Quakertown defeated Council Rock South in a battle for Continental Conference supremacy.
By Scott Huff
Quakertown – Quakertown is now a gaudy 8-0 overall after the Panthers (8-0, 5-0) won a methodical 19-7 Suburban One Continental Conference victory over Council Rock South (4-4, 3-2). The last time the Blue and White was 8-0 was in 1993 when Q-town head coach George Banas was a senior for the Panthers.
Quakertown – one of only two teams in Quad-A District One (Coatesville being the other) that is unbeaten- will have its sights set on a conference title next week. The Panthers travel to Walt Snyder Stadium in Newtown to play Council Rock North (5-2, 4-1) on Saturday afternoon.
“There are still a lot of people telling us that we’re not that good,” said Quakertown senior Hunter Nice who played a sensational game at linebacker for the Panthers. “We’re excited about playing North next week – the coaches will come up with a great game plan, and we will have to come out and execute it.
“This has been so much fun this year, and the fans have really supported us,” added Nice, gazing into the home stands. “I love playing here on Friday night, but our biggest game of the season will be a Saturday afternoon away game.”
“This whole experience has been great,” said Quakertown head coach George Banas. “We have played as a team – as a family – and these kids really look out for each other. We never get down on ourselves.”
And the Panthers could have gotten down on each other at the outset of the game.
Council Rock South – which has scored over 40 points three times this season – took the opening kickoff and drove 70 yards on just six plays to take a 7-0 lead. The scoring play for the Golden Hawks was a brilliant 44-yard scoring burst by senior running back Vince Alimenti. Brendan Patterson added the extra point.
“That drive really woke us up in a hurry,” said Nice. “We saw on film that Council Rock South can make big plays – and we had to make some adjustments right away.”
“We missed some assignments in that first drive,” said Banas. “And Alimenti is a terrific back.”
Alimenti finished with a 103 yards rushing and caught a pass for 64 yards.
Quakertown scored a second period touchdown to tie the game. The Panther drive began at the Hawk 44-yard line after a 22-yard punt return by Jon Potynski. Highlighted in the drive was an 11-yard pass from quarterback Alec Vera to Luke Wood and a 9-yard touchdown scamper by Vera. Anthony Soriano booted the extra point for Q-town to knot the score.
Quakertown took the lead in the third period. The Panthers used the 1-2 running punch of juniors Nick Bonomo and Rob Burns in the scoring drive. Bonomo – who rushed for 115 yards on 17 carries – capped the 9-play, 65-yard scoring drive with a 5-yard touchdown burst.
Quakertown added to the lead in the fourth period. The Panthers used the 1-2 punch of Bonomo and Burns in the scoring drive. Burns – who rushed for 134 yards on 25 carries – capped the 9-play, 73-yard scoring drive with a 5-yard touchdown burst.
“We thought we could run both of our backs and pound the ball,” said Banas. “Our running backs did a great job of running hard in the second half.
“We did another good job of taking care of ourselves,” added Banas. “No fumbles, no interceptions, and no big penalties. We have to continue to play that way if we want to keep winning.”
And the Panthers would love nothing better than to be 9-0 after the critical CR North game next Saturday afternoon.
Council Rock South Hawks 7 0 0 0 – 7
Quakertown Panthers 0 7 6 6 – 19
CRS: Vince Alimenti 44 run (Brendan Patterson kick)
Q: Alec Vera 9 run (Anthony Soriano kick)
Q: Nick Bonomo 5 run (Kick failed)
Q: Rob Burns 5 run (run failed)
Council Rock South Quakertown
9 First Downs 15
177 Yards Rushing 257
68 Yards Passing 37
245 Total Offense 294
3-38 Punts / Average 3-33
4-50 Penalties / Yards 1-10
Council Rock South
Rushing: Vince Alimenti 17-103 & TD; Michael Stock 5-43; Brandan Patterson 8-32; Kyle Hickey 1-8; and Shaun Stackhouse 5 (minus 9). Totals 36-177 & TD.
Passing: Stackhouse 2-7-1; 68 yards.
Receiving: Alimenti 1-64 & Hickey 1-4. Totals 2-68.
Quakertown
Rushing: Rob Burns 25-134 & TD; Nick Bonomo 17-115 & TD; and Alec Vera 6-8 & TD.
Passing: Vera 7-12-0- 37 yards.
Receiving: Luke Wood 2-19; Eric Dzieniszewski 1-8; Aaron Besch 1-7; Bonomo 1-5; Jon Potynski 1-0; and Nick Cass 1-(minus 2). Totals 7-37
Interceptions: Dzieiszewski.
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