Scott Huff features Pennsbury, Norristown & Wissahickon and highlights the SOL’s top performances.
By Scott Huff
The first week of conference play in the 2014 Suburban One Leagueis history, and the ‘new and improved’ alignment looked a whole lot like the old alignment in some respects.
In the SOL National Conference, the competitive nature of things was not in evidence – score-wise – after the first week. Pennsbury (4-0, 1-0) destroyed Souderton (2-2) 49-6 in a game that concluded with the mercy-rule. Ditto in another National Conference game as Central Bucks South (3-1) routed Bensalem (0-4, 0-1) 42-0. North Penn (2-2, 1-0) flexed its muscle in a 47-22 win over Pennridge (3-1, 0-1). The only competitive conference game was the Neshaminy (2-2, 1-0) win over Abington (3-1, 0-1) – 21-18.
In the SOL Continental Conference, the games were very competitive with just a single lopsided outcome. Council Rock North (3-1,1-0) glided to a 21-0 victory over injury-riddled Central Bucks East (1-3, 0-1). Quakertown (4-0, 1-0) remained unbeaten with a hard-fought 21-14 victory over William Tennent (2-2, 0-1). And both Norristown (3-1, 1-0) and Council Rock South (2-2, 1-0) rallied from second half deficits as the Eagles defeated Central Bucks West (1-3, 0-1) 28-27 in overtime and the Golden Hawks defeated Truman (2-2, 0-1) 16-14.
In the SOL American Conference, the teams that were favored to win all collected victories. Upper Moreland (4-0, 1-0) remained both unbeaten and impressive with a 42-6 victory over winless Hatboro-Horsham (0-4, 0-1); Upper Dublin (3-1, 1-0) soared to an easy 28-7 victory over Cheltenham (1-3, 0-1); Plymouth Whitemarsh (2-2, 1-0) rallied for a 30-14 win over winless Upper Merion (0-4, 0-1); and Wissahickon (2-2, 1-0) marched to a 41-28 win over Springfield (2-2, 0-1).
And the beat goes on…
SOL National Conference ‘Snapshot’
Pennsbury Falcons
Pennsbury was touted as one of the elite teams in the state this season – and the unbeaten Falcons have not disappointed.
Pennsbury has outscored the opposition by a staggering 190-34 so far this season with non-league wins over Council Rock South (28-0), Frankford (56-8), Council Rock North (57-20) – and a conference victory over Souderton (49-6).
“Things have gone well for us this season,” said Pennsbury veteran head coach Galen Snyder. “We know that we are part of one of the best leagues in the state, and we are going to have to continue to play well.”
The Falcons (4-0, 1-0) will have a rare Saturday afternoon SOL National Conference game this week against rival Abington (3-1, 0-1). Kickoff will take place at high noon at Schwartzman Stadium on the Abington campus.
“It is not your typical Friday night game, but both teams are playing at the same time, and there really isn’t any advantage for either team,” said Snyder. “Abington is a team that we are very familiar with – and a team that is very familiar with us. We know each other extremely well.
“They are a very tough team with some great quickness in the backfield,” added Snyder. “In our league, you are going to play a tough game every week. And this is certainly going to be one of those.”
Stay tuned.
SOL National Conference ‘Honor Roll’
Charles Snorweah and Victor Delgado of Pennsbury each rushed for 116 yards as the Falcons soared to a 49-6 win over Souderton. Snorweah scored four times for the winners, while Delgado scored two touchdowns.
Josh Adams of Central Bucks South scored three touchdowns in the first half as the Titans rolled to a 42-0 victory over Bensalem.
Jake Bevan of North Penn made his first varsity start at quarterback a memorable one as the Knights marched to a 47-22 win over Pennridge. Bevan threw for 104 yards and two touchdowns.
D’Andre Pollard of Neshaminy rushed for a game-high 80 yards and scored a touchdown as the Redskins collected a 21-18 victory over Abington.
Joey Curotto of Souderton passed for 74 yards and a touchdown as the Big Red were defeated by Pennsbury 49-6.
Joe Unganst of Pennridge rushed for a game-high 124 yards as the Rams were defeated by North Penn 47-22.
Juawine Sowell of Abington rushed for a team-high 66 yards and a touchdown as the Ghosts were defeated by Neshaminy 21-18.
This Week in the SOL National Conference
Neshaminy Redskins (2-2, 1-0) @ Pennridge Rams (3-1, 0-1)
Last Week: Neshaminy defeated Abington 21-18 & Pennridge lost to North Penn 47-22.
North Penn Knights (2-2, 1-0) @ Central Bucks South Titans (3-1, 1-0)
Last Week: North Penn defeated Pennridge 47-22 & CB South defeated Bensalem 42-0.
Souderton Indians (2-2, 0-1) @ Bensalem Owls (0-4, 0-1)
Last Week: Souderton lost to Pennsbury 49-6 & Bensalem lost to CB South 42-0.
Pennsbury Falcons (4-0, 1-0) @ Abington Ghosts (3-1, 0-1)
Last Week: Pennsbury defeated Souderton 49-6 & Abington lost to Neshaminy 21-18.
SOL Continental Conference ‘Snapshot’
Norristown Eagles
Norristown came into the season with an 18-game losing streak and the Eagles also entered the 2014 season with a brand new head coach – Jason Powel.
Norristown (3-1, 1-0) – which moved into the SOL Continental Conference from the SOL American Conference – has experienced tremendous success under Powel. And the latest win might have been the best of the season for the Eagles, who rallied back from deficits of 13-0 and 20-7 to defeat the Bucks 28-27 in overtime.
“The win over CB West was a great win for us,” said Powel. “It showed the players that if you work hard – good things are going to happen. It was great to see that all of our hard work so far this season has paid off with some wins.”
In addition to the win over CB West, the Eagles defeated Upper Merion (27-6) and Wissahickon (14-13) in non-league contests. The lone loss was to Plymouth Whitemarsh (37-6).
“This week we get Quakertown, and they have been very impressive,” said Powel of the unbeaten Panthers (4-0, 1-0). “From what I have seen on film, they are a lot like us. They have worked very hard and have won games by outworking teams.”
The kickoff is at 1 pm on Saturday at Norristown.
SOL Continental Conference ‘Honor Roll’
Khalif Sinclair of Norristown scored three touchdowns as the Eagles soared to a 28-27 overtime victory over CB West. Sinclair caught five passes for 103 yards and two touchdowns and rushed for 92 yards and a score.
Vince Alimenti of Council Rock South scored all 16 of the Hawks points in a 16-14 win over Truman. Alimenti scored two touchdowns and added a pair of 2-point conversions and rushed for a game-high 139 yards.
Brandon McIlwain of Council Rock North rushed for 104 yards and a touchdown – and passed for 132 yards and a touchdown – as the Indians captured a 21-0 victory over Central Bucks East.
Alec Vera of Quakertown scored two touchdowns as the Panthers collected a 21-4 victory over William Tennent.
Mark Lopez-Shefcyk of Truman rushed for 104 yards and a touchdown – and also passed for a TD – as the Tigers were defeated by Council Rock South 16-14.
Nik Banks of William Tennent rushed for 100 yards and scored a touchdown as the Panthers were defeated by Quakertown 21-14.
Dallas Owen of Central Bucks West rushed for 145 yards and a touchdown as the Bucks were defeated in overtime by Norristown 28-27.
This Week in the SOL Continental Conference
Quakertown Panthers (4-0, 1-0) @ Norristown Eagles (3-1, 1-0)
Last Week: Quakertown defeated William Tennent 21-14 Norristown defeated CB West 28-27 in overtime.
Truman Tigers (2-2, 0-1) @ Central Bucks West Bucks (1-3, 0-1)
Last Week: Truman lost to CR South 16-14 & CB West lost to Norristown 28-27 in overtime.
Council Rock South Golden Hawks (2-2, 1-0) @ Central Bucks East Patriots (1-3, 0-1)
Last Week: CR South defeated Truman 16-14 & CB East lost to CR North 21-0.
Council Rock North Indians (3-1, 1-0) @ William Tennent Panthers (2-2, 0-1)
Last Week: CR North defeated CB East 21-0 & William Tennent lost to Quakertown 21-14.
SOL American Conference ‘Snapshot’
Wissahickon Trojans
Wissahickon evened its season record with a 41-28 SOL American Conference victory over Springfield.
“We lost games Norristown and Souderton where we didn’t play our best football,” said Wissahickon head coach Jeff Cappa. “And for us to come back with the win over Springfield will do a lot to get us back on the track we want to be on.
“The best thing about this team is that we don’t have a single bad teammate on the team,” added Cappa. “There is no complaining – and we are there to pick each other up.”
Wissahickon will have a huge date on the SOL American Conference schedule this week when the Trojans travel to Plymouth Whitemarsh to meet the defending champion Colonials.
“They haven’t lost a conference game in three years – and there is a good reason for that – they’re good,” said Cappa. “This year they have a huge offensive and defensive line – and their skill players are very good and improving.
“We will go into the game with the idea of winning the game,” added Cappa. “But win or lose, we will face it like a team. And you have to like that.”
SOL American Conference ‘Honor Roll’
Tyler Whitmore and Josh Abrams of Upper Moreland had impressive numbers as the Golden Bears captured a 42-6 win over Hatboro-Horsham. Whitmore rushed for 260 yards and scored three touchdowns, while Abrams passed for 120 yards and two scores.
Josh Smith and Josh Trunk of Wissahickon also had impressive numbers as the Trojans marched to a 41-28 victory over Springfield. Smith raced for a game-high 229 yards and two touchdowns, while Trunk also scored two touchdowns for the winners.
Nafeese Nasir of Plymouth Whitemarsh scored two touchdowns as the Colonials marched to a 34-10 victory over Upper Merion.
Ryan Stover of Upper Dublin passed for 137 yards and two touchdowns as the Flying Cardinals soared to a 28-7 victory over Cheltenham.
Chris Stone of Springfield rushed for 90 yards and a score – and passed for 158 yards and a score – as the Spartans were defeated by Wissahickon 41-28.
Kori Smith of Upper Merion returned a kickoff 81 yards for a touchdown as the Vikings were sunk by Plymouth Whitemarsh 34-10.
Casey Walsh of Hatboro-Horsham passed for 84 yards and scored a rushing touchdown as the Hatters were topped by Upper Moreland 42-6.
This Week in the SOL American Conference
Wissahickon Trojans (2-2, 1-0) @ Plymouth Whitemarsh Colonials (2-2, 1-0)
Last Week: Wissahickon defeated Springfield 41-28 & Plymouth Whitemarsh defeated Upper Merion 34-10.
Upper Dublin Cardinals (3-1, 1-0) @ Springfield Spartans (2-2, 0-1)
Last Week: Upper Dublin defeated Cheltenham 28-7 & Springfield lost to Wissahickon 41-28.
Upper Moreland Golden Bears (4-0, 1-0) @ Cheltenham Panthers (1-3, 0-1)
Last Week: Upper Moreland defeated Hatboro-Horsham 42-6 & Cheltenham lost to Upper Dublin 28-7.
Hatboro-Horsham Hatters (0-4, 0-1) @ Upper Merion Vikings (0-4, 0-1)
Last Week: Hatboro-Horsham lost to Upper Moreland 42-6 & Upper Merion lost to Plymouth Whitemarsh 34-10.
Suburban One Sports.com
Top Ten
1. Pennsbury Falcons (4-0, 1-0)
2. Central Bucks South Titans (3-1, 1-0)
3. North Penn Knights (2-2, 1-0)
4. Neshaminy Redskins (2-2, 1-0)
5. Abington Ghosts (3-1, 0-1)
6. Pennridge Rams (3-1, 0-1)
7. Council Rock North Indians (3-1, 1-0)
8. Quakertown Panthers (4-0, 1-0)
9. Upper Moreland Golden Bears (4-0, 1-0)
10. Upper Dublin Flying Cardinals (3-1, 1-0)
About the Author
