PW & North Penn were winners in District 1 6A action Saturday. Springfield Twp had a big win in 4A Friday. PW/Souderton photos courtesy of Michael Rice Photography. Check back for a gallery of photos.
District 1 6A
#8 PLYMOUTH WHITEMARSH 33, #9 SOUDERTON 14
Marcus Laffredo had one of those games defensive backs only dream about.
In the first half of Plymouth Whitemarsh’s District 1 6A opener against Souderton, the senior defensive back had three – yes, three – interceptions, a feat that seems all but impossible.
“It was a lot of film on our end – watching how he throws and then being in the right spot,” Laffredo said of Souderton quarterback Ben Walsh. “We were in cover 3 the majority of the night. He overthrew them, and I just made the plays.
“I’ve never had a three-interception game, but it’s all preparation and being with my guys and just watching film and being ready. Just paying attention to little details and how they pass and just executing. That’s all we had to do is just execute.”
And execute they did. All told, the Colonials had five interceptions in Saturday’s district opener – four in a first half that saw their defense steal the spotlight.
“Our ‘D’ was lights out tonight,” PW coach Dan Chang said. “It’s a credit to our ‘D’ coordinator and our coaching staff putting together a great game plan and our kids really executing.
“We knew they were going to come out and try to throw the ball against us. That’s what team have had success doing. I’m really proud of those guys. We made some adjustments throughout the week, and they did a really nice job. We made plays. We got hands on footballs, and Marcus was sitting right where he’s supposed to be, picks the ball off and makes a great play several times. It was a credit to our guys being able to make those plays.”
Saturday’s game was the Colonials’ first in Class 6A after competing in Class 5A, and they certainly made their debut in the largest classification an impressive one, looking very much like they belonged.
“Since we’re a little 6A school, people don’t think we’re tough and we don’t have good players,” senior Kevin Hegerty said. “We’ve been playing with each other for a while, and we know what we’re doing, and we’re ready to go.”
Hegerty also pointed to preparation as the key to Saturday’s no-doubt-about-it win.
“We had a walk-through, we had film multiple days this week, and we were ready for this game and did not want to go home,” the senior linebacker said.
“We took a lot of stuff into our own hands,” Laffredo said. “Watching film, just being with the team and having good team chemistry. There’s nobody on this team that doesn’t work hard.
“It’s just a good moment, and to know that we have another game next week – let’s just play ball.”
The Colonials – who led wire to wire – took a 6-0 lead in the first quarter on a one-yard touchdown by Everett Baker.
In the second quarter, Hegerty came up with a pick 6, returning his interception 64 yards for a touchdown and a 13-0 PW lead. Everett Baker’s 55-yard touchdown run gave the Colonials a 19-0 lead before the Indians got on the board with a one-yard keeper by Walsh to make it a 19-7 game at the intermission.
It looked as though Souderton was going to make a game of it when – after recovering a fumble on PW’s 20-yard line – Michael McCormick capped the short scoring drive with a one-yard TD that made it 19-14.
But not for long.
PW’s Christian DiCiurcio broke off a 53-yard run down the far sideline for a touchdown that put the Colonials on top 25-14 and swung momentum firmly back in PW’s favor.
“It was heart – we don’t want to go home,” DiCiurcio said. “We’re ready, we’re ready for any team. We’re always the underdogs.
“The O-line blocked really well this game. Actually, our new guy, Traevon (Lindsay), stepped in for JTB (Jared Thomas-Payne), our good tackle who got hurt.”
For good measure, the Colonials added a pair of touchdowns in the fourth quarter – both by Baker – for the 33-14 final that extended their season for another week.
Hegerty’s nine tackles led the Colonials’ defense while DiCiurcio had six. Shi-Nobi Morffiah also had an interception.
The win snapped a five-game winning streak for the Indians, who had scored 35 or more points in each of those wins.
Saturday’s win was the seventh straight for the Colonials.
And what’s been the key to their success?
“I think it’s chemistry,” Hegerty said. “We played together for so long, and we’ve just been together so many years. We just know each other, we build with each other and make plays with each other.”
“This was a dream come true,” DiCiurcio said. “I’m just so happy we’re not going home. I love football.”
DiCiurcio led the Colonials’ ground game, finishing with 13 carries for 125 yards.
“Christian ran so hard tonight,” Chang said. “Our offensive line was doing well, and he’s explosive. There are some games where he doesn’t touch the ball a lot, and Ev (Baker) is our main guy.
“Tonight, they were containing Ev, and it opened up some things for Christian, and he’s great with the ball in his hands. He’s got speed, he’s got power. He’s a good back.”
Baker added 78 yards and three TDs for a PW squad anchored by its senior class.
“We have 18 seniors,” Chang said. “A lot of those guys play on both sides of the ball. They’re a tight-knit group.
“Like they said, nobody wants to go home. Sometimes you get into the season, and it’s long, and people get worn down, but these guys are hungry every week, and they know they are a special group. They’re a pleasure to coach, so I’m excited to continue to come back another week and keep going.”
Plymouth Whitemarsh (9-2, 5-0 SOL) will travel to top-seeded Central Bucks South for a second round game Friday. Souderton closed out its season with a share of the SOL Continental Conference title and an overall record of 7-4, 6-1 in the SOL.
Souderton 0-7-7-0 14
Plymouth Whitemarsh 6-13-6-8 33
#4 NORTH PENN 24, #13 RIDLEY 14
The outcome of Saturday’s district opener had long since been decided when – with the Green Raiders driving – junior Matt Pownall came up with an interception in the end zone.
It was appropriate that the player who’d been the catalyst on offense for the Knights all day – rushing for over 200 yards – delivered the defensive play that put an exclamation point on the opening round district win in a rare Saturday afternoon game.
“We knew coming into the game we needed to step up, have fun and do our jobs,” Pownall said. “I knew I had to step up today because I have a big role.”
The Knights opened up a 24-0 lead after a Ryan Bocklet field goal late in the third quarter before the Green Raiders scored 14 unanswered points in the fourth quarter.
“In the second half, I was a little conservative,” NP coach Dick Beck said. “You get a lead like that – we’re just trying to kill it.”
The Knights took a 21-0 lead into halftime lead after a first half that included some interesting moments. They got on the scoreboard in the first quarter on a one-yard TD by Christian Johns-Wallace.
Then came a Matt Bucksar pass that was deflected in the end zone by a Ridley defender and into the hands of Mason Franek for a touchdown and a 14-0 North Penn lead midway through the half.
“It was a crazy touchdown,” Pownall said. “It was to me actually, and the kid tipped it up. Props to Mason Franek for catching the ball.”
The Knights’ third touchdown drive came after a roughing the kicker call deep in the Green Raiders’ territory that raised the ire of Ridley players and fans alike. Ridley’s argument with the call was that Bocklet – after saving a high snap – went from kicker to ball carrier when he took several steps before making a weak kick.
The Knights capitalized on the call which turned potential disaster into a first down, keeping the drive alive that culminated with Bucksar connecting with Aidan Eves for a touchdown and a 21-0 lead.
“That was a big break for us, no doubt, but I thought we got a little unlucky – I thought we had a fumble on their sideline, and all of a sudden he said it wasn’t a fumble,” Beck said. “Bucksar did a nice job driving us down, throwing that touchdown. I thought he did some really nice things.
“Defensively, (D-tackle) Jack Silvers was unbelievable today. I thought Aidan Eaves did some good things too.”
Credit also to the Knights’ O-line for paving the way for a big day by Pownall and the Knights’ offense.
“The key is just honestly through practice,” said senior Vinnie Montmore, a lineman on both sides of the football. “We just keep wanting to get better, especially during playoff time because for us seniors – it’s our last time we’ll be out on this field. We just had that mindset -just running the ball down their throats.
“That’s what we did today, and it really showed out.”
North Penn (9-2, 5-2) will host #5 Haverford in a district quarterfinal game Friday. In an opening round game, the Fords took a 42-0 lead into halftime and rolled to a 56-0 mercy rule win over Quakertown. Liam Taylor, who has surpassed 2,000 rushing yards for the season, had 200 yards and four touchdowns in one half of action.
Ridley 0-0-0-14 14
North Penn 7-14-3-0 24
Friday, Nov. 1
District 1 Class 4A
#2 SPRINGFIELD TWP 42, #3 BISHOP SHANAHAN 21
It’s been nine long years, but for the first time since 2015, the Spartans will be playing for the District 1 4A title, thanks to Friday’s win over Bishop Shanahan.
CJ Johnson turned in another monster performance to lead the Spartans, finishing with 214 rushing yards and four touchdowns to go along with five receptions for 73 yards.
The senior running back had plenty of help. Quarterback Jack McGuckin completed 11 of 15 passes for 133 yards and also had 17 carries for 88 yards and two TDs.
Receiving the game ball for his performance was senior Bobby Hartman.
“He had a huge game for us,” Shelly said. “He had had three catches for 43 yards. We didn’t throw it that much, but when we had to, he was the go-to guy.
“Bobby played just phenomenally all over the field. He’s a kicker and punter for us. We felt disrespected. We feel like we have some all-state caliber players, and they played like all-state caliber players. Bobby Hartman was on a mission. He had six total tackles and two interceptions.”
Hartman also was a perfect 6-for-6 on PATs and recovered his own on-sides kick to open the game.
McGuckin also contributed on the defensive side of the ball where he had an interception. Theo Ferragame had five total tackles
“He dominated at defensive end,” Shelly said. “We kind of split up our tackles.
“We knew this team had some weapons. They had beaten Coatesville (21-14), they had beaten Downingtown (West, 28-22). They have a big time back and a big time receiver.”
For the game, Springfield had 46 carries for 324 yards and six touchdowns.
“We challenged our guys – especially after Wissahickon (a 50-49 win last Friday). Like we’ve been doing all year – just constantly playing in attack mode. We won the toss and deferred, and we went on-side kick to open the game, and we got it.
“We just had a lousy first drive. I think our kids were too pumped – didn’t line up right and things like that. We actually had to punt it to them.”
Bishop Shanahan got on the scoreboard first four minutes into the opening quarter on an 89-yard pass completion from Anthony Aquila to Aidan Civitella.
“They scored on a bomb to their best receiver,” Shelly said. “We put Jack (McGuckin), our best kid, on him, but the kid’s fast.
“Jack did a phenomenal job on him the rest of the game. They slipped one by us. That kid never flinches. He’s the perfect guy in all spots. He keeps on firing, either as a quarterback or as a captain of our team or defensively – he doesn’t flinch, so we didn’t flinch as a team. When we got the ball back, we had a monster drive to tie it up.”
The drive was capped by a two-yard TD run from Johnson. The Spartans took the lead when Johnson scored on a seven-yard run early in the second quarter, and Johnson’s third TD run – this one for 23 yards – put the Spartans on top 21-7.
“Our MO is – we’re going to run the ball, and we’re going to run it down their throats to keep them off the field,” Shelly said.
Shanahan scored a touchdown, but McGuckin blocked the extra point, and the Spartans took a 21-13 lead into halftime.
A four-yard McGuckin touchdown run with 7:39 remaining in the third quarter upped the Spartans’ lead to 28-13. Hartman’s second interception set the stage for a 32-yard touchdown run by Johnson that gave the Spartans a 35-13 lead.
Shanahan scored late in the third to make it a 35-21 game heading into the final quarter that included a two-yard McGuckin TD run for the 42-21 final.
Springfield Twp (9-2, 4-1 SOL) will travel to top-seeded Pope John Paul II on Friday.
Bishop Shanahan 7-6-8-0 21
Springfield Twp 7-14-14-7 42
District 1 Class 5A
#7 CHESTER 48, #10 UPPER MORELAND 14
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