Check out the recaps for SOL football teams in action Friday. Upper Dublin/PW photos courtesy of Geanine Jamison, and Pennridge/Harry S Truman photos courtesy of Kim Supko. Check back for photo galleries. (Souderton/CB West photos provided courtesy of Marge Bullock Photography http://www.margebullock.com and CR North/Bensalem photo provided courtesy of Suzanne Collier Photography.)
Football stats provided courtesy of the Intelligencer/Bucks County Courier. To stay on top of the high school football news in the area, visit the Intelligencer (https://www.theintell.com/sports/high-school) and Courier Times (https://www.buckscountycouriertimes.com/sports/high-school) web sites.
SOL National
COUNCIL ROCK NORTH 43, BENSALEM 8
The Owls took an early 8-0 lead, but the Indians were clearly unfazed, reeling off 43 straight points. It all added up to a special Senior Night for the Indians, who – sparked by the strong running game of Dylan Sheehy – notched their second win of the season.
“I told them after the game – us being 1-7 going into the game and the history of the program, winning one game in each of the last three years, it would have been easy for them to throw in the towel or just deflate after giving up a touchdown and worse yet giving up a two-point conversion and going down 8-0,” coach John Greiner said. “All season long even though we’ve been outsized, outmuscled, the kids never quit. They showed their resiliency tonight scoring the next 43 points. It’s just a testament to the seniors and to all the players that they came back and kept on fighting.”
The Owls took an early 8-0 lead, thanks to a Richard Bardone touchdown pass in the opening quarter.
“We went down and scored on two long running plays by Dylan Sheehy,” Greiner said. “They got the ball, we forced a fumble, and we scored again.
“That’s when Gavin Papp, a freshman, had a nice interception and a long return that set us up on the 20-yard line. That turned the tide in the second quarter.”
The Indians scored a late touchdown to go into halftime on top 29-8.
“We ran our two-minute offense and got a score right before half,” Greiner said.
The Indians added a pair of second-half touchdowns.
“It was nice to get some of the seniors in that don’t get regular playing time and to see some of the seniors that don’t normally get to score a touchdown score touchdowns,” Greiner said. “Dan Ballard got a touchdown in the third quarter and Joey Himes got a touchdown in the fourth quarter.
“Offensively, Dylan Sheehy probably had 200 yards rushing. Timmy Gibson ran the ball well.”
Gibson accounted for one of his team’s touchdowns, Jack Owens also had a TD and Sheehy had a pair of touchdowns.
“To build off of what we did tonight going into CR South, it would be awesome to get three wins,” Greiner said. “Even though that’s not overwhelming success, it’s a great stepping stone for the future because we would be able to triple the win total we had last year.
“For the seniors to go out the way they did – the whole team has worked their tails off since Monday, August 5. We’re not the biggest, we’re not the fastest, and we’re not the strongest, but these kids have great heart and it showed tonight. After going through the gauntlet we just went through with the teams that we just played and for them to have the spirit and fight to do what they did tonight is awesome.”
Council Rock North (2-7, 1-4 SOL) will take on Council Rock South on Friday. Bensalem (2-7, 0-5) will host Harry S Truman on Friday.
Bensalem 8-0-0-0 8
Council Rock North 14-15-7-7 43
ABINGTON 49, PENNSBURY 28
(Statistics provided by Todd Thorpe/Intelligencer: https://www.buckscountycouriertimes.com/sports/20191018/explosive-running-back-andrick-wesh-abington-roll-to-conference-title)
The Ghosts made history on Friday night, clinching sole possession of the program’s first conference title since 1989, and they did it in style, erupting for 49 points and piling up 424 yards – 338 on the ground – against the vaunted Falcons’ defense.
“This is the first outright one since 1989,” coach Kevin Conlin said of his team’s title. “This means a lot not just to the players but to the whole school community. It really means a lot to the school, the community, everybody has really rallied around the team.
“It was a great effort by everybody. The Parents Association has done a fantastic job for years, and it’s just great it all came to fruition.”
Doing most of the damage were Tamir Berthau and Andrick Wesh. Berthau threw for 86 yards and a touchdown and ran for 141 yards and three TDs while Wesh ran for 182 yards and three touchdowns.
“We definitely relied on Tamir in the first half, trying to get him going,” Conlin said. “We haven’t had him going for weeks now. A lot of teams are focusing on him which has really opened up a lot of opportunities for Andrick.
“In the second half, those two just took the game over, which was great to see.”
If there was a turning point, it might well have been the Ghosts’ final touchdown of the first half. The telling sequence began after Brad Mickles took it in from five yards out to pull the Falcons to within one score with 53 seconds remaining (14-7).
A pair of 15-yard penalties by the Falcons on the ensuing kickoff gave the Ghosts possession on Pennsbury’s 36. Four plays later, Berthau punched it in, and the Ghosts took a 21-7 lead into halftime. Berthau delivered a pair of big pass plays on the short drive, connecting with Caleb Baker, who made a dazzling 18-yard reception and following that with a 17-yard pass to Baker.
“We were talking about that – the week before against Truman we tried the same thing,” Conlin said. “It was a minute-and-a-half left, and we went for it. We threw an interception for a pick six, so this week after they scored, I said, ‘We’re kneeling on it.’
“Once we got the 30 yards, I said, ‘Let’s go for it.’ Caleb Baker made two fantastic plays and got us right down there.”
The Falcons scored on their opening drive of the second half with JayVon McNeil taking it in from five yards out to make it a 21-14 game. It took Andrew Wesh just one play to answer as he raced 65 yards for a touchdown and a 28-14 Ghost lead.
Another Brad Mickles score – this one from 37 yards – made it a one score game, but the Ghosts reeled off 21 unanswered points to effectively put the game out of reach. Included in that tear was a 65-yard Berthau TD run, a 69-yard touchdown run by Wesh and Berthau connecting with Baker for a score and a 49-21 lead.
Despite his team’s big numbers, Conlin had high praise for the Falcons’ defense.
“That was by far the best defense we have played since Northeast,” the Ghosts’ coach said. “They were really well prepared. We were trying to find something we could make work for us.
“Luckily, Andrew Wesh hit a couple of holes and was just gone. One time it was a third-and-eight and it was a great call by them, and Tamir made just a great read. They blitzed a lot of people, as soon as he broke through the pocket – it was the right call by them, but Tamir made a really nice play and took it for over 50 yards.”
Abington (8-1, 6-0 SOL) will travel to Central Bucks West for a non-league game Friday, and Pennsbury (5-4, 4-1) will host Neshaminy on Friday.
Pennsbury 6-7-14-7 28
Abington 7-14-21-7 49
SOL Continental
SOUDERTON 28, CENTRAL BUCKS WEST 27
Jalen White knew his number was being called when the Indians’ offense took the field for the second overtime trailing 27-21.
“Gallagher just gave me a look, we nodded to each other, we knew what had to happen, no exceptions,” White said.
“I looked at him and said, ‘Go get it,’” Gallagher said.
White went after it and he got it, avoiding every would-be tackler in his path as he raced down the far sideline into the end zone.
“He kind of hesitated at first, and it looked bottled up, and he just made two great moves and just willed himself into the end zone,” Gallagher said. “Just like (Jack) Fallon did on the previous play.
“We had Fallon bottled up, and he just willed himself into the end zone, and Jalen did the same thing. He matched a great running back punch for punch because he has that capability. I’ve been telling people all year long – we have a lot of talented athletes. They all – when given the opportunity – can make plays like that. It was Jalen’s turn, and he didn’t disappoint.”
Will Leyland’s extra point propelled the Indians to an emotional win that not only knocked the Bucks from the ranks of the unbeaten but has put the Indians firmly in the hunt for a conference crown. A win over Central Bucks South next week would give them a share of the conference title with the Bucks.
Earlier, the Indians began the first OT with a three-play touchdown that included a three-yard Nick Guthre run, four yards from DeAndre Wakefield and a three-yard TD plunge by Andrew Vince. Will Leyland’s extra point put the Indians on top 21-14.
It looked like that lead might hold, but on a huge fourth down play from the seven, West quarterback Jack Neri – with Souderton defenders in full pursuit – lofted a pass that landed in the arms of a wide open Jack Fileppo.
“I was supposed to follow him because he was my man – I don’t know who I hit, but I hit somebody from the other team, and it knocked me down,” Vince said. “I couldn’t believe it – all he had to do was throw it up.”
Bailey Moyer’s extra point knotted the score, and the Bucks appeared to have all the momentum when – on the first play of the second overtime – Fallon took it in from 10 yards out, but the extra point hit the crossbar.
“We immediately knew we had to put the ball in the end zone,” Vince said of the missed extra point. “That just shifted the whole momentum of the game.”
The Indians had life, and they seized the moment with White duplicating Fallon’s run.
“I have to thank the line – they’re the reason it happened,” White said. “You can’t do it by yourself. That was a team effort.
“We have so many offensive threats. We have an amazing line, amazing running backs, amazing wide receivers. So if something doesn’t work out, there’s another person to go to. If that doesn’t work out, there’s another person.”
There were heroes galore in a game that was an emotional roller coaster for both sides. The Indians took a 14-7 lead into halftime, thanks to a touchdown drive that included four penalties – two for each side – and was capped when Wakefield took it in from 14 yards out with just over two minutes remaining in the half.
The Indians still led 14-7 heading into the final quarter. The Bucks knotted the score when Jack Neri took it in from less than a yard out, and Moyer’s extra point knotted the score with 5:45 remaining.
The final minutes were not without drama. The Indians drove to West’s 23-yard line but saw a 36-yard field goal attempt go wide left. The Bucks – sparked by a 41-yard Nick Tumolo run – marched to the Indians’ 20-yard line. With 14 seconds on the scoreboard clock, they lined up for a 37-yard field goal that was blocked by Vince with a game-saving play. The stage was set for overtime.
“When I was lining up, I knew this was the game and I had to give it everything I got,” Vince said. “Luckily, Evan Kutzler – he was next to me, and he shot down and made the wing come down really hard, so I was able to sneak right by him and luckily get a piece of it. It actually hit me in the face.”
Ask Vince the secret to this team’s success, and he points to the brotherhood that exists.
“We all want to play for each other,” the senior quarterback said. “We have a lot of seniors this year, and we’re all just really invested, and we all really want to win.
“In the past couple of years, we’ve had the talent, but we just haven’t been able to put it all together. I think this year it’s clicking a little bit more.”
Gallagher – when asked what separated this team from past squads – pointed in Vince’s direction.
“It’s leadership and character, and it comes from this guy right here,” he said of his senior quarterback. “We’ve had some really good leaders over the years. Ricky Young was an outstanding leader, Jack Morgan was an outstanding leader.
“I look at Andrew Vince – for a two-year captain in the two major sports of football and basketball, you’re asking a kid to take on that kind of leadership role. He’s a leader in the school, he’s a leader on both teams, and he just came out here and willed it to happen.
“He scored in the first overtime and gave us an opportunity, he blocked the kick and gave us an opportunity. He always makes plays. It comes from leadership, it comes from confidence, and they do believe they can get it done and they did.”
Tumolo’s 89 yards on 14 carries led West’s ground game. The Indians kept Fallon in check, limiting the senior standout to 85 yards and one touchdown on 22 carries.
“You’re not going to stop Fallon – he’s really good,” Gallagher said. “We bottled him up a little bit, but he’s so shifty. He runs so hard. He’s really tough.”
For the Indians, Wakefield finished with 83 yards and a touchdown on 15 carries while White had 48 yards and two touchdowns on seven touches. His final run put Souderton in a position to capture its first conference crown in more than a decade.
“Souderton football – we don’t have much of a history of winning,” White said. “This is an amazing team. We know what we need to get done, and we have one chance of getting that championship.”
“We haven’t won a league title since I think ’07,” Vince said. “I think all the guys here know we have to get back to work Monday because we’ve got to take care of business.”
Souderton (8-1, 4-1 SOL) will host Central Bucks South on Friday in a high stakes contest.
“This place had a lot of juice tonight, and it’s going to have more juice next week,” Gallagher said. “It’s going to be Senior Night next week, the place will be crowded. South is going to come in with a lot of confidence, we’re coming in with a lot of confidence. It’s going to be another great football game.
“I love this league. I know we’re changing leagues next year, and it’s going to be a little bit different. I’m going to miss some of these rivalry games.”
Central Bucks West will host Abington in a non-league game.
Central Bucks West 7-0-0-7-7-6 27
Souderton 7-7-0-0-7-7 28
CENTRAL BUCKS SOUTH 36, NORTH PENN 35
There are bounce-back wins and then there’s CB South’s remarkable come-from-behind win over a heavily favored North Penn squad. Making the win especially impressive is the fact that it came on the heels of a heartbreaking 16-14 loss to Central Bucks East six days earlier that not only saw Michael Smigley connect on a 45-yard field goal for the lead but saw the Titans’ field goal attempt for the win blocked.
“I told the kids after the game that I think that’s the part of this whole night that I’m most proud of,” coach Tom Hetrick said. “That was a pretty bad loss last week, and we knew it, and everybody owned it.
“I don’t know if I’ve ever been part of such a turnaround where you go from the agony of that defeat to the thrill of this victory in one week. I don’t think in one week I’ve ever been part of something that dramatic. It just speaks so much to the resiliency of kids in general and this team specifically. I’m just so proud of them for their ability to do that.
“I think that sometimes coaches take losses harder than players. Teenagers have the ability to be resilient and put things behind them and ‘All right, let’s get ready for the next game.’ These guys have done that all season. Football is a weekly process, so you’ve got to reboot every week and obsessively prepare for the next one, and they clearly have the ability to do that because they showed it tonight. This was a big one.”
A Khalani Eaton three-yard touchdown run put the Knights on top midway through the first quarter, and after the Titans knotted the score on a Josh Consoletti to Cole Andrewlevich two-yard touchdown pass, the Knights capitalized on a South fumble to go on top 14-7 heading into halftime. Nate Edwards scored from 15 yards out for the Knights.
“In the first half, we had a couple of good drives going, but we stopped ourselves at the one because we got a 15-yard unsportsmanlike (penalty), and then we’re down almost in the red zone and we fumbled the ball,” Hetrick said. “We came in at halftime down a touchdown, but I’m like, ‘Hey guys, you’ve got to believe we can do this because we’re playing with these guys and playing a good game, but we’re just getting in our own way.’”
The Titans knotted the score 14-14 midway through the third quarter when Consoletti connected with Sean Smith with a six-yard pass, but the Knights answered with a pair of touchdowns by Eaton on runs of 65 and two yards to go on top 28-14 The Knights still led by two scores 35-21 with just under 10 minutes remaining.
“They popped off a couple of big runs,” Hetrick said. “There were two different times we came within one touchdown, gave them the ball back and they hit one – tore off on a 60 or 70-yarder.”
A nine-yard Consoletti touchdown pass to Smith made it a one-score game, and after the Knights came up short on a fake punt on fourth down, the Titans took over at midfield with less than four minutes remaining. Jason Christianson scored from one yard out with 1:32 remaining, and then came the big decision.
“We just moved the ball down the field, we were pretty efficient, we executed,” Hetrick said. “We punched it in and got it within one.
“It was one of those things – it was such a high-scoring game and you’re playing North Penn. They’ve always had the ability to just pin their ears back and run the ball down your throat. If you put them into overtime by just going for the kick and the tie, you have to be able to do what you’re thinking they might be able to do, which is run the ball four times and score. In that moment, we said, ‘Let’s just go for it.’”
Sean Smith ran it in for the two-point conversion, and the Titans had a lead they would not lose.
“It’s sort of a version of the Philly, Philly thing we have here – he has an option of passing or running the ball,” Hetrick said. “He told me he never even actually looked at the quarterback because he saw the pylon and thought he could get it, so he got the pylon.”
It was Smith who came up with an interception to seal the Knights’ fate.
“That was huge,” Hetrick said. “It was crazy. Different guys stepped up tonight. With the exception of a couple of those big, long runs, I thought our defense as a whole did a nice job of limiting their run game a little bit.
“Our linebackers, Cole Cenci and Joe McSweeney, played well. Vaughn Hess was put in to do a lot of pressure because he has sort of set an edge against their power run game, and I thought he played a nice game.
“Offensively, Josh Consoletti made plays with his feet when we needed him to, and he extended plays like he’s been doing all season. He had a good game. Sean Smith scored a couple of times, Jason Christianson had a great game. Dylan Cedotal, another one of our backs, had a great game. He probably had his best game of the season.”
Christianson led the Titans ground game with 98 yards and two touchdowns on 19 carries. Cedotal added 49 yards on seven carries. Consoletti threw for 152 yards and three touchdowns. Smith had seven receptions for 90 yards and two touchdowns.
For the Knights, Eaton had a big day, finishing with 240 yards and three touchdowns on 23 carries. Ryan Zeltt threw for 131 yards.
Central Bucks South (6-3, 3-2 SOL) will travel to Souderton on Friday, and North Penn (6-3, 3-2) will host William Tennent on Friday.
North Penn 7-7-14-7 35
Central Bucks South 0-7-7-22 36
SOL American
CHELTENHAM 34, UPPER MORELAND 6
The Panthers clinched a share of their first conference crown in nine years, blowing open a close game with a 20-0 second half burst.
“In 2010 and 2001, Cheltenham won the conference,” coach Ryan Nase said. “Obviously, it looked a lot different then.
“When I took the job three years ago, our team slogan – and we still say it all the time – was team, tempo, titles. Everything we do we’re going to do as a team, we’re going to do as a group. The tempo isn’t just the Chip Kelly ‘let’s go fast’ tempo, which we do sometimes, but it was having a purpose and doing everything with enthusiasm. The first time I ever met the Cheltenham football team I quoted Ralph Waldo Emerson and said, ‘Nothing great was ever accomplished without enthusiasm.’ I’m probably the first football coach to quote Ralph Waldo Emerson.
“The kids bought into those two things immediately, and when we started talking about titles, I’ll be honest with you – I got some, ‘Okay man, you really think that’s a possibility?’ I tried to sell it to the parents and I got it even more. Now it’s a reality, and that’s the coolest part to see where our program has come in three seasons.”
Friday’s game, according to Nase, did not start out on the best of notes.
“On their first drive, they kind of ran it down our throats,” the Panthers’ coach said. “I’m not sure if we came out flat. We weren’t expecting them to be in two back running the ball, and we adjusted, but they were taking it to us.
“I also think our guys were pressing a little bit, and I’ll be honest – I was pressing a little bit. I was a little bit out of character in the first half.”
The Panthers took just a 14-6 lead into halftime.
“I went in at halftime, and I think our guys were ready for me to rip their heads off,” Nase said. “I told them, ‘You guys aren’t being yourself, and I’m not being myself. Let’s take a step back, let’s just be Cheltenham, and let’s do what we do.’ That’s exactly what we did in the second half, and we rolled.”
Sam Sykes was once again a difference maker for the Panthers.
“I know he’s a junior amongst a bunch of senior studs,” Nase said. “He played well defensively.
“I still think Jamir Barnes is one of the best running backs not only in the league and in the area but around. He had a great run, scores a touchdown and hyperextends his knee. We put Sam Sykes in and we don’t miss a beat. He takes an outside zone play for 50 yards on his first carry. He led the defense again.”
TJ Harris, according to Nase, had several huge catches.
“At a pivotal point, we were running outside zone, we knew he had the numbers, and the only person who could make the play was the corner,” the Panthers’ coach said. “I said to him, ‘Hey, TJ, I need you to block and give it to us.’
“He took a guy 15 yards and planted him on his back for a pancake block that this former lineman/head coach was excited about and so was he. TJ does everything. People think he’s not playing well because he had seven interceptions in the first four games, and he hasn’t had one for a while. I think he’s playing his best football.”
Adonis Hunter didn’t put up a ton of yards passing, according to Nase, but still was an important contributor.
“We wanted to run the ball, and he put us in the right runs,” the Panthers’ coach said. “He did miss some throws, but he still is our leader.
“Our line played well. I kind of challenged their manhood after that first series. Not only did they not give up another point, we started running the ball better.”
Cheltenham (8-1, 5-1 SOL) will host Wissahickon Friday with an opportunity to clinch sole possession of the conference crown.
“I told the kids ‘I’m an only child, so I have a lot of only child syndrome in me, and I don’t want to share anything. We need to win next week so we don’t have to share this championship,’” Nase said. “We’re selfish.”
Upper Moreland (5-4, 2-3) will host Upper Dublin Friday.
HATBORO-HORSHAM 49, QUAKERTOWN 24
The Hatters brought a welcome end to an eight-game skid, stunning the visiting Panthers.
“I really am proud of them,” coach Mark Schmidt said. “Until tonight, we didn’t really put together a complete game, and we got down on ourselves. Tonight I thought they played hard, I thought they really did some nice things, and they made plays.
“The guys are happy and they had a smile on their faces tonight. It’s been a long run, it was a little dry spell. We’re happy.”
The Hatters faced some early adversity but overcame it in short order.
“We actually got off to a bad start – we had a fumble early, but we held them off, got a break and were able to get some things going,” Schmidt said. “Our defense did some really good things out there.
“I’m just proud of the guys for hanging in there and fighting. It’s all good stuff.”
There were many contributors to the team’s first win, according to the Hatters’ coach.
“Nahji Logan had a ton of tackles and did a real nice job,” Schmidt said. “We moved him to H-back, and he caught a couple of key passes and had a couple of key runs.
“Jordan Collazo really stepped up and played hard. Zehier Cheeze had two touchdown catches and a couple of plays, and I thought Colin O’Sullivan played really well today at quarterback. He threw for a bunch.”
There were also plenty of players who stepped up on the defensive side of the ball as well.
“Reda Oueldaissa played really well,” Schmidt said. “Logan Flynn at defensive tackle, Jordan Collazo at noseguard. Jordan had a good game and Nahji (Logan) had a good game, and both of those guys played hard.
“The guy that you don’t really think about that much is Logan Flynn. He played tackle and D-tackle, and he didn’t come off the field until the fourth quarter. He played his tail off.”
Schmidt pointed to the leadership of the seniors as significant.
“The seniors really stepped up,” the Hatters’ coach said. “I thought N’gianni Cerisier played well. He got a touchdown. It was nice. We spread it around.”
The Hatters led 28-10 at the intermission and never looked back.
“This was the game where they kept on fighting and kept on scrapping,” Schmidt said. “They hung in there. They had a first-and-goal on the one, and Collazo busts through and makes a real good tackle, then they get a penalty, and then they missed a field goal.
“It was really cool stuff right before halftime. When they missed the field goal, it gave us a lot of juice, and they kind of deflated a little bit. We just kept going. We had a couple of nice runs. Omar Ali hit one. It was fun.”
Hatboro-Horsham (1-7, 1-4 SOL) will travel to Plymouth Whitemarsh on Friday, and Quakertown (3-6, 3-3) will host Academy Park in a non-league game Friday.
PLYMOUTH WHITEMARSH 38, UPPER DUBLIN 7
(Statistics provided by Tyler Sablich/PA Prep Live: https://papreplive.com/football/2019/10/18/pw-overcomes-early-mistakes-routs-upper-dublin/)
Larry McLaughlin proved to be double threat for the Flying Cardinals, completing 6-of-8 passes for 140 yards and two touchdowns. He also ran for 118 yards and a TD.
“Larry McLaughlin was the guy tonight,” coach Dan Chang said. “He threw for two touchdowns and ran for another.
“Offensively, they took away some of our other options, and it opened up Larry. He’s pretty dangerous with the ball in his hands. I don’t think a lot of people know how fast he is when he runs the ball. He played well.”
The game didn’t have the most promising start.
“We had a rough start,” Chang said. “We turned the ball over twice – once on the two-yard line and the other on our own side of the field.
“We came out a little flat, made some mistakes, but to the kids’ credit, they continued to fight, and our defense played a great game and kept us in it when we had short fields. I’m pretty happy with how the ‘D’ played.”
McLaughlin put the Colonials on the board when he hooked up with Christian Pierce for a 55-yard touchdown pass late in the first half. Then it was Paciello hauling in a McLaughlin TD pass to send PW into halftime with a 14-0 lead.
A three-yard touchdown run by Paciello put the Colonials on top 21-0 early in the second half, and when Nicholas Choi connected on a 21-yard field goal, the Colonials led 24-0. Another McLaughlin-to-Pierce pass – this one for 38 yards – made it a 31-0 game. The Cardinals broke up PW’s shutout big when Nadir Johnson returned the ensuing kickoff 80 yards for a touchdown. Zion East closed out the scoring with a 32-yard TD run.
Chang pointed to the efforts of several players on the defensive side of the ball.
“Christian Pierce was again great on ‘D’ – he made a couple of huge plays,” the PW coach said. “Danny Hannon playing at linebacker for us was all over the field. Nate Kern is our other linebacker, and I thought those guys played well.”
The Flying Cardinals, who celebrated Senior Night, continue to try and find their way as they deal with one injury after another.
“We’ve been very fortunate and blessed around here the last five years,” coach Bret Stover said. “We understand. We’re just trying to get better each week, keeping the smaller picture in front of us.”
Friday night’s game marked the end of a longstanding rivalry between the Cardinals and the Colonials with the SOL realignment next year.
“We played a very good football team tonight, and over the past 10-12 years, Plymouth Whitemarsh has probably become our biggest rival in the Suburban One American Conference,” Stover said. “As a long-time coach in the Suburban One, I think it’s sad that the people sitting behind desks made this happen. They never really asked us, the coaches, about this.
“The realignment is what it is. I’m not complaining about that. I’m complaining that we lost our rivalry games. I don’t have Cheltenham, I don’t have Wissahickon, I’ll never play Upper Moreland again. That, to me, is sad.”
Plymouth Whitemarsh (7-1, 4-1 SOL) will host Hatboro-Horsham in its regular season finale Friday. The Colonials are seeded ninth in the latest District One 6A power rankings with one regular season game remaining.
“I think we’re where we want to be right now in terms of the playoff race,” Chang said. “I know Hatboro-Horsham beat Quakertown pretty good tonight. I hear Hatboro-Horsham is healthy, and they’re firing on all cylinders right now.
“They’ve got some really good players over there and good coaches. It’s going to be tough, so we have to get ready for them.”
Upper Dublin (4-4, 2-3) will be on the road at Upper Moreland.
Plymouth Whitemarsh 0-14-7-17 38
Upper Dublin 0-0-0-7 7
Non-league
PENNRIDGE 21, HARRY S TRUMAN 14
It was a long time between wins for the Rams – eight weeks to be exact since they downed Delaware Valley in their season opener. Sparked by a standout defensive effort that allowed just one touchdown and some timely offense, the Rams brought a welcome end to the drought.
“We were at the point where we were kind of heading down that slippery slope where guys were starting to lose some confidence in themselves,” coach Cody Muller said. “We took it back a little bit. I talked to the kids previously in the week about going 1-0 each day, not worrying about the game, not worrying about anything else but just going 1-0 for that day and focusing on what was important in front of them.
“The kids really did a good job. The great thing about it for me as a coach and all my assistants – the kids were smiling again. They were having fun for the first time since really Del Val. Guys were really excited – a lot of energy, a lot of effort. I was proud of them for that.”
The visiting Tigers got on the board first, opening up a 6-0 lead. The Rams came back to knot the score, and that tie stood until – with five seconds remaining in the second quarter – the Tigers pounced on a fumble and ran it back for a touchdown to go into halftime with a 14-6 lead after the successful two-point conversion.
The Rams knotted the score in the third quarter when quarterback Bobby Croyle connected with Connor Pleibel. In the fourth quarter, sophomore Adam Mossbrook scored the game-winning touchdown on a pass from Croyle.
Muller credited the efforts of several players in the win.
“Taj Utsey was over 100 yards – we won’t know the exact number until we watch the film,” the Rams’ coach said. “He ran like a man possessed. I was really proud of him.
“Defensively, only giving up the six points total – it was on the second play of the game they had a pass that we deflected, and it ended up bouncing in their arms again. Their kid took off for about a 70-yard touchdown. Other than that, our defense played really well.
“Honestly, I could name a lot of kids. Austin Swartley and Jack Ferguson played really well. Alex Lelii played really well. We also had Logan Green, Phil Long, Phil Picciotti, Travis Washington, Jack Garner, Joe Munz, CJ Shoemake and Brayden Landherr. We played really well against the run, stopped the run pretty nicely. They had two big pass plays, but we did a really good job of containing their run game because they have two really good running backs (Dajuan Harris and TJ Rogers).”
Pennridge (2-7, 0-5 SOL) will host Central Bucks East on Friday, and Harry S Truman (4-5, 3-2) will be on the road at Bensalem on Friday.
Harry S Truman 6-8-0-0 14
Pennridge 6-0-8-7 21
WISSAHICKON 34, EASTERN YORK 28
SPRINGFIELD TOWNSHIP 34, ACADEMY OF PALUMBO 6
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