George Banas collage courtesy of Kim Supko. Cover photos courtesy of Karla Donohoe.
Football Forecast – Volume 10
By Scott Huff
‘We are the champions…We are the champions…No time for losers…Cause’ we are the champions…Of the world’ --- Queen (1977)
The Suburban One League crowned its conference champions last week. And in the world of SOL football, the conference championships should really be the ultimate goal.
Sometimes lost in all the discussion and fanfare about making the PIAA District One playoffs, the importance of being the elite team in the conference is lost.
Central Bucks South will proudly hang a 2024 SOL National Conference championship banner in its school by virtue of its 34-6 victory over Pennridge in the regular season finale.
The Titans (10-0, 7-0) – oddly enough – were 6A District One champions last year – but did not win the SOL National Conference a season ago.
Central Bucks West was the defending conference champion and lost to Central Bucks South in the district playoffs.
Plymouth Whitemarsh will proudly hang a 2024 SOL American Conference banner in its school by virtue of its 35-2 ‘mercy-rule’ victory over William Tennent in the regular season finale.
The Colonials (8-2, 4-0) have now captured four consecutive SOL American Conference championships. PW competed as a 6A team this season – the Colonials competed as a 5A team last year.
Souderton, Upper Dublin & Quakertown will receive championship banners as tri-champions of the SOL Continental Conference.
Souderton (7-3, 6-1) earned its share of the title with a 47-21 victory over Upper Dublin (7-3, 6-1) last week, while Quakertown (6-4, 6-1) earned its piece of the championship with a thrilling 29-28 victory over Cheltenham.
The SOL Continental Conference championship bottom line is * Souderton defeated Upper Dublin (47-21) * Upper Dublin defeated Quakertown (37-34) & Quakertown defeated Souderton (35-34).
Central Bucks South, Plymouth Whitemarsh, Souderton, Upper Dublin & Quakertown all will take its collective shot at winning a PIAA District One championship.
The Titans and Cardinals will host a game under the Friday Night Lights, while the Colonials will host a game on Saturday (5 pm). The Indians & Panthers will hope to advance in the postseason with road victories of their own.
Stay tuned.
‘It’s All Over….It’s All Over’
There were 11 Suburban One League football teams that ended the regular season without getting an invitation to the 16-team PIAA District One 6A or 5A playoffs.
- Pennridge (4-6 overall & ranked #17 of 30 teams in 6A) concluded the regular season with a 34-6 loss to Central Bucks South. The Rams signature victory this season was an 18-13 victory over Pennsbury. The Green & White still have a Thanksgiving morning contest scheduled with neighborhood rival Quakertown.
- Central Bucks East (4-6 & ranked #18 in 6A) concluded the regular season with a 35-7 loss to Central Bucks West. The Patriots signature victory this season was a 21-12 victory over Pennridge.
- Bensalem (5-5 & ranked #19 in 6A) concluded the regular season with a 42-13 victory over Harry S Truman. The Owls signature victory was a 31-13 victory over Council Rock South.
- Council Rock South (4-6 & ranked #20 in 6A) concluded the regular season with a 28-6 victory over Council Rock North. The signature win for the Golden Hawks was a 29-28 victory over Cheltenham.
- William Tennent (3-7 & ranked #22 in 6A) concluded the regular season with a 35-2 loss to Plymouth Whitemarsh. The signature win was a 21-14 victory over Wissahickon.
- Abington (1-9 & ranked #26 in 6A) concluded the regular season with a 44-7 loss to North Penn. The Ghosts signature win was a 7-6 victory over Harry S Truman.
- Council Rock North (1-9 & ranked #29 in 6A) concluded the regular season with a 28-6 loss to Council Rock South. The Indians signature win was a 16-13 victory over Harry S Truman.
- Harry S Truman (1-9 & ranked #30 in 6A) concluded the regular season with a 42-6 loss to Bensalem. The Tigers signature win was a 42-0 (no typo) victory over Kensington.
- Wissahickon (5-5 & ranked #18 of 27 teams in 5A) concluded the regular season with a 50-49 loss to Springfield. The Trojans signature win was a 42-30 victory over Hatboro Horsham.
- Hatboro Horsham (3-7 & ranked #19 in 5A) concluded the regular season with a 28-0 loss to Upper Moreland. The signature win for the Hatters was a 21-7 victory over William Tennent.
- Cheltenham (3-7 & ranked #21 in 5A) concluded the regular season with a 29-28 loss to Quakertown. The Panthers signature win was a 31-14 victory over Bensalem.
Amen.
Celebrate Good Times…Come On…Let’s Celebrate… – Kool & The Gang – (1980)
Quakertown head coach George Banas not only celebrated a SOL Continental Conference tri-championship last week as the Panthers captured a 29-28 victory over Cheltenham – the veteran Q-town coach also celebrated a milestone with his 100th career coaching win with the Black Cats.
Banas is in his 15th year of coaching at Quakertown and has an overall mark of 100-76 (56.8%). Banas has had 9 winning seasons during his successful tenure as caretaker of the Panthers.
Under Banas, Quakertown has had 3 impressive seasons with 10-plus victories. Q-town had 13 wins in 2021 * 11 wins in 2014 & 10 wins in 2015. Banas and his 2024 tri-champion Panthers will now venture into the upcoming PIAA District 6A playoffs as the #12 seed. Q-town (6-4) will travel to Haverford on Friday night to meet the #5 seed Fords (9-1).
Stay tuned.
“Almost only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades.” – Major League Baseball Hall of Famer - Frank Robinson (1973)
Last week I predicted 3 Upset Specials to take place in the Suburban One League during the final week of the regular season.
And I almost hit on all three.
I predicted that Pennsbury (4-5) would upset Neshaminy (6-3) – and I hit on that one as the Falcons scored late – went for the 2-point conversion – and captured a thrilling 22-21 victory.
I predicted that Cheltenham (3-6) would upset Quakertown (5-4) – and I almost hit on that one as Q-town survived with a chaotic goal line stand in the final seconds to capture a thrilling 29-28 over the host Panthers.
And I predicted that Wissahickon (5-4) would upset Springfield (7-2) – and I almost hit on that one as well as the Spartans also survived with a goal line stand of their own in the final moments to capture a thrilling victory over the Trojans in a wild shoot out, 50-49.
Three games * three thrilling one-point games * and I almost hit on all three.
But like Frank Robinson said – “Almost only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades.”
This ‘dynamic duo’ ain’t no Patrick Mahomes…
Quakertown’s Brady Martin & Springfield’s Jack McGuckin often have their names in the headlines as outstanding quarterbacks for both the playoff-bound Panthers & Spartans.
But it was their terrific game-saving plays on the defensive side of the football that literally saved games in the final seconds last week.
Martin came up from his safety slot and delivered a huge hit on a Cheltenham ballcarrier at the goal line on the final play of the game to not only present the Panthers with a 29-28 victory but a share of the SOL Continental Conference championship.
Oh yea, Brady had his typical outstanding game behind center on the offensive side of the football scoring the game-winning 2-point conversion and firing a 50-yard touchdown pass earlier in the game.
McGuckin also delivered a superior athletic game-winning defensive play as he forced a Wissahickon fumble in the final moments which
resulted in a touchback as the Spartans captured a wild 50-49 victory. McGuckin racked up 10 punishing tackles on the night and assured Springfield a home game in the PIAA District One 4A playoffs.
Oh yea, McGuckin had his typical outstanding game behind center on the offensive side of the football as he carried the ball 23 times for 108 yards and scored two touchdowns.
The M&M boys were desperately needed on both sides of the football in the critical Quakertown & Springfield victories last week.
I don’t know that Patrick Mahomes has ever made any critical defensive plays – actually he ain’t no Brady Martin or Jack McGuckin.
Just sayin’.
And the beat goes on…
PIAA District One
6A Playoffs
No. 16 Spring-Ford Rams (4-6) @ No. 1 Central Bucks South Titans (10-0)
Last Week:
Spring-Ford had a difficult time in its Pioneer Athletic Conference ‘cross-over’ game as the Rams were routed by Pottsgrove, 42-7. Spring-Ford - which lost quarterback Matt Zollers, a Missouri commit, to a season-ending injury in September - concluded the PAC-10 Liberty season with a 3-2 conference record, which placed the Rams third in the conference behind champion Perkiomen Valley.
Central Bucks South remained unbeaten overall and a perfect 7-0 in the SOL National Conference with a 34-6 win over Pennridge. Owen Pinkerton scored a rushing touchdown and threw a TD pass to Danny Gies. Jimmy Wade had a rushing score and added a pick-6 for another touchdown. Braylen Cape also found paydirt for the Titans.
Regular Season Resume:
Central Bucks South has defeated Archbishop Wood (35-0), Souderton (21-6), Upper Dublin (33-7), Central Bucks East (34-15), Central Bucks West (22-17), Pennsbury (12-7), North Penn (14-6), Abington (63-0), Neshaminy (35-7) & Pennridge (34-6).
Spring-Ford has defeated Souderton (31-14), Norristown (42-3), Methacton (28-7) & Boyertown (31-6). The Rams have lost to Easton (49-7), Downingtown East (14-7), Downingtown West (21-12), Perkiomen Valley (28-0), Owen J Roberts (27-25) & Pottsgrove (42-7).
Scoring Summary:
Central Bucks South has scored an average of 23.2 points per game and has allowed an average of 7.1 points per game.
Spring-Ford has scored an average of 19.0 points per game and has allowed an average of 20.9 points per game.
Winner Gets:
The winner of the CB South-Spring-Ford game will play the winner of the game between # 8 Plymouth Whitemarsh & # 9 Souderton.
Prediction:
Central Bucks South Titans 24 * Spring-Ford Rams 7
No. 9 Souderton Indians (7-3) No. 8 Plymouth Whitemarsh (8-2)
Last Week:
Souderton earned its share of the SOL Continental Conference championship with a convincing 47-21 victory over host Upper Dublin. Ben Walsh had some eye-popping numbers as he completed 16 passes for 330 yards
and 5 touchdowns. Elijah Hampton snared 3 of those scoring tosses, while Jack Potson caught the other 2 scoring passes. Houston Marshall highlighted the running attack with 119 yards on 12 carries that featured a 50-yard touchdown scamper.
Plymouth Whitemarsh captured its outright SOL American Conference championship with a 35-2 victory over William Tennent. Everett Baker scored 2 rushing touchdowns (one from punting formation) and also returned a punt for a touchdown. Andrew Ianozzi scored a rushing touchdown, while Christian Diciurcio snatched a pass and scored on a pick-6 for the Colonials.
Regular Season Resume:
Souderton has defeated Central Bucks West (20-13), Harry S Truman (38-0), Cheltenham (39-14), Bensalem (44-13), Council Rock South (35-6), Council Rock North (45-0) & Upper Dublin (47-21). The Indians have lost to Spring-Ford (31-14), Central Bucks South (21-6) & Quakertown (35-34).
Plymouth Whitemarsh has defeated Upper Merion (49-14), Interboro (51-6), Penn Wood (42-15), Hatboro Horsham (38-0), Wissahickon (37-34), Springfield-Montco (42-0), Upper Moreland (21-14) & William Tennent (35-2). The Colonials have lost games to Wilson-West Lawn (21-7) & Manheim Township (20-18).
Scoring Summary:
Souderton has scored an average of 32.2 points per game and has allowed an average of 15.4 points per game.
Plymouth Whitemarsh has scored an average of 34.0 points per game and has allowed an average of 12.6 points per game.
Winner Gets:
The winner of the Souderton-Plymouth Whitemarsh game will play the winner of the game between #1 Central Bucks South & #16 Spring-Ford.
Prediction:
Souderton Indians 28 * Plymouth Whitemarsh Colonials 24
No. 13 Ridley Green Raiders (6-4) @ North Penn Knights (8-2)
Last Week:
Ridley concluded its Central League season with a 28-21 victory over Garnet Valley. The Green Raiders tied for fourth place in the standings with a 5-4 record. The win over GV ended a 2-game losing streak for Ridley.
North Penn had lost 2 of its previous 3 SOL National Conference games to CB South (14-6) and CB West (14-7) but rebounded with a resounding 44-7 mercy-rule conference victory over winless Abington.
Regular Season Resume:
Ridley has defeated Central Bucks East (20-7), Lower Merion (51-0), Conestoga (42-7), Upper Darby (17-8), Harriton (42-6) & Garnet Valley (28-21). The Green Raiders have lost to Strath Haven (28-7), Springfield-Delco (36-6), Haverford (31-14) & Penncrest (28-7).
North Penn has defeated Downingtown East (28-25), Council Rock South (34-6), Quakertown (35-12), Neshaminy (37-7), Pennridge (31-0), Central Bucks East (42-21), Pennsbury (22-14) & Abington (44-7). The Knights have lost to Central Bucks South (14-6) & Central Bucks West (14-7).
Scoring Summary:
Ridley has scored an average of 23.4 points per game and has allowed an average of 17.2 points per game.
North Penn has scored an average of 28.6 points per game and has allowed an average of 12.0 points per game.
Winner Gets:
The winner of the Ridley-North Penn game will play the winner of the game between # 5 Haverford and #12 Quakertown.
Prediction:
North Penn Knights 27 * Ridley Green Raiders 14
No. 12 Quakertown Panthers (6-4) @ No. 5 Haverford Fords (9-1)
Last Week:
Quakertown earned its share of the SOL Continental Conference title with a 29-28 conference victory over Cheltenham. Gavin Carroll kept the Panthers in the game early with 2 touchdown runs and Brady Martin fired a touchdown pass to Aidan Burgy. Kyle Roesener scored the final Q-town touchdown late in the fourth quarter, and Martin provided the margin of victory scoring on a 2-point conversion.
Haverford carries an 8-game winning streak into the playoffs as the Fords routed Conestoga, 42-7, in their Central League finale. Haverford (7-1 conference) finished the season in second place in the Central League behind champion Strath Haven (8-0).
Regular Season Resume:
Quakertown has defeated Bensalem (49-21), Souderton (35-34), Council Rock North (35-7), Harry S Truman (54-14), Council Rock South (21-0) & Cheltenham (29-28). The Panthers have lost games to Southern Lehigh (31-13), Pennsbury (17-7), North Penn (35-12) & Upper Dublin (37-34).
Haverford has defeated South Philadelphia (42-0), Harriton (50-0), William Tennent (49-6), Marple Newtown (17-0), Lower Merion (49-14), Springfield-Delco (21-13), Ridley (31-14), Radnor (40-3) & Conestoga (42-7). The Fords only loss was to Garnet Valley (35-20).
Scoring Summary:
Quakertown has scored an average of 29.3 points per game and has allowed an average of 22.4 points per game.
Haverford has scored an average of 36.1 points per game and has allowed an average of 9.2 points per game.
Winner Gets:
The winner of the game between Quakertown & Haverford will play the winner of the game between #4 North Penn & #13 Ridley.
Prediction:***Upset Special***
Quakertown Panthers 24 * Haverford Fords 21
No. 10 Neshaminy Redskins (6-4) @ Owen J Roberts (8-2)
Last Week:
Neshaminy concluded the SOL National Conference schedule with a 22-21 loss to neighborhood rival Pennsbury. Quarterback Mike Eckart scored 2 rushing touchdowns and fired a scoring pass to Lucas Stewart.
Owen J Roberts concluded its Pioneer Athletic Conference with a 24-0 loss to Phoenixville in a ‘crossover’ game. The Wildcats finished second in the Liberty Division of the PAC with a 4-1 conference record. Perkiomen Valley was a perfect 5-0 to win the title.
Season Resume:
Neshaminy has defeated Emmaus (20-17), Council Rock North (34-13), Cheltenham (21-14), Abington (37-0), Pennridge (38-3) & Central Bucks East (24-13). The Redskins have lost to North Penn (37-7), Central Bucks West (21-10), Central Bucks South (35-7) & Pennsbury (22-21).
Owen J Roberts has defeated Conestoga (49-14), Pottsgrove (27-0), Great Valley (34-14), Avon Grove (30-13), Norristown (43-0), Boyertown (42-0), Methacton (42-7) & Spring-Ford (27-25). The Wildcats have lost to Perkiomen Valley (28-13) & Phoenixville (24-0).
Scoring Summary:
Neshaminy has scored an average of 21.9 points per game and has allowed an average of 17.5 points per game.
Owen J Roberts has scored an average of 30.7 points per game and has allowed an average of 12.5 points per game.
Winner Gets:
The winner of the game between Neshaminy-Owen J Roberts will play the winner of the game between #2 Downingtown West & #15 Coatesville.
Prediction:
Owen J Roberts Wildcats 28 * Neshaminy Redskins 24
No. 14 Pennsbury Falcons (5-5) @ No. 3 Central Bucks West Bucks (8-2)
Last Week:
Pennsbury captured a thrilling 22-21 victory over neighborhood rival Neshaminy to earn the No.14 seed in the playoffs. Jordan Brensinger scored 2 touchdowns for the Falcons, while Kaiden Brown also found paydirt. The
game winning play came on a 2-point conversion run by Walker Murray on his first carry of the season.
Central Bucks West closed out its conference season with a 35-7 victory over inter-district rival Central Bucks East. Devin McGowan scored 3 touchdowns for the Bucks, while Noah Miller and Ryan Clemens each reached paydirt once for the winners.
Season Resume:
Pennsbury has defeated Quakertown (17-7), Council Rock South (23-15), Central Bucks East (17-14), Abington (42-0) & Neshaminy (22-21). The Falcons have lost games to Northampton (24-2), Pennridge (18-13), Central Bucks South (12-7), Central Bucks West (27-6) & North Penn (22-14).
Central Bucks West has defeated Easton (21-12), Upper Dublin (35-14), Abington (38-6), Neshaminy (21-10), Pennsbury (27-6), Pennridge (38-7), North Penn (17-14) & Central Bucks East (35-7). The Bucks have lost games to Souderton (20-13) & Central Bucks South (22-17).
Scoring Summary:
Pennsbury has scored an average of 16.3 points per game and has allowed an average of 16.2 points per game.
Central Bucks West has scored an average of 26.2 points per game and has allowed an average of 11.8 points per game.
Winner Gets:
The winner of the game between Pennsbury & Central Bucks West will play the winner of the game between #6 Perkiomen Valley & #11 Downingtown East.
Prediction:
Central Bucks West Bucks 20 * Pennsbury Falcons 17
PIAA District One
5A Playoffs
No. 10 Upper Moreland Golden Bears @ No. 7 Chester Clippers (9-1)
Last Week:
Upper Moreland finished its SOL American Conference schedule with a 28-0 victory over neighborhood rival Hatboro Horsham. Quarterback Alex Foley fired 3 touchdown passes in the victory – one each to Larry Hughes,
Frankie McDermott & Braden Moore. Moore also scored a rushing touchdown for the Golden Bears.
Chester captured a non-league victory over Belmont Charter School, 42-0. The Clippers finished the regular season as the champion of the Delaware Valley Athletic Association with a perfect 4-0 conference record.
Season Resume:
Upper Moreland has defeated Council Rock North (35-7), West Chester East (21-14), Bartram (41-8), Interboro (41-14), West Chester Henderson (42-7), William Tennent (42-7), Wissahickon (28-27 overtime), & Hatboro Horsham (28-0). The Golden Bears have lost to Springfield Twp (42-7) & Plymouth Whitemarsh (21-14).
Chester has defeated Perkiomen Valley (19-14), West Philadelphia (33-8), Bartram (42-0), Calvin Coolidge (54-27), Chichester (49-7), Academy Park (46-6), Interboro (64-0), Penn Wood (58-0) & Belmont Charter (42-0). The Clippers lone loss of the season came against Imhotep Charter, 28-24.
Scoring Summary:
Upper Moreland has scored an average of 30.9 points per game and has allowed an average of 14.6 points per game.
Chester has scored an average of 43.1 points per game and has allowed an average of 9.0 points per game.
Winner Gets:
The winner of the game between Upper Moreland & Chester will play the winner of the game between #2 West Chester Rustin & #15 Oxford.
Prediction:
Chester Clippers 28 * Upper Moreland Bears 20
No. 11 Unionville Longhorns (6-4) @ No. 6 Upper Dublin Cardinals (7-3)
Last Week:
Unionville lost a non-league game to Conrad Weiser, 28-27. The Longhorns finished the Ches-Mont South Division with a 3-1 conference record. Unionville finished the regular season in second place behind conference unbeaten Kennett (4-0).
Upper Dublin had to settle for a tri-championship in the SOL Continental Conference as the Cardinals were
defeated in the conference finale by Souderton, 47-21. Kevin Etkin threw a touchdown pass to Ryan Sullivan, while Jordan Fields scored 2 touchdowns. Fields scored a rushing touchdown and added a kickoff return for a score.
Season Resume:
Unionville has defeated Academy Park (32-26), Pottstown (42-12), Upper Perkiomen (27-21), Oxford (27-0), Avon Grove (20-7) & Sun Valley (34-19). The Longhorns have lost games to West Chester Rustin (44-6), Bishop Shanahan (35-25), Kennett (32-15) & Conrad Weiser (28-27).
Upper Dublin has 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). The Cardinals have lost games to Central Bucks West (35-14), Central Bucks South (33-7) & Souderton (47-21).
Scoring Summary:
Unionville has scored an average of 25.5 points per game and has allowed an average of 22.4 points per game.
Upper Dublin has scored an average of 28.3 points per game and has allowed an average of 16.0 points per game.
Winner Gets:
The winner of the game between Unionville & Upper Dublin will play the winner of the game between #3 Phoenixville & #14 Upper Perkiomen.
Prediction:
Upper Dublin Cardinals 28 * Unionville Longhorns 17
District One
4A Playoff
No. 3 Bishop Shanahan Eagles (8-2) @ No. 2 Springfield Twp Spartans (8-2)
Last Week:
Bishop Shanahan closed out the Ches-Mont North Division with a 21-14 victory over Coatesville. The Eagles finished the regular season with a 2-1 conference record but was awarded the division title with a head-to-head victory over Downingtown West (2-1), 28-22.
Springfield-Montco prepped for the playoffs with a wild-and-crazy 50-49 SOL American Conference victory over Wissahickon. CJ Johnson was spectacular rushing for 257 yards on 24 carries and scored 4 touchdowns. Johnson also scored what proved to be the game-winning 2-point conversion after the final Spartan touchdown. Jack McGuckin was impressive as well rushing for 108 yards on 23 carries and scored 2 touchdowns.
Season Resume:
Bishop Shanahan has defeated Mastbaum (35-0), School of the Future (21-18), Methacton (35-20), Unionville (35-25), West Chester Henderson (21-7), Sun Valley (43-7), Downingtown West (28-22) & Coatesville (21-14). The Eagles have lost games to Downingtown East (63-28) & Pope John Paul II (42-14).
Springfield has defeated Kensington (41-0), New Hope-Solebury (54-0), Elizabethtown (24-21), Lower Moreland (35-0), Upper Moreland (41-17), Hatboro Horsham (42-7), William Tennent (43-7) & Wissahickon (50-49). The Spartans have lost to Pope John Paul II (34-27) & Plymouth Whitemarsh (42-0).
Scoring Summary:
Bishop Shanahan has scored an average of 28.1 points per game and has allowed an average of 21.8 points per game.
Springfield has scored an average of 35.7 points per game and has allowed an average of 17.7 points per game.
Winner Gets:
The winner of the game between Bishop Shanahan & Springfield will play the winner of the game between #1 Pope John Paul II & #4 Lower Moreland.
Prediction:
Bishop Shanahan Eagles 28 * Springfield Spartans 27
-30-
- Log in to post comments
