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Football Forecast – 7
By Scott Huff
…Don’t Know Much About Geography
Don’t Know Much Trigonometry
Don’t Know Much About Algebra
Don’t Know What A Slide Rule is for
******** Lyrics from Sam Cooke’s song Wonderful World
But you darn well better know how to use a calculator to compute which Suburban One League football teams do make the PIAA District One Playoffs – and which teams will fail to qualify for the postseason.
The District One Power Ranking System for football can be found on the PIAA District One website.
The site does a decent job of explaining how a team is assigned a ranking – take a look at the site – but remember the rankings change from week-to-week, game-to-game.
There are no less than six SOL teams with 3-4 records that are competing for a berth in the 6A PIAA District One Playoffs. The most likely scenario could have three of those teams advancing to the postseason – and three of those teams ‘waiting until next year’.
But all you really know is that you don’t know.
Quakertown (3-4) currently is ranked #13 in the district with 750 points. The Panthers will close out the regular season home against Council Rock North (2-5), @ Harry S Truman (1-6), & home with Upper Dublin (5-2).
The signature win for Q-town this season was a 38-17 victory over #16 North Penn. Today the Panthers are ‘in’ the playoffs.
Pennsbury (3-4) currently is ranked #14 in the district with 740 points. The Falcons will close out the season home against North Penn (3-4), @ Abington (1-5), & home versus Neshaminy (3-4).
The signature win for Pennsbury this season was a 16-14 victory over #19 Central Bucks East. Today the Falcons are ‘in’ the postseason.
North Penn (3-4) is currently ranked #16 in the district with 710 points. The Knights close out the season @ Pennsbury (3-4), home against Pennridge (3-4), & home versus Abington (1-5).
The signature win for North Penn this season was a 42-7 victory over #6 (5A) Upper Dublin, 42-7. Today the Knights are ‘in’ the playoffs.
Neshaminy (3-4) is currently ranked #18 in the district with 690 points. The Redskins close out the season @ Central Bucks South (7-0), @ Central Bucks East (3-4), & @ Pennsbury (3-4).
The signature win for Neshaminy this season was a 17-7 victory over #20 Pennridge. Today the Redskins are ‘out’ of the postseason.
Central Bucks East (3-4) is currently ranked #19 in the district with 670 points. The Patriots close out the season @ Abington (1-5), home versus Neshaminy (3-4), & @ Central Bucks West (7-0).
The signature win for Central Bucks East this season was a 18-17 victory over #20 Pennridge. Today the Patriots are ‘out’ of the postseason.
Pennridge (3-4) is currently ranked #20 in the district with 660 points. The Rams close out the season home against Central Bucks West (7-0), @ North Penn (3-4), & @ Central Bucks South (7-0).
The signature win for Pennridge this season was a 15-14 win over #14 Pennsbury. Today the Rams are ‘out’ of the playoffs.
There is a lot of math to be calculated as the regular season concludes – a lot could happen – and a lot will happen.
And you can’t use a slide rule to figure it all out. (at least I think you can’t)
Stay tuned.
Souderton looking for a ‘piece of the rock’
Council Rock South that is….
The Indians (7-0, 3-0) will travel to Walt Snyder Stadium in Newtown this week to play host Council Rock South (5-2, 2-1) in a critical Suburban One League Continental Conference game.
Souderton has navigated the 2023 season unbeaten, however, Rock South is currently the only team that the Indians will have met this year that has a winning record seven weeks into the season.
Souderton has victories over Haverford (1-5), Pennridge (3-4), Central Bucks East (3-4), Council Rock North (2-5), Harry S Truman (1-6), Quakertown (3-4), & Warwick (1-5).
Those seven teams have posted a less than impressive record of 14-33 and Souderton is sure to be tested in the next two weeks.
The Indians will play @ CR South this week and will host defending SOL Continental Conference – and 5A District One champion – Upper Dublin (5-2, 3-0) the following week. SAHS closes the season @ home against Bensalem (1-6).
This is not to dimmish the magnificent season Souderton has posted this year – this is just to illustrate how the Indians have gotten to this point of the season.
Souderton should be tested this week – and next – but expect nothing less but outstanding play from these Indians.
A couple of victories against both CR South and Upper Dublin will most likely give these unbeaten Indians not only an undefeated regular season – but a Suburban One League Continental Conference championship.
Stay tuned.
P.S. * It should be noted that Central Bucks South is also unbeaten – and also has not beaten a team with a winning record seven weeks into the regular season.
The Titans have collected wins over Father Judge (3-4), Harry S Truman (1-6), Council Rock North (2-5), Central Bucks East (3-4), Pennsbury (3-4), North Penn (3-4) & Abington (1-5).
The perilous road to a possible unbeaten regular season and a SOL National Conference championship for the Titans must go through Neshaminy (3-4), Central Bucks West (7-0) & Pennridge (3-4).
Again, not to dimmish the excellent season Central Bucks South has put together this season.
Just sayin’
P.S.S.* It should also be noted that Central Bucks West is also unbeaten – and the Bucks have beaten just two teams with winning records seven weeks into the season.
CBW has impressive wins over both Garnet Valley (5-2) and Upper Dublin (5-2) in the first two non-conference games of the 2023 season.
Garnet Valley was the defending 6A PIAA District One champion – and Upper Dublin was the defending 5A PIAA District One champion. The Bucks defeated the Jaguars 17-13, while CBW routed the Cardinals, 37-7.
Garnet Valley is currently the #9 ranked 6A team in District One, while Upper Dublin is currently the #6 ranked 5A team in District One.
Stay tuned.
How ‘bout those Panthers?
Cheltenham (1-5, 1-1) won for the first time this season when the Panthers rallied for a 26-19 SOL American Conference victory over Springfield (3-4, 1-1).
Cheltenham has played – without question – one of the most challenging schedules in the area. The five Panther losses have come against elite programs inside and outside the conference.
Cheltenham has been defeated by Chester (6-1), Wilson (5-2), Perkiomen Valley (5-2), Roman Catholic (6-1), & Plymouth Whitemarsh (5-1). A cumulative record of those five programs in 2023 is currently an impressive 27-7.
And with just a single win this season, the Panthers still have an eye on the postseason.
Really????
A string of four more wins would put Cheltenham @ 5-5- and who knows what 5-5 overall record – in a schedule filled with ‘bonus’ points for strength of schedule - would earn the Panthers in the jumbled 6A PIAA District One selection process.
Cheltenham has SOL American Conference games left with Upper Moreland (3-4), William Tennent (2-5), & Wissahickon (5-2). Plus, the Panthers must finish a suspended game with Abington (1-5) – a game that Cheltenham is leading 14-7 in the third period.
Sure, it is a long shot at best – but Cheltenham and their fans will take it.
Stay tuned.
I Spy With My Little Eye
In the SOL National Conference both unbeaten Central Bucks West and unbeaten Central Bucks South look to continue their winning ways as the Bucks (7-0, 4-0) travel to Pennridge (3-4, 2-2) and the Titans (7-0, 4-0) host Neshaminy (3-4, 2-2).
Central Bucks West will host Central Bucks South on October 20th at War Memorial Field. One more hurdle this week for both the unbeaten Bucks and the undefeated Titans to set up that highly anticipated showdown.
In the SOL Continental Conference Souderton (7-0, 3-0) has a huge game against Council Rock South (5-2, 2-1) this week. If the Indians can clear that Golden Hawk hurdle it would most likely set up a showdown - @ home - for the conference title on October 20th against Upper Dublin (5-2, 3-0).
The Flying Cardinals are the defending conference champion and defeated CR South last week in a pivotal conference game, 17-10. Upper Dublin will be a heavy favorite this week against Harry S Truman (1-6, 0-4).
In the SOL American Conference Plymouth Whitemarsh (5-1, 2-0) is alone in first place with an unbeaten conference record. The Colonials will attempt to keep their unbeaten conference status as they travel to Springfield (3-4, 1-1) to meet the Spartans.
Stay tuned.
If the PIAA District One playoffs were to begin after the first seven weeks of the season the following Suburban One League teams would be in the playoffs. The top ranked 16 teams from both the 6A & 5A classifications that qualify for the playoffs.
6A Classification
|
1. Central Bucks West Bucks |
7-0 |
170.00 |
|
3. Central Bucks South Titans |
7-0 |
162.857 |
|
4. (tie) Souderton Indians |
7-0 |
157.143 |
|
8. Council Rock South Golden Hawks |
5-2 |
127.123 |
|
12 Wissahickon Trojans |
5-2 |
122.857 |
|
13 Quakertown Panthers |
3-4 |
107.143 |
|
14 Pennsbury Falcons |
3-4 |
105.714 |
|
16 (tie) North Penn Knights |
3-4 |
101.429 |
5A Classification
|
4. Plymouth Whitemarsh Colonials |
5-1 |
151.667 |
|
6. Upper Dublin Flying Cardinals |
5-2 |
148.571 |
And the beat goes on…
SOL National Conference
Neshaminy Redskins (3-4, 2-2) @ Central Bucks South Titans (7-0, 4-0)
Last Year:
Central Bucks South 21 * Neshaminy 7
Last Week:
Neshaminy was competitive early but could not compete for the remainder of the game as the Redskins were defeated by unbeaten Central Bucks West, 31-7. The lone score of the game for Neshaminy came on a 51-yard touchdown pass from Colin Baker to John Morris.
Central Bucks South remained unbeaten for the season as the Titans routed Abington, 42-0. CB South has now scored 92 points in its last two conference victories – the Titans scored 50 points in their 50-28 win over North Penn two weeks ago.
Prediction:
Central Bucks South Titans 28 * Neshaminy Redskins 13
Central Bucks West Bucks (7-0, 4-0) @ Pennridge Rams (3-4, 2-2)
Last Year:
Central Bucks West 27 * Pennridge 8
Last Week:
Central Bucks West remained unbeaten for the season as the Bucks defeated Neshaminy, 31-7. The offense was fueled by Ryan Clemens who scored on an 18-yard run – scored on a 21-yard TD reception from Cooper Taylor – and kicked a 35-yard field goal. Taylor scored on a 7-yard run.
Pennridge snapped a 2-game losing streak with a 15-14 victory over visiting Pennsbury. Noah Keating threw a 22-yard scoring pass to Joe Gregori, while Sam Kuhns scored on a 15-yard TD run. Trevor Fuhs scored what proved to be the game winner with a 2-point conversion.
Prediction:
Central Bucks West Bucks 27 * Pennridge Rams 13
North Penn Knights (3-4, 2-2) @ Pennsbury Falcons (3-4, 1-3)
Last Year:
Pennsbury 44 * North Penn 34 (regular season)
North Penn 22 * Pennsbury 21 (playoffs)
Last Week:
North Penn snapped a 2-game losing streak with a 14-7 victory over Central Bucks East. Aidan Eaves – a tight end and defensive end as well as the 3rd string quarterback for the Knights – threw a touchdown pass and was the leading ballcarrier for North Penn.
Pennsbury lost a heartbreaking 15-14 contest to host Pennridge. The Falcons received a 1-yard touchdown run by Jordan Czerniak and a 4-yard touchdown run by Nathan Beigley. Beigley rushed for a team-high 136 yards.
Prediction:
Pennsbury Falcons 23 * North Penn Knights 17
Central Bucks East Patriots (3-4, 1-3) @ Abington Ghosts (1-5, 0-4)
Last Year:
Central Bucks East 31 * Abington 6
Last Week:
Central Bucks East lost for the second consecutive week in a one-score game as the Patriots were edged by North Penn, 14-7. The lone score of the game for East came on a 30-yard touchdown run by Dan Voglesong.
Abington lost for the 5th straight week as the Ghosts were shutout by unbeaten Central Bucks South, 42-0. In SOL National Conference play this year, Abington has been outscored by a margin of 157-36.
Prediction:
Central Bucks East Patriots 38 * Abington Ghosts 8
SOL Continental Conference
Souderton Indians (7-0, 3-0) @ Council Rock South Hawks (5-2, 2-1)
Last Year:
Souderton 23 * Council Rock South 0
Last Week:
Souderton prepped for its showdown with CR South with a 41-14 non-conference rout of Warwick. Ryan Sadowski scored 2 rushing touchdowns, while Michael McCormick also scored a rushing TD. Chase Johnson scored on a TD pass and recovered a fumble in the endzone for a defensive score. Rylan Zuk kicked 2 field goals for the winners.
Council Rock South lost its first conference game to Upper Dublin, 17-10. The Golden Hawks scored first and last in the key conference showdown. Chase Ennis fired a 32-yard scoring pass to Jake Hemple to open the scoring, while Francis Raffery closed out the scoring with a 27-yard field goal.
Prediction:
Souderton Indians 23 * Council Rock South Golden Hawks 17
Council Rock North Indians (2-5, 2-2) @ Quakertown Panthers (3-4, 1-2)
Last Year:
Quakertown 48 * Council Rock North 14
Last Week:
Council Rock North took a 21-0 at the half and finished off Harry S Truman, 28-6. It was the second win in three weeks for an Indian team that started the season 0-4.
Quakertown won its first conference game of the season as the Panthers clawed Bensalem, 38-14. Brady Martin caught a touchdown pass from Vince Micucci and threw a TD pass to Aiden Burgy. Micucci threw a touchdown pass to Max Morris and threw a touchdown pass to Tanner Clancy. Jackson Connelly scored on a 2-yard run for the winners.
Prediction:
Quakertown Panthers 35 * Council Rock North Indians 14
Harry S Truman Tigers (1-6, 0-4) @ Upper Dublin Cardinals (5-2, 3-0)
Last Year:
Upper Dublin 44 * Truman 14
Last Week:
Harry S Truman lost for the 4th week in a row as the Tigers were caged by Council Rock North, 28-6. In conference games this season, Truman is 0-4 and has been outscored 153-67.
Upper Dublin remained unbeaten in the conference with a key 17-10 victory over Council Rock South. Shyne Roberts scored on a 65-yard run – Kevin Etkin threw a 62-yard scoring pass to Chris Kohlbrenner - and Mike Miller kicked a 31-yard field goal.
Prediction:
Upper Dublin Cardinals 42 * Harry S Truman Tigers 14
SOL American Conference
Plymouth Whitemarsh Colonials (5-1, 2-0) @ Springfield Spartans (3-3, 1-1)
Last Year:
Plymouth Whitemarsh 35 * Springfield 6
Last Week:
Plymouth Whitemarsh assumed sole possession of first place in the conference as the Colonials marched to a 49-7 victory over William Tennent. Caiden Lescznnski fired 4 touchdown passes for PW, while Anthony Iannozzi intercepted a pair of Panther passes.
Springfield led Cheltenham 19-6 at the close of the first half, but the Spartans were outscored 19-0 in the second half in a 26-19 loss to the Panthers.
Prediction:
Plymouth Whitemarsh Colonials 42 * Springfield Spartans 14
Upper Moreland Bears (3-4, 1-1) @ Cheltenham Panthers (1-5, 1-1)
Last Year:
Upper Moreland 14 * Cheltenham 10
Last Week:
Upper Moreland trailed Wissahickon 28-14 entering the fourth quarter and rallied to make it a one score game. However, the Golden Bears could not seal the deal in a 28-20 loss to the Trojans.
Cheltenham captured its first win of the season as the Panthers rallied in the second half to defeat Springfield, 26-19. Sean Alston returned a blocked field goal for a touchdown, while Mike Dunn scored a rushing touchdown for the Panthers
Prediction:
Cheltenham Panthers 27 * Upper Moreland Bears 17
Wissahickon Trojans (5-2, 1-1) @ William Tennent Panthers (2-5, 0-2)
Last Year:
Wissahickon 38 * William Tennent 3
Last Week:
Wissahickon freshman Quasir Sampson rushed for 162 yards and 2 touchdowns, while Dom Harvey-Sheppard added 2 rushing touchdowns as the Trojans defeated Upper Moreland, 28-20.
William Tennent scored a fourth quarter touchdown but was far from enough as the Panthers lost to Plymouth Whitemarsh, 49-7. It was the third straight loss for WT.
Prediction:
Wissahickon Trojans 38 * William Tennent Panthers 24
Non-Conference Game
Hatboro-Horsham Hatters (4-3) @ Bensalem Owls (1-6)
Last Year:
Did Not Play
Last Week:
Hatboro-Horsham defeated New -Hope Solebury, 40-3. Both the Hatters and the Lions are playing an independent schedule this season.
Bensalem followed its 28-21 overtime win over Truman with a decisive 38-14 loss to Quakertown.
Prediction:
Hatboro-Horsham Hatters 27 * Bensalem Owls 20
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