SOL Football Forecast (10-27-22)

Photo provided courtesy of Geanine Jamison Photography. 

Football Forecast – 9

By Scott Huff

Championship Week is finally here in the Suburban One League and there are still seven SOL teams that have mathematical chances at capturing an outright title, or a share of the conference championship.

In the SOL American Conference there will be an outright champion as Upper Moreland (8-1, 4-0 conference) will host Plymouth Whitemarsh (7-2, 4-0) this Friday.

A focus on the common opponents in the SOL American Conference reveals:

• Upper Moreland has defeated William Tennent (42-14), Wissahickon (42-14), Springfield (14-12) & Cheltenham (14-10).
• The Golden Bears have scored an average of 28.0 points in conference play and has allowed an average of 12.5. points per game.
• A winning margin of 15.5 points per game.
• Plymouth Whitemarsh has defeated William Tennent (57-7), Wissahickon (56-6), Springfield (42-13) & Cheltenham (37-6).
• The Colonials have scored an average of 48.0 points in conference play and has allowed an average of 8.0 points per game.
• A winning margin of 40.0 points per game.

In the SOL Continental Conference, the results of this week could crown an outright champion in Upper Dublin (9-0, 5-0 conference) if the Flying Cardinals soar to a win over defending conference champion Quakertown (5-4, 4-1).

However, a Q-town victory over Upper Dublin - and a win by Souderton over Bensalem - would create a shared conference title between the Cardinals – the Panthers – and the Big Red.

That championship trio would finish the Suburban One League Continental Conference season with an identical 5-1 record.

Upper Dublin will host Q-town in that critical conference game under the Friday Night lights.

A focus on the common opponents in the SOL Continental Conference reveals:

• Upper Dublin has defeated Bensalem (33-7), Council Rock North (41-13), Council Rock South (16-0), Harry S Truman (44-14), & Souderton (34-3).
• The Flying Cardinals have scored an average of 33.6 points in conference play and has allowed an average of 7.4 points per game.
• A winning margin of 26.2 points per game.
• Quakertown has defeated Bensalem (37-0), Council Rock North (49-19), Council Rock South (16-0), & Harry S Truman (35-18).  The Panthers lost to Souderton (34-20).
• The Panthers have scored an average of 31.4 points in conference play and has allowed an average of 14.2 points per game.
• A winning margin of 20.2 points per game.

In the SOL National Conference, the results of this week could crown either an outright champion in Pennsbury – or a shared conference title between those Falcons (8-1, 6-0 conference) & Central Bucks East (8-1, 5-1).

Pennsbury wins the championship outright IF the Falcons defeat rival Neshaminy (4-5, 2-4) this week.  Central Bucks East could share the title IF Pennsbury loses to the Redskins AND if the Patriots defeat rival Central Bucks West (5-3, 4-2).

A focus on the common SOL National Conference opponents for both Pennsbury and Neshaminy reveals:

• Pennsbury has defeated Central Bucks West (26-21), Central Bucks South (28-6), Central Bucks East (37-22), Pennridge (27-24), North Penn (44-34) & Abington (35-0).
• The Falcons have scored an average of 32.8 points in conference play and has allowed an average of 17.8 points per game.
• A winning margin of 15.0 points per game.
• Neshaminy has defeated Pennridge (7-6) & Abington (26-0) and has suffered losses to Central Bucks West (22-0), Central Bucks South (21-7), Central Bucks East (22-7), and North Penn (35-28 in overtime).
• The Redskins have scored an average of 12.5 points in conference play and has allowed an average of 17.7 points per game.
• A losing margin of 5.2 points per game.

A sneak peek at my weekly predictions – Plymouth Whitemarsh, Upper Dublin, and Pennsbury will all be crowned as outright champions when the Friday Night Lights are turned out this week.

Stay tuned.

Rivalry Week – Part One – CB East vs. CB West
This bitter rivalry between these two schools – even on an awful year for either team - is about as intense as it comes.  And for both the Patriots (8-1, 5-1) who will host the visiting Bucks (5-4, 4-2) this week - it has been anything but a terrible year.

CB East is playing for an outside chance of capturing a SOL National Conference championship (see above), while a CB West victory would guarantee the Bucks a selection to the PIAA District One 6A playoffs.

And then there is the not-so-little matter as to whether CB East can snatch the CB Cup away from the three-time defending champion - CB West.

The coveted Central Bucks Cup is contested each year between CB East, CB West, and CB South.

CB West won the Cup last year defeating district rivals Central Bucks East (35-15) and Central Bucks South (28-20).  The Bucks won the Cup in 2020 with wins over the Patriots (31-24) and the Titans (40-20).  West won the Cup in 2019 with victories over East (45-10) and South (42-28).

CB East last won the Cup in 2018 with victories over CB West (27-20) and CB South (23-18).

CB South last won the Cup in 2017 with victories over CB West (21-20) and CB East (37-28).

This year there are two possible outcomes of Cup possession.

CB East can win the Cup outright with a win over CB West.  The Patriots defeated CB South 21-7 earlier in the year, while CB South defeated CB West last week, 27-14. 

CB West would create a three-way deadlock for the CB Cup between West, East, & South for the Cup with a victory over CB East.

The CB Cup began in 2004 and the Cup has never been shared between the 3 schools before.

A focus on the common conference opponents for both CB East & CB West:

• Central Bucks East has defeated Central Bucks South (21-7), Pennridge (16-13 in double overtime), North Penn (42-35), Abington (31-7), & Neshaminy (22-7).  The lone Patriot loss came against Pennsbury (37-22).
• The Patriots have scored an average of 25.7 points per game in conference play and has allowed 17.7 points per game.
• That is a winning margin of 8.0 points per game.
• Central Bucks West has defeated North Penn (35-14), Abington (27-0), Neshaminy (22-0), & Pennridge (27-8).  The Bucks have lost conference games to Pennsbury (26-21) & Central Bucks South (27-14).
• The Bucks have averaged 24.3 points per game in conference play and has allowed just 12.5 points per game.
• That is a winning margin of 11.8 points per game.

A sneak peek at my prediction for the East/West classic – * Upset Special* - Central Bucks West rebounds from its loss to CB South to create the first-ever shared Cup possession.

Stay tuned.

Central Bucks Cup Trivia – Which Central Bucks High School football team has captured the most Central Bucks Cups?

Rivalry Week – Part Two – CR South vs. CR North

This bitter rivalry between these two schools – even on an awful year - is about as intense as comes.  And this 2022 season was mediocre at best for both CR South (4-5, 2-3 conference) and CR North (3-6, 1-4).

Neither Rock South nor Rock North is going to compete in the PIAA District One 6A playoffs.  The Golden Hawks are currently ranked 21^st in the rankings, while the Indians are ranked 24^th.

There are 33 teams in the District One Class 6A classification and 16 of those teams will compete in the playoffs.

The game will be played under the Friday Night Lights @ Walt Snyder Stadium and will be the season finale for both Council Rock South and Council Rock North – and the career ending game for the dedicated seniors of both teams.

There may not be a Suburban One League Continental Conference championship on the line – or even a PIAA District One 6A playoff invitation – but what is on the line is the Unity Cup.

Council Rock North has won the last two Unity Cups with a 7-3 victory last year over CR South and a 23-7 win over the Hawks in 2020. The Indians – over the last 10 seasons – also won Cups in 2015 (35-14), and 2012 (13-7).

Council Rock South has won six Cups over the last decade.  The Hawks soared to wins in 2019 (14-7), 2018 (17-7), 2016 (35-14), 2014 (40-29) & 2012 (31-21).

A glance at the stats in SOL Continental Conference play this season reveals that the Indians have scored an average of 16.0 points per game and has allowed an average of 32.0 points per game.

A glance at the stats in the SOL Continental Conference play this season reveals that the Golden Hawks have scored an average of 8.6 points per game and has allowed an average of 13.4 points per game.

Both Rock North and Rock South have captured conference victories over Harry S Truman.  The Indians defeated the Tigers 20-13, while the Golden Hawks collected a 14-6 win over HST.

Rock South won a conference game against Bensalem (37-6), while Rock North lost to the Owls (22-14).

A sneak peek at my prediction for the CR North/CR South classic – CR South snaps the two-game Unity Cup winning streak to end its season on a winning note.

Stay tuned.

Answer to CB Cup Trivia:  Central Bucks South has won 7 cups, CB West 6 and CB East 4.

And the beat goes on…

Sneak Peek @ the PIAA District One Playoffs

Class AAAAAA
16 Teams Qualify for Playoffs

Class AAAAA
16 Teams Qualify for Playoffs

Class AAAA
4 Teams Qualify for Playoffs

Suburban One League
National Conference
Friday/October 28, 2022

Central Bucks West Bucks (5-4, 4-2) @ Central Bucks East Patriots (8-1, 5-1)
Last Week:
Central Bucks West lost to rival Central Bucks South, 27-14, ending a 4-game Buck winning streak.  The game was tied 7-7 at the half.  Jack Williams scored on a 23-yard pass from Ganz Cooper, and Eli Boehm scored on a 4-yard run.
Central Bucks East extended its conference winning streak to 3 games with a 22-7 victory over Neshaminy.  Ethan Shine scored on touchdown runs of 7 & 60 yards and caught a 66-yard touchdown pass from Pat Keller.
Prediction:
Central Bucks West Bucks 24 – Central Bucks East Patriots 21

Pennsbury Falcons (8-1, 6-0) @ Neshaminy Redskins (4-5,2-4)
Last Week:
Pennsbury won for the 8^th week in a row as the Falcons soared to a 35-0 victory over Abington.  ‘G’ Mulbah and Nate Beighley each scored 2 rushing touchdowns, while quarterback Shane McGurrin threw a touchdown pass to CJ Wisor.
Neshaminy lost for the 3^rd straight week as the Redskins were defeated by Central Bucks East, 22-7.  Markus Barnett scored the lone Neshaminy touchdown on a 50-yard run.  The Redskins have scored just 21 points over the last four games.
Prediction:
Pennsbury Falcons 31 – Neshaminy Redskins 13

Central Bucks South Titans (6-3, 3-3) @ Pennridge Rams (2-7, 1-5)
Last Week:
Central Bucks South won its 3^rd straight conference game with a 27-14 victory over district rival Central Bucks West.  Highlights included a Tommy Donnelly punt return for a touchdown – a 40-yard TD pass from Brett Szarko to Owen Wheeler – and a 40-yard touchdown run by Jack Carter.
Pennridge lost its 5^th straight conference game as the Rams were routed by North Penn, 42-6.  The lone touchdown for Pennridge came on a 92-yard kickoff return for a score by Xavier Dantzler.  Brennan Fisher rushed for a team-high 51 yards on 18 carries.
Prediction:
Central Bucks South Titans 28 – Pennridge Rams 14

North Penn Knights (4-5, 3-3) @ Abington Ghosts (2-7, 0-6)
Last Week:
North Penn halted a 2-game conference losing streak with a resounding 42-6 victory over host Pennridge.  Quarterback Ryan Zellt continued to post outstanding passing stats in the win.  Zellt completed 16 of 18 passes for 330 yards and 5 touchdowns.  Three of those TD passes was thrown to Yazeed Haynes – the longest went for 88 yards.
Abington remained winless in conference play as the Ghosts were defeated by Pennsbury, 35-0.  In the six conference losses, Abington has been outscored by a margin of 187-20.  The struggling Ghosts have been shut out four times this season.
Prediction:
North Penn Knights 49 – Abington Ghosts 8

Suburban One League
Continental Conference
Friday/October 28, 2022

Council Rock North (3-6, 1-4) @ Council Rock South (4-5, 2-3)
Last Week:
Council Rock North won its second game in three weeks with a 48-20 non-league victory over Hatboro Horsham.  Gavin Papp and Will Scibona each scored 2 touchdowns for the Indians – Papp on rushing touchdowns – and Scibona on pass receptions.
Council Rock South halted a 2-game losing skid as the Golden Hawks soared to a 37-6 conference win over Bensalem.  In the Senior Night victory – Jake Zarnowsky, Chase Myers, and Nick Diaz stole the offensive spotlight.
Prediction:
Council Rock South Golden Hawks 17 – Council Rock North Indians 7

Quakertown Panthers (5-4, 4-1) @ Upper Dublin Cardinals (9-0, 5-0)
Last Week:
Quakertown prepped for its conference showdown with a resounding 46-19 conference victory over Harry S Truman.  The offensive fireworks were provided by John Eatherton and Brett Hileman.  Eatherton and Hileman each scored 3 touchdowns for the Black Cats.
Upper Dublin proved why it is one of the elite teams in 5A with as the Cardinals punished Souderton, 34-3.  Nyfise McIntyre raced for 225 yards and 2 touchdowns for UDHS.  Quarterback Colin O’Sullivan was terrific as he completed 14 of 17 passes for 213 yards and 3 touchdowns.  Chris Kohlbrenner (46), DJ Cerisier (42), and Nyles Bunn-McNeil (6) all caught TD passes.  Starling Reaves scored on a 12-yard fumble return.
Prediction:
Upper Dublin Cardinals 31 – Quakertown Panthers 14

Souderton Indians (7-2, 4-1) @ Bensalem Owls (2-7, 1-4)
Last Week:
Souderton lost its showdown game to Upper Dublin, 34-3.  The good news for the Indians was that Ty Quintois blasted a 49-yard field goal to give the Indians a 3-0 lead.  Souderton, however, was outscored 20-0 in the second period and could not compete with the high-flying Cardinals after the first period as the Big Red yielded 34 unanswered points.
Bensalem lost for the 8^th time in 9 games as the Owls were defeated by Council Rock South, 37-6.
Prediction:
Souderton Indians 34 – Bensalem Owls 7

Suburban One League
American Conference
Friday/October 28, 2022

Plymouth Whitemarsh Colonials (7-2, 4-0) @ Upper Moreland Bears (8-1, 4-0)
Last Week:
Plymouth Whitemarsh prepped for its championship game against Upper Moreland with a 56-6 victory over Wissahickon.  Tommy Hannon rushed for 3 touchdowns in the win, while Aiden O’Brien threw touchdown passes to Seve Spruill and Jared Kolson.  Nayze Boggs & Luke Laviola also scored rushing touchdowns for the winners.
Upper Moreland prepped for its championship game against Plymouth Whitemarsh with a hard-fought 14-12 conference victory over Springfield.  Stephen Broderick rushed for 120 yards and a touchdown, while Shawn Herbert scored on a 1-yard run.
Prediction:
Plymouth Whitemarsh Colonials 28 – Upper Moreland Golden Bears 14

Wissahickon Trojans (1-8, 1-3) @ Cheltenham Panthers (5-4, 2-2)
Last Week:
Wissahickon fell to powerful Plymouth Whitemarsh, 56-6.  The lone score came on a touchdown run by Jaden McLean.  The Trojans had defeated William Tennent 28-3 to claim their first conference victory 2 weeks ago.
Cheltenham blasted William Tennent 42-0 in a conference contest.  Zaheim Welton scored on runs of 30 & 41 yards, while Jonathan Ingram scored on a 1-yard run. Ingram fired a 61-yard touchdown pass to Zaire Williams.  Naheem Williams scored on an interception return of 25-yards.
Prediction:
Cheltenham Panthers 38 – Wissahickon Trojans 14

Springfield (Montco) Spartans (4-4, 1-3) @ William Tennent Panthers (1-7, 0-4)
Last Week:
Springfield played one of its finest games of the season in a 14-12 loss to Upper Moreland.  The Spartans are currently ranked the #3 team in the PIAA District One Class 4A playoff rankings and – if the season ended today – would be in the postseason.
William Tennent lost for the 4^th consecutive week in conference play as the Panthers were defeated by Cheltenham, 42-0.  William Tennent has been outscored 169-24 over that four-game conference losing streak.
Prediction:
Springfield (Montco) Spartans 28 – William Tennent Panthers 14

Suburban One League
Non-League Game
Friday/October 28, 2022

Springfield (Delco) Cougars (6-3) @ Harry S Truman Tigers (2-7)
Last Week:
Springfield won its 3^rd consecutive game as the Cougars defeated Penncrest, 36-20.
Harry S Truman lost for the 6^th time in 7 games as the Tigers were defeated by Quakertown, 46-19.  Head coach Ben Johnson has coached HST for the last 3 weeks of the season.
Prediction:
Springfield (Delco) Cougars 45 – Harry S Truman Tigers 13

Suburban One Sports.com
Super Seven
Last Week --- [XXXX]
1.  Upper Dublin Flying Cardinals (9-0) --- [1]
2.  Pennsbury Falcons (8-1) --- [2]
3.  Central Bucks East Patriots (8-1) --- [3]
4.  Central Bucks South Titans (6-3) --- [6]
5.  Souderton Indians (7-2) --- [4]

6.  Central Bucks West Bucks (5-4) --- [5]
7.  Plymouth Whitemarsh Colonials (7-2) --- [NR]
Others under consideration:  North Penn (4-5) & Upper Moreland (8-1)

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