By Scott Huff
Friday Night Lights – Volume III
PIAA Class AAA District One Championship
Bayard Rustin (11-1) vs. Upper Moreland (10-1)
@ Plymouth-Whitemarsh H.S.
7:30 p.m.
The Season:
Bayard Rustin finished with a terrific one-loss season – that loss coming to Upper Moreland (13-7 in double overtime) in a non-league game on September 5th. The Golden Knight offense averages 24.8 points per game, while the BR defense has three shutouts and has yielded just 6.3 points per game.
Upper Moreland was the co-champion of the Suburban One League American Conference. The Golden Bears only loss was to co-champion Upper Dublin, 19-14. UM has scored 23.8 points per game and has permitted an average of 10.3 points.
The Playoffs:
Bayard Rustin (# 3 seed) defeated host Pottsgrove (#2 seed) last week, 21-13. The Golden Knights opened the district playoffs with a 27-14 victory over West Chester East (#6 seed).
Upper Moreland (#1 seed) routed visiting Owen J Roberts (#5 seed) by a 33-14 score. The Golden Bears defeated visiting Phoenixville (#8 seed) by a 26-20 score in the first round.
Who’s Who?
Bayard Rustin is a very physical team on both sides of the football. The Golden Knights are basically a running team that features the talents of running back Rondell White. White is a big back that had a big game against Pottsgrove last week.
Upper Moreland showcases the talents of running back Chris Smallwood. Smallwood – who rushed for 190 yards and three scores last week against Owen J Roberts – has now scored 25 touchdowns and has rushed for 1760 yards.
Upper Moreland coach Adam Beach said:
“It is going to be a knock-down, drag-out, fight,” said Beach. “Both teams are going to be anxious to get after it.
“The last time we played them Chris Smallwood missed the game with a hand injury,” continued Beach. “So they really haven’t seen him in person – only on film.
“The game will be played at Plymouth-Whitemarsh, and we like their turf,” added Beach. “The field will make the speed of the game much faster – for both teams – but I can’t wait to see Chris run on the turf.”
Upper Moreland quarterback Mike Rosenbaum said:
“It does help some that we have seen them before,” said Rosenbaum. “We want to be able to start off strong offensively and keep their defense off the field.
“We want to be able to just focus on the game,” added Rosenbaum. “We want to be able to run the football and be able to pass as well.
“Tom Knox has good hands, and it didn’t take too long for us to start clicking,” continued Rosenbaum in reference to his wide receiver. “They have a good team – but so do we.”
PIAA Quad-A District One Semifinal Games
Downingtown West (11-1) @ North Penn (12-0)
7:30 p.m.
The Season:
Downingtown West was the Ches-Mont League champion and the #4 seed in the PIAA Class AAAA District One Playoffs. The Whippets only loss of the regular season was a 13-7 loss to West Chester Henderson.
North Penn was the Suburban One League National Conference champion and the #1 seed in the PIAA Class AAAA District One Playoffs. The Knights were unbeaten during the regular season.
The Playoffs:
Downingtown West defeated visiting Conestoga (#12 seed), 28-21 last week. The Whippets opened the playoffs with a 31-9 victory over Coatesville (#13 seed).
North Penn whipped Abington (#9 seed) last week by a 42-10 score. The Knights opened the playoffs with a 35-7 victory over Souderton (#16 seed).
Who’s Who?
Downingtown West has a double threat quarterback in Bret Gillespie. Gillespie has hurt opponents with both the run and the pass this season. Jared Heller is a stocky running back that has rushed for 29 touchdowns this season. Tight end-linebacker Ryan Kendra is a terrific player on both sides of the ball.
North Penn continues to showcase the big-play talents of running back Ronnie Akins. The Knights also use the talents of running back Tyler Smith, and the efficient passing of quarterback Justin Davey. The NP offensive and defensive lines have been excellent all season.
North Penn coach Dick Beck said:
“Downingtown West shows you a lot of formations on offense and a lot of fronts on defense,” said Beck. “They run a Wing-T, a spread offense, the option, and they also run some trick plays. We are going to have to be prepared.
“Defensively we can’t give up the big play,” added Beck. “And on offense we have to continue to do the things that we do.
“Last week we had four turnovers on offense, and that can’t happen again,” said Beck. “If that happens again, we’re going home.
“We can’t change things,” continued Beck. “You have to dance with the girl that you brought to the prom.”
North Penn quarterback Justin Davey said:
“Downingtown West is a dangerous team,” said Davey. “They have some great skill players, and it will be a challenge to beat them.
“We made some mistakes last week with turnovers, and we have to eliminate them this week,” added Davey. “At this time of year, you are only playing good teams. This should be a great game.”
Neshaminy (11-1) @ Garnet Valley (12-0)
7:00 p.m.
The Season:
Neshaminy is the Suburban One League National Conference champion and was unbeaten in conference play. The Redskins only loss of the season came in the season opener at Souderton, 14-13.
Garnet Valley is the Central League champion. The unbeaten Jaguars closest victories of the season came against Harriton in the season opener (7-6) and last week against Pennsbury (14-12).
The Playoffs:
Neshaminy (#3 seed) is coming of an impressive 31-3 playoff victory over visiting Ridley (#11 seed). The Redskins won their playoff opener with a 24-6 victory over visiting Downingtown East (#14 seed).
Garnet Valley (#2 seed) struggled in its win over (#7 seed) Pennsbury, 14-12. The Jags opened its playoff run with a 21-7 win over visiting Pennridge (#15 seed).
Who’s Who?
Neshaminy features an awesome running attack that showcases the talents of Quilan Arnold and Bryan Dean. Quarterback Brian Titus is a threat throwing the football, and the Skins have a scoring weapon in place kicker Seth Jeffries.
Garnet Valley features running backs Tim Keyser (1,057 yards and 15 touchdowns) and Jared Bonacquisti (988 yards and 14 touchdowns). Quarterback Mark McHugh (six rushing scores and nine TD passes) can both run and pass.
Neshaminy coach Mark Schmidt said:
“There certainly isn’t any surprise that we are playing Garnet Valley,” said Schmidt. “I was happy with the way we came out last week against Ridley, and I feel that we have gotten better each week.
“Garnet Valley is a lot like Pennsbury – everyone can run the football,” added Schmidt. “There is no shortage of talent on that team.
“We have to play there – and Garnet Valley isn’t exactly around the corner,” continued Schmidt. “I hope we don’t have to sit in traffic, but I’m not too concerned with playing there.
“We just have to come out and play our best football,” said Schmidt. “If not – we’ll be collecting the equipment next week.”
Neshaminy tight end Paul Carrezola said:
“We want to come into the game upbeat and loose,” said Carrezola. “This is a team that likes to think positive, and we’ll be ready.
“They do a lot of different things on offense, so we have to be prepared,” added Carrezola. “They are a good football team on both sides of the ball.
“Last year we went to Delaware County in the playoffs and lost to Ridley,” continued Carrezola. “I don’t want to make that trip home with a loss this year.”
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