SOL Football Forecast (10-13-22)

Football Forecast – 7

By Scott Huff

High School football games should only be read about on the sports page.

Not the front page.

This is the same lede I used last week – and unfortunately, I must use it again.

This week the Homecoming football game between two Ches-Mont powers – visiting Downingtown West and Coatesville – was not played due to concerns of safety at the Red Raider stadium.

However, unlike the Cheltenham-Plymouth Whitemarsh game that was postponed two weeks ago for the same safety precautions (PW won the game two days later), the Downingtown West-Coatesville game was cancelled outright.

There will be no makeup contest between Downingtown West (5-1) and Coatesville (6-0) – and those two PIAA District One teams will be evaluated on a 9-game season instead of 10.

That fact will have a ripple effect throughout the entire district.

P.S. – an interesting footnote to the cancelled game was that Coatesville head coach Matt Ortega and some of his assistants were on ‘administrative leave’ for an unknown occurrence and would not have been on the sidelines for the game.

Hmmmm……

P.S.S. – another interesting footnote to high school football was the sudden resignation of Harry S Truman head coach Ben Johnson.  The Tigers have a brand-new head coach in James Freeman.

Again, sorry to repeat myself from last week, let’s not get used to all of this

Working just for kicks

North Penn has a pair of proud alumni kicking in the National Football League.

Philadelphia Eagle fans saw former Knight placekicker – and current placekicker for the Arizona Cardinals – Matt Ammendola miss wide right on a 43-yard attempt late in the game in the Eagles 20-17 victory over the Cardinals.

Ammendola was placed on the Arizona roster this week when Matt Prater was placed on the injured list with a hip injury.  Ammendola had been successful on 16 of 23 field goal attempts in his NFL career entering the game and has kicked a career-long 49-yard field goal.

Ammendola is 25 years old and played his college football at Oklahoma State.

The ‘other’ North Penn placekicker in the NFL is Brandon McManus who plays for the Denver Broncos.  McManus is in his eighth year in the NFL and recently signed a four year 17.2 million dollar with Denver in 2020. 

McManus has been successful on 81.7% of his field goal attempts coming into the season and has a career long 61-yard field goal.  McManus kicked 3 field goals and an extra point in the Broncos 24-10 Super Bowl victory.

McManus is 31 years old and played his college football at Temple.

National Football League placekickers are like closers in Major League Baseball – heroes one day – and – well – let’s say – not heroes another day.

Stay tuned.

North Penn football trivia:  Who owns the North Penn record for the longest field goal ever kicked in a game?

Should have…Could have…would have

Pennridge has struggled with the above for the entire 2022 football season.

The Rams are currently 2-5 this season under first year head coach Chuck Burgy, and as the cliché says, Pennridge hasn’t played like a 2-5 football team. 

You know the saying – the best 2-5 team around.

The Green & White should have a much better record if the game was played just on offense – or just on defense – or both. But that third facet of the game – special teams – has ruined the 2022 Ram season.

Pennridge has lost four games by a total of 10 points with setbacks coming against Souderton (24-21), Central Bucks East (16-13 in double overtime), Neshaminy (7-6), and Pennsbury (27-24).

And in each loss – the kicking game has played into the margin of victory for the Indians, Patriots, Redskins, and Falcons – all teams that will most likely be playoff teams at the end of the season.

A real kick in the teeth to the Ram fans.

If Pennridge could have turned around the outcome of some or all of those games – their record could range from as good as 6-1, or at the very least a split of those losses would give the Rams a winning record at 4-3.

And 6-1 mark or 4-3 record would have put Pennridge into a serious conversation for a PIAA 6A District One playoffs.  But it is what it is – and the Rams are 2-5.

Best darn 2-5 team around.

Answer to North Penn Trivia:  Matt Ammendola owns the Knight record with a 56-yard field goal.  Brandon McManus booted a 53-yard field goal for the Knights.

Sneak Peek @ District One Playoff Rankings

AAAAAA

16 Teams Qualify

AAAAA

16 Teams Qualify

AAAA

And the beat goes on…

Suburban One League

National Conference

Friday/October 14, 2022

Pennsbury Falcons (6-1, 4-0) @ North Penn Knights (3-4, 2-2)

Last Week:

Pennsbury remained unbeaten in the SOL National Conference with a slim 27-24 victory over Pennridge.  Galamama Mulbah returned a kickoff 93 yards for a touchdown and rushed for a team-high 137 yards on 27 carries.  The difference in the game was a pair of field goals by Dan Zelenko – one of 28 yards – and the other of 41 yards.

North Penn continued its roller coaster season as the Knights fell to Central Bucks East, 42-35.  The North Penn season has gone loss, win, loss, win, loss, win, & loss this year as the Knights are on the bubble of a district playoff spot.  Quarterback Ryan Zeltt was once again impressive, completing 21 passes for 301 yards and 3 touchdowns in the loss to CB East.

Prediction: North Penn Knights 38 – Pennsbury Falcons 31

Central Bucks South Titans (4-3, 1-3) @ Neshaminy Redskins (4-3, 2-2)

Last Week:

Central Bucks South captured its first conference win as the Titans defeated Abington, 34-19.  South trailed the Ghosts 19-7 at the half and outscored Abington 27-0 in the second half.  Brett Szarko fired a pair of TD passes to Tommy Donnelly, while Anthony Leonardi scored on a 50-yard TD run.  Jack Carver scored on a 29-yard run and on an interception return.

Neshaminy had its two-game conference winning streak snapped as the Redskins were shut out by Central Bucks West, 22-0.  Neshaminy has scored just 7 points the last two weeks after defeating Pennridge, 7-6, two weeks ago.

Prediction: Central Bucks South Titans 21 – Neshaminy Redskins 17.

Pennridge Rams (2-5, 1-3) @ Central Bucks West Bucks (4-3, 3-1)

Last Week:

Pennridge lost for the third straight week as the Rams lost to Pennsbury, 27-24.  Brennan Fisher rushed for a game-high 148 yards on 20 carries and scored 3 touchdowns.  Freshman quarterback Noah Keating – grandson of Gary Keating – completed 12 passes for 186 yards and threw a touchdown pass to Nate Mossbrook.

Central Bucks West captured its second straight conference shutout as the Bucks blanked Neshaminy, 22-0.  CBW shutout Abington 27-0 two weeks ago.  Ganz Cooper fired 3 touchdown passes to Conor McFadden to fuel the offense.  It was the third straight win for the Bucks.

Prediction: Central Bucks West Bucks 24 – Pennridge Rams 20

Abington Ghosts (2-5, 0-4) @ Central Bucks East Patriots (6-1, 3-1)

Last Week:

Abington remained winless in the conference with a 34-19 loss to Central Bucks South.  The Ghosts led 19-7 at the half.  Ayden Turner returned the opening kickoff for a touchdown.  Jamie Rivera scored on a 30-yard TD run, while Michael Moynihan fired a touchdown pass to Josh Young.

Central Bucks East captured a key conference victory as the Patriots marched to a 42-35 victory over North Penn.  Ethan Shine again lived up to his last name as he rushed for a game-high 287 yards on 40 carries and scored 4 touchdowns.  QB Pat Keller was back from injury and connected with Matt LaBouliere for an 83-yard touchdown pass.

Prediction: Central Bucks East Patriots 42 – Abington Ghosts 14

Suburban One League

Continental Conference

Friday/October 14, 2022

Council Rock South Hawks (3-4, 1-2) @ Souderton Indians (6-1, 3-0)

Last Week:

Council Rock South showcased a strong defense in a 16-0 conference loss to unbeaten Upper Dublin.  The Flying Cardinals had entered the game with Rock South scoring 37.5 points per game.  Excluding the 41-6 loss to Pennsbury, the Golden Hawks have allowed just 11.0 points per game.

Souderton hosted over-matched Warwick last week in a non-league game and routed the Warriors, 45-24.  Quarterback Jared Zimmerman fired 4 touchdown passes – 3 to Danny Dyche – and the other to Windsay Dawson.  Chris Kerns, Shaun Purvey, and Logan Wrubel scored rushing touchdowns for the Big Red.

Prediction: Souderton Indians 27 – Council Rock South Golden Hawks 14

Upper Dublin Cardinals (7-0, 3-0) @ Harry S Truman Tigers (2-5, 1-3)

Last Week:

Upper Dublin had its worst offensive outing of the season in a 16-0 conference victory over Council Rock South.  Griffin Pensabene scored on a TD pass from Colin O’Sullivan, while Shyne Roberts scored on a 38-yard run.  In addition to the shoutout, the Cardinal defense recorded a safety.

Harry S Truman lost a 20-13 conference game to Council Rock North.  Rondell Bradley threw a pair of touchdown passes for the Tigers.

Prediction: Upper Dublin Cardinals 45 – Harry S Truman 13

Quakertown Panthers (3-4, 2-1) @ Council Rock North Indians (2-5, 1-3)

Last Week:

Quakertown put together an excellent offensive and defensive showing in a 37-0 conference victory over Bensalem.  Quarterback Vince Micucci passes for 110 yards – threw 2 touchdown passes – and scored on an 80-yard touchdown run.  John Eatherton scored on a pair of 1-yard touchdown runs.

Council Rock North won its first conference game of the season with a 20-13 victory over Harry S Truman.  Gavin Papp scored 3 touchdowns for Rock North – two rushing scores – and one on a TD pass from Julian Matera.  The win stopped a 5-game CR North losing streak.

Prediction: Quakertown Panthers 38 – Council Rock North Indians 13

Suburban One League

American Conference

Friday/October 14, 2022

Cheltenham Panthers (4-3, 1-1) @ Upper Moreland Golden Bears (6-1, 2-0)

Last Week:

Cheltenham rebounded from its conference opening loss to Plymouth Whitemarsh with a resounding 30-2 conference victory over Springfield.  Tre McLeod, Malachi Wyche, Tyrese Alexander-Lee Odom, Zaheim Welton, and Jonathan Ingram all figured into the scoring for the Panthers.

Upper Moreland received another stellar performance from Stephen Broderick in a 45-21 conference victory over Wissahickon.  Broderick scored 4 touchdowns – 3 rushing scores – and one on a pass from Shawn Herbert.  Hasson Johnson scored 2 touchdowns for Golden Bears.

Prediction: Cheltenham Panthers 28 – Upper Moreland Golden Bears 21

Springfield Spartans (4-2, 1-1) @ Plymouth Whitemarsh Colonials (5-2, 2-0)

Last Week:

Springfield could only manage a score from its defense in a 30-2 conference loss to Cheltenham.  The Spartans remain in the hunt for a District One 4A playoff slot despite the loss.

Plymouth Whitemarsh had it way with William Tennent in a 57-7 conference victory over the Panthers.  Quarterback Aiden O’Brien had a terrific night in limited playing time passing for 106 yards and 2 touchdowns and rushing for 89 yards.

Prediction: Plymouth Whitemarsh Colonials 45 – Springfield Spartans 14

William Tennent Panthers (1-5, 0-2) @ Wissahickon Trojans (0-7, 0-2)

Last Week:

William Tennent remained winless in conference play as the Panthers were routed by Plymouth Whitemarsh, 57-7.

Wissahickon remained winless in conference play as the Trojans were defeated by Upper Moreland, 42-14.  Jaden McLean rushed for 129 yards and scored on a touchdown run and scored on a TD pass from Julian Perkins.

Prediction: Wissahickon Trojans 28 – William Tennent 20

Suburban One League

Non-League Game

Friday/October 14, 2022

Upper Darby Royals (3-4) @ Bensalem Owls (2-5)

Last Week:

Upper Darby lost a tough 7-6 contest to Marple-Newtown.

Bensalem struggled in a 37-0 SOL Continental Conference loss to Quakertown.

Prediction: Upper Darby Royals 24 – Bensalem Owls 13

Suburban One Sports.com

 Super Seven

Last Week in [XXXX]

1.  Upper Dublin Flying Cardinals (7-0) — [1]

2.  Pennsbury Falcons (6-1) — [2]

3.  Central Bucks East Patriots (6-1) — [3]

4.  Souderton Indians (6-1) — [4]

5.  Central Bucks West Bucks (4-3) — [6]

6.  Neshaminy Redskins (4-3) — [5]

7.  Central Bucks South Titans (4-3) — [NR]

Others under consideration:  Plymouth Whitemarsh Colonials (5-2); North Penn Knights (3-4); Upper Moreland Golden Bears (6-1); & Cheltenham Panthers (4-3).

 

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