Scott Huff recaps last week’s action and picks the winners in this week’s games. Check back for recaps of all the games.
By Scott Huff
Don’t get me started!
The PIAA continues with the same old same old in regard to private vs. public school competition – and it is getting old.
Really old.
Last week La Salle routed North Penn 42-6 – or should I say one of the elite private schools (let’s not forget St. Joe Prep) in Pennsylvania destroyed an elite public school in Pennsylvania (let’s not forget Coatesville).
Private schools have no geographical boundary restrictions – either by school district, or county, or even in some cases - state. The public school has a strict restriction – you either play within your geographical school district boundary – or go to a private school.
And I don’t blame the private schools – those schools aren’t breaking any rules. I place the blame totally on the PIAA – it makes the rules.
Granted the North Penn and La Salle game was not a PIAA playoff game – it was two teams that wanted to challenge themselves in a non-league game. After all, North Penn defeated La Salle 21-13 last season. My concern is not so much in the preseason – but in the postseason.
There has been talk about creating both a private school and public school champion in the state of Pennsylvania – but it has always ended as talk with no action.
The time for change in all scholastic sports in Pennsylvania really isn’t now – it was years ago.
Don’t get me started!
And the beat goes on…
Football Forecast
Week 3
FRIDAY – SEPTEMBER 6, 2019 – 7 PM
ABINGTON GHOSTS (1-1) @ CHELTENHAM PANTHERS (2-0)
Last week:
Abington collected its first win of the season in a 35-6 rout of Mastery Charter North. The Ghosts led 35-0 at the half and closed out the game with a running clock. Tamir Berthau scored a pair of touchdowns for Abington as the Ghosts rolled for 206 rushing yards.
Cheltenham earned its second win of the season as the Panthers clawed Frankford 34-17. Quarterback Adonis Hunter had an outstanding game with four touchdown passes – two of those went to Nate Edwards.
Prediction:
Abington 20 – Cheltenham 17
DOWNINGTOWN WEST Whippets (2-0) @ NESHAMINY REDSKINS (1-1)
Last Week:
Downingtown West remained unbeaten with a 34-13 non-league victory over Central Bucks South. DW quarterback Will Howard fired three touchdown passes for the winners, while Alex Rosano had 210 yards to total offense – 141 receiving and 69 rushing.
Neshaminy rebounded from its 55-34 loss to North Penn with a nice 21-7 non-league win over Pennridge. QB Brody McAndrew tossed two touchdowns passes – one to Dawson Obringer and the other to Ian Sheehan. Chris James scored on a 70-yard dash for the Skins.
Prediction:
Downingtown West 35 - Neshaminy 21
HATBORO-HORSHAM HATTERS (0-2) @ SOUDERTON INDIANS (2-0)
Last Week:
Hatboro Horsham is still in search of its first win as the Hatters were topped by Central Bucks East by a 45-28 score. Hatboro Horsham quarterback Colin O’Sullivan passed for 175 yards and three touchdowns, while N’Gianni Cerisier rushed for a team-high 145 yards and a score.
Souderton remained unbeaten in the non-league season with a 24-10 victory over Quakertown in the 309 Bowl. Nick Guthre rushed for 100 yards and two touchdowns, while quarterback Andrew Vince rushed for 94 yards and a touchdown.
Predeiction:
Souderton 38 – Hatboro-Horsham 20
QUAKERTOWN PANTHERS (0-2) @ CENTRAL BUCKS WEST BUCKS (2-0)
Last Week:
Quakertown led Souderton 10-7 heading into the fourth quarter, but fell to the Big Red 24-10 in the 309 Bowl. The lone touchdown for the Panthers came on a pass from Will Steich to Ben Kane, and Gavin Croisette booted a first half field goal.
Central Bucks West collected an impressive 30-0 non-league victory over Council Rock South. Jack Fallon rushed for a game-high 104 yards and a touchdown, while Nick Tumolo scored a pair of touchdowns for the unbeaten Bucks.
Prediction:
Central Bucks West 24 – Quakertown 17
NORTH PENN KNIGHTS (1-1) @ PENNSBURY FALCONS (0-2)
Last Week:
North Penn was stunned by La Salle as the Knights fell to the unbeaten Explorers by a 42-6 score. NP quarterback Kolby Barrow was effective throwing for 177 yards.
Pennsbury lost its second game of the season in a 38-35 shootout against unbeaten Penn Wood. The Falcons were led by quarterback Drew Hensor who passed form 190 yards and rushed for 122 in the loss.
Prediction:
North Penn 27 – Pennsbury 24
WILLIAM TENNENT PANTHERS (1-1) @ COUNCIL ROCK NORTH INDIANS (1-1)
Last Week:
William Tennent collected its first win of the season as the Panthers clawed Academy of the Palumbo 49-20. Tom Santiago rushed for 206 yards and two touchdowns, while Matt Miller fired a pair of scoring strikes to Derrick Cosenza.
Council Rock North head coach John Greiner collected his first career coaching win as the Indians defeated Wissahickon 27-6. Evan Mancinelli scored a pair of touchdowns for CRN, while Jack Owens also scored for the winners.
Prediction:
Council Rock North 28 – William Tennent 21
COUNCIL ROCK SOUTH HAWKS (0-2) @ CENTRAL BUCKS SOUTH TITANS (2-0)
Last Week:
Council Rock South struggled offensively gaining just 124 yards in a 30-0 non-league loss to Central Bucks West. The Golden Hawks have struggled in the first two games being outscored 66-13 in the two outings.
Central Bucks South played Ches-Mont power Downingtown West last week and lost to the Whippets 34-13. Josh Consoletti and Carter Hallgren both threw a touchdown pass to Sean Smith to account for all of the scoring. Smith has six touchdowns in the first two games.
Prediction:
Central Bucks South 42 – Council Rock South 13
HARRY S TRUMAN TIGERS (1-1) @ ACADEMY PARK PATRIOTS (2-0)
Last Week:
Truman suffered its first loss of the season as the Tigers were caged by Spring-Ford by a 58-19 score. Dave Wilson was a bright spot for HST as he passed for 158 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
Academy Park remained unbeaten with a 55-21 victory over Pottsgrove. Barry Brown was impressive passing for 165 yards and rushing for 192 yards. The Patriots defeated Pennsbury 13-0 in the season opener.
Prediction:
Academy Park 38 – Truman 20
PERKIOMEN VALLEY VIKINGS (1-1) @ PENNRIDGE RAMS (1-1)
Last Week:
Perkiomen Valley suffered its first loss of the season as the Vikings were sunk by Ches-Mont power Downingtown East – 28-14. Quarterback Ethan Kohler completed 23 passes for 284 yards and two touchdowns for the PV.
Pennridge suffered its first loss of the season as the Rams were defeated by Neshaminy 21-7. Pennridge – which won its nonleague opener 13-0 over District 2 power Delaware Valley – shut out the Redskins in the second half. Jack Ferguson scored the lone touchdown for PHS.
Prediction:
Pennridge 17 – Perkiomen Valley 14
WISSAHICKON TROJANS (0-2) @ LANSDALE CATHOLIC CRUSADERS (1-1)
Last Week:
Wissahickon dropped its second game of the season as the Trojans fell to Council Rock North 27-6. Kyle Lohman scored the lone touchdown of the game for WHS with a 60-yard run.
Lansdale Catholic won its first game of the season with a thrilling 44-42 victory over Father Judge in a non-league contest.
Prediction:
Lansdale Catholic 21 – Wissahickon 14
NORRISTOWN EAGLES (0-2) @ PLYMOUTH WHITEMARSH COLONIALS (2-0)
Last Week:
Norristown remained winless as the Eagles were defeated 39-14 by Upper Merion. Norristown touchdowns were scored by Nick DiNolfi and Naji Becedes.
Plymouth Whitemarsh remained unbeaten with a convincing 35-7 victory over Methacton. The Colonial running attack featured Brian Dreslin – who rushed for 100 yard in wins over both Methacton and William Tennent. Chris Pierce also played a good game and scored two touchdowns for the winners.
Prediction:
Plymouth Whitemarsh 38 – Norristown 13
UPPER MORELAND GOLDEN BEARS (2-0) @ UPPER PERKIOMEN INDIANS (1-1)
Last Week:
Upper Moreland remained unbeaten with a 25-13 victory over Pottstown. The game was tied 13-13 at halftime, but the Bears controlled the second half. The go-ahead score came on a pass from Byron Hopkins to TJ Troxel.
Upper Perkiomen captured its first win as the Indians routed Kutztown 57-6. Logan Simmons rushed for 158 yard and scored three touchdowns in the first half. Hunter Flack threw a TD pass for the winners.
Prediction:
Upper Moreland 24 – Upper Perkiomen 21
SATURDAY – SEPTEMBER 7, 2019
BENSALEM OWLS (2-0) @ CENTRAL BUCKS EAST PATRIOTS (2-0)
Last Week:
Bensalem remained unbeaten with a 30-20 victory over Mastbaum. The high-flying Owls received touchdowns from Richard Bardone, Jalen Smith, and Justin Johnson. Bensalem broke open an 8-8 deadlock to lead 22-8 by the close of the first half.
Central Bucks East had another offensive explosion as the Patriots marched to a 45-28 victory over Hatboro-Horsham. Anthony Giordano fired three touchdown passes and rushed for three more scores to highlight the offense.
Prediction:
Central Bucks East 38 – Bensalem 28
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