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Football Forecast – 12
By Scott Huff
It is just a short 12-minute ride from Plymouth Meeting – hometown of the Plymouth Whitemarsh Colonials – to Fort Washington- hometown of the Upper Dublin Flying Cardinals.
However, both No. 4 Plymouth Whitemarsh (10-2) and No. 1 Upper Dublin (12-0) have navigated a meandering journey within and without District One to reach the PIAA District One 5-A semifinal destination.
The Suburban One League American Conference Champion Colonials lost two of their first three games of the season dropping contests to 6-A schools – No. 10 Central Bucks South & No. 9 Ridley. However, PW has marched to nine straight victories and has been impressive in the first two rounds of the playoffs.
Plymouth Whitemarsh opened the playoffs with a 41-0 victory over No. 13 Sun Valley and followed with a 30-12 victory over a No. 5 Chester team that came into the game with a single loss.
In the win over the Clippers, Tommy Hannon had himself a night. Hannon rushed for 122 yards on 23 carries and scored on touchdown runs of 1, 6, & 11 yards. Nayze Boggs scored on a 9-yard run, and Seve Spruill booted a 28-yard field goal.
The Suburban One League Continental Conference Champion Cardinals comes into the PW game unbeaten in both non-league and conference play. UDHS claimed impressive victories over 6-A No. 7 Souderton (34-3) - 6-A No. 11 Central Bucks West (35-7) - and 6-A No. 14 North Penn (32-28) during the regular season.
Upper Dublin opened the district playoffs with a dominating 35-0 victory over No. 16 Academy Park and followed with an equally dominating 35-0 victory over No. 8 Great Valley.
In the win over the Patriots, Colin O’Sullivan completed 11 passes for 279 yards and 3 touchdowns. O’Sullivan threw TD passes to DJ Cerisier (62 yards), Starling Reaves (22 yards) & Chris Kohlbrenner (62 yards). Nyfise McIntrye carried 23 times for 125 yards and scored on touchdown runs of 14 & 3 yards.
And if the meeting this year is anything like last season’s PIAA District One quarterfinal contest between the Colonials and Cardinals – buckle up. It is going to be an exciting ride.
In that quarterfinal classic, Plymouth Whitemarsh captured a dramatic 42-36 overtime victory over Upper Dublin. The Colonials led 14-7 at half – led 28-14 – but then trailed 29-28 – trailed 36-28 – and finally tied the Cardinals @ 36-36 in regulation.
Colonial running back Tommy Hannon scored 3 rushing touchdowns including the game winner in overtime. Luke Winterbottom scored a rushing touchdown and caught a TD pass from Aiden O’Brien.
Cardinal quarterback Colin O’Sullivan completed 22 passes for 224 yards and 3 touchdowns. Nyfise McIntyre rushed for a team-high 81 yards.
Plymouth Whitemarsh Colonials @ Upper Dublin Flying Cardinals under the Friday Night Lights – buy a ticket.
PIAA District One Trivia:
In the last three years there have been four Suburban One League football teams that have won District One championships. Who are those teams and what years did they capture district titles?
The name is Boehm...Eli Boehm
Eli Boehm did a vintage James Bond 007 impersonation as the CB West senior - agent 004 - was in a class of his own as the No. 11 Bucks advanced to the PIAA District One semifinals with a 44-35 victory over visiting No. 14 North Penn.
Boehm featured an Academy Award winning performance as he rushed for a staggering 335 yards on 27 carries and scored on touchdown runs of 5, 80, & 39 yards. Boehm also caught a 27-yard touchdown pass from Ganz Cooper.
Cooper – who scored on a touchdown run of his own – completed just 4 passes but for 132 yards and 2 touchdowns. In addition to the TD pass to Boehm, Cooper tossed a touchdown pass that covered 81-yards to speedster Conor McFadden.
CB West trailed the Knights 32-28 at the close of the first half but forged a 35-35 deadlock at the close of the third period. The Bucks punched their ticket to the district semifinals outscoring North Penn 9-0 in the critical
final period.
Central Bucks West will be on the PIAA District One 6-A semifinal road as the Bucks visit No. 2 Perkiomen Valley. The Pioneer Athletic Conference champion Vikings defeated No. 7 Souderton in their quarterfinal game, 27-14.
In the victory for Perkiomen Valley, sophomore quarterback Patrick MacDonald scored on touchdown runs of 46 & 32 yards. Jake Stewart scored on a 1-yard run, while Ryan Klimek reached paydirt on a 15-yard run. Klimek rushed for a game-high 110 yards on 15 carries, and the Vikings as a team rushed for 210 yards.
Central Bucks West Bucks @ Perkiomen Valley Vikings under the Friday Night Lights – buy a ticket.
Answer to District One Trivia:
Souderton won a district 6-A title in the COVID shortened 2020 season with a 31-17 victory over Pennridge. In that same year Upper Dublin won a district 5-A championship with a 29-8 victory over West Chester Rustin. And, in that 2020 season, Upper Moreland captured a district 4A title with a 35-0 victory over Archbishop Ryan. Cheltenham won a 5-A district title in 2019 with a 43-42 victory over Academy Park.
Exit Door
No. 7 Souderton was shown the PIAA 6-A District One playoff exit door in a 27-14 loss to No. 2 Perkiomen Valley.
The good news for the Indians in the game was that they led 7-6 in the first quarter – the bad news was that the slim lead would not hold up.
Quarterback Jared Zimmerman and receiver Danny Dyches had outstanding games for the Big Red. Zimmerman fired a pair of touchdown passes to the speedy Dyches – one that covered 19 yards – and another that covered 61 yards.
The seniors at Souderton concluded a fine career. In addition to reaching the district quarterfinals this year and making the playoffs last year - this class was part of a district championship in 2020 as sophomores.
The i’s are all dotted, and the t’s are crossed – and the successful 2022 Souderton season is over.
No. 14 North Penn was shown the PIAA 6-A District One playoff exit door in a 44-35 loss to No. 11 Central Bucks West.
The Knights led 32-28 at the close of the first half – but could not protect the lead in the second half as the Bucks outscored NP 16-3 in the second half.
Running back Michai Cuffie had a terrific game as he rushed for a team-high 152 yards and scored on touchdown runs of 14, 3, & 65 yards. Quarterback Ryan Zeltt had a fine day, completing 10 of 15 passes for 186 yards and 2 touchdowns. Zeltt threw a 29-yard touchdown pass to Xavier Bryan and a 52-yard scoring strike to Luke Cody.
North Penn finished with a 6-6 record this year, but the seniors on this team were part of last season’s Suburban One League National Conference championship team.
The I’s are all dotted, and the t’s are all crossed – and the successful 2022 North Penn season is over.
And the beat goes on…
PIAA District One 5-A Semifinal
Friday/November 18, 2022
No. 4 Plymouth Whitemarsh Colonials (10-2) @ Upper Dublin Cardinals (12-0)
Season Resume:
Plymouth Whitemarsh has defeated Methacton (35-0), Quakertown (49-0), McCaskey (46-0), Cheltenham (37-6), William Tennent (57-7), Springfield-Montco (42-13), Wissahickon (56-6), Upper Moreland (56-20), Sun Valley (41-0), & Chester (30-12). The Colonials have lost games to 6-A Central Bucks South (21-6) & 6-A Ridley (35-13).
Upper Dublin has defeated Kennett (37-13), Central Bucks West (35-7), North Penn (32-28), Bensalem (33-7), Wissahickon (47-0), Council Rock North (41-13), Council Rock South (16-0), Harry S Truman (44-14), Souderton (34-3), Quakertown (38-8), Academy Park (35-0) & Great Valley (35-0).
Last Week:
Plymouth Whitemarsh defeated No. 5 Chester 30-12 in a District One 5-A quarterfinal game.
Upper Dublin defeated No. 8 Great Valley 35-0 in a District One 5-A quarterfinal game.
Offensive/Defensive Scoring:
Plymouth Whitemarsh has scored an average of 39.0 points per game and has allowed an average of 10.0 points per game. A winning margin of 29.0 points per game.
Upper Dublin has scored an average of 35.2 points per game and has allowed an average of 7.8 points per game. A winning margin of 27.4 points per game.
The Winner Gets:
The winner of the game between No. 4 Plymouth Whitemarsh and No. 1 Upper Dublin will play the winner of the game between No. 3 West Chester Rustin and No. 2 Strath Haven.
Prediction:
Upper Dublin Flying Cardinals 35 -Plymouth Whitemarsh Colonials 28
PIAA District One 6-A Semifinal
Friday/November 18, 2022
No. 11 Central Bucks West Bucks (8-4) @ No. 2 Perkiomen Valley (11-1)
Season Resume:
Central Bucks West has defeated Quakertown (56-14), North Penn (35-14), Abington (27-0), Neshaminy (22-0), Pennridge (27-8), Central Bucks East (21-14), Central Bucks East (42-26), & North Penn (44-35). The Bucks have lost games to Garnet Valley (14-7), Upper Dublin (35-7), Pennsbury (26-21) & Central Bucks South (27-14).
Perkiomen Valley has defeated Penn Wood (66-6), Downingtown West (30-29), Cheltenham (35-25), Owen J Roberts (20-13), Methacton (49-7), Spring-Ford (7-6), Norristown (32-13), Boyertown (41-7), Pope John Paull II (21-14), Owen J Roberts (56-18), & Souderton (27-14). The lone loss of the season came on a 26-10 loss to Roman Catholic.
Last Week:
Central Bucks West defeated North Penn 44-35 in a PIAA District One 6-A quarterfinal game.
Perkiomen Valley defeated Souderton 27-14 in a PIAA District One 6-A quarterfinal game.
Offensive/Defensive Scoring:
Central Bucks West has scored an average of 26.9 points per game and has allowed an average of 17.8 points per game. A winning margin of 9.1 points per game.
Perkiomen Valley has scored an average of 32.8 points per game and has allowed an average of 14.9 points per game. A winning margin of 17.9 points per game.
Winner Gets:
The winner of the game between No. 11 Central Bucks West and No. 2 Perkiomen Valley will play the winner of the game between No. 12 Downingtown East and No. 1 Garnet Valley.
Prediction:
***Upset Special***
Central Bucks West Bucks 31 – Perkiomen Valley Vikings 28
PIAA District One 6-A Semifinal
No. 12 Downingtown East Cougars (9-3) @ No. 1 Garnet Valley Jaguars (11-0)
Season Resume:
Downingtown East has defeated Pennridge (30-6), Delaware Valley 28-20), Bishop Shanahan (42-7), Kennett (41-7), Oxford (42-28), Academy Park (34-6), Avon Grove (35-7), Coatesville (31-15), & Downingtown West (34-9). The Cougars have lost games to Coatesville (14-10) & Downingtown West (31-28).
Garnet Valley has defeated Central Bucks West (14-7), Upper Darby (55-20), Radnor (49-0), Ridley (35-7), Springfield-Delco (20-7), Haverford (25-7), Penncrest (47-7), Lower Merion (35-7), Conestoga (49-3), Quakertown (63-14), & Spring-Ford (30-27 in overtime).
Last Week:
Downingtown East advanced to the PIAA District One 6-A semifinals with a 34-9 victory over Downingtown West. Bo Horvath carried 37 times for 275 yards and scored 5 touchdowns in a spectacular performance.
Garnet Valley needed overtime to save its unbeaten season. Jack Westburg scored on a 10-yard run to give the Jaguars a 30-27 overtime victory. Jason Bernard led the GV rushing attack with 122 yards on 20 carries.
Offensive/Defensive Scoring:
Downingtown East has scored an average of 32.2 points per game and has allowed an average of 15.2 points per game. A winning margin of 17.0 points per game.
Garnet Valley has scored an average of 38.4 points per game and has allowed an average of 9.6 points per game. A winning margin of 28.8 points per game.
Winner Gets:
The winner of the game between No. 12 Downingtown East and No. 1 Garnet Valley will play the winner of the game between No. 11 Central Bucks West and No. 2 Perkiomen Valley.
Prediction:
***Upset Special # 2***
Downingtown East Cougars 28 – Garnet Valley Jaguars 24
PIAA District One 5-A Semifinal
No. 3 West Chester Rustin Golden Knights (10-1) @ Strath Haven Panthers (12-0)
Season Resume:
West Chester Rustin has defeated WC Henderson (34-0), WC East (35-12), Chichester (28-7), Coatesville (2-0 forfeit), Oxford (35-27), Sun Valley (42-14). Great Valley (32-0), Unionville (42-7), Radnor (41-14) & Kennett (31-7). The Golden Knights lost to Kennett (24-14).
Strath Haven has defeated Interboro (27-13), Kensington (50-6), Conestoga (25-0), Springfield-Delco (41-14), Lower Merion (42-7), Penncrest (35-6), Radnor (42-0), Ridley (41-14), Upper Darby (35-6), Marple-Newtown (43-24), Upper Merion (35-3), & Springfield-Delco (36-19).
Last Week:
West Chester Rustin advanced to the PIAA District One 5-A semifinals with a 31-7 victory over No. 6 Kennett. The Golden Knights had lost to that same Kennett team 24-14 earlier in the season.
Strath Haven advanced to the PIAA District One 5-A semifinals with a 36-19 victory over No. 7 Springfield-Delco. The Panthers had defeated that same. Springfield-Delco team 41-14 earlier in the season.
Offensive/Defensive Scoring:
West Chester Rustin has scored an average of 33.4 points per game and has allowed an average of 11.2 points per game. A winning margin of 22.2 points per game.
Strath Haven has scored an average of 37.7 points per game and has allowed an average of 9.3 points per game. A winning margin of 28.4 points per game.
Winner Gets:
The winner of the game between No. 3 WC Rustin and No. 2 Strath Haven will play the winner of the game between No. 4 Plymouth Whitemarsh and No. 1 Upper Dublin.
Prediction:
Strath Haven Panthers 28 – West Chester Rustin Golden Knights 21
Suburban One Sports.com
Great Eight
Last Week in [XXXXXX]
1. Upper Dublin Flying Cardinals (12-0) --- [1]
2. Central Bucks West Bucks (8-4) --- [2]
3. Pennsbury Falcons (9-2) --- [5]
4. Central Bucks East Patriots (8-3) --- [6]
5. Souderton Indians (9-3) --- [4]
6. North Penn Knights (6-6) --- [3]
7. Central Bucks South Titans (7-4) --- [7]
8. Plymouth Whitemarsh Colonials (10-2) --- [8]
Why? Upper Dublin & Central Bucks West are still playing, and UD defeated West…Pennsbury has beaten CB East, North Penn, and CB South…Central Bucks East has beaten Souderton…North Penn has beaten Central Bucks South…& Central Bucks South has beaten Plymouth Whitemarsh…got it?... Really...I’m not too sure that I do.
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