SOL Football Forecast (10-19-23)

Photo courtesy of Tracy Valko. To view game photos, visit the photo gallery:  https://solsports.zenfolio.com/f129542182

Football Forecast – 8

By Scott Huff

Championship week is finally here In the Suburban One League, and you can almost hear that infamous ring announcer Michael Buffer roar…

“LET’S GET READY TO RUMBLE!!!”

Below is the ‘Tale of the Tape’ for the trio of heavyweight SOL conference fights that will take place this week under the Friday Night Lights.

In the Suburban One League National Conference the battle of unbeatens will take place at iconic War Memorial Field.

In this corner – unbeaten host Central Bucks West (8-0, 5-0).

The Bucks have knocked out Garnet Valley (17-13), Upper Dublin (37-7), Quakertown (40-20), Pennsbury (20-3), North Penn (28-0), Abington (49-14), Neshaminy (31-7) & Pennridge 28-0.

The cumulative record of those eight opponents is 30-33 [.476].

CB West has scored an average of 31.3 points per game and has allowed an average of 8.0 points per game.  A winning margin of 23.3 points per game.

And in this corner – unbeaten Central Bucks South (8-0, 5-0).

The Titans have knocked out Father Judge (13-10), Truman (42-7), Council Rock North (47-0), Central Bucks East (13-6), Pennsbury (24-13), North Penn (50-28), Abington (42-0) & Neshaminy (42-0).

The cumulative record of those eight opponents is 21-42 [.333].

CB South has scored an average of 34.1 points per game and has allowed 8.0 points per game.  A winning margin of 26.1 points per game.

In the Suburban One League Continental Conference the battle of conference unbeatens will take place at the not-so-iconic Indian Field.

In this corner – unbeaten host Souderton (8-0, 4-0).

The Indians have knocked out Haverford (21-17), Pennridge (19-14), Central Bucks East (23-21), Council Rock North (42-0), Truman (49-21), Quakertown (35-14), Warwick (41-14) & Council Rock South (7-0).

The cumulative record of those eight opponents is 22-41 [.349].

Souderton has scored an average of 29.6 points per game and has allowed an average of 12.6 points per game.  A winning margin of 17.0 points per game.

And in this corner – defending conference champion Upper Dublin (6-2, 4-0)
The Flying Cardinals have knocked out Kennett (21-0), Bensalem (31-7), Wissahickon (53-42), Council Rock North (17-0), Council Rock South (17-10) & Truman. (47-19).  UDHS has been KO’d by Central Bucks West (37-7) & North Penn (42-7).

The cumulative record of those eight opponents is 31-33 [.484].

Upper Dublin has scored an average of 25.0 points per game and has allowed an average of 19.6 points per game.  A winning margin of 5.4 points per game.

And in the Suburban One American Conference the battle for the conference lead will take place at the really-not-so-iconic Plymouth Whitemarsh Stadium.

In this corner – defending conference champion Plymouth Whitemarsh (6-1, 3-0).

The Colonials have knocked out Upper Merion (21-19), Methacton (35-0), JP McCaskey (48-14), Cheltenham (42-13), William Tennent (49-7) & Springfield (35-0).  PW has been KO’d by Quakertown (21-0).

The cumulative record of those seven opponents is 20-34 [.370].

Plymouth Whitemarsh has scored an average of 32.9 points per game and has allowed an average of 10.6 points per game.  A winning margin of 22.3 points per game.

And in this corner – resurgent challenger Wissahickon (6-2, 2-1).

The Trojans have knocked out Council Rock North (48-28), Hatboro-Horsham (41-40), Lower Merion (35-18), Simon Gratz (44-28), Upper Moreland (28-20) & William Tennent (35-14).  WHS has been KO’d by Upper Dublin (53-42) & Springfield (29-28 in overtime).

The cumulative record of those eight opponents is 27-36 [.429].

Wissahickon has scored an average of 37.6 points per game and has allowed an average of 28.8 points per game.  A winning margin of 8.8 points per game.

*** Remember ***

The CB West-CB South game * the Souderton-Upper Dublin game * and the Plymouth Whitemarsh-Wissahickon game * are not the final games of the regular season for any of those six current playoff teams.

There should be no outright championship trophies to be handed out this week – unless PW wins and Cheltenham loses to William Tennent.

Significant victories this week can be ruined by damaging losses next week.

***Next week ***

CB West will host CB East (4-4) * CB South will host Pennridge (3-5) * Souderton will host Bensalem (2-6) * Upper Dublin will be @ Quakertown (4-4) * Plymouth Whitemarsh will host Upper Moreland (3-5) * and Wissahickon will host Cheltenham (2-5).

Stay tuned.

Blowout City
Last week saw several blowouts as the Suburban One League regular season winds down.

The Central Bucks schools dominated the competition as Central Bucks East shellacked Abington (49-0), Central Bucks South overpowered Neshaminy (42-0), and Central Bucks West whipped Pennridge (28-0). 

It was an extremely good week to be a football fan living in the Central Bucks School District.  Add it all up and the Central Bucks trio of high schools dismantled the opposition by a staggering total point differential of -wow- 119-0.

And that’s not all.

Both Quakertown and Bensalem each scored 50 or more points in convincing victories.  The Panthers routed Council Rock North 50-7, while the Owls soared to a 52-20 win over Hatboro-Horsham.

Upper Dublin scored 47 points in a victory over Harry S Truman, while Plymouth Whitemarsh shutout Springfield, 35-0.  And Wissahickon coasted to a 35-14 victory over William Tennent.

If you are a betting man – or woman - it was an exceptionally good week to bet the favorites to cover the point spread.

I Spy With My Little Eye
Last week in the Suburban One League there were really only three games that were competitive – and all three were extremely important to the winners.

In the SOL Continental Conference, Souderton won a critical one score game as the Indians remained unbeaten with a 7-0 victory over Council Rock South.

In the SOL National Conference, North Penn won a pivotal one score game as the Knights kept its district playoff hopes alive with a 24-21 victory over Pennsbury.

And in the SOL American Conference, Cheltenham kept its improbable playoff hopes alive with a crucial 20-14 victory over Upper Moreland.

If the PIAA District One Playoffs were to begin after eight weeks of the season the following Suburban One League teams would be in those playoffs.  The highest ranked 16 teams from both the 6A and 5A classification quality for the postseason.

6A Classificatiion

5A Classification

And the beat goes on…

SOL National Conference

Central Bucks South Titans (8-0, 5-0) @ Central Bucks West Bucks (8-0, 5-0)
Last Year:
Central Bucks South 27 * Central Bucks West 14
Last Week:
Central Bucks South crushed Neshaminy, 42-0.  Owen Pinkerton opened the scoring with a 35-yard touchdown pass to Anthony Leonardi.  Leonardi also scored on runs of 70 & 4 yards, while Pinkerton scored on runs of 48 & 18 yards.  Corey Moore scored on a 1-yard run.
Central Bucks West remained unbeaten as the Bucks defeated Pennridge, 28-0.  Conor McFadden scored on a 97-yard pick-6 and scored 2 rushing touchdowns for the winners.  Ryan Clemens closed out the scoring for the Bucks with a 24-yard run.
Prediction:
Central Bucks West Bucks 24 * Central Bucks South Titans 21

Neshaminy Redskins (3-5, 2-3) @ Central Bucks East Patriots (4-4, 2-3)
Last Year:
Central Bucks East 22 * Neshaminy 7
Last Week:
Neshaminy battled to a 0-0 first period tie against unbeaten CB South but yielded 35 points in the second period in a 42-0 loss.  The Redskins were outscored by CB South and CB West by 73-7 margin the last two weeks.  Neshaminy lost to CB West 31-7 two weeks ago.
Central Bucks East snapped a 2-game losing streak as the Patriots destroyed Abington, 49-0.  Dean Blackwell scored 2 rushing touchdowns and scored on a 60-yard interception return for a score.  Dan Voglesong scored on runs of 26 & 11 yards and fired a 17-yard touchdown pass to Jack Donnelly.  Nicky Giordano closed out the scoring with a 1-yard touchdown run.
Prediction:
Central Bucks East Patriots 28 * Neshaminy Redskins 7

Pennridge Rams (3-5, 2-3) @ North Penn Knights (4-2, 3-2)
Last Year:
North Penn 42 * Pennridge 6
Last Week:
Pennridge could manage only 133 yards of total offense in a 28-0 loss to unbeaten Central Bucks West.  The Rams rushed the ball 22 times and were held to just 26 rushing yards.
North Penn rallied from a 14-point deficit in the second half to defeat Pennsbury, 24-21.  Ryan Bocklett kicked the game-winning 40-yard field goal late in the fourth quarter to seal the deal for the Knights.  Aiden Eves threw a 52-yard touchdown pass to Rashad McNeil and scored on a 3-yard run.  Marc Cobbs scored on a 67-yard run for the winners.
Prediction:
North Penn Knights 27 * Pennridge Rams 14

Pennsbury Falcons (3-5, 1-4) @ Abington Ghosts (1-6, 0-5)
Last Year:
Pennsbury 35 * Abington 0
Last Week:
Pennsbury lost a heartbreaker to North Penn, 24-21.  The Falcons led 21-7 at one point but failed to hold the lead.  Nathan Beighley scored 2 touchdowns on runs of 50 & 4 yards, while Jordan Czerniak scored on an 11-yard run.
Abington remained winless in the conference as the Ghosts were shellacked by Central Bucks East, 49-0.  Abington has lost to all CB schools the last three weeks and have been outscored 140-14 by CBW (49-14), CBS (42-0) & CBE (49-0).
Prediction:
Pennsbury Falcons 38 * Abington Ghosts 7

SOL Continental Conference

Upper Dublin Cardinals (6-2, 4-0) @ Souderton Indians (8-0, 4-0)
Last Year:
Upper Dublin 34 * Souderton 3
Last Week:
Upper Dublin routed Harry S Truman, 47-19.  Shyne Roberts highlighted the Cardinal offense with 3 rushing touchdowns, while Ronald Shepherd scored on a 10-yard run.  Kevin Etkin fired a pair of touchdown passes – one to Chris Kohlbrenner and the other to Trey Reivas.
Souderton struggled to remain unbeaten with a 7-0 victory over Council Rock South.  The lone score of the game for the Indians came on a 19-yard run by Ryan Sadowski.  Timmy Meehan sparked the terrific defensive effort with 2 interceptions.
Prediction:
Souderton Indians 24 * Upper Dublin Flying Cardinals 21

Council Rock South Golden Hawks (5-3, 2-2) @ Bensalem Owls (2-6, 1-3)
Last Year:
Council Rock South 37 * Bensalem 6
Last Week:
Council Rock South lost for the second week in a row as the Golden Hawks lost a tough 7-0 contest to unbeaten Souderton. Rock South lost a tough one-score game two weeks ago to Upper Dublin, 17-10.
Bensalem exploded for 52 points in a 52-20 non-conference victory over Hatboro-Horsham.  Aiden Mayfield fueled the offense as he scored 4 touchdowns for the Owls, while Thomas Bailey scored twice for the winners.
Prediction:
Council Rock South Golden Hawks 27 * Bensalem Owls 7

Quakertown Panthers (4-4, 2-2) @ Harry S Truman Tigers (1-7, 0-5)
Last Year:
Quakertown 35 * Truman 18
Last Week:
Quakertown destroyed Council Rock North, 50-7.  Ed Bitner had 3 rushing touchdowns for the Panthers, while Evan Hilton also scored on a 1-yard run.  Vince Miccucci fired a 15-yard scoring pass to Anthony Ferrugio.  Ferrugio and Regan Payne each scored on a pick -6.
Harry S Truman lost for the 5^th week in a row as the Tigers were caged by Upper Dublin, 47-7.  HST led 7-0 early in the game and outscored the Cardinals 12-6 in the second half.
Prediction:
Quakertown Panthers 38 * Harry S Truman Tigers 6

SOL American Conference

Plymouth Whitemarsh Colonials (6-1, 3-0) @ Wissahickon Trojans (6-2, 2-1)
Last Year:
Plymouth Whitemarsh 56 * Wissahickon 6
Last Week:
Plymouth Whitemarsh defeated Springfield, 35-0.  Nazye Boggs fueled the offense by scoring 3 rushing touchdowns for the Colonials.  Caiden Lesczynski also scored on a 1-yard run.
Wissahickon prepped for its showdown with PW with a 35-14 victory over William Tennent.  Quasir Sampson scored 2 rushing touchdowns for the Trojans, while Jason Murray also scored for the winners.  Nolan Pounds fired 2 touchdown passes – one to Julian Perkins – and the other to Quentin West.
Prediction:
Plymouth Whitemarsh Colonials 31 * Wissahickon Trojans 28

Springfield Spartans (3-4, 1-2) @ Upper Moreland Golden Bears (3-5, 1-2)
Last Year:
Upper Moreland 14 * Springfield 12
Last Week:
Upper Moreland trailed Cheltenham 20-0 early in the game and rallied to close the score to 20-14.  However, the 20-14 score would become the final for the Golden Bears.  Alex Foley threw a pair of touchdown passes to Zion Akinbo – one of 16 yards – and the other of 35 yards.
Springfield lost for the 4^th time in 5 weeks as the Spartans were shut out by Plymouth Whitemarsh, 35-0.  Springfield trailed the Colonials 28-0 at the half.
Prediction:
Upper Moreland Golden Bears 21 * Springfield Spartans 20

Cheltenham Panthers (2-5, 2-1) @ William Tennent Panthers (2-6, 0-3)
Last Year:
Cheltenham 42 * William Tennent 0
Last Week:
Cheltenham won for the second week in a row and remained in contention for a conference title as the Panthers defeated Upper Moreland, 20-14.  Tre McLeod scored a pair of rushing touchdowns for the winners, while Jon Ingram also found paydirt for the winners.
William Tennent remained winless in the conference as the Panthers were defeated by Wissahickon, 35-14.  It was the 4^th straight loss for William Tennent which began the season at 2-2.
Prediction:
Cheltenham Panthers 28 * William Tennent Panthers 14

Non-Conference Game

Council Rock North Indians (2-6) @ Hatboro-Horsham Hatters (4-4)
Last Year:
Council Rock North 48 * Hatboro-Horsham 20
Last Week:
Council Rock North was routed by Quakertown, 50-7.  The lone score for the Indians came on a 50-yard touchdown pass from Giovanni Cozza to Jackson Farley.
Hatboro-Horsham was routed by Bensalem, 50-20.  Despite the loss, the Hatters are ‘in’ the PIAA District One 5A playoffs as H-H is ranked #15 in the district.
Prediction:
Hatboro-Horsham Hatters 17 * Council Rock North Indians 13

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