Check out the results for SOL football teams in action Friday night. To view Dan Beck’s photos of the Abington/PW game, please visit the Photo Gallery at the following link: http://photos.suburbanonesports.com/g/091115_plymouth_whitemarsh_vs_abington_db
Stats used in the wraps are provided courtesy of Calkins Media. For complete high school football coverage, visit the web sites: http://www.theintell.com/sports/high-school/and http://www.buckscountycouriertimes.com/sports/high-school/.
PLYMOUTH WHITEMARSH 33, ABINGTON 18
ABINGTON – Nafeese Nasir doesn’t need any extra motivation when he steps onto the football field, but the PW standout admits that he was especially inspired on Friday night at Abington.
“My poppy passed on this day last year,” Nasir said. “This is the one-year anniversary, and I just tried to play hard for him – I played as hard as I could.
“I talk to him before every game to give me strength. I know he’s watching over me, and today I tried to portray his legacy. I want to show people my senior year that I’m here, and PW is going to make some noise.”
The Colonials certainly made some noise on Friday night, although the game didn’t start on a promising note for Nasir or his teammates. A muffed punt allowed the Ghosts to go on top 6-0 early when quarterback David Kretschman – who threw for 162 yards – found Michael Brooks with a touchdown pass.
“I had to make up for that punt I dropped,” Nasir said. “That was my fault. They got it on the 30 and scored real quick, but we bounced back real quick.
“We needed a momentum boost, and we got it. I knew I had to be the player to do it.”
The Colonials responded with a touchdown drive that was capped when Nasir took it in from one yard out. Zach Zygmunt’s extra point gave the Colonials a lead they would not lose.
A six-yard touchdown run by Jake Winterbottom made it a 13-6 game, and the Colonials – after another Nasir TD run – went on to open up a 20-6 lead, and it was still a 14-point game heading into the fourth quarter.
PW’s defense had several big stands with Luke Mascio delivering a sack to thwart a TD drive in the third quarter on fourth-and-nine at PW’s 15.
“I thought our ‘D’ line really flew around tonight and made some nice plays, pressuring the passer and really holding their run game, so I was happy with that,” PW coach Dan Chang said. “We have some new guys playing some new spots, and the motors on those guys really showed tonight.”
“Our team is honestly just a bunch of fighters,” Mascio said. “We came into this season, and we were the underdogs.
“After last season with Upper Dublin doing some damage, they expected us to not be the PW of old, but we used that as motivation, and that’s why we’re 2-0 right now. We just don’t stop fighting.”
The Ghosts pulled to within a touchdown (20-12) after Kretschman – who was without Brooks in the second half (shoulder injury) – took it in from four yards out, but the Colonials would not be denied, responding with 13 unanswered points to close out the game.
“(Credit) has to go Nafeese and the boys up front,” said Mascio. “The O-line blocked their butts off tonight. Without them, this wouldn’t have been possible.
“They stayed on their blocks to the whistle. They executed well, and they gave Nafease the gaping holes he needed to make those runs.”
“We play with heart – week in and week out, we play with extreme heart,” Nasir said. “We play for each other rather than playing for ourselves.
“It’s not a ‘me’ sport. If everybody does their job and executes, we succeed.”
Nasir, who also had a pair of huge returns, had plenty of help on a night that saw the Colonials amass 320 yards on the ground. Winterbottom finished with 78 yards, and Blaise Gravinese added 63. Joe Stoberl came off the bunch and threw for a TD.
“We muffed that punt, which kind of hurt us there, but in the first half, our offense was really rolling pretty well,” Chang said. “We found a little groove in what we wanted to do.
“Every week we’re getting better with Nyfeese playing quarterback. He’s able to do some different things, so that really makes us versatile all around. He also had a couple big returns for us, and that field position boost our 
offense gets is huge. It’s dangerous to kick to him with the ball in his hands and all that room.”
EXTRA POINTS: At halftime, the Abington Football Booster Association dedicated a team bench and plaque in memory of Clarence L Watts, the longtime Abington assistant who passed away on Jan. 9, 2015. Watts was an inspirational mentor to players and coaches for over 20 years. He encouraged the young men to pursue a college education and to pursue their dreams. He was a trusted advisor and mentor to Doug Moster, Marshall Roberts Jr. and Tim Sorber, the three Abington head football coaches during his time at Abington.
Plymouth Whitemarsh (2-0) will host a 2-0 Norristown squad next Friday. Abington (0-2) will travel to Upper Dublin.
Plymouth Whitemarsh 7-13-0-13 33
Abington 6-0-0-12 18
UPPER DUBLIN 38, HARRY S TRUMAN 7
(Check out Scott Huff's complete game story.)
CENTRAL BUCKS EAST 16, PENNRIDGE 10 (OT)
Alex Gibson scored from five yards out after the Patriots’ defense held, propelling the Patriots to the dramatic overtime win.
In a contest that saw both teams put up almost identical numbers offensively, it was the Patriots’ defense limiting the Rams to just three points after quarterback Devon Balmer hooked up with Ryan Cuthbert for a 30-yard touchdown pass in the first quarter.
The Patriots knotted the score in the second quarter when Lamb took it in from three yards out, and the two teams exchanged field goals in the second half, setting the stage for overtime.
East quarterback Jack Lamb, whose five-yard run set up the game winner, accounted for close to 150 yards of his team’s offense. Balmer led the Rams’ offense with 108 yards passing.
Central Bucks East (2-0) will host Central Bucks South next Saturday at 11 a.m. Pennridge (1-1) will host Central Bucks West.
Central Bucks East 0-7-3-0-6 16
Pennridge 7-0-0-3-0 10
QUAKERTOWN 38, HATBORO-HORSHAM 19
The Panthers rolled to a 24-0 halftime lead, but the points stopped coming with such regularity in a second half that saw the two teams exchange touchdowns as the Hatters actually outscored their hosts 19-14 after the intermission.
In an opening half the Panthers owned, running back Rob Burns, who rushed for 96 yards, had a pair of touchdown runs and hauled in a 34-yard TD strike from quarterback Tom Garlick.
The Hatters got on the scoreboard in the third quarter when Calvin Broaddus hauled in his first of three touchdown grabs of the second half. Casey Walsh threw for over 100 yards, and in the fourth quarter sophomore Chris Edwards also amassed over 100 yards in the air.
Quakertown (2-0) will host Cheltenham next Friday, and Hatboro-Horsham (0-2) hopes to ride the momentum of its strong second half when it hosts Lansdale Catholic on Friday night.
Hatboro-Horsham 0-0-6-13 19
Quakertown 14-10-7-7 38
SOUDERTON 21, CENTRAL BUCKS WEST 14
Touchdown runs by Koby Khan (48 yards) and Jamar White (27 yards) spotted the visiting Indians a 14-0 lead at the end of one quarter. They did not score again until the fourth quarter, and by that time, the Bucks – thanks to a pair of Jake Reichwein touchdown runs, the first for 58 yards – had knotted the score 14-14.
A two-yard touchdown run by White after a West turnover with time winding down propelled the Indians to the hard-fought win.
White had a big night for the Indians, rushing for 128 yards and two touchdowns.
Souderton (1-1) will host Wissahickon next Friday, and Central Bucks West (0-2) will host Quakertown.
Souderton 14-0-0-7 21
Central Bucks West 0-0-0-7 14
COUNCIL ROCK SOUTH 43, BENSALEM 13
The Golden Hawks scored early and often, opening up a 22-0 lead after one quarter and upping that advantage to 36-0 by halftime.
All told, the Hawks accumulated close to 400 yards of total offense – 371 on the ground. Elias Mayo led the charge with 142 yards and two touchdowns while Brendan Patterson added 78 yards and a TD. Quarterback Shaun Stackhouse also had a pair of rushing TDs as the Hawks controlled play from start to finish.
Council Rock South (1-1) will host Neshaminy Friday, and Bensalem (0-2) will host Harry S Truman next Saturday.
Council Rock South 22-14-0-7 43
Bensalem 0-0-7-6 13
NORTH PENN 40, WEST CATHOLIC 24
The Knights may have left a potential win slip away last week against La Salle, but they rebounded to earn a decisive win over a West Catholic squad that extended them to overtime last year.
No one had a bigger night than Reece Udinski. The Knights’ quarterback was 18-for-24 for 254 yards. Ricky Johns was his favorite target, hauling in four passes for 102 yards and two touchdowns. The Knights’ ground game was also operating on all cylinders with senior Nyfease West rushing for 111 yards while Nick Isabella added 63.
West Catholic took an early 6-0 lead after a big pass play, but the Knights answered with back-to-back touchdown passes from Udinski to go on top 14-6. West Catholic trimmed that lead to 14-12 in the second quarter, but a 30-yard touchdown run by Justin Ospopowicz sent North Penn into halftime with a 21-12 lead. The Knights never looked back.
North Penn (1-1) will travel to Downingtown East next Friday.
North Penn 7-14-6-13 40
West Catholic 6-6-6-6 24
UPPER MORELAND 27, ARCHBISHOP CARROLL 6
The Golden Bears lost standout running back Tyler Whitmore to graduation, but the cupboard is hardly bare.
One week after Rodney Morgan torched Penncrest for 251 yards on the ground, Morgan and teammate Nick DeLucas proved to be double trouble for Carroll. The duo combined for 240 yards on the ground with Morgan accounting for 131 of those. Both had long touchdown runs with a 76-yard sprint to the end zone by DeLucas proving to be the backbreaker after Carroll had pulled to within 7-6.
Upper Moreland (2-0) will host Conwell Egan next Friday.
UPPER MERION 29, HARRITON 13
The Rams capitalized on a Viking fumble, turning the fumble recovery into a 67-yard touchdown, but the rest of the night pretty much belonged to Upper Merion.
The two teams were deadlocked 6-6 after one quarter, thanks to a Kyle Smith touchdown run of 51 yards that knotted the score. The Vikings scored 10 unanswered points in the second quarter, taking a lead they would not lose when Anthony Littlewood nailed a 38-yard field goal. Smith's second touchdown run of the game – this one for 28 yards – sent the Vikings into halftime with a 16-6 lead.
In the second half, quarterback Isaiah Graham-Mobley found Botros Barsoum with a 68-yard touchdown pass, and Kori Smith also had a 19-yard run for a TD. The Rams closed it out with a late TD that only made the final score more respectable.
Upper Merion (1-1) will host Sun Valley next Friday.
Upper Merion 6-10-6-7 29
Harriton 6-0-0-7 13
CHELTENHAM 19, BISHOP McDEVITT 13
The Panthers broke a 13-13 halftime tie with a third quarter touchdown and held on for the win. Quarterback Brandon Mack accounted for close to 150 yards of total offense. He threw for 88 yards and a touchdown, completing 8-of-16 passes. He also had 63 yards on the ground.
Cheltenham (1-1) will host Quakertown next Friday.
Bishop McDevitt 7-6-0-0 13
Cheltenham 7-6-6-0 19
NORRISTOWN 38, WISSAHICKON 13
The Eagles found themselves on the short end of a 13-7 score in the third quarter but dominated play the rest of the way, outscoring the Trojans 31-0 to close it out in a game played at Upper Merion High School.
Khalif Sinclair was the undisputed star, accounting for four Norristown touchdowns – which included a punt return for a TD and an interception for a touchdown.
Norristown (2-0) will travel to Plymouth Whitemarsh next Friday.
DOWNINGTOWN WEST 20, NESHAMINY 14
The Whippets opened up a 13-0 lead after one quarter, and the Redskins spent the rest of the night playing catch-up.
A Mason Jones to Zach Tredway 30-yard touchdown pass made it a 13-7 game in the second quarter, but the Whippets answered with a touchdown to go into halftime with a 20-7 lead. A short TD run by Will Dogba late in the third quarter pulled the Redskins within a touchdown, but they would get no closer.
Mason threw for 169 yards while Dogba had 94 yards on the ground.
Neshaminy (1-1) will travel to Council Rock South next Friday.
Neshaminy 0-7-7-0 14
Downingtown West 13-7-0-0 20
LA SALLE 14, PENNSBURY 0
For the second time in as many weeks, the Falcons turned in a stellar defensive effort, limiting the highly regarded Explorers to just 14 points. A week earlier, they allowed just six points in a win over Council Rock South.
Neither team scored in the first quarter, and the Explorers went on top 7-0 after a 50-yard scoring drive. That 7-0 lead held until the third quarter when they tacked on an insurance TD.
Pennsbury (1-1) will host Council Rock North next Friday.
Pennsbury 0-0-0-0 0
La Salle 0-7-7-0 14
COUNCIL ROCK NORTH 36, CENTRAL BUCKS SOUTH 29
It looked as thought the Indians were going to be in for a long night when the visiting Titans sprinted to a 13-0 lead after one quarter, but the Indians responded with some impressive football of their own to earn the important non-league win.
Brandon McIlwain quite literally did it all for the Indians. The South Carolina-bound quarterback ran for two touchdowns and threw for another. For good measure, he returned an interception 65 yards for the score.
A Sam Thompson to Stephen Iannuzzi 21-yard touchdown pass spotted the Titans their 13-0 lead. Thanks to a safety, they took a 15-14 lead into halftime, and it was a 22-22 game after three quarters. Back-to-back touchdown runs put the Indians on top 36-22 before Thompson scored a late TD.
McIlwain accounted for close to 400 yards of total offense, leading all rushers with 160 yards on the ground and throwing for 214.
Council Rock North (1-1) will travel to Pennsbury on Friday while Central Bucks South (1-1) will play at Central Bucks East next Saturday morning.
Central Bucks South 13-2-7-7 29
Council Rock North 0-14-8-14 36
LANSDALE CATHOLIC 49, SPRINGFIELD TOWNSHIP 7
One week after notching a lopsided win over Lower Moreland, the Spartans found themselves on the opposite side of a rout on Friday. They trailed 14-7 after one quarter and still trailed by just two scores at the half, 21-7, but the Crusaders scored 14 points in both the third and fourth quarters to win going away.
The Spartans’ lone touchdown knotted the score 7-7 in the opening quarter when Sheir-Ron Whittaker scored on a 68-yard pass from quarterback Justin Hill.
Springfield 7-0-0-0 7
Lansdale Catholic 14-7-14-14 49
About the Author
