(CB West/NP photos courtesy of Kim Supko, Wissahickon courtesy of Michael Rice Photography & Pennsbury photo courtesy of Darryl Rule of J&B Photography)
Football Forecast – Volume 9
By Scott Huff
Central Bucks South, Upper Dublin & Plymouth Whitemarsh all own a ‘Piece of the Suburban One League Football Championship Rock’…
Central Bucks South (9-0, 6-0) earned at the very least a piece of the SOL National Conference championship by virtue of the Titans 35-7 conference victory over Neshaminy (6-3, 3-3).
CBS can earn an outright championship with a conference victory over visiting Pennridge (4-5, 2-4).
In order for the Titans to share the title, CB South would have to lose to the Rams AND CB West (7-2, 5-1) would have to defeat rival CB East (4-5, 2-4).
Upper Dublin (7-2, 6-0) earned @ the very least a piece of the SOL Continental Conference championship with a 17-10 conference victory over Bensalem (4-5, 2-4).
UD can earn an outright championship with a conference victory over visiting Souderton (6-3, 5-1) this week.
In order for the Cardinals to share the title, Upper Dublin would have to lose to the Indians and would then share the title with the victorious Big Red.
Also, Quakertown (5-4, 5-1) could share the SOL Continental Conference championship with both the Cardinals & Souderton if the Panthers could defeat Cheltenham (3-6, 3-3) in its regular season finale AND if the Indians would defeat Upper Dublin.
Plymouth Whitemarsh (7-2, 4-0) earned @ the very least a piece of the SOL American Conference championship with a tight 21-14 conference victory over Upper Moreland (7-2, 2-2).
In order for the Colonials to share the title, PW would have to lose this week to William Tennent (3-6, 1-3) and Springfield (7-2, 3-1) would have to defeat Wissahickon (5-4, 1-3).
If I was a betting man, I would put the odds @ 99.9% that both CB South & Plymouth Whitemarsh would win outright championships – and that an excellent Upper Dublin team is a coin toss at best to win the title outright against an extremely strong Souderton team.
Stay tuned.
Upper Dublin vs. Souderton ‘Snapshot’
Upper Dublin Flying Cardinals
- Upper Dublin has scored an average of 26.0 points per game and has allowed 17.9 points per game.
- The Flying Cardinals have defeated Wissahickon (38-21), Council Rock North (42-7), Council Rock South (24-7), Truman (35-0), Quakertown (37-34), Cheltenham (20-14) & Bensalem (17-10).
- Upper Dublin has lost games to Central Bucks West (35-14) & Central Bucks South (33-7).
Souderton Indians
- Souderton has scored an average of 30.6 points per game and has allowed an average of 14.8 points per game.
- The Indians have defeated Central Bucks West (20-13), Truman (38-0), Cheltenham (39-14), Bensalem (44-13), Council Rock South (35-6) & Council Rock North (45-0).
- Souderton has lost games to Spring-Ford (31-14), Central Bucks South (21-6) & Quakertown (35-34).
Stay tuned.
Braggin’ rights … and so much more…
There are 3 Suburban One League games this week that involve both neighborhood bragging rights with playoff implications.
Pennsbury (4-5, 2-4) is @ Neshaminy (6-3, 3-3) and to date both could be PIAA District One playoff teams. Currently, the Falcons are seeded #16 & the Redskins are seeded #8.
A Pennsbury victory should assure them an invite to the playoff dance and would cost Neshaminy a probable chance to host a playoff game.
Again, Falcon-Redskin games are about as intense as any SOL rivalry – and there is more on the line this year than just neighborhood bragging rights.
Central Bucks East (4-5, 2-4) is @ Central Bucks West (7-2, 5-1) and to date CB West is ranked at the #3 team in the district, while CB East is ranked #18 and is a ‘bubble team’ that needs some help to get to the dance.
A victory by CB East could propel the Patriots into playoffs, while a CB West loss would most likely damage the Bucks seeding for the playoffs.
Again, Patriot-Buck games are about as intense as any SOL rivalry – and there is more on the line this year than just neighborhood bragging rights.
Upper Moreland (7-2, 2-2) is @ Hatboro Horsham (3-6, 1-3) and to date the Golden Bears are ranked #9 in 5A in the district, while Hatboro Horsham is ranked #18 and is a ‘bubble’ team.
A victory by the Hatters could propel them into the playoffs, while an Upper Moreland loss would most likely damage the Golden Bears seeding for the playoffs.
Again, Hatter-Golden Bear games are about as intense as any SOL rivalry – and there is more on the line this year than just neighborhood bragging rights.
Stay Tuned.
Braggin’ rights … and nothing more
Walt Snyder Stadium in Newtown will host the traditional rivalry game between Council Rock South (3-6, 2-4) & Council Rock North (1-8, 1-5).
There are no district playoff implications in this one – but there is a good measure of neighborhood pride on the line.
The 22-year old Rock South-Rock North series is tied at 11 games each and the winner of this one assumes the lead in the hotly contested series.
You know they … (whoever ‘they’ is) always say you can throw out the records when neighborhood rivals meet.
I don’t know that I really believe that … but we’ll see.
Stay tuned.
Playoffs?...We’re Still Talkin’ Playoffs!
Only one more week in the Suburban One League regular season…and the final playoff invitations will go out.
If the 6A District One playoffs were to begin this week, the following SOL teams would have made the 16-team cut.
- Central Bucks South Titans (9-0) – Ranked 1st
- Central Bucks West Bucks (7-2) – 3rd
- North Penn Knights (7-2) – 4th
- Neshaminy Redskins (6-3) – 8th
- Plymouth Whitemarsh Colonials (7-2) – 9th
- Souderton Indians (6-3) – 10th
- Quakertown Panthers (5-4) – 12th
- Pennsbury Falcons (4-5) – 16
If the 5A District One playoffs were to begin this week, the following SOL teams would have made the 16-team cut.
- Upper Dublin Cardinals (7-2) – 5th
- Upper Moreland Golden Bears (7-2) – 9th
If the 4A District One playoffs were to begin this week, the following SOL team would have made the 8-team cut.
- Springfield Spartans (7-2) – 2nd
Stay tuned.
Upset Specials
In the final week of the regular season, I am going to offer up some ‘upset specials’ to the menu of conference games.
In the SOL National Conference, I am going to select Pennsbury (4-5, 2-4) as an upset winner over Neshaminy (6-3, 3-3).
In the SOL Continental Conference, I am going to select Cheltenham (3-6, 3-3) as an upset winner over Quakertown (5-4, 5-1).
And in the SOL American Conference, I am going to select Wissahickon (5-4, 1-3) as an upset winner over Springfield (7-2, 3-1).
Stay tuned.
And the beat goes on…
SOL National Conference
Friday
Pennsbury Falcons (4-5, 2-4) @ Neshaminy Redskins (6-3, 3-3)
Last Year:
Pennsbury 28 * Neshaminy 24
Last Week:
Pennsbury remained in contention for a 6A playoff spot with a 42-0 rout of Abington. David Kane tossed 2 touchdown passes to Walker Murray, while Jordan Brensinger scored 2 rushing touchdowns. George Kormazu added a rushing score for the Falcons.
Neshaminy scored first in its game against unbeaten CB South when Carter Clee found the end zone, however, it was the be the only score of the game for the Redskins in a 35-7 loss to the Titans.
Prediction: ***Upset Special***
Pennsbury Falcons 20 * Neshaminy Redskins 17
Central Bucks East Patriots (4-5, 2-4) @ Central Bucks West Bucks (7-2, 5-1)
Last Year:
Central Bucks West 24 * Central Bucks East 7
Last Week:
Central Bucks West captured a huge conference win as the Bucks defeated North Penn, 17-14. Ryan Clemens booted a 33-yard field goal with 6 seconds left in the game to secure the victory. Clemens also scored on an 8-yard run, while Devin McGowan scored on a 32-yard run.
Central Bucks East kept its longshot hopes of a district playoff invitation with a 21-12 conference victory over Pennridge. Sophomore running back Mike Price eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark for the season and scored 2 touchdowns – one of 68 yards and the other of 10 yards. Reuben Bell scored on a 52-yard run.
Prediction:
Central Bucks West Bucks 27 * Central Bucks East Patriots 13
Pennridge Rams (4-5, 2-4) @ Central Bucks South (9-0, 6-0)
Last Year:
Central Bucks South 42 * Pennridge 14
Last Week:
Pennridge was competitive in a 21-12 conference loss to Central Bucks East. The Rams closed to within 14-6 in the third quarter. Will Dougherty scored on a 4-yard run, while quarterback Noah Keating fired a 14-yard scoring strike to Chase Marshall.
Central Bucks South remained unbeaten with a 35-7 conference victory over Neshaminy. Owen Pinkerton scored 2 rushing touchdowns and also fired a touchdown pass to Danny Gies. Brayden Cape scored on runs of 19 & 14 yards.
Prediction:
Central Bucks South Titans 38 * Pennridge Rams 14
North Penn Knights (7-2, 4-2) @ Abington Ghosts (1-8, 0-6)
Last Year:
North Penn 35 * Abington 18
Last Week:
North Penn lost in the final seconds as the Knights suffered a key 17-14 conference loss to Central Bucks West. The touchdown makers for North Penn were Aiden Ashley & Christian Johns-Wallace.
Abington continued its downward spiral as the Ghosts were routed by Pennsbury, 42-0. Abington remains winless in the conference and has been outscored by a staggering 263-6 margin in its 6 conference losses.
Prediction:
North Penn Knights 49 * Abington Ghosts 6
SOL Continental Conference
Friday
Souderton Indians (6-3, 5-1) @ Upper Dublin Cardinals (7-2, 6-0)
Last Year:
Souderton 31 * Upper Dublin 6
Last Week:
Souderton prepped for its showdown with Upper Dublin with a 45-0 conference victory over Council Rock North. Ben Walsh fired TD passes to Elijah Hampton and Chase Johnson, while Houston Marshall, Chase Hart, Quentin Williams & Mike McCormick also scored on touchdown runs.
Upper Dublin kept its hold on first place in the conference standings with a hard fought 17-10 victory over Bensalem. Ron Shepherd scored a touchdown for the winners. The game was tied 10-10 at the half, but the Cardinal defense kept the Owls off the scoreboard in the second half to secure the win.
Prediction:
Souderton Indians 27 * Upper Dublin Cardinals 20
Quakertown Panthers (5-4, 5-1) @ Cheltenham Panthers (3-6, 3-3)
Last Year:
Did Not Play
Last Week:
Quakertown remained in contention for a conference championship with a 21-0 victory over Council Rock South. Gavin Carroll scored on runs of 3 & 9 yards, while Brady Martin scored on a 2-yard run.
Cheltenham fired the big guns in a 50-14 conference victory over Harry S Truman. Sophomore Kendall Jackson fired 4 touchdown passes to fuel the offense. Jared Higginbotham, Ahsaiah Upchurch, Carsen Giddens & Michael Dunn all caught scoring passes for the Panthers. Higgenbotham also scored a rushing touchdown, while Justin Cowans scored a touchdown on a fumble recovery.
Prediction: ***Upset Special***
Cheltenham Panthers 27 * Quakertown Panthers 24
Council Rock North Indians (1-8, 1-5) @ Council Rock South Hawks (3-6, 2-4)
Last Year:
Council Rock South 55 * Council Rock North 14
Last Week:
Council Rock North lost its fourth straight conference game as the Indians were routed by Souderton, 45-0. In those four losses Rock North has been ‘mercy-ruled’ in each game and has been outscored 172-13 in those defeats.
Council Rock South lost for the second straight week as the Golden Hawks were shutout by Quakertown, 21-0. CR South has been outscored 56-6 the last two weeks in losses to Souderton (35-6) & Quakertown and have now lost four of their last five conference games.
Prediction:
Council Rock South Hawks 31 * Council Rock North Indians 14
Bensalem Owls (4-5, 2-4) @ Truman Tigers (1-8, 0-6)
Last Year:
Bensalem 28 * Harry S Truman 21
Last Week:
Bensalem scored on a fake punt early in the game and played conference unbeaten Upper Dublin to a 10-10 first half deadlock. However, the Owls failed to score a second half point and fell to the Flying Cardinals, 17-10.
Harry S Truman continued its downward spiral as the Tigers were tamed by Cheltenham, 50-14. Truman has now lost 8 straight games and are winless in the conference. The last 2 weeks the Tigers have been outscored 104-28 in losses to Quakertown (54-14) & Cheltenham.
Prediction:
Bensalem Owls 42 * Harry S Truman Tigers 13
SOL American Conference
Friday
PW Colonials (7-2, 4-0) @ William Tennent Panthers (3-6, 1-3)
Last Year:
Plymouth Whitemarsh 49 * William Tennent 7
Last Week:
Plymouth Whitemarsh kept its hold on first place in the conference with a hard fought 21-14 conference victory over Upper Moreland. Colonial running back Everett Baker scored all 3 touchdowns for the winners on runs that included the game winning 32-yard TD burst with 2:42 left in the game.
William Tennent lost its third straight conference game as the Panthers were defeated by Springfield, 43-7.
Prediction:
Plymouth Whitemarsh Colonials 45 * William Tennent 14
Upper Moreland Bears (7-2, 2-2) @ Hatboro Horsham Hatters (3-6, 1-3)
Last Year:
Hatboro Horsham 16 * Upper Moreland 7
Last Week:
Upper Moreland had first place Plymouth Whitemarsh on the ropes in a 21-14 loss to the conference unbeaten Colonials. Aiden Tuffy gave the Golden Bears an early 7-0 lead on a touchdown run, and Tuffy gave UM a 14-7 lead on an 18-yard touchdown pass from Alex Foley.
Hatboro Horsham scored 20 points in its conference game with Wissahickon, but it was 23 points short of victory as the Hatters were topped, 42-20.
Prediction:
Upper Moreland Golden Bears 38 * Hatboro Horsham 21
Springfield Spartans (7-2, 3-1) @ Wissahickon Trojans (5-4, 1-3)
Last Year:
Springfield 29 * Wissahickon 28
Last Week:
Springfield remained in contention for a conference championship as the Spartans routed William Tennent, 43-7. Jack McGuckin scored on runs of 30, 15 & 26 yards, while CJ Johnson scored on runs of 10 & 26. Zymir Small scored on a 6-yard run.
Wissahickon won its first conference game of the year with a 42-20 victory over Hatboro Horsham. Xavier Johnson, Q West, Quasir Sampson, and Jason Murray all figured in the scoring for the Trojans.
Prediction: ***Upset Special***
Wissahickon Trojans 28 * Springfield Spartans 20
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