Slide photo courtesy of Jenn McDonald, Bensalem/CB East photo courtesy of Richard Owens & Pennsbury/Archbishop Ryan photo courtesy of Darryl Rule of J&D Photography.
Football Forecast – Volume 5
By Scott Huff
Championship games can be played in September…
The Suburban One League National Conference has proven to be one of the elite conferences in all of District One – and in the entire State of Pennsylvania for that matter.
The 2026 non-league season did little to dismiss that conclusion as 7 of the 8 SOL National Conference teams navigated the 3-game non-league season with a winning record.
Central Bucks West (3-0), Pennridge (3-0), North Penn (2-1), Neshaminy (2-1), Central Bucks East (2-1), Pennsbury (2-1) & Abington (yes *Abington* 2-1) all registered winning non-league records.
Only Central Bucks South (0-3) uncharacteristically recorded a losing non-league record as the Titans played an extremely challenging schedule.
The strength of the conference schedule makes it impossible to determine when that ‘championship game’ will be played.
That conference title game showdown could come this third week of September (9/18/26) as unbeaten Pennridge hosts unbeaten Central Bucks West.
That conference championship game showdown could come the fourth week of September (9/25/26) when CB West hosts North Penn.
That conference title game showdown could come on October 9th when North Penn hosts Pennridge.
And really, the defending SOL National Conference champion Pennridge Rams and the historically successful conference programs that include the CB West Bucks & the North Penn Knights surely are not the only 2026 conference championship contenders.
Neshaminy, Pennsbury, Central Bucks South, Central Bucks East & even Abington have all had its share of glory days in the history of their respective programs.
And recent SOL National Conference history shows the unmistakable parity of the conference.
In the last 5 seasons there has been 5 different SOL National Conference outright champions. Pennridge (2025) * Central Bucks South (2024) * Central Bucks West (2023) * Pennsbury (2022) & North Penn (2021).
In fact, if Central Bucks South had beaten Pennridge in the final conference regular season game in the 2025 season, the conference would have had a 5-way deadlock at the top of the standings.
Does a ‘Quintet Champion’ even exist (?) as Pennridge, North Penn, CB West, Neshaminy & CB South would all have finished the conference standings last season with a 5-2 record.
Pennridge eliminated that unique possibility with a 28-7 victory over CB South to win the 2025 conference championship outright.
North Penn & Pennridge would proudly carry the SOL National Conference banner into the 2025 PIAA 6A District One championship final. The Knights avenged a 34-10 conference loss & defeated the Rams and claimed the District One title, 21-14.
That fierce battle for a SOL National Conference title was last year – and this season looks to be just as tightly contested.
Stay tuned.
Ouch…….5 of 7 SOL Continental Conference spanked in non-league games…
The SOL Continental Conference featured just a few silver linings in the non-league portion of the schedule.
Plymouth Whitemarsh (3-0) had a tremendous non-league season as the Colonials captured impressive victories over Coatesville (21-20), Kennett (55-28) & Central Bucks South (33-0).
Council Rock South (2-1) finished the non-league season with a winning record as the Golden Hawks defeated both Hatboro Horsham (42-0) & Perkiomen Valley (13-10). Rock South lost last week for the first time this season to unbeaten Pennridge, 27-10.
*That was the sparse good news for the SOL Continental Conference.
Unfortunately there was a great deal of bad news for the remainder of the conference.*
Quakertown (0-3), Souderton (0-3), Upper Dublin (0-3), Bensalem (0-3) & Council Rock North (0-3) had a combined record of 0-15 & were collectively outscored 533 (35.5 avg) to142 (9.5).
The only team in that group that played to within a one-score game was Quakertown – and the Panthers did it twice. Q-town * after a painful 55-0 loss to Southern Lehigh in its season opener * lost to both Owen J Roberts (21-14) & Neshaminy (28-21) in competitive one-score contests.
The struggling SOL Continental quintet (got to use that word twice in this article) will finally put some games in the win column as the conference season begins this week.
Good luck!
Wissahickon is defused…
Wissahickon entered its non-league game last week with Archbishop Carroll unbeaten and had outscored opponents by a staggering 82-7, amassing impressive victories over both Upper Dublin (35-7) & Upper Merion (47-0).
Quasir Sampson has shown to be an explosive running back, scoring 8 touchdowns in those 2 enormous wins & quarterback Evan Dixon was outstanding as he directed the potent Trojan offense.
Archbishop Carroll entered its non-league game with Wissahickon last week also unbeaten and had outscored opponents 74-24 racking up convincing victories over both Marple-Newtown (23-7) & Bristol (51-17).
And if last year was any indication (Wissahickon outscored Archbishop Carroll, 38-24, in their wide open 2025 contest) there should have been great deal of offensive fireworks to be seen in 2026.
The final score of the game between these 2 unbeaten & powerhouse offenses last week?
How about Archbishop Carroll Patriots 14 * Wissahickon Trojans 7.
All you know is you don’t know!
And the beat goes on…
SOL National Conference
Central Bucks West Bucks (3-0) @ Pennridge Rams (3-0)
Last Year:
Central Bucks West 28 * Pennridge 14
Last Week:
Central Bucks West remained unbeaten with a dominating 35-14 non-league victory over Souderton. Nick Miletto scored on touchdown runs of 43 & 12 yards * Braylen Cape scored on a 20-yard run & caught an 18-yard touchdown pass from Josh George & Louie Cipollo snared a 57-yard touchdown pass from George.
Pennridge remained unbeaten with a 27-10 non-league victory over Council Rock South. Trevor Picciotti hit paydirt on scoring runs of 10 & 5 yards * Matt Schafer scored on a 1-yard run & Aiden Tetowski fired a 45-yard touchdown pass to Nate Derstine.
Guest Forecaster: Amelia V. Moyer
Prediction: **reluctantly**I hope that I’m wrong**
Central Bucks West Bucks 28 * Pennridge Rams 21
Central Bucks East Patriots (2-1) @ Neshaminy Redskins (2-1)
Last Year:
Neshaminy 41 * Central Bucks East 35
Last Week:
Central Bucks East completed its non-league season with a winning record as the Patriots marched to a decisive 62-19 victory over Bensalem. The ‘Price Was Right’ for CB East as Mike Price scored 5 touchdowns for the winners. Price scored on touchdown runs of 52, 14 & 11 yards * caught a 25-yard touchdown pass from Hunter Pulford & returned a punt 55-yards for a touchdown. Pulford also scored on runs of 15 & 6 yards, while Liam Hoey scored on a 5-yard run.
Neshaminy rallied to complete an improbable comeback as the Redskins defeated Quakertown, 28-21. Neshaminy trailed the Panthers 21-0 at the end of the first quarter. Brock Williams had a special night scoring on offense, defense & special teams. Williams scored on a 75-yard run * had a pick-6 interception for a score * and returned a punt 82 yards for a touchdown. Angel Miranda fired a 42-yard touchdown pass to Bradley Dalessandro.
Prediction:
Neshaminy Redskins 27 * Central Bucks East Patriots 24
Pennsbury Falcons (2-1) @ North Penn Knights (2-1)
Last Year:
North Penn 20 * Pennsbury 0
Last Week:
Pennsbury utilized a suffocating defense to shut out Archbishop Ryan, 16-0. It was the second whitewash of the year as the Falcons opened the 2026 season with a 14-0 victory over Trenton Charter. Quarterback Jack Arndt scored on a 1-yard run * Luke Beighley scored on a 20-yard run & Colin Wilds booted a 25-yard field goal.
North Penn showed mercy in a 35-0 non-league win over Upper Dublin. All the Knights scoring came in the first half. Rylie Gray scored 3 touchdowns for the winners. Gray caught 2 touchdown passes from London Evans – one of 37 yards – and the other of 39 yards. Gray also scored on a 22-yard run. Ziyon Smith caught a 50-yard scoring strike from Evans, while Sal Colella stole the special team spotlight, returning a fumble 75-yard for a touchdown.
Prediction:
North Penn Knights 31 * Pennsbury Falcons 13
Abington Galloping Ghosts (2-1) @ Central Bucks South Titans (0-3)
Last Year:
Central Bucks South 28 * Abington 14
Last Week:
Abington won for the second week in a row as the Ghosts routed Council Rock North, 38-0. Abington was 1-9 last season. Caleb Smith was sensational as he accounted for 5 Ghost scores. Smith scored 4 rushing touchdowns for the Maroon & White and tossed a touchdown pass to Lucas Jordan. EJ Dickson rounded out the scoring for Abington with a touchdown run.
Central Bucks South remained winless this non-league season as the Titans were blasted by Plymouth Whitemarsh, 33-0. Unlike the losses to both Archbishop Wood (35-17) & Downingtown West (28-20), Central Bucks South was ‘never in the game’ against the unbeaten Colonials.
Prediction:
Central Bucks South Titans 28 * Abington Galloping Ghosts 14
SOL Continental Conference
Plymouth Whitemarsh Colonials (3-0) @ Quakertown Panthers (0-3)
Last Year:
Did Not Play
Last Week:
Plymouth Whitemarsh remained unbeaten for the season with a stunning 33-0 non-league victory over Central Bucks South. Quarterback Cole Reilly threw a 48-yard touchdown pass to Max Peterson and scored on a 9-yard run. Peterson kicked 2 field goals – one of 32 yards – and the other of 29 yards. Mike Giangiulio scored on a pair of 1-yard runs.
Quakertown remained winless and suffered a heart-breaking 28-21 non-league loss to Neshaminy. The Panthers led 21-0 after the first period. Lawonde-Richardson scored on a 24-yard run * Gavin Handschumacher scored on a 4-yard run & Carter Tucholski fired a 54-yard touchdown pass to James Wehrman.
Prediction:
Plymouth Whitemarsh Colonials 35 * Quakertown Panthers 17
Council Rock South Golden Hawks (2-1) @ Souderton Indians (0-3)
Last Year:
Council Rock South 14 * Souderton 7
Last Week:
Council Rock South suffered its first loss of the season as the Golden Hawks lost a non-league game to Pennridge, 27-10. Cannon Benzio tossed a 41-yard touchdown pass to DJ Andrzejewski in the first half, and DeClan Barry kicked a 24-yard field goal. Rock South was ‘in the game’ in the first half trailing 14-10.
Souderton remained winless this season as the Indians were mercy-ruled by Central Buck West, 35-14. Souderton scored a pair of touchdowns late in the game as Brett Pollock threw a 60-yard scoring strike to Stone McKenna and later McKenna jetted for an 85-yard touchdown run.
Prediction:
Council Rock South Golden Hawks 21 * Souderton Indians 17
Bensalem Owls (0-3) @ Council Rock North Indians (0-3)
Last Year:
Bensalem 43 – Council Rock North 7
Last Week:
Bensalem remained winless as the Owls were overpowered in its non-league game against Central Bucks East, 62-19. The good news for Bensalem is that a touchdown run by Brennan Farnsworth tied the score 6-6 & a 75-yard touchdown pass to Jeremiah Lugo cut into the lead @ 20-12.
Council Rock North remained winless as the Indians were overpowered in their non-league game against Abington, 38-0. Former Council Rock South and ‘new’ Rock North head coach Vince Bedesem is in search of his first CR North win this season. Rock North has now lost 18 straight games.
Prediction:
Bensalem Owls 27 * Council Rock North Indians 14
SOL American Non-League Games
Wissahickon Trojans (2-1) @ Chichester Eagles (3-0)
Last Year:
Did Not Play
Last Week:
Wissahickon was jettisoned from the ranks of the unbeaten with a 14-7 loss to Archbishop Carroll. The Patriots remained unbeaten (3-0) and are the defending champion of the Philadelphia Catholic League – Blue Division.
Chichester remained unbeaten with a 34-21 victory over William Tennent. The Eagles play in the Delaware Valley League.
Prediction:
Wissahickon Trojans 28 * Chichester Eagles 21
Penn Wood Patriots (2-1) @ Upper Moreland Golden Bears (3-0)
Last Year:
Did Not Play
Last Week:
Penn Wood captured a 14-7 non-league victory over Hatboro Horsham. The Patriots are the defending champion of the Delaware Valley League.
Upper Moreland remained unbeaten with a 40-13 non-league victory over neighborhood rival Lower Moreland. Kyle Moore & Santino Rodriguez each scored 2 rushing touchdowns for the Golden Bears. Quarterback David Adamski fired 2 touchdown passes – one to Nick Melendez – and the other to Ben Holcomb.
Prediction:
Upper Moreland Golden Bears 21 * Penn Wood Patriots 13
Harry S Truman Tigers (1-2) @ South Philadelphia Rams (1-2)
Last Year:
Did Not Play
Last Week:
Harry S Truman continued its roller coaster ride during its non-league schedule as the Tigers were tamed by West Philadelphia, 34-7. Truman opened the season ‘down’ in a 42-13 loss to Haverford – zoomed ‘up’ in a 42-7 victory over Council Rock North – and crashed ‘down’ against West Philly. The Tigers trailed by just 8-7 at halftime but was outscored 26-0 in the second half.
South Philadelphia was defeated by Samuel Fels, 28-14. The Rams compete in the Philadelphia Public League – American Division.
Prediction:
Harry S Truman Tigers 21 * South Philadelphia Rams 20
Hatboro Horsham Hatters (0-3) @ Upper Dublin Flying Cardinals (0-3)
Last Year:
Did Not Play
Last Week:
Hatboro Horsham remained winless on the season as the Hatters were competitive in a 14-7 loss to Penn Wood. Hatboro Horsham competes in the Suburban One League American Conference.
Upper Dublin remained winless on the season as the Flying Cardinals were mercy-ruled by North Penn, 35-0. Upper Dublin competes in the Suburban One League Continental Conference.
Prediction:
Upper Dublin Flying Cardinals 21 * Hatboro Horsham Hatters 14
Bristol Warriors (1-2) @ Springfield Spartans (1-2)
Last Year:
Did Not Play
Last Week:
Bristol was defeated by the (take a breath) Executive Education Academy Charter School (Allentown), 48-33.
Springfield led 20-14 in the 4th quarter but yielded a late score in the game and lost to Trinity, 21-20.
Prediction:
Springfield Spartans 31 * Bristol Warriors 17
Lower Moreland Lions (2-1) @ William Tennent Panthers (1-2)
Last Year:
Did Not Play
Last Week:
Lower Moreland suffered its first loss of the season & the Lions suffered big time in a 40-13 loss to neighborhood rival Upper Moreland.
William Tennent lost for the second week in a row as the Panthers were defeated by Chichester, 34-21. Tennent opened its non-league schedule with a 20-7 win over Council Rock North.
Prediction:
William Tennent Panthers 20 * Lower Moreland Lions 14
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