Check out the recaps for SOL football teams in action in Friday’s opening round of the District 1 Tournament. CB South/Coatesville photos courtesy of Tracy Valko, CB West/Cheltenham photos courtesy of Kadi Schenk, Quakertown/PV photos courtesy of Kim Supko and New Hope-Solebury/Bristol photo courtesy of Michael Rice. Check back for galleries of all four games: https://solsports.zenfolio.com/f1050704496
District 1 6A
#1 CENTRAL BUCKS WEST 27, #16 CHELTENHAM 12
(Game info courtesy of @TomMoorePhilly X: https://www.phillyburbs.com/story/sports/high-school/football/2023/11/03/central-bucks-west-cooper-cleland-bucks-county-high-school-football-piaa/71385065007/ )
There were plenty of raised eyebrows when word got out via X that the Bucks and Panthers were scoreless at halftime.
“I just think we came out flat,” West coach Rob Rowan said. “It was a concern of mine, but when I say we came out flat, it wasn’t because we didn’t prepare or understand
what type of team we were facing.”
The Bucks were coming off back-to-back wins over their archrivals – in week nine defeating an undefeated Central Bucks South squad and in week 10 facing a Central Bucks East team that needed a win if it entertained any hope of competing in the postseason. West, meanwhile, was playing for the SOL National Conference title and the number one seed in districts.
“Every year we have to play our two rivalry games back-to-back in weeks nine and 10 of the season,” Rowan said. “Call it what you want – those games are emotionally charged. The stadium for those games – you’re talking 6, 7,000 people, and tonight was a little bit light. The energy was different in the stadium, and it all contributed to a really slow start for us.
“Don’t take credit away from Cheltenham. They played an incredibly strong first half. Their effort was off the chart defensively. They were flying to the football. We knew they had a ton of speed defensively, so they gave us everything we could handle. I don’t want to take anything away from them by any stretch.”
In the opening half, the Bucks managed just four first downs while the Panthers had one first down.
The third quarter began with the speedy Tre McLeod scoring on a 53-yard run to give the Panthers a 6-0 lead. That was followed by a game-changing play by Devin McGowan, who returned the ensuing
kickoff to Cheltenham’s 10-yard line, setting the stage for a Ryan Clemens 26-yard field goal.
“That was big,” Rowan said. “McGowan had a huge kickoff return to respond (to their score), and we ended up getting points on that drive. They had a third-and-three, and we had a couple missed tackles. Their running back, who’s very fast, took it 50 yards. Just to answer a big play like that was huge.
“On the next series, Noah Miller blocked a punt, and they were deep in their territory. We recovered it on their six-yard line, and we scored on the next play. In about a minute-and-a-half, we went from being down 6-0 to up 10-6. That was really when the game swung.”
Clemens took it in from six yards out, putting the Bucks on top for the first time. The Bucks recovered a Cheltenham fumble, and they capitalized when senior quarterback Cooper Taylor connected with McGowan for a 32-yard touchdown on the first play to put the Bucks on top 17-6.
Clemens took it 41 yards to the house for a 24-6 West lead after three quarters.
“I was proud of the way our kids responded in the third quarter,” Rowan said. “Our guys came out and played with tremendous energy, and obviously, that’s when things changed.
“At the end of the day, this was a good lesson for us in regard to where your mental preparation needs to be at all times, especially playoff time.”
On the first play of the fourth quarter, Clemens connected on a 29-yard field goal. Late in the quarter, Jonathan Ingram hooked up with James Smith on a 40-yard touchdown pass to close out the scoring.
Rowan had high praise for both McGowan and Miller.
“He really stood out,” Rowan said of McGowan. “He had a great night, and Noah (Miller) had a sack, he had a couple of tackles, he had a blocked punt. Noah was awesome.
“Those guys are juniors, and they’ve just continued to get better every week this year, so it’s not a surprise that in some of the biggest moments of the year they stepped up and made big plays.”
Central Bucks West (11-0, 7-0 SOL) will host #8 Garnet Valley in Friday’s quarterfinal contest that is a rematch of last year’s district title. In Friday’s opening round, the Jaguars defeated #9 Owen J Roberts 28-21. Cheltenham closed out its year with a 5-6 record (4-1 SOL).
Cheltenham 0-0-6-6 12
Central Bucks West 0-0-24-3 27
#3 SOUDERTON 21, #14 PENNSBURY 14
Danny Dyches and Ryan Sadowski.
The two seniors have been the heart and soul of an Indian squad that rolled to a 10-0 regular season record and an SOL Colonial Division title, and when the Indians needed a big play in Friday’s district opener, both answered the call.
With 1:52 remaining in a 14-14 game, Dyches – reading the play from the outset – came up with the interception of a halfback option pass at the Falcons’ 38.
“I’m watching – I see him do a pitch, and I see him rising up with the ball to throw it, and I see him throw it,” Dyches said. “The ball was in the air, and I’m like, ‘Yeah, I’ve got to make this play, for sure.
“The funny thing is I was expecting it because I was saying the whole game – watch the ball, watch the pitch-pass. They finally threw it in at the end when they were down, so it all worked out in the end.”
Sophomore quarterback Ben Walsh – sacked for a nine-yard loss on first down – rolled to his right and found Chase Johnson for a 20-yard gain and a first down at the Falcons’ 27. On third-and-10, Sadowski burst through the line and raced 27 yards for a game-winning touchdown with 16 seconds remaining.
“When we got that turnover, we wanted it more,” Sadowski said. “We definitely wanted it more. Our linemen stepped up. Once I saw the hole, I took it, and there was no looking back after that.
“(Their defense) definitely filled quick, and we definitely got hit, but that’s just adversity and tribulations you’re going to face in a football game. We wanted it more, we were home. We don’t lose at home, so we took what was ours.”
Coach Ed Gallagher was not surprised to see his senior leaders come through in the clutch.
“When push comes to shove, what happens? The senior, Danny (Dyches), makes the interception to get the ball back, and the senior, Ryan Sadowski, runs the ball in,” the Indians’ coach said. “So, you know what – those are the two kids that really carried us all year. I’m so happy for them, I’m happy for the team.
“I just said to them, ‘You can’t take away what you just did. You’re the winningest team in Souderton history.’ Souderton has never won 11 games in a season. This is the first time. No matter what happens next week, that’s something they have for the rest of their lives. What a great feeling. Playoff football is just so much fun.”
For the better part of four quarters, the game belonged to the respective defenses, and the Indians – despite scoring just seven points – held a seemingly comfortable 7-3 lead heading into the fourth quarter in a game where scores were few and far between.
Early in the fourth quarter, Pennsbury’s Angelo Pereira connected on a 23-yard field goal to make it a 7-6 game.
The two teams exchanged three-and-outs, and after the Indians punted for the second time in the quarter, the Falcons capitalized when sophomore Jordan Brensinger raced 52 yards on the option for a touchdown. Brensinger was successful on the two-point conversion, and the Falcons led 14-7 with 3:16 remaining.
On the Indians’ next possession, three straight completions by Walsh – the first to Johnson (16 yards), the second to Jack Potson (19 yards) and the third to Hunter Smeltz (15 yards) – covered 50 yards.
“He started to dial in,” Gallagher said. “I wanted to get him comfortable, so I went quick game and threw some three-step passes, tried to throw some sprint outs and get him a little bit of confidence. He stepped up. It was really nice to see. I told him when he came off the field – ‘You grew up tonight.’”
Two plays later Sadowski took it in from 15 yards out, knotting the score 14-14 after Rylan Zuk’s PAT.
“You’re thinking 7-3 is winning the game,” Gallagher said. “There’s no scoring going on. It was just two defenses playing good defense. All of a sudden, they get the field goal, and I’m thinking – ‘Man, they kick another field goal, and we’re losing this game.’ They break the long touchdown, and I’m like – I guess we’ve got to throw the ball, and the young pup stepped up.
“Ben struggled early – a little nerves, a little first-game jitters, but he came through and made some really big throws in the second half. Ryan and Danny still were Ryan and Danny. I’m happy I have Ryan and Danny.”
Early on, the Falcons got on the board when Periera split the uprights on a 31-yard field with 2:51 remaining in the first quarter. The Indians, meanwhile, struggled mightily to generate any offense and did not have their first positive play from scrimmage until Sadowski ran for six yards on the Indians first possession of the second quarter. They went into halftime on the short end of a 3-0 score.
The Indians took a 7-3 lead when Houston Marshall punched it in from one yard, capping a 59-yard touchdown drive that was highlighted by a 21-yard pass from Walsh to Dyches.
“They definitely have a good defense,” Dyches said. “In the first quarter, we just didn’t have any energy. When halftime came, we made adjustments, and we made it happen. We drove down the field and we scored. I’m proud of our team.
“When adversity hit, we didn’t hang our heads. We kept going and we knew what we had to do. We were still confident. We’ve got that next play mentality, and we’re just going to be on to the next play every single time. The only play that matters is the next play.”
The Indians put the finishing touches on the win when sophomore Hunter Smeltz came up with an interception in the closing seconds.
“Hunter Smeltz was sick the last couple of days,” Gallagher said. “He was barely hanging around in school, we barely had him do any segments in practice. He felt a little better tonight. He didn’t play as much defensively. We started doing more spread sets offensively because we weren’t able to run on our base sets, so Hunter was able to do a lot more. He had a couple of catches, he ended up with that big interception at the end.”
Friday’s win put this year’s squad in the record books, but it didn’t come easily.
“You know what – these kids fight,” Gallagher said. “They have the mindset that we’re not losing at home. I’m thrilled with it. I’m going to keep coaching as long as they play like their hair’s on fire and their back’s against the wall.
“That guy ran that touchdown (to put the Falcons on top 14-7), and I said, ‘Let’s go score.’ Worst case scenario we beat them in overtime, but we’re going to win. Our kids knew they were going to win. It’s a mindset.”
Listening to Sadowski tell it, the key has been the team’s camaraderie.
“These have been my guys – I’ve been playing with these seniors my whole entire life,” Sadowski said. “How does it feel to be 11-0? It’s great, it’s absolutely great, but the job is not finished. We always have next week. This is just a step. The first 10 wins were just a step to the playoffs, so we have to keep moving forward.”
Souderton (11-0, 6-0 SOL) will host the winner of Saturday night’s #11 Council Rock South at #6 Downingtown West contest. Pennsbury closed out its season with a 5-6 record. The Falcons were 3-4 in the SOL.
Pennsbury 3-0-0-11 14
Souderton 0-0-7-14 21
#5 CENTRAL BUCKS SOUTH 21, #12 COATESVILLE 20
With less than a minute remaining in regulation, Friday’s opening round game – and the fate of two teams – came down to one play. The Red Raiders, who trailed 21-14, had just scored a touchdown to pull to within one. Instead of playing for the tie and kicking the PAT, they elected to go for two.
Make it, and the Red Raiders go home winners. Fail to make it, and the Titans prevail.
“It was crazy,” South coach Tom Hetrick said. “I think it was the right decision on their part. They put together a good drive at the end of the game. They gave #11 (Amir Haskett) the ball, and he’s not pretty dynamic, he’s very dynamic. They put together a good drive, so I would have done the same thing.
“We called a timeout. We’d been playing a different kind of a front most of the game because they’re a pass heavy team, so we put our base defense back in there. I didn’t even see the play because there were so many kids crowded there, but it was just an unbelievable play. John Henson, one of our outside linebackers, was sitting there. Our defense is sort built to spill things like that to the perimeter, and Sean Moskowitz, our inside linebacker, came all the way from inside of that box and knocked that kid out with about a half yard to go. It was unbelievable, it was a great, great play.”
Friday’s game was tightly contested from the outset. The Red Raiders scored less than five minutes into the contest, but two minutes later, the Titans answered when Anthony Leonardi turned an Owen Pinkerton pass into a 65-yard touchdown that evened the score 7-7.
“It was literally Anthony Leonardi – who has been special for us all year,” Hetrick said. “It was a five-yard stop route, and he took it to the house. It’s just a great individual effort. He broke two tackles and took it. That was Anthony Leonardi doing his very special thing.”
Leonardi sent the Titans into halftime with a 14-7 lead, scoring on a 55-yard run with 16 seconds remaining until halftime.
“That was just a straight-up iso,” Hetrick said. “He saw something, and he bounced it. He’s that kind of player that on any given play – if there’s a crease, and he finds it, he can take it, and he did. We had two timeouts left, and it was ‘Let’s see if we get a first down before we go in the two-minute mode.’ We were around midfield, and we weren’t in our two-minute O, and he popped it. The first half was a war, and going into the half after doing that was definitely a good thing.”
Coatesville evened the score 14-14 when Haskett hauled in a 39-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Matt Ortega. South senior Corey Moore answered with a 28-yard touchdown of his own to make it a 21-14 game with five minutes remaining.
“They had a long drive, and they tied it up,” Hetrick said. “We tried a field goal to go up 17-14, and it got blocked, but then we got the ball back on a short field. They
punted, and the punt went around midfield. Jack Mauz made a fair catch signal, and the kid jacked him up. We got an additional 15 yards, and that was the first play of the drive.
“I was excited for (Moore) because he’s been the guy that all year – he’s got the hard yard for us. He’s the guy that will get three and then get three more because he runs hard. This run he broke through the first level and made a heck of a move. That’s not his jam – he’s more, ‘I’m interested in being physical with you.’ But he made a move and just took it. Nobody touched him.”
That set the stage for Coatesville’s final TD drive and the dramatic stop of its two-point conversion attempt.
“I told the seniors after the game – ‘I need you to pause and reflect on how cool that just was. When all is said and done, your season and a lot of your careers came down to that one play, and you made the play,’” Hetrick said. “It was so cool.”
It turns out Hetrick is 3-for-3 in those situations.
“In my first year, North Penn decided to go for it – it was either win or lose the game, and we stopped them,” Hetrick said. “In 2019, again against North Penn, we decided to go for two and the win, and we got it. I could live another four or five years without that being the situation again.”
The Titans’ coach lauded the standout effort of several players.
“I give a lot of credit to Anthony Leonardi because besides the things he did on offense – we were situationally throwing him in to play linebacker,” Hetrick said. “He made some pretty important plays just tracking down the quarterback, who was pretty elusive. Anthony Leonardi had a fantastic game.
“Sean Moskowitz had a great game. His play on that two-point conversion – you almost can’t believe that an inside linebacker could make a play literally on the sideline from the two-and-a-half-yard line. He had a big catch at fullback earlier in the game. Sean Moskowitz had an outstanding game, and he’s been doing things for us all year.
“Our O-line played well. Their defensive front was stout. They’re tough kids, but I think our O-line and D-line definitely battled.”
Leonardi had 10 carries for 90 yards and a touchdown while Moore had 12 carries for 72 yards.
The Titans had a tough draw, and they knew it.
“If I was being honest, I knew it was a tough draw they are definitely not a bottom of the bracket team,” Hetrick said. “They just lost to three really good teams during the course of the season.
“The reality is – you don’t want to make the playoffs just to say, ‘Hey, we made the playoffs.’ You’re here to do something. If you’re here to do something, everybody is good, so you have to beat the good teams. They were a really good team. It’s a great football program with a great history, a great coaching staff. They’ve got some players.”
Central Bucks South (7-3, 4-2 SOL) will travel to #4 Spring-Ford for Friday’s quarterfinal contest.
Coatesville 7-0-7-6 20
Central Bucks South 7-7-0-7 21
#4 SPRING-FORD 42, #13 NORTH PENN 35
The Knights lost a heartbreaker, rallying from a 21-0 first-half deficit to even the score by halftime. The took a 28-21 lead into the fourth quarter where the Rams found a way to eke out the win.
“The kids played good,” North Penn coach Dick Beck said. “I told them at the end of the game that this game was a microcosm of our entire season – we got down early, everyone was counting us out, and we came back to take the lead. We came up short eventually, but I couldn’t be more proud of them. I thought they really played their hearts out.
“It was probably the best game we played on offense all year.”
Leading the offensive charge for the Knights was senior Amir Major, who was all but unstoppable in his final high school game. He was key in the Knights’ first-half comeback, scoring on a 43-yard run and also turning a Matt Bucksar screen pass into a 28-yard TD.
“Amir was great,” Beck said. “I don’t know his stats, but he had to have 150-200 yards on 25 carries. It’s a total guess, but he was just awesome.
“I thought Matt Bucksar played his best game too. He really did some great stuff.”
Friday’s game, according to Beck, resembled a game between the two teams seven years ago.
“When we played them in 2016, we got up on them 21-0, and they scored three straight, but they missed an extra point,” the Knights’ coach said. “The same thing happened tonight – they got up 21-0, and we scored three straight, and it was 21-21 at halftime.
“Then we started the second half, and we took it down 75 yards in probably 15 plays and took eight minutes off the clock and scored a touchdown.”
The Knights led 28-21 heading into the final quarter, but the Rams evened the score with a touchdown early in the quarter. Again, the Knights had an answer with Major capping the 57-yard scoring drive with a seven-yard touchdown run to put the Knights on top 35-28.
The Rams came back to knot the score 35-35, and this time the Knights had no answer.
“We got the ball back, had good field position, and on second down, our quarterback (Bucksar) turned his ankle, and we had to bring in our backup quarterback, who came in and had to throw the ball.”
The Knights were forced to punt, and the Rams drove for the game-winning score.
“We had two free runners going at the quarterback, and the quarterback makes a great move as he’s about to be sacked, and our guy that was covering their receiver fell down. They got it to the one-yard line, and they scored with 37 seconds to go in the game.
“Their quarterback is good, they’ve got fast receivers. We were kind of outmatched, but I’m proud. It was a night to remember, but unfortunately, we lost, but (the postseason) only ends well for one team.”
North Penn closed out its season with a 6-5 record. The Knights were 5-2 in league play.
North Penn 14-7-7-7 35
Spring-Ford 14-7-0-21 42
#7 PERKIOMEN VALLEY 36, #10 QUAKERTOWN 26
The Panthers started strong but couldn’t close out Friday’s district opener at Perk Valley.
Quakertown took an early 7-0 lead when quarterback Vince Micucci connected with Anthony Ferrugio for a 27-yard touchdown, and after the Vikings answered and went on top 8-7, junior Aiden Burgy hauled in a 28-yard touchdown pass from Micucci to put the Panthers on top 14-8. Again, the Vikings answered and took a 15-14 lead into halftime.
Another MIcucci to Ferrugio connection – this one from 19 yards out – put the Panthers on top 20-15 three minutes into the third quarter. Ferrugio came up with a pick-6 – his fourth interception of the season – and returned it 52 yards for a 26-15 lead. It turned out to be the Panthers’ last hurrah as the Vikings closed out the game with a 21-0 tear.
Quakertown (6-5, 4-2 SOL) will close out its season on Thanksgiving Day at Pennridge.
Quakertown 7-7-12-0 26
Perkiomen Valley 0-15-14-7 36
#2 DOWNINGTOWN EAST 56, #15 WISSAHICKON 0
The Cougars looked every bit the part of the tournament’s number two seed, opening up a 21-0 lead after one quarter on their way to the mercy rule win.
Wissahickon closed out its season with a 6-5 record, 2-3 in the SOL.
Wissahickon 0-0-0-0 0
Downingtown East 21-28-7-0 56
District 1 5A
#4 PLYMOUTH WHITEMARSH 42, #13 HATBORO-HORSHAM 7
The Colonials took care of business in a hurry in Friday’s district opener, turning a 14-0 lead after one quarter into a 35-0 halftime lead on their way to the no-doubt-about-it win in Friday’s opening round.
“I think it starts with our offensive line up front,” PW coach Dan Chang said. “They’ve just gotten so much better each week. They really controlled the line of scrimmage and allowed our guys to get into some space and run.
“I have to credit our head line coach Ronnie Fry. He’s really getting those guys going and staying after those guys.”
The Colonials’ offensive line is comprised of Max Vizza, Tye Hines, Shi-Nobi Morffiah, Eddie Moyett, Jared Thomas-Payne and tight end Chase Rarrick.
Luke Laviola put the Colonials on the board with a 13-yard touchdown run, and then is was quarterback Caiden Leszczynski connecting with Marcus Laffredo for an 18-yard touchdown pass and a 14-0 lead after one quarter.
Luke Winterbottom scored on a four-yard TD run, and then it was Leszczynski delivering his second touchdown pass of the half – this one to Nazye Boggs from 10 yards out for a 28-0 lead. Leszczynski’s three-yard touchdown run sent the Colonials into halftime with a 35-0 lead.
In the third quarter, Boggs scored on a 23-yard touchdown run, and Mason Bynum answered with a 40-yard TD run for the Hatters late in the frame.
“Our ‘D’ has been playing great all year,” Chang said. “It starts with Kevin Hegarty – he’s the guy that leads the show for us.
“Luke Laviola had a really good day on defense. Chase Rarrick, who plays tight end for us as well, had a bunch of plays in the backfield.”
Laviola led PW’s ground attack, finishing with nine carries for 100 yards and a touchdown.
“We lost Everett Baker because he was a transfer, so we moved guys around,” Change said. “Luke Laviola came in and ran the ball for us.
“He’s a starting linebacker for us, but he is naturally a very good runner. He kind of let loose tonight. We let him go a little bit, and he ran tough, and he’s got breakaway speed.”
Nazye Boggs had six carries for 85 yards and a touchdown, Caiden Leszczynski was 5-for-7 for 76 yards and two touchdowns.
“I thought it was a pretty balanced offensive attack,” Chang said.
Plymouth Whitemarsh (9-1, 5-0 SOL) will host West Chester Rustin in Friday’s quarterfinal contest.
“Rustin is a team that we’ve been looking at because they knocked us out of districts two years ago,” said Chang of his team’s 19-14 loss to Rustin in the District 1 5A semifinals. “It’s been a bad taste in our mouth since then. We’re definitely excited for another shot at them.
“They’re well-coached, they’re big, they’re strong, and they’re going to be a battle for sure.”
Hatboro-Horsham closed out its season with a 5-6 record.
Hatboro-Horsham 0-0-7-0 7
Plymouth Whitemarsh 14-21-7-0 42
#7 UPPER DUBLIN 40, #10 METHACTON 20
(Game info courtesy of @ADRobinson3 X)
A young Upper Dublin squad followed the lead of a trio of its seniors, who – according to coach Bret Stover – set the tone and were difference makers in Friday’s opening round win.
“I’m most pleased that my three seniors – Shyne (Roberts), Chris Kohlbrenner and Martin Campbell showed up big for us tonight,” UD coach Bret Stover said. “We lost a couple kids early to injuries, and the three of them are just football players. They just made all the plays, didn’t let anybody put their head down.
“They led tonight. I’m so proud of them as senior football players at Upper Dublin High School. They’re the epitome of what we practice and what we want our kids to be.”
Kohlbrenner put the Cardinals on the scoreboard with a one-yard run less than four minutes into the contest. Martin Campbell’s 14-yard touchdown run late in the second quarter sent UD into halftime with a 14-0 lead.
“Campbell was fullback and D-tackle,” Stover said. “Everybody was on Shyne (Roberts) and Chris (Kohlbrenner), and Martin just snuck in for probably about 75-80 yards and two touchdowns. Everybody’s attention was elsewhere, and here goes Martin.”
The Warriors pulled to within 14-7 five minutes into the third quarter, but Roberts answered with a 33-yard touchdown run that gave the Cardinals a 21-7 advantage they took into the fourth quarter.
Kohlbrenner made it a 27-7 gave after scoring on a five-yard run.
“Kohlbrenner had two touchdown runs, and he’s not even a running back,” Stover said. “He’s a wide receiver, but he had to play running back tonight because somebody got hurt.
“Chris stepped in, and that meant Shyne (Roberts) was the blocker, and he did what we asked of him. He was out there on one leg, and after they cut it to 27-20, the first play when we get the ball back, he goes 70 yards for a touchdown. Everybody was like, ‘Shyne’s here, we’re good.’”
Methacton made it a 27-14 game after a three-yard touchdown run by Anthony Perillo early in the fourth quarter. The Warriors recovered an onsides kick and scored another TD to make it a 27-20 game with 6:23 remaining.
A 68-yard touchdown run by Roberts – who accumulated over 200 yards on the ground – gave the Cardinals a 34-20 lead with six minutes remaining, and after UD recovered a fumble, Campbell scored on a two-yard run for the 40-20 final.
“I felt good going in tonight,” Stover said. “Brian (Kennedy’s) kids played awesome. He’s doing a great job, and they gave us all we could handle, which is good. That’s going to help us because we’re not going to have a cakewalk next week.
“It was good to play a tight game for a while, and our kids responded to that. We didn’t panic, we didn’t go and hide. We manned up. It was fun.”
The Cardinals – who lost several players to injuries over the course of the game – received a lift from freshman Ben Shervin.
“He caught two of the biggest passes that have been caught around here in a long time just because he moved the sticks,” Stover said. “They weren’t touchdown receptions.
“You got a freshman out there – it’s totally unusual for a freshman to be playing for Upper Dublin, and he made two of the nicest catches, and Kevin Etkin made two nice throws. That was just big for our team. They were big first downs because the momentum was starting to swing to the other side.”
Friday’s win came on the heels of back-to-back losses.
“We weren’t sure what we were going to get,” Stover said. “They’re long weeks when you don’t win. You wish you could play Monday, but you can’t. You have to wait until Friday.
“Quakertown (a 21-17 loss) was probably the best game we played all year – the most complete game on both sides of the ball and special teams, so that was good confidence going into districts. I think we used that tonight, and we spring boarded until we got beat up, and then everything we practiced went out the window.”
For the Warriors, quarterback Kolby Howarth and Anthony Perillo both finished with over a hundred rushing yards.
Upper Dublin (7-4, 4-2 SOL) will travel to #2 Strath Haven for Friday’s quarterfinal contest.
“We get to go on a bus down to Delco,” Stover said. “I’m excited about that. I never played there. That’s what is great about the district playoffs. You play teams you normally don’t see.
“No offense, but I’m tired of playing PW, I’m tired of playing West Chester Rustin. I’m just excited we got two new teams so far, so we’re going to go down and swing.”
Methacton 0-0-7-13 20
Upper Dublin 7-7-7-19 40
D1/D12/D3 Regional
BRISTOL 7, NEW HOPE-SOLEBURY 6
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