SOL Football Forecast (10-4-23)

Football Forecast – 6

By Scott Huff

What the heck is a GOLDEN Hawk… anyway?

That rare, feathered creature (if it really does exist) is alive and well in 2023 as the mascot of the Council Rock South football team.  And those soaring Golden Hawks have flown to an impressive 5-1 overall record. 

Rock South has defeated William Tennent (27-3), Neshaminy (28-7), Harry S Truman (48-19), Quakertown (20-17), and Hatboro-Horsham (23-13).  The lone loss came against Pennsbury (28-19).

The Golden Hawks have put themselves in the conversation for both a Suburban One League Continental Conference championship and a berth in the 6A PIAA District One playoffs.

Currently, Rock South is unbeaten in conference play (2-0) and is ranked 8^th in all of District One.

The road to both a potential championship and a 6A District One playoff berth will be extremely dangerous, however, for those high-flying Golden Hawks.

CR South will host defending SOL Continental Conference champion Upper Dublin (4-2, 1-0) this week – and will host unbeaten Souderton (6-0, 2-0) in conference play the following week.

Rock South closes out its season with games @ Bensalem (1-5) and Council Rock North (1-5).

Leading the flock of these 2023 Golden Hawks is head coach CJ Szydlik.

Szydlik took over the Rock South program last season and finished with a respectable 4-6 record.  The prior three seasons were difficult years at CRS as the Golden Hawks were 7-20.

The last CRS winning season came in 2018 when the Golden Hawks finished 6-5 under head coach Vince Bedesem.  Bedesem had directed Rock South during its glory years of 2011 (13-3) and 2010 (11-3).

The next two weeks will tell if those glory years of a conference championship can return in 2023 for these Golden Hawks.

With the formidable challenges of both Upper Dublin & Souderton straight ahead - It surely won’t be easy.

Stay tuned.

How ‘bout those Spartans?

Springfield was considered an underdog in its Suburban One League American Conference opener against Wissahickon last week.

Well, the underdog Spartans took a victorious bite out of the favored Trojans winning in thrilling fashion capturing a 29-28 overtime victory.

The game was deadlocked at 21-21 after regulation.

Springfield won the toss, elected to play defense – and watched Wissahickon score a touchdown to take a 28-21 overtime lead.

The Spartans would answer with a touchdown in the OT when junior quarterback Jack McGuckin tossed a scoring pass to Nick Ebner to make the score 28-27.

Springfield head coach Chris Shelly – doing his best impression of Kenny Rogers as “The Gambler” – went for a game-deciding 2-point conversion.

Shelly and the Spartans cashed in when McGuckin scored on the game’s final play to present Springfield with its ‘upset’ 29-28 victory.

Springfield is the lone Class 4A school in the SOL American Conference with a male enrollment of just 291 students.

Plymouth Whitemarsh (555 male students) & Upper Moreland (393 male students) are the Class 5A schools in the SOL American Conference.

William Tennent (573 male students), Wissahickon (561 male students), & Cheltenham (559 male students) are the 6A schools in the SOL American Conference.

Springfield (3-2, 1-0) will host winless Cheltenham (0-5, 0-1) this week.  And despite the records, there are those prognosticators (cough) who will still think that the Spartans will be underdogs.

Stay tuned.

Are You Ready For Some Independent Football?
There are three football programs that are on a wait list for the Suburban One League – and one appears more ready than the other two to make the move to the SOL.

All three programs – Hatboro-Horsham [Class 5A - 518 male students], Lower Moreland [Class 4A – 419 male students] & New-Hope Solebury [Class 2A – 171 male students] - are playing an independent football schedule this season.

Hatboro-Horsham (3-3) has played the most competitive of the three schedule-wise and the Hatters have held their own this season.

Hatboro-Horsham opened the season with a stunning 16-7 victory over neighborhood SOL rival Upper Moreland.  The Hatters also have wins over Springfield-Montco (27-0) & Lower Moreland (43-13).

The Hatters have lost a heartbreaker to SOL rival Wissahickon (41-40), William Tennent (24-6), & Council Rock South (23-13).  The cumulative record of those three Class 6A teams is 11-7.

Currently, Hatboro-Horsham is ranked 11^th in the 5A PIAA District One classification.  The Hatters would qualify for a playoff berth as 16 of the 24 teams in 5A make the postseason.

New-Hope Solebury (3-2) has been able to construct a winning season thus far.
The Lions have victories over Morrisville (16-0), George School (35-8), and Jenkintown (1-0 – forfeit).

New-Hope Solebury has lost two games – both by huge margins.  The Lions lost to Academy of the New Church (34-0) & Upper Moreland (41-9).

Currently, New-Hope Solebury is ranked 1^st in the 2A PIAA District One classification.  The Lions would qualify for a playoff berth as the No. 1 ranked 2A team. 

The only other 2A team in District One is Bristol (2-3) and either NHS or Bristol would advance to the district playoffs.

Lower Moreland (2-3) is hovering around the .500 mark this season.

The Lions have collected wins over Jenkintown (24-13) and Vaux Big Picture Charter (14-8).

Lower Moreland has suffered losses to Morrisville (25-15), Bristol (41-0), & Hatboro-Horsham (43-13).

Currently, Lower Moreland is ranked 7^th in the 4A PIAA District One classification.  The Lions would not qualify for a playoff berth as four of the eight 4A teams would advance to the postseason.

This week Hatboro-Horsham will be @ New-Hope Solebury, while Lower Moreland will be @ Harrition (2-2).

Stay tuned.

Eye Spy With My Little Eye
In the SOL National Conference both unbeaten Central Bucks West (6-0, 3-0) and Central Bucks South (6-0, 3-0) look to take another step toward their October 20^th showdown at War Memorial Field.  The Bucks will have the tougher step to take at Neshaminy (3-3, 2-1), while the Titans should be a heavy favorite at home against Abington (1-4, 0-3).

In the SOL Continental Conference, the game of the week will be defending conference champion Upper Dublin (4-2, 2-0) at Council Rock South (5-1, 2-0).  The Cardinals are currently the 8^th ranked team in PIAA District One 5A, while the Golden Hawks are currently the 8^th ranked team in PIAA District One 6A.

In the SOL American Conference, the game of week will be Upper Moreland (3-3, 1-0) at Wissahickon (4-2, 0-1).  The Golden Bears (what the heck is a Golden Bear…anyway?) are currently the 13^th ranked team in PIAA District One 5A, while the Trojans are currently the 13^th ranked team in PIAA District One 6A.

Stay tuned.

If the PIAA District One Playoffs were to begin after the first six weeks of the season the following Suburban One League teams would be in those playoffs. There are 16 teams from both the 6A and 5A classifications, and 4 teams from 4A, that qualify for the D-1 playoffs.

6A Classification

5A Classification

4A Classification

And the beat goes on…

SOL National Conference

Central Bucks East Patriots (3-3, 1-2) @ North Penn Knights (2-4, 1-2)
Last Year:
Central Bucks East 42 * North Penn 35
Last Week:
Central Bucks East lost a heartbreaker in the final moments in a 16-14 loss to host Pennsbury.  The Patriots led the entire game until those final moments.  Jack Donnelly scored on a 99-yard fumble return, while Dean Blackwell scored on a 60-yard touchdown scamper.
North Penn lost for the second straight week as the Knights were defeated by unbeaten Central Bucks South, 50-28.  Amir Major had a strong offensive showing with 137 yards rushing & touchdown runs of 45, 11, & 6 yards.  CJ Scruggs also scored for the Knights.
Prediction:
Central Bucks East Patriots 35 * North Penn Knights 27

Pennsbury Falcons (3-3, 1-2) @ Pennridge Rams (2-4, 1-2)
Last Year:
Pennsbury 27 * Pennridge 24
Last Week:
Pennsbury trailed CB East 14-13 late in the game when Eric Davis raced 75 yards to set up a game winning 35-yard field goal by Angelo Periera.  Periera also had a pair of 27-yard field goals earlier in the game.  Nathan Beighley scored on a 70-yard touchdown run for the Falcons.
Pennridge trailed Neshaminy 10-7 at the close of the first half but was held scoreless in the second half as the Rams lost to host Neshaminy, 17-7.  The lone score of the game came on a 50-yard touchdown pass from Noah Keating to Sam Kuhns.  Keating completed 10 of 20 passes for 94 yards.
Prediction:
Pennsbury Falcons 27 * Pennridge Rams 14

Central Bucks West Bucks (6-0, 3-0) @ Neshaminy Redskins (3-3, 2-1)
Last Year:
Central Bucks West 22 * Neshaminy 0
Last Week:
Central Bucks West remained unbeaten with a 49-14 victory over Abington.  The Bucks led 42-6 at the close of the first half.  Connor McFadden scored 4 touchdowns in the first half – three rushing – and one TD catch.  Jack Williams and Ryan Clemens also scored for the CB West.
Neshaminy played its best defensive game of the year as the Redskins defeated Pennridge, 17-7.  Travis Lavelah led the rushing attack with 29 carries for 102 yards that included a 1-yard touchdown run.  Connor Frederick caught a 6-yard TD pass from Colin Baker, while Kaiden Nicastro kicked a 25-yard field goal.
Prediction:
Central Bucks West Bucks 38 * Neshaminy Redskins 14

Abington Ghosts (1-4, 0-3) @ Central Bucks South Titans (6-0, 3-0)
Last Year:
Central Bucks South 34 * Abington 19
Last Week:
Abington lost for the fourth straight week as the Ghosts were defeated 49-14 by Central Bucks West.  Abington has been outscored 115-36 by SOL National Conference teams this season.
Central Bucks South exploded for a season high scoring effort as the Titans routed North Penn, 50-28.  Anthony Leonardi raced for a game-high 212 yards, while Corey Moore scored 3 touchdowns for the winners.  Owen Pinkerton threw a TD pass to Jake Menaker and rushed for 2 touchdowns.  Eddie Bowen scored on a 33-yard scoop and score.
Prediction:
Central Bucks South Titans 49 * Abington Ghosts 14

SOL Continental Conference

Upper Dublin Cardinals (4-2, 2-0) @ Council Rock South Hawks (5-1, 2-0)
Last Year:
Upper Dublin 16 * Council Rock South 0
Last Week:
Upper Dublin remained unbeaten in the conference with a harder-than-expected 17-0 victory over host Council Rock North.  Shyne Roberts scored on a 2-yard run, while Kevin Etkin threw a 21-yard touchdown pass to Eric Berman.  Matt Miller booted a 30-yard field goal for the Cardinals.
Council Rock South racked up 21 first downs and 335 yards of total offense to defeat Hatboro-Horsham 23-13 in a non-conference game.  Chase Myers rushed for a game-high180 yards and scored a pair of touchdowns.  Chase Ennis also scored a touchdown for the Golden Hawks, while Frank Rafferty kicked a field goal for the winners.
Prediction:
Council Rock South Golden Hawks 21 * Upper Dublin Flying Cardinals 17

Bensalem Owls (1-5, 1-2) @ Quakertown Panthers (2-4, 0-2)
Last Year:
Quakertown 37 * Bensalem 0
Last Week:
Bensalem won for the first time this season as the Owls flew to a 28-21 overtime victory over Harry S Truman.  Thomas Bailey – who scored on a 70-yard touchdown pass earlier in the game – sealed the win with an interception in overtime.  Hollis Sanders threw 3 touchdown passes for the Owls, while Aiden Mayfield had 2 rushing scores for the winners.
Quakertown remained winless in conference play as the Panthers were defeated by host Souderton, 35-14, in the 309 Bowl.  Aiden Burgy caught a pass late in the game for a touchdown.
Prediction:
Quakertown Panthers 38 * Bensalem Owls 8

Harry S Truman Tigers (1-5, 0-3) @ Council Rock North Indians (1-5, 1-2)
Last Year:
Council Rock North 20 * Harry S Truman 13
Last Week:
Truman lost its third conference game as the Tigers were defeated by Bensalem, 28-21, in overtime.  Truman has struggled in conference play and has been outscored 125-61 so far this season.
CR North was very competitive in a 17-0 loss to Upper Dublin.  The Indians shut down the high-powered Cardinal offense – an offense that scored 53 points the week before in a win over Wissahickon.  However, the Rock North offense could not generate any points.
Prediction:
Council Rock North Indians 17 * Harry S Truman Tigers 14

SOL American Conference

Upper Moreland Bears (3-3, 1-0) @ Wissahickon Trojans (4-2, 0-1)
Last Year:
Upper Moreland 42 * Wissahickon 14
Last Week:
Upper Moreland quarterback Alex Foley fired 3 touchdown passes as the Golden Bears defeated William Tennent, 19-0.  Foley threw touchdown passes to Trey Williams, Larry Hughes, and Frankie McDermott.
Wissahickon lost its conference opener in a 29-28 overtime loss to Springfield.  Jaden McLean had a pair of long-distance scores for the Trojans.  It was the second straight loss after opening the season with four wins.
Prediction:
Wissahickon Trojans 28 * Upper Moreland Golden Bears 24

William Tennent Panthers (2-4, 0-1) @ Plymouth Whitemarsh Colonials (4-1, 1-0)
Last Year:
Plymouth Whitemarsh 49 * William Tennent 0
Last Week:
William Tennent lost its conference opener as the Panthers were shut out by Upper Moreland, 19-0.  William Tennent lost its first two games of the season – won the next two – and now have lost two in a row.
Plymouth Whitemarsh showcased the Nazye Bogs Show as the running back had a spectacular game despite only rushing the football five times as the Colonials defeated Cheltenham, 42-13.  Boggs scored 4 touchdowns on runs of 61, 20, 75, & 74 yards and rushed for 231 yards.  Everett Baker scored on an 80-yard run, while Jonathan Ingram threw a touchdown pass to Michael Dunn.
Prediction:
Plymouth Whitemarsh Colonials 31 * William Tennent Panthers 14

Cheltenham Panthers (0-5, 0-1) @ Springfield Spartans (3-2, 1-0)
Last Year:
Cheltenham 30 – Springfield 2
Last Week:
Cheltenham remained winless for the season as the Panthers were defeated by Plymouth Whitemarsh, 42-13.  Cheltenham trailed 28-7 at the half with Tre McLeod scoring on a 20-yard run.  The Panthers have played a brutal schedule as Chester (5-1), Wilson (4-2), Perk Valley (5-1), Roman Catholic (4-1), & PW (4-1) have a combined 22-6 record.
Springfield captured a 29-28 overtime victory over Wissahickon in the conference opener for both teams.  Jack McGuckin scored on a 2-point conversion in OT to seal the win.  McGuckin also threw a touchdown pass of 28 yards to Bobby Hartman and scored on a 1-yard touchdown run.  CJ Johnson scored a rushing touchdown for the Spartans.
Prediction:
Cheltenham Panthers 28 – Springfield Spartans 20

Non-Conference Game

Souderton Indians (6-0) @ Warwick Warriors (1-5)
Last Year:
Souderton 45 * Warwick 24
Last Week:
Souderton defeated Quakertown 35-14 to reclaim to 309 Bowl.  Ryan Sadowski scored 3 touchdowns for the Indians, while Michael McCormick and Eddie Bitner also scored for the winners.
Warwick lost for the fifth straight week as the Warriors were defeated by Exeter Township, 28-21.
Prediction:
Souderton Indians 41 * Warwick Warriors 13

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