This week’s notebook features CB South, Truman and PW and also highlights the top offensive performances.
By Scott Huff
Upsets.
Upsets usually dictate who wins championships – and some would consider that each conference had an upset of sorts this week.
In the Suburban One League American Conference, Cheltenham was considered an upset winner when the Panthers (2-3, 1-1) captured a 28-21 win over then unbeaten Upper Moreland (4-1, 1-1). Upper Dublin (4-1, 2-0) and Plymouth Whitemash (3-2, 2-0) slid into the co-contender category as the Cardinals soared to a 46-14 win over Springfield (3-2, 0-2), while the Colonials marched to a 47-27 win over Wissahickon (2-3, 1-1). Hatboro-Horsham (1-4, 1-1) won its first game of the season with a 34-18 win over winless Upper Merion (0-5, 0-2).
In the SOL Continental Conference, Truman (3-2, 1-1) was considered a slight underdog – but the Tigers beat favored Central Bucks West (1-4, 0-2) – 28-16. Quakertown (5-0, 2-0), Council Rock North (4-1, 2-0), and Council Rock South (3-2, 2-0) all remained unbeaten in conference play with wins. The Panthers captured a 34-6 victory over Norristown (3-2, 1-1); Rock North defeated William Tennent (2-3, 0-2) by a 36-22 margin; and the Golden Hawks soared to a 46-40 victory over Central Bucks East (1-4, 0-2).
In the SOL National Conference Pennridge (4-1, 1-1) was considered a slight underdog – but the Rams beat favored Neshaminy (2-3, 1-1) – 21-14. Pennsbury (5-0, 2-0) and Central Bucks South (4-1, 2-0) remained unbeaten in conference play as the Falcons soared to a 34-7 victory over Abington (3-2, 0-2) and CB South edged North Penn (2-3, 1-1) by a 28-27 score. Souderton (3-2, 1-1) won its first conference game as the Indians routed winless Bensalem (0-5, 0-2) – 60-20.
And the beat goes on…
SOL American Conference ‘Snapshot’
Plymouth Whitemarsh Colonials
Plymouth Whitemarsh has won 24 consecutive SOL American Conference games, and the defending champion Colonials (3-2, 2-0) – after an 0-2 non-league start this season – are looking to capture victory #25 this week against conference contender Upper Moreland (4-1, 1-1).
“Our goal at the beginning of the season is to win the league title – and that has not changed,” said Plymouth Whitemarsh head coach Dan Chang. “If we take care of business each week, those things will start to fall into place.”
One thing that fell into place last week for PW was the play of running back Nyfeese Nasir. Nasir torched Wissahickon for 203 yards and four touchdowns as the Colonials rolled to a 47-27 win over the Trojans.
“Nyfeese is an explosive back with great vision,” said Chang. “We emphasized the need for him to become a complete football player. Running, blocking, carrying out fakes – and he did it all last week. He has breakaway speed and can finish runs physically.”
Upper Moreland has an answer for the explosiveness of Nasir – senior Tyler Whitmore.
“Tyler Whitmore has tremendous speed and is one of the premier backs in the league and the area,” said Chang. “He is very dangerous every time that he touches the ball.
“We have to limit his ability to make big plays,” added Chang. “His offensive line is very good – and it will be a battle for us up front.”
And if Plymouth Whitemarsh can win that battle – win #25 should follow.
SOL American Conference ‘Honor Roll’
Ryan Stover of Upper Dublin threw for three touchdown passes and ran for two scores as the Flying Cardinals soared to a 46-14 victory over Springfield.
Nyfeese Nasir of Plymouth Whitemarsh rushed for a game-high 203 yards and four touchdowns as the Colonials marched to a 47-27 win over Wissahickon.
Kworu Kingsley and Joe Albano of Hatboro-Horsham each scored two touchdowns as the Hatters topped Upper Merion 34-18.
Greg Morris of Cheltenham rushed for 138 yards and a touchdown as the Panthers upset Upper Moreland 28-21.
Tyler Whitmore of Upper Moreland rushed for 219 yards and three touchdowns as the Golden Bears were upset by Cheltenham 28-21.
Mike Marino of Wissahickon threw two touchdown passes and ran for another score as the Trojans were defeated by Plymouth Whitemarsh 47-27.
Isaiah Graham-Mobley of Upper Merion threw a touchdown pass and rushed for another score as the Vikings were sunk by Hatboro-Horsham 34-18.
Chris Stone and Martin Worgan of Springfield each scored a touchdown as the Spartans were defeated by Upper Dublin 46-14.
This Week in the SOL American Conference
Plymouth Whitemarsh Colonials (3-2, 2-0) @ Upper Moreland Golden Bears (4-1, 1-1)
Last Week: Plymouth Whitemarsh defeated Wissahickon 47-27 & Upper Moreland lost to Cheltenham 28-21.
Upper Dublin Cardinals (4-1, 2-0) @ Wissahickon Trojans (2-3, 1-1)
Last Week; Upper Dublin defeated Springfield 46-14 & Wissahickon lost to PW 47-27.
Cheltenham Panthers (2-3, 1-1) @ Upper Merion Vikings (0-5, 0-2)
Last Week: Cheltenham defeated Upper Moreland 28-21 & Upper Merion lost to Hatboro-Horsham 34-18.
Hatboro-Horsham Hatters (1-4, 1-1) @ Springfield Spartans (2-3, 0-2)
Last Week: Hatboro-Horsham defeated Upper Merion 34-18 & Springfield lost to Upper Dublin 46-14.
SOL National Conference ‘Snapshot’
Central Bucks South Titans
Central Bucks South captured a huge conference victory as the Titans edged North Penn 28-27 in a thriller at Titan Field.
“To be able to beat North Penn like that is crazy,” said Central Bucks South head coach Tom Hetrick. “We’re still coming down from that unbelievable game. But we have no time to sit around and be proud of what we did – we have Neshaminy on Thursday.
“Josh (Adams) played another incredible game, but he had a lot of help from our offensive line,” added Hetrick as Adams raced for 327 yards and three touchdowns. “As the game unfolded, I thought we were going to be able to get the push from the offensive line and run the ball.”
The Titans’ offensive line is a huge line that has punished opponents all season.
Senior guard Dan Young (5-11, 243), senior guard Jack Mummert (6-2, 295), senior center Rob Richick (6-0, 225), sophomore tackle Ethan Knapp (6-4, 275), and junior Dylan Tarasiewicz (6-2, 308) have done the unheralded grunt work up front. The wide-open Titan offense rarely uses a tight end to help with the blocking.
“We are going into a extraordinarily tough second half of the season,” said Hetrick. “And to be able to have an offensive line perform at a high level is a credit to them.
“We have played four home games in a row, and now we go on the road to play Neshaminy and Abington the next two weeks,” added Hetrick as the Titans finish the conference schedule with four of their last five games away from Titan Field. “And to be able to win on the road, you usually have to run the football.
“We have had good success with (quarterback) Kevin Witchey throwing the ball on first down,” continued Hetrick. “It isn’t like we have to only run the football.”
But boy – can those Titans run the football.
SOL National Conference ‘Honor Roll’
Josh Adams of Central Bucks South rushed for 327 yards and three touchdowns as the Titans collected a 28-27 victory over North Penn.
Joe Unangst and DeVon Balmer of Pennridge each had excellent games as the Rams captured a 21-14 victory over Neshaminy. Unangst rushed for 212 yards and scored a receiving touchdown and Balmer threw for three scores in the win.
Jamar White and Blake Gular of Souderton each scored three touchdowns and rushed for over 100 yards and the Big Red routed Bensalem 60-20.
Charles Snorweah of Pennsbury rushed for a game-high 126 yards and scored two touchdowns as the Falcons soared to a 34-7 win over Abington.
DeVante Porter of Bensalem rushed for 115 yards and scored two touchdowns as the Owls were defeated by Souderton 60-20.
Nyfeese West of North Penn rushed for 161 yards and a touchdown as the Knights were defeated by CB South 28-27.
D’Andre Pollard and Bonafice Stevens of Neshaminy played well in the Skins 21-14 loss to Pennridge. Pollardrushed for 160 yards and a touchdown and Stevens intercepted two passes – one for a TD.
David Kretscham of Abington completed 13 passes for 143 yards and a touchdown as the Ghosts were defeated by Pennsbury 34-7.
This Week in the SOL National Conference
Abington Ghosts (3-2, 0-2) @ Pennridge Rams (4-1, 1-1)
Last Week: Abington lost to Pennsbury 34-7 & Pennridge defeated Neshaminy 21-14.
Neshaminy Redskins (2-3, 1-1) @ Central Bucks South Titans (4-1, 2-0)
Last Week: Neshaminy lost to Pennridge 21-14 & CB South defeated North Penn 28-27.
North Penn Knights (2-3, 1-1) @ Souderton Indians (3-2, 1-1)
Last Week: North Penn lost to CB South 28-27 & Souderton defeated Bensalem 60-20.
Bensalem Owls (0-5, 0-2) @ Pennsbury Falcons (5-0, 2-0)
Last Week: Bensalem lost to Souderton 60-20 & Pennsbury defeated Abington 34-7.
SOL Continental Conference ‘Snapshot’
Truman Tigers
Truman lost a tough conference opener to Council Rock South 16-14, and the if the Tigers want to contend for a conference title, a loss in the second week to Central Bucks West simply could not happen.
It didn’t as Truman secured a 28-16 victory over the Bucks.
“That was a big game for us to win,” said Truman head coach Jon Craig. “We want this football program to be a high school football program that can compete for championships.
“It all started last year when we played Pennsbury to a 7-7 tie in the first half,” added Craig. “I had goose bumps coming off the field after the first half. It was a great moment for both the team and the program.
“We have a great home game atmosphere – a great student section,” continued Craig. “And we will need those people in the stands on Thursday night when we play Quakertown.”
Quakertown comes into the game unbeaten with five wins overall and a 2-0 mark in the conference.
“Quakertown is a throwback football team that is very physical on both sides of the ball,” said Craig. “They want to pound the ball with the run on offense, and hit you hard on defense.”
Truman will counter with the talents of senior running back Trysten Hunt.
“Trysten is about 220 pounds and can go hard between the tackles,” said Craig. “But he has the speed to go 75 yards and score. There is no question that we want him to have the ball with the game on the line.”
And a win over those Panthers would be another huge building block in the Tiger program.
SOL Continental Conference ‘Honor Roll’
Vince Alimenti and Brendan Patterson of Council Rock South put up impressive rushing numbers as the Golden Hawks soared to a 46-40 victory over Central Bucks East. Alimenti rushed for 292 yards and four touchdowns, while Patterson collected 127 yards and 2 touchdowns.
Rob Burns and Alec Vera of Quakertown sparked the Panthers to a 34-6 win over Norristown. Burns rushed for two touchdowns, while Vera fired two touchdown passes.
Brandon McIlwain and Chris Welde of Council Rock North each has excellent games as the Indians defeated William Tennent 36-22. McIlwain rushed for three touchdowns while Welde scored two touchdowns for the winners.
Trysten Hunt and Mark Lopez-Shefcyk of Truman played fine games as the Tigers defeated CB West 28-16. Hunt rushed for 89 yards and scored on a 70-yard TD run and Lopez-Shefcyk passed for 110 yards and two scores.
Connor Pattyson and Jack Lamb of Central Bucks East had impressive numbers as the Patriots were defeated by CR South 46-40. Pattyson rushed for 91 yards and 4 touchdowns, while Lamb completed 17 passes for 199 yards.
Derek Finley and Colin Herbert of William Tennent each had fine games as the Panthers were defeated by CR North 36-22. Finley scored 3 touchdowns for WT while Herbert rushed for 167 yards.
Khalif Sinclair of Norristown collected 96 receiving yards and scored on a 74-yard touchdown as the Eagles were defeated by Quakertown 34-6.
Dallas Owen of Central Bucks West rushed for 112 yards and a touchdown as the Bucks were defeated by Truman 28-16.
This Week in the SOL Continental Conference
Quakertown Panthers (5-0, 2-0) @ Truman Tigers (3-2, 1-1)
Last Week: Quakertown defeated Norristown 34-6 & Truman defeated CB West 28-16.
Norristown Eagles (3-2, 1-1) @ Council Rock North Indians (4-1, 2-0)
Last Week: Norristown lost to Quakertown 34-6 & CR North defeated William Tennent 36-22.
Council Rock South Golden Hawks (3-2, 2-0) @ Central Bucks West Bucks (1-4, 0-2)
Last Week: CR South defeated CB East 46-40 & CB West lost to Truman 28-16.
Central Bucks East Patriots (1-4, 0-2) @ William Tennent Panthers (2-3, 0-2)
Last Week: CB East lost to CR South 46-40 & William Tennent lost to CR North 36-22.
Suburban One Sports.com
Top Ten
1. Pennsbury Falcons (5-0, 2-0)
2. Central Bucks South Titans (4-1, 2-0)
3. North Penn Knights (2-3, 1-1)
4. Pennridge Rams (4-1, 1-1)
5. Council Rock North Indians (4-1, 2-0)
6. Quakertown Panthers (5-0, 2-0)
7. Neshaminy Redskins (2-3, 1-1)
8. Abington Ghosts (3-2, 0-2)
9. Upper Dublin Flying Cardinals (4-1, 2-0)
10. Plymouth Whitemarsh Colonials (3-2, 2-0)
10. + Council Rock South Golden Hawks (3-2, 2-0)
10. ++ Upper Moreland Golden Bears (4-1, 1-1)
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