Football Forecast – Vol. 3
By Scott Huff
On September 1, 2021, an EF2 tornado with peak winds of 130 miles per hour tore through the Upper Dublin community and did tremendous damage not only to private homes and businesses, but to the Upper Dublin High School campus as well.
The entire community and school has been tediously rebuilding ever since, but there has been one part of the Upper Dublin High School story that has escaped that painful rebuilding process.
The Upper Dublin High School Flying Cardinal football program.
Head coach Bret Stover has built a rock-solid winning foundation that really defies explanation – that is, if you would only consider the enrollment numbers.
Stover and his high-flying Cardinals once again stunned the Suburban One League – and local scholastic football prognosticators - with an improbable 32-28 victory over North Penn last Friday.
Upper Dublin scored a pair of touchdowns in the final frantic minute to defeat the Knights.
Quarterback Colin O’Sullivan fired both critical touchdown passes to Griffin Pensabene – one with 42 seconds left – and after recovering an onside kick – another with just 29 seconds remaining. O’Sullivan finished his spectacular outing completing 19 of 24 passes for 315 yards.
Stover has maximized the talent available to him and his accomplished assistant coaches over the years considering the limited number of male students that walk the hallways at Upper Dublin High School.
Upper Dublin HS – with a male enrollment of just 490 boys – just knocked off the second highest enrollment in all of District One in North Penn. North Penn HS has a male enrollment of 1,517 boys.
In fact, Upper Dublin has the smallest male enrollment in the entire SOL Continental Conference.
Souderton tops the male enrollment in the SOL Continental Conference with 821 boys. Bensalem (771), Council Rock South (714), Harry S Truman (665), Quakertown (663), and Council Rock North (597) round out the conference.
Another fact, Upper Dublin’s male enrollment is also lower than William Tennent (573), Cheltenham (559), and Plymouth Whitemarsh (555) – all schools that are in the SOL American Conference.
Go figure?
And by the way, this isn’t the first time that Stover and his Cardinals have stunned the local scholastic football world by defeating North Penn.
Upper Dublin rallied to defeat the Knights, 46-21, back in the 2015 PIAA state quarterfinals. The Cardinals rallied from a 21-14 first half deficit to earn a trip to the semifinals.
In that classic victory, quarterback Ryan Stover – son of the head coach – had a spectacular game with 304 total yards of offense.
In that glorious 2015 season Upper Dublin finished with a magnificent 14-1 record. The only loss coming against Parkland, 30-14, in the PIAA state semifinals.
The Cardinals are now a perfect 3-0 in 2022 after the stunning victory over North Penn and will open the SOL Continental Conference this week against Bensalem. Any resemblance between that historical 2015 Upper Dublin team and this 2022 Cardinal team, at this point, can only be seen in the face of its head coach.
Bret Stover.
Trivia Question: Which teams are the defending 2021 Suburban One League conference champions – what was the record of each champion – and who did each lose to in the 2021 PIAA District One playoffs?
Let There Be Light
Central Bucks East High School was built in 1969.
You remember 1969 – The New York Jets beat the Baltimore Colts in Super Bowl III, 16-7. Gas cost 32 cents a gallon, a loaf of bread cost 23 cents, and a pound of sugar cost 12 cents.
Well, Central Bucks East High School may have been built – but a stadium on the high school campus was not. The Patriot football team was required to ride a bus to Doylestown’s legendary War Memorial Field from 1969 until 2015 and shared a ‘home’ field with Central Bucks West.
In 2015 Central Bucks East finally had a stadium to call home.
The stadium was christened First Lt. Colby Umbrell Field @ Patriot Stadium. Umbrell was a celebrated 1999 CB East graduate who died in action in 2007 during the Iraq War as a member of the United States Army.
You remember 2015 – the New England Patriots beat the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl XLIX, 28-24. Gas cost $2.49 a gallon, a loaf of bread $1.58, and a pound of sugar cost $1.31.
The Patriots may have had a that spanking brand-new stadium in 2015 – but, sorry, no lights.
Finally, last Friday, the lights came on for the first time for a CB East football team as the Patriots hosted Souderton. And after a painfully long 7-year wait, the CB East football fans could enjoy the Friday Night Lights and witnessed an impressive 30-13 Patriot victory over the visiting Indians.
And to commemorate former Patriot head coach Larry Greene - who died of bone cancer in 2013 - both the East fans in the home stands, and head coach John Donnelly and his staff on the sidelines, wore the color green.
Oh yeah, CB East running back Ethan Shine (couldn’t have a better last name) was electric under the bright lights as he scored 4 touchdowns and rushed for 258 yards during the big win over the Big Red.
And I’m sure his glittering performance must have looked a lot better under those shining bright Patriot Stadium lights.
Answer to trivia Question –
- North Penn is the defending SOL National Conference champion as the Knights finished 7-0 in the conference and 11-1 overall in 2021. North Penn was eliminated in the playoffs by Ridley, 56-55.
- Quakertown is the defending SOL Continental Conference champion with a 7-0 conference record and a 13-1 overall mark in 2021. The Panthers were eliminated in the playoffs by Garnet Valley, 58-39.
- Plymouth Whitemarsh is the defending American Conference champion as the Colonials finished 6-0 in the conference and 10-2 overall in 2021. PW was eliminated from the playoffs by West Chester Rustin, 19-14.
Another Spanking given to the SOL Continental Conference
Thank Goodness for Upper Dublin (see above)!
The Cardinals were the only SOL Continental Conference team to escape the SOL National Conference beatdown the last two weeks, winning both weeks. Souderton split its SOL National Conference contests.
It was another brutal week overall for the SOL Continental Conference in its cross-over games with the SOL National Conference. Numbers don’t lie and the mathematical truth illustrates the dominance that the SOL National Conference had over the SOL Continental Conference in Week Three.
In the six games last week - excluding the thrilling Upper Dublin victory over North Penn – the SOL National Conference outscored the Continental Conference by a stunning 267-47. The average margin of victory for the SOL National Conference in Week Three was a punishing 36.7 points per game.
Five of the six Continental losses came by way of the mercy-rule. Final scores in the six cross-over games were 56-7, 56-14, 49-7, 41-6, 35-0, and 30-13.
Combined with the Week Two cross-over games, the SOL National Conference won 11 of the 14 contests against the SOL Continental including 9 mercy-rule victories.
The SOL National Conference outscored the SOL Continental Conference 515-169 – Upper Dublin scored 67 points in its 2 wins, while Souderton scored 37 points in its 1-1 split of cross-over games.
Ouch!!
The good news for the SOL Continental Conference is that conference games begin this week. And for some in the SOL Continental Conference, the pain will finally subside.
Stay tuned.
Ram Head Coach has a ‘One’derfui Win
Pennridge opened the coaching tenure of Chuck Burgy with a pair of losses to Ches-Mont power Downingtown East and neighborhood rival Souderton.
However, the Rams presented Burgy with his first ever career victory as the Green & White destroyed Bensalem, 35-0, in a non-conference game last week. Burgy saw PHS race to a 35-0 halftime advantage to create a mercy-rule victory.
Pennridge will be on the road this week as it opens the SOL National Conference schedule against Abington (2-1). Ram Nation hopes to see Burgy get that first conference victory under his belt with a victory over the Ghosts.
Stay tuned.
And the beat goes on…
Suburban One League
National Conference
Friday/September 16, 2022
Central Bucks East Patriots (3-0) @ Central Bucks South Titans (3-0)
Last Week:
Central Bucks East the Patriots remained unbeaten with a 30-13 non-conference victory over Souderton. Ethan Shine once again sparked CBE as he raced for 258-yards and 4 touchdowns. Jack Corrigan added a field goal for the winners.
Central Bucks South the Titans remained unbeaten with a 56-7 non-conference victory over Council Rock North. Brett Szarko fired a 36-yard touchdown pass to Owen Wheeler. Sebastian Pacchione, Liam Goss, Will Ratcliffe, Jack Carter, Corey Moore, and John Henson each scored rushing touchdowns for the winners.
Prediction: Central Bucks East Patriots 27 – Central Bucks South Titans 24
Pennsbury Falcons (2-1) @ Central Bucks West Bucks (1-2)
Last Week:
Pennsbury captured its second straight win as the Falcons soared to a 41-6 non-conference victory over Council Rock South. Galamama Mulbah rushed for 103 yards and 2 touchdowns, while Nathan Beighley scored on a 73-yard TD run. Shane McGurrin tossed 2 touchdown passes – one to CJ Wisor – and the other to Jayce Secoda.
Central Bucks West won its first game of the season in style as the Bucks rolled to a 56-14 non-conference victory over Quakertown. Ganz Cooper fired 3 touchdown passes in the first half to Connor McFadden to fuel the offense.
Prediction: Central Bucks West Bucks 28 – Pennsbury Falcons 21
Neshaminy Redskins (2-1) @ North Penn Knights (1-2)
Last Week:
Neshaminy lost for the first time this season as the Redskins fell to Ches-Mont power Downingtown West, 30-7. Markus Barnett rushed for a team-high 92 yards and scored a touchdown for the Red & Blue.
North Penn was stunned in the final moments in losing a non-conference game to Upper Dublin, 32-28. Amir Majors rushed for a team-high 122 yards and scored a touchdown. Michai Cuffie and Dave Dawes also scored rushing touchdowns for the Knights. Jay Ford-King returned a fumble 102 yards for a defensive touchdown.
Prediction: North Penn Knights 24 – Neshaminy Redskins 17
Pennridge Rams (1-2) @ Abington Galloping Ghosts (2-1)
Last Week:
Pennridge captured its first win of the season as the Rams gouged Bensalem, 35-0. Brennan Fisher rushed for a game-high 157 yards on 13 carries and scored 3 touchdowns. Tyler Wetzel scored a rushing touchdown for the Green & White, while Pat Burdick tossed a 44-yard touchdown pass to Nate Mossbrook.
Abington captured its second win of the season as the Ghosts collected a 49-7 non-conference victory over Harry S Truman. Anthony Pronsati threw 2 touchdown passes and rushed for a third score to spark the Abington win.
Prediction: Pennridge Rams 21 – Abington Ghosts 20
Suburban One League
Continental Conference
Friday/September 16, 2022
Upper Dublin Cardinals (3-0) @ Bensalem Owls (1-2)
Last Week:
Upper Dublin shocked North Penn in the final minute to defeat the Knights 32-28 in a non-conference game. Colin O’Sullivan completed 19 of 24 passes for 315 yards and 4 touchdowns. Griffin Pensabene caught scoring strikes that covered 68, 38, and 25 yards. Chris Kohnbrenner scored on a 22-yard pass from O’Sullivan.
Bensalem lost for the second week in a row as the Owls were defeated 35-0 in a non-conference loss to Pennridge. The game went into the mercy-rule as the host Rams led 35-0 at the half. Bensalem has been outscored 77-0 the last two weeks.
Prediction: Upper Dublin Cardinals 45 – Bensalem Owls 7
Council Rock South Golden Hawks (1-2) @ Harry S Truman Tigers (1-2)
Last Week:
Council Rock South lost for the second week in a row as the Golden Hawks were defeated by Pennsbury, 41-6. The good news was that CR South led 6-0 on a scoring pass from Chase Ennis to Jake Zarnowsky – the bad new was that Rock South was outscored 41-0 the remainder of the game.
Harry S Truman lost for the second week in a row as the Tigers were caged in a 49-7 non-conference loss to Abington. The good news for HST was that the Tigers led 7-0 – the bad news was that HST was outscored them 49-0 the remainder of the game.
Prediction: Harry S Truman Tigers 17 – Council Rock South Hawks 14
Council Rock North Indians (1-2) @ Souderton Indians (2-1)
Last Week:
Council Rock North lost for the second week in a row as the Indians were defeated 56-7 in a non-conference loss to Central Bucks South. Rock North has been outscored 101-20 in the last two games.
Souderton lost its first game of the season as the Big Red lost a non-conference game to Central Bucks East, 30-13. Jared Zimmerman fired a 39-yard touchdown pass to Shaun Purvey, while Ty Quintois kicked 2 field goals for the Big Red,
Prediction: Souderton Indians 49 – Council Rock North Indians 14
Suburban One League
American Conference
Non-League Games
Friday/September 16, 2022
Plymouth Whitemarsh Colonials (1-2) @Quakertown Panthers (1-2)
Last Week:
Plymouth Whitemarsh – a 5A program - lost for the second time this season in a 35-13 non-league setback against Ridley. The Green Raiders – a 6A program – have been a Central League power for years.
Quakertown lost for the second week in a row as the Panthers were crushed by Central Bucks West, 56-14, in a non-conference game. Q-town will venture out of the conference one more time – this time against an American Conference opponent in PW.
Prediction: Plymouth Whitemarsh Colonials 28 – Quakertown Panthers 17
Hatboro Horsham Hatters (0-2) @ William Tennent Panthers (0-3)
Last Week:
Hatboro Horsham lost a non-league game to Springfield, 21-7.
William Tennent remained winless for the season with a 21-14 non-league loss to Upper Merion. Timothy Lawson scored on an 8-yard run and threw a 33-yard touchdown pass to Liam Gibson.
Prediction: William Tennent Panthers 20 – Hatboro Horsham Hatters 13
Simon Gratz Bulldogs (2-1) @ Wissahickon Trojans (0-3)
Last Week:
Simon Gratz defeated Mastery Charter Academy, 17-6.
Wissahickon was competitive in an 18-8 non-league loss to Methacton. The Trojans led 8-0 early on a touchdown pass from Julian Perkins to Jaden McLean.
Prediction: Simon Gratz Bulldogs 17 – Wissahickon Trojans 14
Phoenixville Phantoms (1-2) @ Springfield Spartans (3-0)
Last Week:
Phoenixville lost a non-league game to Chester, 47-10.
Springfield remained unbeaten with a 21-6 non-league victory over Hatboro Horsham. Ryan Marcino scored on touchdown runs of 14 & 5 yards, while Dylan McKenzie scored on a 12-yard TD run.
Prediction: Springfield Spartans 21 – Phoenixville Phantoms 14
Upper Moreland (2-1) @ E. E. Academy Charter School (3-0)
Last Week:
Upper Moreland lost for the first time this season as the Golden Bears were caged by Interboro, 37-7, in a non-league contest.
E.E. Academy Charter School remained unbeaten with a non-league victory over Archbishop Carroll, 12-6.
Prediction: Upper Moreland Golden Bears 21- E.E. Academy 13
Chestnut Hill Academy (1-1) @ Cheltenham Panthers (1-2)
Last Week:
Chestnut Hill Academy lost a non-league game to Northeast, 14-12.
Cheltenham lost for the second week in a row as the Panthers were defeated by unbeaten Perkiomen Valley, 35-25, in a non-league game.
Prediction: Cheltenham Panthers 35 – Chestnut Hill Academy 14
Suburban One Sports.com
Super Seven
Last Week in [XX]
1. Upper Dublin Flying Cardinals (3-0) [5]
2. Central Bucks East Patriots (3-0) [2]
3. Central Bucks South Titans (3-0) [3]
4.North Penn Knights (1-2) [1]
5. Souderton Indians (2-1) [4]
6. Pennsbury Falcons (2-1) NA
7. Neshaminy Redskins (2-1) [6]
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