Join Jeff Nolan and Kevin Cooney for the WPHT High School Football Scoreboard Show as they recap the night of high school football on Friday 10 p.m. to midnight on 1210AM/WPHT and the Audacy app.
By Scott Huff
“The Quakertown Community School District has developed a formula that doesn’t need a scoreboard to prove it’s a winner. On Friday nights at Alumni Field, the magical experience is captured in the leadership of high school students by high school students, who come together to cheer on their Panthers in a family friendly way that is inclusive of the broader Quakertown community.
The ingredients include an exuberant student section, a nationally ranked band, an awesome cheer squad, and a hard-working football team built on character that appreciates the support. The recipe produces an experience that’s second to none on the high school level.”
By Gary Weckselblatt – QCSD Director of Communications – 10/15/21
I agree.
There are a number of schools that would beg to differ, but I believe that Alumni Field is the most iconic football stadium in all of Suburban One.
Quakertown is truly the home of the Panthers. The stadium is wedged between 7th and 8th Streets along Park Avenue in the Borough of Quakertown. And parking on a Friday night can be a nightmare at best on game night.
Alumni Field – which was constructed way back in a day in 1939 and had a $1.75 million renovation in 2004 – is simply an awesome facility.
There is no track that separates the fans from the players and the noise created by the students and community can be deafening at times. The stands are actually just a few feet away from the player benches. And those stands are always filled to capacity every Friday night despite the opponent.
Talk about a home field advantage.
And for those of you who say – and you know who you are – that a home field advantage doesn’t really matter in the playoffs - I strongly agree to disagree.
Quakertown lost out on a second home game in these PIAA District One 6A playoffs. But you don’t always get what you want – even if you felt you deserved it.
The Panthers, after defeating defending 6A champion Souderton 33-7 in a first-round district home game, are unbeaten this season.
Unbeaten – as in not losing a single game.
Quakertown, however, was seeded fifth in the 6A District One playoffs. The Panthers, according to the District One playoff power system rankings, earned a ranking of an average of 169 power points.
The regular season ranking points showed Garnet Valley (188), North Penn (186), Coatesville (178), and Downingtown East (171) as the top four 6A seeds in the district..
During the regular season the Jaguars (Central League) were 10-0 – the Knights (SOL) were 10-0 – the Red Raiders (Ches-Mont League) were 9-1 – and the Cougars (Ches-Mont League) were 8-2.
Then there was the whole issue of the Pennsbury-Neshaminy game that was played the Monday night after the regular season was “over.”
Quakertown beat Neshaminy (35-10) earlier in the year but was not awarded any bonus points in the district rankings after the Redskins defeated the Falcons, 17-16.
Really?
That put aside – the math used in the district power rating system would still have not come out in Q-town’s getting a four seed - a closer look at Downingtown East and Quakertown makes you wonder about the point system.
Quakertown had a perfect season – and you really can’t do much better than a perfect season. And Downingtown East had a really nice season with only two losses – a really nice season.
But two Cougar losses does not make a perfect season.
Downingtown East lost to West Chester Rustin (16-14) – an excellent 5A program that was the No. 1 seed in 5A. But the Cougars were demolished by Coatesville (42-7) in the Ches-Mont regular season finale.
In fact, MaxPreps.com, which is a highly respected service that ranks teams in the entire United States, has Q-town ranked ahead of Downingtown East.
In the latest ranking of Pennsylvania 6A schools – Quakertown is ranked No. 10 in the state and Downingtown East is ranked No. 16.
However, the District One rankings are the rankings that create the brackets, like them or not. And the numbers calculated showed that Downingtown East was a four seed and the Panthers were a five seed.
And now the Quakertown players and their fantastic fans will have to make that hour-plus trek in congested Friday night traffic down 476 to Downingtown to face the host Cougars.
The lights at Alumni Field in Quakertown on Friday night will be pitch dark – but the lights will be bright at Kottmeyer Stadium in Downingtown.
And the Panthers and their faithful – and there will be many, many Q-town faithful - hope to make that long 55-mile trek back home with still another victory in what has been a perfect season.
Stay tuned.
How does Max-Preps.com Rank the SOL???
There are 93 teams in Pennsylvania that are 6A and this is where the SOL teams were ranked as of last week.
9. North Penn Knights (11-0)
10. Quakertown Panthers (11-0)
21. Central Bucks West Bucks (9-2)
27. Pennridge Rams (7-4)
43. Central Bucks East Patriots (6-5)
46. Souderton Indians (6-5)
47. Central Bucks South Titans (6-5)
54. Neshaminy Redskins (2-8)
57. Abington Ghosts (3-7)
61. Bensalem Owls (5-5)
74. Harry S Truman Tigers (3-7)
75. CR North Indians (3-7)
77. CR South Golden Hawks (2-8)
79. Pennsbury Falcons (0-10)
85. William Tennent Panthers (1-8)
There are 93 teams in Pennsylvania that are 5A and this is where the SOL teams were ranked last week.
19. Upper Dublin Flying Cardinals (9-2)
30. Plymouth Whitemarsh Colonials (9-1)
57. Cheltenham Panthers (5-6)
77. Wissahickon Trojans (3-7)
88. Hatboro Horsham Hatters (0-8)
There are 101 teams in Pennsylvania that are 4A and this is where the SOL teams were ranked last week.
48. Upper Moreland Golden Bears (7-4)
62. Springfield Spartans (6-3)
There are 85 teams in Pennsylvania that are 3A and this is where the SOL teams were ranked last week.
72. New Hope-Solebury Lions (1-7)
Just in case you wanted to know …. and even if you didn’t.
SOL Countdown…..11…..10…..9…..8..…7..…6..…5…..
The PIAA District One playoffs began with 11 Suburban One League teams and after the first weekend of play there are 5 SOL teams left to compete for a district championship.
Souderton (6-5) will not defend its District One 6A championship as the No. 12 ranked Big Red was defeated by No. 5 Quakertown (11-0), 33-7. Souderton trailed 13-7 in the second period but failed to keep pace with the unbeaten Panthers. Brayden Porter rushed for a team-high 90 yards and scored on a 15-yard run.
Upper Moreland (7-4) will not defend its District One 4A championship as the No. 3 ranked Golden Bears were defeated by No. 2 Pottsgrove (8-2), 34-12. The Purple & Gold trailed 24-0 at the close of the first half. Cameryn Jackson scored on a 65-yard run, while Byron Hopkins scored on a 3-yard run.
Pennridge (7-4) was jettisoned from the 6A district playoffs as the No. 9 ranked Rams lost a tough 19-17 contest to No.8 Central Bucks West (9-2). Sean Curry gave the Green & White a 3-0 lead early in the game by kicking a 29-yard field goal. Brennan Fisher scored on touchdown runs of 56 & 6 yards. Pennridge will close out its season with its Thanksgiving morning date with rival Quakertown.
Central Bucks East (6-5) was jettisoned from the 6A district playoffs as the No. 11 ranked Patriots were defeated by No. 6 Perkiomen Valley (9-2), 42-21. Ethan Shine scored on a 1-yard run and also scored on a 23-yard pass from Pat Keller. Keller also scored on an 8-yard run.
Central Bucks South (6-5) was jettisoned from the 6A district playoffs as the No. 15 ranked Titans were defeated by No. 2 North Penn, 49-21. Cole Maholtz rushed for a game-high 157 yards and scored on touchdown runs of 65 & 12 yards. Tyler Robinson scored on a 12-yard run for the Titans.
Cheltenham (5-6) was jettisoned from the 5A district playoffs as the No. 12 ranked Panthers were stunned by No. 5 ranked Plymouth Whitemarsh, 49-0. The Panthers had lost to the Colonials in a competitive 21-13 game earlier in the season but this time were without three key players, who were ineligible for postseason play since their transfer papers – although completed - were not submitted in time.
Na, Na, Na, Na……Na, Na, Na, Na……Hey…..Hey-y……Goodbye
And the beat goes on…….
PIAA District One 6A Playoffs
Friday – 7 pm
No. 7 Ridley Green Raiders (10-1) @ No. 2 North Penn Knights (11-0)
Regular Season Resume:
Ridley has captured victories over Central Bucks East (34-29), Upper Darby (17-0), Springfield [Delco] (33-28), Haverford (45-21), Radnor (45-14), Harriton (70-6), Lower Merion (49-0), Penncrest (63-0), & Conestoga (29-28). The lone Green Raider loss came against Garnet Valley, 65-37.
North Penn has captured victories over Souderton (42-27). Abington (58-8), Pennsbury (35-0), Upper Dublin (35-20), Pennridge (21-14), Neshaminy (42-21), Truman (48-20), Central Bucks West (28-14), & Central Bucks East (28-21).
Last Week:
Ridley opened the district playoffs with a 42-21 victory over Central League rival Conestoga. The Green Raiders had edged the Pioneers by a single point, 29-28, in the regular season finale. Running back Tahir “Tubby” Mills was more than spectacular as he rushed for 357 yards, yes 357 yards, and scored 5, yes 5, touchdowns on 28 carries. He set the all-time Ridley rushing record for yards gained in a single game.
North Penn opened the district playoffs with a 49-21 victory over SOL National Conference rival Central Bucks South. The Knights had defeated the Titans 35-7 in the regular season finale. Quarterback Ryan Zeltt was more than spectacular as he completed 16 of 18 passes for 288 yards 4 touchdowns. Zeltt fired a pair of TD passes to Levi Carroll (36 & 6 yards) and also threw touchdown passes to Tyler Beam (21 yds) and Jalen Edwards (39 yds). Carroll also scored on a 7-yard run, while Ethan Spahn scored on a 2-yard run. Jay Ford-King scored on a 93-yard kickoff return for the Knights.
Offensive/Defensive Points Per Game:
Ridley has scored an average of 42.2 points per game and has allowed 16.9 points per game. The math gives the Green Raiders a + 25.3 points per game.
North Penn has scored an average of 35.1 points per game and has allowed 15.1 points per game. The math gives the Knights a + 20.0 points per game.
Winner Gets:
The winner of the Ridley/North Penn game will play the winner of the game between No. 3 Coatesville & No. 6 Perkiomen Valley in the District One semifinals.
Prediction:
North Penn Knights 38 – Ridley Green Raiders 24
No. 5 Quakertown Panthers (11-0) @ No. 4 Downingtown East Cougars (9-2)
Regular Season Resume:
Quakertown has captured victories over Southern Lehigh (42-7), Council Rock North (42-7), Council Rock South (41-13), Abington (36-20), Upper Dublin (31-0), Souderton (36-14), Neshaminy (35-10), Hatboro-Horsham (2-0 forfeit), Bensalem (42-7), & Truman (50-6).
Downingtown East has captured victories over Pennridge (14-7), State College (42-21), Delaware Valley (39-14), Bishop Shanahan (28-13), Unionville (46-13), Academy Park (25-20), Avon Grove (42-0), & Downingtown West (35-18). The Cougar losses came against West Chester Rustin (16-14) & Coatesville (42-7).
Last Week:
Quakertown opened the district playoffs with a convincing 33-7 victory over SOL Continental rival Souderton. Will Steich completed 18 of 24 passes for 187 yards and 3 touchdowns. Zach Fondl caught 7 passes for 83 yards and scored on a 30-yard pass TD pass. Tyler Woodman scored 4 touchdowns for the Panthers. Woodman caught 2 passes for scores and carried 26 times for 119 yards and 2 rushing touchdowns. John Eatherton scored on a 6-yard run for the winners.
Downingtown East opened the district playoffs with a hard fought 21-14 victory over Spring-Ford. The Cougars led 21-0 in the first half but was forced to hold on tight for the win. Running back Bo Horvath rushed for a game-high 170 yards on 36 carries and scored on a 3-yard run. Quarterback Jay Jenkins scored on touchdown runs of 1 & 2 yards.
Offensive/Defensive Points Per Game:
Quakertown has averaged 38.8 points per game and has allowed 9.1 points per game. The math gives the Panthers a + 29.7 points per game.
Downingtown East has averaged 26.5 points per game and has allowed 14.9 points per game. The math gives the Cougars a + 11.6 points per game.
Winner Gets:
The winner of the Quakertown/Downingtown East game will play the winner of the game between No. 1 Garnet Valley & No. 8 Central Bucks West in the District One semifinals.
Prediction:
Quakertown Panthers 24 - Downingtown East Cougars 17
No. 8 Central Bucks West Bucks (9-2) @ No. 1 Garnet Valley Jaguars (11-0)
Regular Season Resume:
Central Bucks West has captured victories over Central Bucks South (28-20), Abington (21-0), Council Rock South (27-3), Pennsbury (42-14), Pennridge (28-24), Hatboro-Horsham (2-0 forfeit), Neshaminy (27-3), Central Bucks East 35-15. The Bucks have lost games to Coatesville (35-14), and North Penn (28-14).
Garnet Valley has captured victories over Downingtown West (41-7), Conestoga (55-14), Marple-Newtown (42-7), Upper Darby (61-12), Strath Haven (42-7), Ridley (65-37), Radnor (65-37), Haverford (55-14), Springfield [Delco] (49-6), & Lower Merion (38-7).
Last Week:
Central Bucks West opened the district playoffs with a 19-17 victory over SOL National Conference rival No. 9 Pennridge. Connor McFadden caught a 7-yard touchdown pass from Ganz Cooper to erase a 3-0 Ram lead. Ryan Horst booted a pair of clutch field goals – one of 33 yards – and the other of 27 yards. Cooper scored the game winning touchdown on a 1-yard run. Eli Boehm had 26 carries for a game-high 136 yards.
Garnet Valley opened the district playoffs with a 42-0 victory over Central League rival No. 16 Haverford. Shane Reynolds has returned from injury in impressive fashion, rushing for a game-high 112 yards and scoring 3 touchdowns. Sean Gallagher and Jack Westburg also scored rushing TDs for GV. The Jaguars rushed for 316, yes 316, yards in the mercy-rule win. Quarterback Toom Wright passed for 171 yards – 84 of those yards going to Ben Fleming. The Jags defense limited Haverford to just 23 rushing yards.
Offensive/Defense Points Per Game:
Central Bucks West has scored an average of 25.5 points per game and has allowed an average of 15.9 points per game. The math gives the Bucks a + 9.6 points per game.
Garnet Valley has scored an average of 50.5 points per game and has allowed 13.5 points per game. The math gives the Jaguars a + 37.0 points per game.
Winner Gets:
The winner of the Garnet Valley/CB West game will play the winner of the game between No. 5 Quakertown & No. 4 Downingtown East in the District One semifinals.
Prediction:
Garnet Valley Jaguars 31 - Central Bucks West Bucks 17
PIAA District One 5A Playoff
Friday – 7 pm
@ Wissahickon H.S.
No. 5 Plymouth Whitemarsh Colonials (9-1) vs. No. 4 Upper Dublin Cardinals (9-2)
Regular Season Resume:
Plymouth Whitemarsh has captured victories over Methacton (42-14), Norristown (49-8), New Hope-Solebury (55-0), Springfield [Montco] (35-14), Cheltenham (21-13), William Tennent (35-14), Upper Moreland (31-28), & Wissahickon (54-7). The lone loss of the season for the Colonials came in a 35-27 opening season loss to Central Bucks South.
Upper Dublin has captured victories over Wissahickon (43-0), Council Rock South (38-7), Bensalem (23-12), Truman (38-0), Pennsbury (28-9), Souderton (10-7), Council Rock North (40-0) & Hatboro Horsham (2-0 forfeit). The Cardinal losses came against North Penn (35-20) & Quakertown (31-0).
Last Week:
Plymouth Whitemarsh opened the district playoffs with an impressive 49-0 victory over No. 12 Cheltenham. Aiden O’Brien threw just 4 passes in the entire game but fired 3 for touchdowns in the win. O’Brien threw 2 TD passes to Phil Taormina (77 & 29 yards) and one to Nate Kern (16 yds). Kern also scored on a 1-yard run, while Zion East also scored on a 1-yard run. Thomas Montemayor returned a fumble 60 yards for a Colonial score.
Upper Dublin led 28-0 at the close of the first half and mercy-ruled West Chester Henderson, 35-7. Quarterback Colin O’Sullivan had a terrific outing, throwing for 237 yards and firing 4 touchdown passes. Noah Lee and Griffin Pensabene figured into the offensive scores for UD, while DJ Cerisier intercepted a pass and returned it for a defensive score.
Offensive/Defensive Points Per Game:
Plymouth Whitemarsh has scored an average of 37.1 points per game and has allowed 9.8 points per game. The math gives the Colonials a + 27.3 points per game.
Upper Dublin has scored an average of 24.0 points per game and has allowed 10.1 points per game. The math gives the Flying Cardinals a + 13.9 points per game.
Winner Gets:
The winner of the Plymouth Whitemarsh/Upper Dublin game will play the winner of the game between No. 1 West Chester Rustin & No. 9 Kennett in the District One semifinals.
Prediction:
Plymouth Whitemarsh Colonials 20 – Upper Dublin Cardinals 17
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