Scott Huff features Abington, CB East and Upper Moreland and highlights some of the top individual performances.
By Scott Huff
Quakertown (9-0, 6-0)captured the outright Suburban One League Continental Conference championship with a thrilling 48-32 victory over Council Rock North (6-3, 4-2). The Panthers fell behind the Indians 26-7 but scored 34 unanswered points to secure the win. Junior running back Rob Burns was sensational with a six-touchdown performance and a game-high 321 yards. The Black Cats will attempt to finish the conference season unbeaten this Friday as they travel to Central Bucks East (4-5, 3-3).
CR North appears to be headed to the PIAA Quad-A playoffs, and a victory over Council Rock South (5-4, 4-2) should earn the Indians a home game. Truman (6-3, 4-2) is on the playoff bubble and must beat Norristown (3-6, 1-5) for a shot at the postseason. William Tennent (3-6, 1-5) will secure a forfeit win over Central Bucks West (2-7, 1-5).
The games with the biggest playoff implications will be played in the SOL National Conference where a trio of teams could share the championship.
North Penn (6-3, 5-1) will attempt to earn its portion of the title as the Knights hit the road to play Abington (5-4, 2-4). Pennsbury (8-1, 5-1) will attempt to earn its portion of the title as the Falcons travel to Neshaminy (4-5, 3-3). Central Bucks South (7-2, 5-1) will attempt to earn its portion of the title as the Titans travel to Souderton (3-6, 1-5). Pennridge (6-3, 3-3) is on the infamous playoff bubble and will host winless Bensalem (0-9, 0-6).
The SOL American Conference should have a single team from each of the classifications – Quad-A – Class AAA – and Class AA – make the postseason,
Upper Dublin (8-1, 6-0) will be a high seed in District One Quad-A and will host Upper Merion (1-8, 1-5). Upper Moreland (6-3, 3-3) will be in the Class AAA playoffs and will host Wissahickon (2-7, 1-5). Springfield (4-5, 2-4) will make the Class AA playoffs and will close the SOL American season with a home game against Plymouth Whitemarsh (6-3, 5-1). Cheltenham (5-4, 4-2) will attempt to remain in sole possession of third place as the Panthers host Hatboro-Horsham (2-7, 1-5).
The current 2014 District One Seedings after Week 9 for SOL Quad-A schools are: Quakertown (2 seed – 1240 points); Pennsbury (3 – 1220); Upper Dublin (T5 – 1140); Central Bucks South (T5 – 1140); Council Rock North (8 – 1110); North Penn (11 – 1050); Pennridge (14 – 1010); Truman (T16 – 960); and Abington (T16 – 960).
Quad- A games to watch outside the SOL this week: Downingtown West (15 – 990) @ Coatesville (1 – 1260); West Chester Henderson (7 – 1120) @ Downingtown East (9- 1070); Garnet Valley (12 – 1030) @ Conestoga (13 – 1020); and Ridley (18 – 950) @ Haverford High (T19 – 930).
The current 2014 District One Seedings after Week 9 for SOL Class AAA schools is – Upper Moreland (6 – 910).
Class AAA games to watch outside the SOL this week: Avon Grove @ Bishop Shanahan (3 – 1090); Academy Park (4 – 1050) @ Glen Mills (10 – 820); Pottsgrove (5 – 1000) @ Boyertown; Chester @ Interboro (7 – 890); Octorara (8 – 880) @ West Chester Rustin; and Penncrest @ Marple-Newtown (9 – 870).
The current Class AA District One Seedings after Week 9 for SOL schools is – Springfield (2 – 810).
Class AA games to watch outside the SOL this week: Jenkintown @ Valley Forge Military (3 – 650).
And the beat goes on…
SOL National Conference ‘Snapshot’
Abington Ghosts
Abington opens the PIAA Quad-A District One playoffs this week when the Ghosts host North Penn.
What? The District One playoffs are not scheduled until next week.
“This game is like the first round of the playoffs for us,” said Abington head coach Tom Sorber. “If we win – we’re in. If we lose – we’re most likely out.
“Our seniors have not had a season where we didn’t make the playoffs,” added Sorber as the Ghosts have made the postseason the last six seasons – and seven of the last eight. “We’re excited about playing North Penn and getting into the playoffs again.
“We haven’t played North Penn since we lost to them in the playoffs in 2009,” continued Sorber. “But they look like they run the same schemes. If you want to beat them you have to contain their running game, and (Nyfease) West can beat you with both his speed and athleticism.
“We are playing very well defensively, but we have yet to play our best game offensively,” added Sorber. “We have gotten good crowds at home – but I don’t know how great a crowd we’re going to get playing Halloween night.”
But the Ghosts will be playing playoff football this Friday – even if the schedule doesn’t agree.
SOL National Conference ‘Honor Roll’
Charles Snorweah of Pennsbury rushed for a game-high 163 yards and two touchdowns as the Falcons soared to a 55-7 victory over Central Bucks South.
Joe Unangst and Imeir Simmons of Pennridge sparked the Rams in a 28-17 win over Souderton. Unangast rushed for 137 yards and three touchdowns while Simmons rushed for 177 yards and a touchdown.
David Kretschman and Juawine Sowell of Abington sparked the Ghosts to a 41-6 win over Bensalem. Kretschman threw for 177 yards and a TD while Sowell rushed for two scores for the winners.
The Defense and Special Teams of North Penn played a huge role for the Knights in a 17-13 win over Neshaminy. North Penn blocked a punt for a touchdown and kicker Matt Ammendola booted a 38-yard field goal.
D’Andre Pollard of Neshaminy rushed for a game-high 159 yards and two touchdowns as the Redskins suffered a 17-13 loss to North Penn.
Blake Gular of Souderton rushed for a team-high 87 yards and a touchdown as the Indians were defeated by Pennridge 28-17.
Josh Adams of Central Bucks South caught a 61-yard scoring pass as the Titans were defeated 55-7 by Pennsbury.
Malcolm Carey of Bensalem scored a touchdown after blocking a punt in the end zone as the Owls were defeated by Abington 41-6.
This Week in the SOL National Conference
North Penn Knights (6-3, 5-1) @ Abington Ghosts (5-4, 2-4)
Last Week: North Penn defeated Neshaminy 17-13 & Abington defeated Bensalem 41-6.
Pennsbury Falcons (8-1, 5-1) @ Neshaminy Redskins (4-5, 3-3)
Last Week: Pennsbury defeated CB South 55-7 & Neshaminy lost to North Penn 17-13.
Central Bucks South Titans (7-2, 5-1) @ Souderton Indians (3-6, 1-5)
Last Week: CB South lost to Pennsbury 55-7 & Souderton lost to Pennridge 28-17.
Bensalem Owls (0-9, 0-6) @ Pennridge Rams (6-3, 3-3)
Last Week: Bensalem lost to Abington 41-6 & Pennridge defeated Souderton 28-17.
SOL Continental Conference ‘Snapshot’
Central Bucks East Patriots
Central Bucks East is playing its best football as the 2014 regular season is coming to a close. The Patriots – who have battled injuries to key players all season – have won three of their last four games with their most recent win a forfeit to Central Bucks West. Their only loss in the last four games came in a heartbreaking 36-28 loss to Truman.
CB East (4-5, 3-3) will close out the regular SOL Continental season against unbeaten Quakertown (9-0, 6-0). And the Patriots hope to close the curtain on the season with a Homecoming victory against the Panthers.
“This is like our playoff game, and the players hope to end the season with a bang,” said Central Bucks East head coach John Donnelly. “There will be a lot of emotion poured into the game – it will be the last time that CB East will call War Memorial Field our home. We will open our own stadium next year.
“We have played well recently and have shown people that we are a good football team,” added Donnelly. “We got some key players back, and we will play Quakertown as healthy as we have played anyone this entire season.”
Back from injury the last couple of weeks have been – among others – Alex Gibson, David Gressgott, Jeff Circuit, and Owen Griffin.
“Quakertown is very well coached and has a lot of seasoned talent,” said Donnelly – who used to be the head coach at Quakertown. “I still keep in touch with some of the Quakertown coaches – and playing them is going to be a challenge.”
Stay tuned.
SOL Continental Conference ‘Honor Roll’
Rob Burns of Quakertown rushed for a game-high 231 yards and scored 6 touchdowns as the Panthers won the SOL Continental Conference with a 48-32 victory over Council Rock North.
Mark Lopez-Shefcyk of Truman rushed for a game-high 222 yards and four touchdowns as the Tigers captured a 43-21 victory over William Tennent.
Vince Alimenti of Council Rock South rushed for a game-high 180 yards and two touchdowns as the Golden Hawks soared to a 28-14 victory over Norristown.
Brandon McIlwain of Council Rock North passed for 381 yards and a touchdown and rushed for 125 yards and four touchdowns as the Indians were defeated by Quakertown 48-32.
Khalif Sinclair of Norristown rushed for a team-high 154 yards and two touchdowns as the Eagles lost to Council Rock South 28-14.
Dan Costello of William Tennent rushed for a team-high 130 yards and a touchdown as the Panthers were defeated by Truman 43-21.
This Week in the SOL Continental Conference
Quakertown Panthers (9-0, 6-0) @ Central Bucks East Patriots (4-5, 3-3)
Last Week: Quakertown defeated Council Rock North 48-32 & CB East won a forfeit against CB West.
Council Rock North (6-3, 4-2) @ Council Rock South (5-4, 4-2)
Last Week: Council Rock North lost to Quakertown 48-32 & Council Rock South defeated Norristown 28-14.
Norristown Eagles (3-6, 1-5) @ Truman Tigers (6-3, 4-2)
Last Week: Norristown lost to CR South 28-14 & Truman defeated William Tennent 43-21.
Central Bucks West (2-7, 1-5) @ William Tennent Panthers (3-6, 1-5)
Last Week: CB West forfeited a game to CB East & William Tennent lost to Truman 43-21.
SOL American Conference “Snapshot”
Upper Moreland Golden Bears
Upper Morelandshould make the trek to the Class AAA postseason win or lose this week, but the Golden Bears (6-3, 3-3) would love nothing more than to win their final SOL American Conference contest against Wissahickon (2-7, 1-5).
“The bottom line is that if we don’t win the game, there is no guarantee that we get into the playoffs” said Upper Moreland head coach Adam Beach. “We know that if we win – we’re in for sure – and we get a better seed in the playoffs.
“But the game is really about our seniors playing their final home Friday night game at the Grove,” said Beach. “There is going to be some nostalgia about playing that final game, and we want to play our best in front of the home fans.
“Josh Abrams really stepped up and played a great game against Springfield,” added Beach of his quarterback who led the Bears to a 25-20 win. “Springfield did a great job of taking (UM standout senior running back) Tyler Whitmore out of the game.
“We still have to find a way to get # 21 (Whitmore) the ball in the next couple of games,” continued Beach. “He is such a great runner.
The powers to be will cross all the District One Class AAA playoff T’s and dot the District One Class AAA playoff I’s after the game with Wissahickon.
“I’ll let everyone figure all that out for us,” said Beach. “Our job is just to win the games.”
Stay tuned.
SOL American Conference ‘Honor Roll’
Josh Abrams of Upper Moreland rushed for two touchdowns and passed for two touchdowns as the Golden Bears collected a 25-20 win over Springfield.
Ryan Stover of Upper Dublin completed 11 passes for 171 yards and two touchdowns as the Cardinals soared to a 41-21 win over Hatboro-Horsham.
Nafeese Nasir of Plymouth Whitemarsh rushed for a game-high 179 yards and three touchdowns as the Colonials marched to a 29-0 win over Cheltenham.
Shannon Carnard of Upper Merion scored two touchdowns as the Vikings snapped a 14-game losing streak with a 14-7 win over Wissahickon.
Casey Walsh of Hatboro-Horsham completed 16 passes for 202 yards and a touchdown as the Hatters were topped by Upper Dublin 41-21.
Chris Stone of Springfield threw a touchdown pass and rushed for a TD as the Spartans were defeated by Upper Moreland 25-20.
Dave Stellato of Wissahickon scored the lone touchdowns as the Trojans were defeated by Upper Merion 14-7.
This Week in the SOL American Conference
Upper Merion Vikings (1-8, 1-5) @ Upper Dublin Cardinals (8-1, 6-0)
Last Week: Upper Merion defeated Wissahickon 14-7 & Upper Dublin defeated Hatboro-Horsham 41-21.
Plymouth Whitemarsh Colonials (6-3, 5-1) @ Springfield Spartans (4-5, 2-4)
Last Week: Plymouth Whitemarsh defeated Cheltenham 29-0 & Springfield lost to Upper Moreland 25-20.
Wissahickon Trojans (2-7, 1-5) @ Upper Moreland Golden Bears (6-3, 3-3)
Last Week: Wissahickon lost to Upper Merion 14-7 & Upper Moreland defeated Springfield 25-20.
Hatboro-Horsham Hatters (2-7, 2-4) @ Cheltenham Panthers (5-4, 4-2)
Last Week: Hatboro-Horsham lost to Upper Dublin 41-21 & Cheltenham lost to Plymouth Whitemarsh 29-0.
Suburban One Sports.com
Top Ten
1. Pennsbury Falcons (8-1, 5-1)
2. North Penn Knights (6-3, 5-1)
3. Central Bucks South Titans (7-2, 5-1)
4. Quakertown Panthers (9-0, 6-0)
5. Upper Dublin Flying Cardinals (8-1, 6-0)
6. Pennridge Rams (6-3, 3-3)
7. Council Rock North Indians (6-3, 4-2)
8. Truman Tigers (6-3, 4-2)
9. Abington Ghosts (5-4, 2-4)
10. Plymouth Whitemarsh Colonials (6-3, 5-1)
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