Photo courtesy of John Gleeson. To view complete galleries of the CR North/Wissahickon, CR South/William Tennent, CB South/PW and Pennridge/Downingtown East games, please click on the following link: https://solsports.zenfolio.com/f745224687
By Scott Huff
The 2022 Suburban One League football season opened last week with quite a few eye openers.
The SOL Continental Conference eye opener was that the conference was a perfect 7-0 as (in alphabetical order) Bensalem, Council Rock North, Council Rock South, Harry S Truman, Quakertown, Souderton, and Upper Dublin all collected non-league victories. As a conference, the SOL Continental outscored opponents by a staggering 189-70.
The SOL American Conference eye opener was that a pair of traditional Thanksgiving rivalries were played on the opening week. Cheltenham stunned Abington to end a 7-year drought against the Ghosts 26-8, and Upper Moreland routed rebuilding Hatboro Horsham, 41-0.
The SOL National Conference eye opener was that the conference collectively was just 3-5 with only Central Bucks East, Central Bucks South, and Neshaminy winning games. CB East routed Chambersburg, 38-21, on the road to a win in the Peach Bowl Showcase at Chambersburg High School. CB South defeated defending SOL American champion Plymouth Whitemarsh 21-7, and Neshaminy traveled out of state to defeat Ocean City NJ, 21-0 in the ‘Battle at the Beach’.
Hello!
The SOL welcomed a pair of first year coaches at Pennridge and Wissahickon.
Chuck Burgy will guide the Rams this season. Burgy is a Pennridge High School teacher and was an assistant to Cody Muller for the last three seasons. He has been associated with the Ram football program on and off since 2005.
Rory Graver will guide the Trojans this season. Graver spent the last 8 seasons as head coach at Pope John Paul in Pottstown. He is a graduate of Plymouth Whitemarsh High School.
Welcome Back!!
The SOL welcomed back three coaches with previous SOL coaching experience.
Galen Snyder is back on the Pennsbury sideline. Snyder is attempting to rebuild a proud Falcon program that was winless a season ago. He has been the head coach at Harry S Truman from 1998-2001 and at Pennsbury 2002-2013. Snyder has an impressive record of 133 wins and 72 losses during his tenure at the two schools.
CJ Szydlik is the new head coach at Council Rock South replacing Vince Bedesem. Sydlik had a winning record in his four seasons as head coach of the Upper Moreland Golden Bears.
Adam Beach is back again – for the third time – as head coach at Upper Moreland. In his previous two stints as head coach of the Golden Bears, he recorded a winning record of 44-24.
SOL Head Coaching Trivia
There are three SOL coaches that have coached for – or will begin – their 20+ seasons on the sideline. Who are they – and how many years have each coached in the SOL?
Goodbye!!!
Pennridge said goodbye to a couple of important pieces to the Ram football program.
Last year’s successful head coach Cody Muller left the Ram program after guiding PHS to playoff berths. Muller left the Rams to be a defensive line coach in Arlington Texas at the prestigious James Martin High School. Muller – who taught at Pennridge HS – will also have a teaching position at James Martin HS.
Phil Picciotti - a standout four-star recruit that has committed to Oklahoma – will not play his senior year at Pennridge. The outstanding 6 foot-3 inch, 230 pound linebacker will play his final year of high school at the prestigious IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida.
Good luck to both!
Answer to trivia question
CB East head coach John Donnelly – who also coached in the SOL at Quakertown – is the dean of the SOL having coached the Patriots and Panthers for a combined 22 years and has collected 169 wins.
North Penn head coach Dick Beck has been the head coach of the Knights for 20 seasons and has collected 212 victories. Souderton head coach Ed Gallagher will begin his 20th season for the Indians and has collected 111 wins.
And the beat goes on…
SOL National/Continental Cross-Over Games
Thursday/September 1, 2022
Abington Ghosts (0-1) @ Council Rock North Indians (1-0)
Last Week:
Abington opened the 2022 season with a 26-8 non-league loss to neighborhood rival Cheltenham. It was the first loss to the Panthers dating back to 2015 – a string of 7 straight victories. The Ghosts scored on a first period safety and a fourth quarter run.
Council Rock North opened the 2022 season with a 21-7 non-league victory over Wissahickon. Gavin Papp rushed for 148 yards and a touchdown and also had 22 receiving yards. Papp also was a catalyst on defense with an interception and fumble recovery. Julian Matera threw a pair of touchdown passes to spark the win.
Prediction: Abington Ghosts 21 – CR North Indians 14
SOL National/Continental Cross-Over Games
Friday/September 2, 2022
North Penn Knights (0-1) @ Quakertown Panthers (1-0)
Last Week:
North Penn opened the 2022 season with a 37-28 non-league loss to La Salle. The Knights led the Explorers 28-17 early in the second half but was outscored 20-0 for the remainder of the game. Jay Ford-King returned the second half kickoff 91 yards to present the Knights with the 9-point lead. Senior quarterback Ryan Zellt – a 4-year starter – passed for 264 yards and a touchdown.
Quakertown opened the 2022 season with a 42-28 non-league victory over Southern Lehigh. Junior quarterback Vince Micucci threw for 184 yards and two touchdowns, and junior running back Cody Jefferson rushed for 129 yards and two touchdowns on 20 carries. The Panthers are the defending Suburban One League Continental Conference champion.
Prediction: North Penn Knights 38 – Quakertown Panthers 17
Pennridge Rams (0-1) @ Souderton Indians (1-0)
Last Week:
Pennridge scored the first touchdown and the last touchdown – but was outscored 31-0 in between in a 31-13 non-league loss to Downingtown East. Brennan Fisher carried 19 times for 182 yards and scored on touchdown runs of 73 and 55 yards.
Souderton opened the 2022 season with a 27-7 non-league victory over host Haverford. Shaun Purvey – the explosive senior who missed almost all of last season with an injury in the opening game – scored on a 71-yard scoring pass on the second play of the game. Quarterback Jared Zimmerman completed 9 passes for 112 yards. Ty Quintos booted a 33-yard field goal while Ryan Zuk split the uprights from 39 yards out for the Indians.
Prediction: Souderton Indians 28 – Pennridge Rams 13
Central Bucks West Bucks (0-1) @ Upper Dublin Flying Cardinals (1-0)
Last Week:
Central Bucks West opened the 2022 season with a tough 14-7 non-league loss to Garnet Valley. The Bucks – who led 7-6 late in the contest - had a final drive stall deep in Jaguar territory in the final moments to seal their fate.
Upper Dublin opened the 2022 season with a convincing 37-13 non-league win over Kennett. The Cardinals dominated from the outset as quarterback Colin O’Sullivan completed 16 of 26 passes for 283 yards and three touchdowns. Griffin Penabene caught eight passes for 152 yards and a touchdown.
Prediction: Upper Dublin Flying Cardinals 20 – CB West Bucks 17
Central Bucks South Titans (1-0) @ Harry S Truman Tigers (1-0)
Last Week:
Central Bucks South opened the 2022 season with a 21-7 non-league victory over Plymouth Whitemarsh. Quarterback Brett Szarko threw touchdown passes to Jack Carver and Tommy Donnelly. Liam Goss scored on a 13- yard run. The Titans’ defense limited the Colonials to just 171 yards of total offense.
Harry S Truman opened the 2022 season with a 19-2 non-league victory over Chichester. The Tigers scored three second half touchdowns to secure the win. Rondell Bradley, Abraham Bataille, and Nassir Jallah all scored for the winners. Bradley – forced into duty as the team’s third string quarterback – rushed for 123 yards and a touchdown.
Prediction: Central Bucks South Titans 21 – Truman Tigers 14
Neshaminy Redskins (1-0) @ Council Rock South Golden Hawks (1-0)
Last Week:
Neshaminy opened the 2022 season with a 21-0 non-league victory over Ocean City NJ in the Battle @ the Beach. Markus Barnett rushed for a game-high 274 yards and scored two touchdowns for the Skins.
Council Rock South opened the 2022 season with a 21-7 non-league victory over William Tennent. Chris Myers rushed for 121 yards and scored what proved to be the game-winning touchdown in the second half.
Prediction: Neshaminy Redskins 23 – CR South Golden Hawks 13
Pennsbury Falcons (0-1) @ William Tennent Panthers (0-1)
Last Week:
Pennsbury opened the 2022 season with a 28-6 non-league loss to Coatesville. It was the return of long time Falcon coach Galen Snyder. Shane McGurran fired a 75-yard touchdown pass to Nate Beighley to account for the only Pennsbury points.
William Tennent opened the 2022 season with a 21-7 non-league loss to Council Rock South. The Panthers led 7-6 at the half but failed to secure the win. The lone score for WT came on a 45-yard touchdown pass from Zack Stanfield to Liam Gibson.
Prediction: Pennsbury Falcons 21 – William Tennent Panthers 10
Central Bucks East (1-0) @ Bensalem Owls (1-0)
Last Week:
Central Bucks East opened the 2022 season with a 38-21 non-league victory over Chambersburg. The Patriots led 31-0 early behind an offensive explosive led by Ethan Shine and Pat Keller. Shine finished with 151 yards on 16 carries, while Keller completed seven passes for 160 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
Bensalem opened the 2022 season with a 24-6 non-league victory over Norristown. The Owls failed to score an offensive touchdown in the win. Zyan Greene scored on a 69-yard punt return, Michael Schneider scored on a 35-yard fumble recovery, Nick Becht scored on a 19-yard interception return, and Tommy Hurst kicked a field goal.
Prediction: Central Bucks East Patriots 35 – Bensalem Owls 17
SOL American Conference Non-League Games
Thursday/September 2, 2022
Cheltenham Panthers (1-0) @ Northeast Vikings (1-0)
Last Week:
Cheltenham opened the 2022 season with a 28-6 non-league victory over Abington. Tre McLeod – a transfer from Imhotep – scored three touchdowns for the Panthers. The win snapped a losing streak to their neighborhood rival Ghosts dating back to 2015.
Northeast opened the 2022 season with a 34-15 non-league victory over Winslow Township.
Prediction: Cheltenham Panthers 27 – Northeast Vikings 14
Friday/September 3, 2022
Methacton Warriors (0-1) @ Plymouth Whitemarsh Colonials (0-1)
Last Week:
Methacton opened the 2022 season with a 12-7 non-league loss to Pottsgrove.
Plymouth Whitemarsh opened the 2022 season with a 21-6 non-league loss to Central Bucks South. Quarterback Aiden O’Brien scored the lone Colonial touchdown on a 53-yard run.
Prediction: Plymouth Whitemarsh Colonials 27 – Methacton Warriors 10
Harriton Rams (1-0) @ Springfield Spartans (1-0)
Last Week:
Harriton opened the 2022 season with a 41-20 non-league victory over Roxborough.
Springfield opened the 2022 season with a 45-6 non-league victory over Lower Moreland. Dylan McKenzie scored three touchdowns for the winners who rushed for 310 yard in the game.
Prediction: Springfield Spartans 27 – Harriton Rams 21
Archbishop Carroll Lions (0-1) @ Upper Moreland Golden Bears (1-0)
Last Week:
Archbishop Carroll opened the 2022 season with a 37-14 non-league loss to Gonzaga.
Upper Moreland opened the 2022 season with a 41-0 non-league victory over Hatboro Horsham. Stephen Broderick scored three touchdowns to highlight the Golden Bear offense. Other scores came from Hassan Johnson, Elijah Davis, and Paul Meyers.
Prediction: Upper Moreland Golden Bears 31 – Archbishop Carroll 14
Owen J Roberts Wildcats (0-1) @ Wissahickon Trojans (0-1)
Last Week:
Owen J Roberts opened the 2022 season with a 31-13 non-league loss to Conestoga.
Wissahickon opened the season with a 21-7 non-league loss to Council Rock North. The only score for the Trojans came on a 50-yard pass interception returned for a touchdown by Aiden Wescott.
Prediction: Owen J Roberts Wildcats 17 – Wissahickon Trojans 10
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