Scott Huff featured Truman this week’s notebook that includes the league’s offensive leaders and a look at this week’s schedule.
By Scott Huff
Truman head coach Mike LaPalombara has taught high school math for 28 years in the Harry S Truman school district and deals with numbers every single school day.
Let’s take a look at some other numbers that must be swirling in LaPalombara’s head at this time.
O – as in zero.
Truman has never been to the PIAA District One playoffs in the history of the school.
“The goal going into the season was getting to the district playoffs for the first time in school history,” said LaPalombara. “We didn’t talk about (SOL National) conference championships (another HST zero), we talked a lot about getting into the playoffs.”
4-0
The Tigers have gotten off to a remarkable unbeaten start this season with convincing wins over Methacton (48-0), Avon Grove (35-12), William Tennent (41-0), and Council Rock South (42-0).
“To be honest, we didn’t know what kind of team we had going into the Methacton game,” said LaPalombara. “And the wins that followed over Avon Grove, William Tennent, and Council Rock South have been a great reward for all the hard work the kids have put in.
“Our objective is to continue working hard and not to have a bad practice,” added LaPalombara. “And if we do that – and continue to buy into the program – our goal of getting in the playoffs is possible.”
166/ 41.5/ 327.3/ 52.8/ 380.1
The impressive Truman offense has scored 166 points; has scored an average of 41.5 points per game; rushed for 327.3 yards pre game; passed for an average of 52.8 yards; and has averaged 380.1 yards per game.
“We run the Wing-T and just let it unfold,” said LaPalombara. “We have three excellent running backs, and our quarterback (Dylan Snelling) has made great decisions and managed that side of the ball well.”
505-8.9-7/ 288-8.7-4/ 219-10.4-2
David Akinwande has topped the statistical leader board for the Tiger running attack with his 505 yards and seven touchdowns. Sayyid Sauders is still another breakaway threat with his 8.7 average per carry. Enzo Poulson has also generated his explosiveness with a 10.4 rushing average.
“Whoever gets the ball in the Wing-T has been effective,” said LaPalombara. “David, Sayyid, and Enzo all have good years so far running the football.
“And (quarterback) Dylan (Snelling) has done a great job with his ball skills and running the offense,” added LaPalombara. “Plus he is a huge asset because he can both run the ball and pass the ball.”
12/ 109.5/ 55.3/ 164.8/ 3.0
The impressive Truman defense has permitted just 12 points all season – has three shutouts – and has allowed a SOL low 3.0 points per game. The Tiger defense has allowed just an average of 164.8 yards per game.
“It is hard to point out just a single player on defense,” said LaPalombara. “The whole defense has played well – on almost every play.
“Javeer (Peterson) had two interceptions last week, but he has a lot of help on defense,” added LaPalombara. “The defense has a lot of friends on that side of the ball – they like each other and play hard for each other.”
2
LaPalombara has two former successful high school head coaches on his staff in Galen Snyder and Dave Sanderson.
“I have coached with Galen and Dave for years,” said LaPalombara, who was an assistant along with Sanderson under Snyder at Pennsbury. “Really, the only reason I became the head coach here was because I could have the two of them as my assistants.
“Dave runs the offense and calls all the plays,” added LaPalombara. “And Galen makes all the defensive calls.
“I manage the game on the field and manage the team off the field,” continued the coach. “They are more than happy just doing the X’s and O’s – and I can do the rest.”
62-28
Neshaminy (3-1, 1-0) is the next opponent for the Tigers and will be an extremely difficult task for the Tigers. Last season the Redskins administered a 62-28 beating on HST. And, according to my sources, Neshaminy owns a 28-3 record against Truman over the years. The last Truman win came in 1995.
“Of course, everyone on our coaching staff and our players respect the Neshaminy football program,” said LaPalombara. “We don’t have the history between Truman and Neshaminy that, say, Pennsbury has with Neshaminy.
“But win or lose, our goal remains the same,” added LaPalombara. “We want to be that first district playoff team from Truman.”
1
And that would be a huge first.
SOL National Conference Snapshot
Bensalem (4-0, 1-0) – along with Truman – has been a nice surprise in the conference with an unbeaten record after four weeks. The Owls picked up some credibility with a commanding 41-18 conference victory over Abington (2-2). Bensalem is currently ranked fifth in the PIAA District One 6A standings and could pick up more points with a win this week. The Owls host Central Bucks West (3-1) in a key non-conference game.
SOL Continental Conference Snapshot
North Penn (2-2, 1-0) has been down this road before. The Knights lost their first two games to district powers La Salle (3-1) and Downingtown East (4-0) and rebounded with wins the last two weeks over Pennsbury (3-1, 1-0) and Central Bucks West (3-1, 0-1). Even with two losses and a current 16th ranking in District One – the Knights are still considered by most to be the favorite in the conference. North Penn will travel to meet Pennridge (3-1, 1-0) on Saturday night.
SOL American Conference Snapshot
Hatboro-Horsham (2-1, 0-0) did not play last week and will use that layoff to prepare for unbeaten Upper Moreland (4-0, 1-0) in a critical conference game for both teams. The Hatters could not ‘find’ a game to fill the void that Springfield created when the Spartans exited the conference this season. The Hatboro-Horsham /Upper Moreland rivalry game always has that Thanksgiving flavor – even if this particular contest is being played the fourth Saturday of September.
Sneak Peek @ the current 6A SOL District One Standings
1. Central Bucks South Titans (4-0) 152.500
4. Harry S Truman Tigers (4-0) 145.000
5. Bensalem Owls (4-0) 142.500
8. Pennridge Rams (3-1) 125.000
8. Central Bucks West Bucks (3-1) 125.000
10. Neshaminy Redskins (3-1) 120.000
12. Quakertown Panthers (3-1) 117.500
13. Pennsbury Falcons (3-1) 115.000
15. Hatboro-Horsham Hatters (2-1) 110.000
16. North Penn Knights (2-2) 100.000
19. Abington Ghosts (2-2) 85.000
Sneak Peek @ the current 5A SOL District Standings
3. Upper Moreland Golden Bears (4-0) 150.000
11. Wissahickon Trojans (2-2) 97.500
SOL Top Ten/Rushing/Passing/Receiving/Scoring Stats
Rushing
Att Yds Avg TD
1. Caleb Mead (UM) 68 591 8.7 6
2. Sterlen Barr (UM) 50 582 11.6 5
3. David Akinwande (HH) 57 505 8.9 7
4. Zach DeMarchis (PB) 50 426 8.5 4
5. Malik Bootman (UD) 48 399 8.3 7
6. Jackson Taylor (A) 38 390 10.3 4
7. Keith Parrish (BS) 28 380 13.6 3
8. Josh Pinkney (PR) 38 363 9.6 6
9. Ryan Watson (CBS) 56 350 6.3 8
10. Michael Welde (CRN) 78 330 4.2 2
Passing
QBR C/Att. Yards TD/Int
1. Evan O’Donnell (CBE) 177.6 45/63 632 6/3
2. Brody McAndrew (N) 150.1 55/97 851 7/2
3. Christian Jabbar (CRS) 149.1 31/52 460 3/1
4. Jack Johns (CBS) 146.0 49/80 698 4/2
5. Zak Kantor (PR) 144.5 29/52 471 2/0
6. Steve DePaul (NP) 137.4 35/67 554 5/3
7. Zach DeMarchis (PB) 134.5 46/84 570 7/2
8. Chris Edwards (HH) 122.5 21/40 263 3/2
9. Dean Dipisa (S) 117.9 31/55 435 1/3
10. Billy Griffenburg (A) 115.5 23/51 318 4/2
Receiving
Rec. Yds Avg. TD
1. Justis Henley (NP) 18 348 19.3 3
2. Mike Garlick (N) 18 312 17.3 2
3. Chris Lochetta (CBE) 16 301 18.8 4
4. Oleh Manzyk (N) 16 257 16.1 2
5. Cory Joyce (N) 15 225 15.0 3
6. Tim Shevlin (Q) 14 201 14.4 2
7. Ryan Watson (CBS) 14 169 12.1 1
8. Andrew Vera (CRS) 13 252 19.4 2
9. Tre Samuels (S) 12 202 16.8 0
10. Nick Gallo (CRS) 12 173 14.4 1
Scoring Offense – Points Per Game
1. Harry S Truman Tigers 41.5
2. Upper Moreland Golden Bears 39.5
3. Central Bucks South Titans 33.8
4. North Penn Knights 32.3
5. Pennridge Rams 29.5
6. Upper Dublin 28.7
7. Pennsbury Falcons 28.0
8. Bensalem Owls 27.0
9. Neshaminy Redskins 25.5
10. Central Bucks East Patriots 24.5
Scoring Defense – Points Per Game
1. Harry S Truman Tigers 3.0
2. Pennridge Rams 8.3
3. Central Bucks South Titans 10.8
4. Hatboro-Horsham Hatters 11.3
5. Upper Moreland Golden Bears 12.0
6. Central Bucks West Bucks 12.3
7. Upper Dublin 13.7
8. Neshaminy Redskins 14.5
9. Quakertown Panthers 14.5
10. Central Bucks East Patriots 18.3
Check Those SOL Football Calendars
The celebration of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur has made an impact on the Suburban One League schedule the next two weeks.
There will be games played throughout the day on Saturday (9/23) with starting time ranging from noon to 7 pm – check out the schedule below to see where and when you favorite team plays.
The following week all SOL games will be played on Thursday (9/28) night – check back next week for the Thursday Night Lights schedule.
#SOL National Conference Game of the Week
Harry S Truman Tigers (4-0) @ Neshaminy Redskins (3-1) – Sat. 1pm
Last Year: Neshaminy 62 – Truman 28
Last Week:
Neshaminy 32 – Council Rock North 0
Truman 42 – Council Rock South 0
The Rest of the Story
Abington Ghosts (2-2) @ Council Rock South Hawks (1-3) – Sat. noon
Last Year: Abington 35 – CR South 31
Last Week:
Bensalem 41 – Abington 18
Truman 42 0 CR South 0
Council Rock North Indians (1-3) @ Pennsbury Falcons (3-1) – Sat. 1pm
Last Year: CR North 13 – Pennsbury 7
Last Week:
Neshaminy 32 – CR North 0
Pennsbury 24 – William Tennent 7
#SOL Continental Conference Game of the Week
North Penn Knights (2-2) @ Pennridge Rams (3-1) @ 7pm
Last Year: North Penn 45 – Pennridge 28
Last Week:
North Penn 28 – Central Bucks West 14
Pennridge 34 – Souderton 3
The Rest of the Story
Souderton Indians (1-3) @ Central Bucks South Titans (4-0) – Sat. noon
Last Year: Central Bucks South 7 – Souderton 0
Last Week:
Pennridge 34 – Souderton 3
Central Bucks South 37 – Central Bucks East 28
Central Bucks East Patriots (1-3) @ William Tennent (0-4) – Sat. 7pm
Last Year: Central Bucks East 31 – William Tennent 6
Last Week:
Central Bucks South 38 – Central Bucks East 28
Pennsbury 24 – William Tennent 7
#SOL American Conference Game of the Week
Upper Moreland Bears (4-0) @ Hatboro-Horsham (2-1)– Sat. 7pm
Last Year: Hatboro-Horsham 35 – Upper Moreland 14
Last Week:
Hatboro-Horsham – Did Not Play
Upper Moreland 41 – Plymouth Whitemarsh 7
The Rest of the Story
Quakertown Panthers (3-1) @ Upper Dublin Cardinals (2-1) – Sat. 7pm
Last Year: Upper Dublin 18 – Quakertown 7
Last Week:
Quakertown 32 – Wissahickon 13
Upper Dublin 49 – Cheltenham 7
Plymouth Whitemarsh (0-4) @ Wissahickon Trojans (2-2) – Sat. noon
Last Year: PW 39 – Wissahickon 36
Last Week:
Upper Moreland 41 – PW 7
Quakertown 32 – Wissahickon 13
#SOL Non-Conference Game of the Week
Central Bucks West Bucks (3-1) @ Bensalem Owls (4-0) – Sat. 7pm
Last Year: Bensalem 28 – CB West 21
Last Week:
Bensalem 41 – Abington 18
North Penn 28 – CB West 14
The Rest of the Story
Cheltenham Panthers (0-4) @ Germantown Academy (1-1) – Sat. 1:30pm
Last Year: Did Not Play
Last Week:
Upper Dublin 49 – Cheltenham 7
Germantown Academy – Did Not Play
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