This week’s notebook features Pennridge, CR South & Hatboro-Horsham and highlights some of the week’s top performances.
By Scott Huff
The second week of the Suburban One League conference season is in the books.
The biggest surprise might be the fact that there are four 2-0 teams in the SOL Continental Conference – and four 0-2 teams. There was much talk preseason about the parity in the conference with all eight teams in the championship mix. Unbeaten Quakertown, CR South, and CR North were expected to be contenders – CB West is also unbeaten after two weeks. The best of the 0-2 teams has to be CB East who lost heartbreakers to both CR North and CR South.
In the SOL American Conference, it is no shocker that both Upper Dublin and Plymouth Whitemarsh are unbeaten in the conference – but after a winless non-conference slate of games, Hatboro-Horsham is tied for the top spot in the standings with both the Cardinals and the Colonials.
In the SOL National Conference both North Penn and Pennsbury have flexed their respective conference muscles and remain as the only unbeaten teams in the conference. Pennridge, Neshaminy, Central Bucks South, and Souderton are a single game behind at 1-1.
And the beat goes on…
SOL Continental Conference ‘Snapshot’
Council Rock South Golden Hawks
Council Rock South (3-2, 2-0) head coach Vince Bedesem had seen this horror flick twice already this season.
The Hawks – who lost agonizing games to Pennsbury (13-6) and Neshaminy (27-25) in non-league contests – lost an 18-6 fourth quarter lead to Central Bucks East last week. This time, though, it was Rock South that inflicted a painful SOL Continental Conference loss on the Patriots in double overtime – 32-26.
“We felt that we walked off the field against both Pennsbury and Neshaminy with wins left on the field,” said Bedesem. “CB East is a very good football team – that # 45 (Jack Lamb) is an amazing player that disrupted our offense as a linebacker and we never got a clean shot at him as a runner – and they did a great job of battling back in the fourth quarter.
“We needed to have a good old-fashioned gut check – and we got one,” added Bedesem. “We were able to meet the challenge.
“We are a football team that wants to play possession football and win the field position battles,” continued Bedesem. “Our conference this year is very good – and we are going to have to play well to beat teams.”
Council Rock South is tied with Quakertown (5-0, 2-0), Council Rock North (3-2, 2-0), and surprising Central Bucks West (2-3, 2-0) at the top of the SOL Continental Conference standings.
Next up for the Golden Hawks is CB West.
“Central Bucks West played a big time non-league schedule,” said Bedesem in reference to the Buck losses to National Conference opponents Central Bucks South (40-14), Souderton (21-14), and Pennridge (34-0). “And then they came back to beat Norristown in overtime (31-28) and they put it to an improved Truman (27-0) last week.
“West is getting stronger each week and moving forward,” added Bedesem. “Every game in this league is going to be competitive.”
‘Notable Numbers’ in the SOL Continental Conference
Brendan Patterson of Council Rock South rushed for a game-high 137 yards and scored two touchdowns as the Golden Hawks soared to a 32-26 double overtime victory over Central Bucks East. Kevin Hickey added 74 yards and two scores for the winners.
Brandon McIlwain of Council Rock North completed 11 passes for 192 yards and four touchdowns as the Indians captured a 53-0 victory over William Tennent. Tyler Nowmos andDevon Bibbens each caught two touchdown passes for Rock North.
Tom Garlick of Quakertown passed for two touchdowns and ran in another TD as the Panthers captured a 49-7 victory over Norristown. Rob Burns rushed for a game-high 148 yards and scored two touchdowns for the winners.
Jake Reichwein of Central Bucks West scored three touchdowns as the Bucks shutout Truman 27-0. Griffin Shields rushed for a game-high 112 yards on 15 carries.
Jack Lamb of Central Bucks East rushed for a team-high 135 yards and two touchdowns as the Patriots lost in double overtime to Council Rock South 32-26. Alex Gibson carried 29 times for 86 yards and scored two touchdowns for East.
Khalif Sinclair of Norristown threw a touchdown pass and rushed for 75 yards as the Eagles were defeated by Quakertown 49-7.
This Week in the SOL Continental Conference
Council Rock North Indians (3-2, 2-0) @ Norristown Eagles (2-3, 0-2)
Central Bucks West Bucks (2-3, 2-0) @ Council Rock South Hawks (3-2, 2-0)
Truman Tigers (2-3, 0-2) @ Quakertown Panthers (5-0, 2-0)
William Tennent Panthers (3-2, 0-2) @ Central Bucks East Patriots (3-2, 0-2)
SOL American Conference ‘Snapshot’
Hatboro-Horsham Hatters
Hatboro-Horsham (2-3, 2-0) head coach Michael Kupusta and his Hatters took some spankings in the non-league schedule against the likes of Pennridge (55-29), Quakertown (38-19), and Lansdale Catholic (45-20).
“We played very good teams and we took some lumps in the non-league games,” said Kapusta. “But now that we are settled in our league season, things have improved.”
Hatboro-Horsham is unbeaten at 2-0 in the conference and finds itself in a first place tie with powerful Upper Dublin and equally powerful Plymouth Whitemarsh. The next two weeks the Hatters should be favored in SOL American Conference games against Springfield (2-2, 1-1) and Wissahickon (1-4, 0-2).
“We never like to look ahead – but we still keep a close eye on what the other teams are doing,” said Kupusta. “Right now we want to extend our winning streak against Springfield next week – and we’ll go on from there and get ready for Wissahickon.”
Last week the Hatters showcased a dominant running attack against Upper Merion (2-3, 0-2) in a 30-6 victory that featured seniors Robert Fitzpatrick and Kinglsey Nworu. Both Fitzpatrick and Nworu each scored two touchdowns against the Vikings.
“The (rainy) weather might have dictated we run the ball more, but our game plan all along was to run the ball,” said Kupusta. “We lost Adam Suder to an ankle injury – but he should be back this week.
“Our offensive line did a great job of helping us to establish the running game,” added Kupusta. “Luke Gehlhaus had a heck of a game and came up with a lot of key blocks.
“Phil Pagliaro had a great game on the defensive side of the ball,” continued Kapusta. “He has been great all year forcing turnovers.”
Kupusta cited the 20-13 Hatter win over rival Upper Moreland two weeks ago as a huge turning point.
“Our seniors had never beaten Upper Moreland – and beating them did a lot for our confidence,” said Kupusta. “Now we have to keep that going.”
‘Notable Numbers’ in the SOL American Conference
Nafeese Nasir of Plymouth Whitemarsh rushed for a game-high 188 yards and scored two touchdowns as the Colonials marched to a 50-18 victory over Wissahickon.
Rodney Morgan of Upper Moreland rushed for a game-high 171 yards and a touchdown as the Bears rolled to a 28-6 victory over Cheltenham. Nick DeLucas scored two touchdowns for the winners.
Stacey Gardner of Upper Dublin rushed for a game-high 135 yards and three touchdowns as the Cardinals soared to a 62-0 victory over Springfield. Kalief Lee also scored three touchdowns for Upper Dublin.
Kingsley Nworu and Robert Fitzpatrick of Hatboro-Horsham each scored two touchdowns as the Hatters topped Upper Merion 30-6.
Mike Marino of Wissahickon threw a touchdown pass and also ran for another score as the Trojans were defeated by Plymouth Whitemarsh 50-18.
Isaiah Graham-Mobley of Upper Merion rushed for a team-high 52 yards and scored on a 66-yard touchdown pass as the Vikings were defeated by Hatboro-Horsham 30-6.
Branden Mack of Cheltenham accounted for the only Panther points with a touchdown pass as Cheltenham was defeated by Upper Moreland 28-6.
This Week in the SOL American Conference
Upper Moreland Golden Bears (3-1, 1-1) @ Plymouth Whitemarsh Colonials (5-0, 2-0)
Wissahickon Trojans (1-4, 0-2) @ Upper Dublin Cardinals (5-0, 2-0)
Upper Merion Vikings (2-3, 0-2) @ Cheltenham Panthers (1-4, 0-2)
Springfield Spartans (2-2, 1-1) @ Hatboro-Horsham Hatters (2-3, 2-0)
SOL National Conference ‘Snapshot’
Pennridge Rams
Pennridge (3-2, 1-1) head coach Jeff Hollenbach looked at the calendar prior to his October 3rd date with Neshaminy and noticed that is was already playoff football time for the Rams.
“We talk to the kids about how important these games are if we want to be among the best teams in the area,” said Hollenbach after his Rams defeated the Redskins 17-7. “I’m very proud of the way that we responded after the loss to North Penn (31-7) against a team with the great tradition Neshaminy has.
“I was a little concerned playing on a Saturday night at Heartbreak Ridge with no band – no cheerleaders – and on a cold and rainy night,” added Hollenbach. “Neshaminy was very impressive on film – they have a number of talented skill players and are big up front.
“But what it came down to was that both our defensive and offensive lines won battles up front,” continued Hollenbach. “We challenged them – and they responded.”
Two of the defensive players that answered that challenge were sophomore Nick Tarburton and senior Alex Schmidt.
“Nick got his first start at inside linebacker – made some good reads – and played a great game for a sophomore,” said Hollenbach. “And Alex played a great game at defensive end. Anytime you can limit a team like Neshaminy to 31 yards rushing – you have played a great game.
“One thing I loved about how we won the game was how hard we played,” added Hollenbach. “There are no easy games on our schedule – and we have to work hard to win as many games as we can.”
Even if the playoffs don’t start until November.
‘Notable Numbers’ in the SOL National Conference
Justin Ostopowicz of North Penn rushed for a game-high 130 yards and scored two touchdowns as the Knights marched to a 46-26 victory over Central Bucks South. Nick Isabella scored two touchdowns for the winners, while Reece Udinski completed 10 passes for 151 yards and a touchdown.
Jamar White of Souderton rushed for a game-high 141 yards and three touchdowns as the Indians captured a 48-0 victory over Bensalem. Blake Gular rushed for 133 yards and two touchdowns for the Big Red.
Daulton Hose of Pennsbury rushed for three touchdowns as the Falcons soared to a 52-21 victory over Abington.
Juden Desorsiers of Pennridge rushed for a team-high 66 yards and scored a touchdown as the Rams defeated Neshmainy 17-7.
George Reid of Abington scored three touchdowns as the Ghosts were beaten by Pennsbury 52-21. Reid scored two touchdowns on pass receptions and also returned a punt for a score.
Mason Jones of Neshaminy passed for 155 yards that included a 75-yard touchdown pass as the Redskins were defeated by Pennridge 17-7.
Sam Thompson of Central Bucks South rushed for two touchdowns as the Titans were defeated by North Penn 46-26.
This Week in the SOL National Conference
Souderton Indians (3-2, 1-1) @ North Penn Knights (3-2, 2-0)
Pennsbury Falcons (5-0, 2-0) @ Bensalem Owls (0-5, 0-2)
Pennridge Rams (3-2, 1-1) @ Abington Ghosts (0-5, 0-2)
Neshaminy Redskins (3-2, 1-1) @ Central Bucks South Titans (2-3, 1-1)
SuburbanOneSports.com
Top Ten
1. Upper Dublin Cardinals (5-0, 2-0)
2. Pennsbury Falcons (4-1, 2-0)
3. North Penn Knights (3-2, 2-0)
4. Quakertown Panthers (5-0, 2-0)
5. Pennridge Rams (3-2, 1-1)
6. Neshaminy Redskins (3-2, 1-1)
7. Council Rock South Hawks (3-2, 2-0)
8. Plymouth Whitemarsh Colonials (5-0, 2-0)
9. Council Rock North Indians (3-2, 2-0)
10. Central Bucks East Patriots (3-2, 0-2)
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