 42 yards to Kyle Connolly – and another of 51 yards to Clint Passarella. Peter Jenne scored on a three-yard run.
Next: Souderton (1-3, 1-0) @ Pennridge (2-2, 0-0)
Last Year: Souderton 20 – Pennridge 19
Prediction: Pennridge 28 – Souderton 14
Central Bucks South (0-4, 0-1) played without a doubt its finest game of the season in a 27-7 loss to
North Penn (4-0, 1-0). The Titans played the Knights to a 7-7 deadlock in the first half. Sophomore quarterback Matt Johns threw a 36-yard touchdown pass to Chris Eberz with 1:17 left in the initial half.
Central Bucks West (1-3, 0-1) had all the numbers in its favor – except the final score in a 20-14 loss to Souderton (1-3, 1-0). West out gained the Indians 295-250 yards of total offense, but could not overcome a 20-7 deficit. Liam Houck had 64 yards rushing and a touchdown, while quarterback Ward Udinski passed for 175 yards and a score.
Next: Central Bucks South (0-4, 0-1) @ CB West (1-3, 0-1).
Last Year: CB South 27 – CB West 6
Prediction: CB South 20 – CB West 13
SOL American Conference
Plymouth-Whitemarsh (0-4, 0-0) led its nonleague game with unbeaten Quakertown (4-0), 14-7, in the first half. But the Panthers rallied and scored 20 consecutive points to capture a 27-20 win.
“They scored 20 of their 27 points off our turnovers,” said Plymouth-Whitemarsh coach John Staudenmayer. “Minus those turnovers – we beat them.”
Colonial quarterback David O’Neill was involved in both PW scores. The junior QB scored on a one-yard run and also threw a TD pass. O’Neill completed nine passes for 103 yards.
“We changed our offense last year to take advantage of his arm strength,” said Staudenmayer. “We feel that we can pass the football and he is going to become a very good quarterback.”
On the defensive side of the football, Coach Staudenmayer has a terrific linebacker in son John Michael Staudenmayer – and sophomore free safety Kenny Williams.
“John Michael has really played well,” said Staudenmayer. “And Kenny was an all-league player as a freshman last year.”
Plymouth-Whitemarsh has struggled to get a non-league win against an impressive schedule. The Colonials have faced La Salle (3-1), Abington (3-0), Quakertown (4-0) and Pennridge (2-2) so far this season.
“I really don’t think there is a school around that plays a tougher non-league schedule than us,” said Staudenmayer. “And we open the conference schedule with Upper Moreland (2-2) and Norristown (4-0).
“Norristown is he class of the league with (running back) Sheldon Mayer,” continued Staudenmayer. “And Upper Moreland, with a healthy Chris Smallwood, is a great running back and a very good team.”
Upper Moreland (2-2, 0-1) struggled offensively in its 20-13 loss to Upper Dublin (1-3, 1-0) in its SOL American Conference opener. Standout running back Chris Smallwood missed the game with an ankle injury. Greg Adamson scored a pair of Bear touchdowns, but UM only completed four passes and had just 140 yards of total offense.
Next: Plymouth-Whitemarsh (0-4, 0-0) @ Upper Moreland (2-2, 0-1)
Last Year: Upper Moreland 20 – PW 7
Prediction: Upper Moreland 14 – PW 13
Norristown (4-0, 1-0) opened its SOL American Conference season with a 28-0 victory over Cheltenham (1-3, 0-1). Tracey Pressley scored a pair of TDs for the Eagles, while Shannon Mayer threw a TD pass to Anthony Robey. Sheldon Mayer raced for 100 yards and scored on an 80-yard punt return.
Upper Dublin (1-3, 1-0) broke its three-game losing streak with a 20-13 SOL American win over Upper Moreland. Anthony Williams scored a pair of touchdowns for the Flying Cardinals. The UD defense held the Golden Bears to just 10 first downs.
Next: Norristown (4-0, 1-0) @ Upper Dublin (1-3, 1-0)
Last Year: Norristown 20 – Upper Dublin 12
Prediction: Norristown 27 – Upper Dublin 7
Upper Merion (2-2, 1-0) rebounded from its loss last week to William Tennent to thrash Wissahickon (2-2, 0-1), 34-19. Naim Cheeseboro jetted for 240 yards and three touchdowns to spark the win. James Brennan added 105 yards and a pair of TD.
Cheltenham (1-3, 0-1) had a very difficult time with Norristown in a 28-0 SOL American Conference loss. The Panthers could manage just five first downs and nine yards passing on four pass attempts. Chris Waters led the Panthers in rushing with 80 yards on 20 carries.
Next: Upper Merion (2-2, 1-0) @ Cheltenham (1-3, 0-1)
Last Year: Upper Merion 12 – Cheltenham 7
Prediction: Upper Merion 20 – Cheltenham 6
Wissahickon (2-2-, 0-1) opened its SOL American schedule with a 34-19 loss to Upper Merion. Trojan Ryan McDonough scored on a 70-yard touchdown run and also scored on a 50-yard pass from Anthony Delegail.
Next: Episcopal Academy (2-2) @ Wissahickon (2-2)
Last Year: Episcopal Academy 28 – Wissahickon 6
Prediction: Wissahickon 21 – Episcopal Academy 14
SuburbanOne.Com Super Seven
1. North Penn Knights (4-0)
2. Pennsbury Falcons (4-0)
3. Abington Ghosts (3-0)
4. Neshaminy Redskins (3-1)
5. Quakertown Panthers (4-0)
6. Norristown Eagles (4-0)
7. Council Rock North Indians (3-1)
7.+ Council Rock South Hawks (3-1)
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