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Football Forecast – Volume 13
By Scott Huff
SOL Football Countdown…4…3…2…1…
The Suburban One League began last week with 4 teams remaining in the PIAA District One 6A & 5A playoffs, and now only No. 4 North Penn remains in the hunt for a district championship.
In the 6A playoffs, North Penn will advance to the district finals against No. 2 Downingtown West. The Knights defeated No. 1 Central Bucks South. South & No. 3 Central Bucks West were both jettisoned from the playoffs with semifinal losses.
In the 5A playoffs, No. 6 Upper Dublin saw its season come to an end with a semifinal loss to No. 2 West Chester Rustin.
Success, Coach Dick Beck & North Penn Football
North Penn football coach Dick Beck is in his 23rd year as the head coach of the Knights.
And to say that the veteran North Penn coach has been an overwhelming success during his coaching tenure patrolling the Knight sideline is a tremendous understatement.
Consider:
The Definition of Success
- Achieving goals
- Making a positive impact
- Developing skills
- Creating a legacy
- Working as a team
There may have been some in the Suburban One League that foolishly questioned the relative success of the North Penn football program under the leadership of Beck the last two seasons.
The Knights finished the 2023 season with an unlike North Penn record of 6-5 and the 2022 season with an even more unlike Knight mark of 6-6.
But both North Penn & Beck are back – and back with a vengeance as the Knights (11-2) have advanced to the PIAA District One final against No. 2 Downingtown West (12-1) with a 21-19 ‘upset’ semifinal victory over previously unbeaten Central Bucks South (12-1).
The Monumental Dick Beck Legacy
- Won a state championship in 2003 with a record of 15-0.
- Won District One championships in 2002, 2003, 2005, 2008, 2010, 2011 & 2016.
- Won 13 Suburban One League conference championships in 2021, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2013, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2006, 2003 & 2002.
- Career Record of 233-61 (if I did the math right) * a career winning percentage of 79 percent.
- Beck coached the Knights to one 15-win season (2003) * one 14-win season (2008) * five 13-win seasons (2018), (2016), (2011), (2010) & (2009) * one 12-win season (2005) * two 11-win seasons (2021 & 2013) * and two 10-win seasons (2006 & 2004).
- In his 23 seasons, North Penn & Beck has never had a losing season and only once were the Knights a .500 team (2022).
No. 4 North Penn will be the lower seeded team – and the underdog? - on the road against No. 2 Downingtown West at Walter E. Kottmeyer Stadium under the Friday Night Lights.
You would be out of your mind, though, to underestimate Coach Beck & his resurgent Knights.
Stay tuned.
Only District Champions End the Playoffs With A Victory
No. 1 Central Bucks South, No. 3 Central Bucks West & No. 6 Upper Dublin all saw very successful seasons come to an abrupt end with semifinal losses in the PIAA District One playoffs.
The Titans lost their 6A heavyweight rematch with No. 4 North Penn @ Titan Stadium, 21-19. CB South had beaten the Knights 13-6 in the regular season.
Jimmy Wade scored on a 25-yard run & Owen Pinkerton added a 4-yard touchdown run to present CB South with a 13-7 halftime lead.
North Penn took the lead in the fourth period 21-13, but a touchdown by sophomore Braylen Cape cut the lead to 21-19.
A 2-point conversion failed – and the game and the season were over for the Titans.
Central Bucks South closed the 2024 curtain on an outstanding season with a sparkling 12-1 record.
The Titans – the defending 6A District One champion - concluded the season as the regular season unbeaten champion of the Suburban One League National Conference.
The Bucks proved to be a tough out as CB West battled No. 2 Downingtown West on the Whippets home turf in a losing D-1 6A performance, 28-23.
Ryan Clemens concluded his sensational senior season as he scored on a 46-yard touchdown pass from Noah Miller – scored on a 2-yard run – and kicked a 21-yard field goal.
Miller scored on a 9-yard run in the fourth quarter to close to within a single score, but it proved to be too little and too late.
Central Bucks West closed the curtain on an outstanding season with a sparkling 10-3 record.
The Bucks finished the Suburban One League National Conference regular season as the second place finisher behind champion Central Bucks South.
The Flying Cardinals made their unexpected trip as the No. 6 seed to the 5A semifinals and battled No. 2 West Chester Rustin on even terms in the first half before losing, 35-14.
Upper Dublin rallied from a 14-point deficit in the first half to knot the score @ 14-14 with a pair of touchdowns – one in the first period – and the other in the second period.
Jordan Fields scored the first Cardinal touchdown on a long-distance 80-yard touchdown scamper. Kevin Williams scored on a ‘scoop-and-score’ after Ryan O’Sullivan blocked a punt.
However, the favored Golden Knights scored 21 unanswered points to win the game going away in the second half.
The Flying Cardinals closed the curtain on the 2024 season with an excellent 9-4 record.
Upper Dublin concluded the regular season with a 6-1 conference record and tied for the championship with both Souderton & Quakertown.
But for the Titans, Bucks & Cardinals it is now ‘Wait Until Next Year.’
The Only Stat That Matters Is On The Scoreboard
Both Central Bucks South & Central Bucks West had more impressive total offensive numbers in terms of total offense – but both the Titans & the Bucks lost semifinal games.
Central Bucks South rolled up 373 yards of total offense – 289 on the ground to just 212 yards of total offense for North Penn- 60 on the ground. The Titans registered 20 first downs compared to just 9 by the Knights.
However, the deciding stat was the damaging 5 turnovers. CB South fumbled 4 times and lost all 4 – and the Titans also threw an interception.
Central Bucks West rolled up 324 yards of total offense compared to 253 yards of total offense by Downingtown West.
The Whippets rushed for only 16 net yards in the game but passed for 237 yards and 3 touchdowns.
The key stat in the loss for the Bucks came on special teams.
The deciding touchdown for Downingtown West came on a 66-yard punt return.
And the beat goes on…
PIAA District One 6A Finals
No. 4 North Penn Knights(11-2) @ No. 2 Downingtown West Whippets (12-1)
Last Week:
North Penn advanced to the District One 6A final with a 21-19 victory over previously unbeaten Central Bucks South.
*The Knights trailed 13-7 @ halftime – scored the next 21 points – and stopped a 2-point conversion in the fourth period after the Titans closed to 21-19.
*Matt Pownall rushed for a team-high 76 yards – caught 6 passes for 132 yards – and scored on touchdown receptions of 31 & 27 yards.
*Aidan Eves scored on a 3-yard touchdown pass – intercepted a pass – forced a fumble – recovered a fumble – and covered an onside kick in the final period.
*Quarterback Matt Bucksar completed 8 of 11 passes for 152 yards and 3 touchdowns.
Downingtown West advanced to the District One final with as 28-23 semifinal victory over No. 3 Central Bucks West.
*Quarterback Cole Bricker stole the offensive spotlight passing for 237 yards and 3 touchdowns – one to Spencer Dunn for 76 yards & another to Everett Olson.
*Tommy Miller scored what proved to be the winning touchdown on a 66-yard punt return for a touchdown.
*The Whippets rushed for only 16 yards in the win.
Playoff Resume:
North Penn opened the 6A District One playoffs with a 24-14 victory over Ridley. The Knights defeated Haverford 29-21 in the district quarterfinals.
Downingtown West opened the 6A District One playoffs with a 28-21 victory over Coatesville. The Whippets defeated Owen J Roberts 41-7 in the district quarterfinals.
Season Resume:
North Penn has defeated Downingtown East (28-25), Council Rock South (34-6), Quakertown (35-12), Neshaminy (37-7), Pennridge (31-0), Central Bucks East (42-21), Pennsbury (22-14) & Abington (44-7). The Knights have lost to Central Bucks South (14-6) & Central Bucks West (14-7).
Downingtown West has defeated Lincoln (30-14), Smyrna – DE (42-6), Perkiomen Valley (35-13), Spring-Ford (21-12), Avon Grove (40-19), West Chester Rustin (14-7), Great Valaley (35-0), Coatesville (14-7) & Downingtown East (14-13). The Whippets only loss of the season came against Bishop Shanahan, 28-22.
Scoring Resume:
North Penn has scored an average of 27.7 points per game and has allowed an average of 13.4 points per game.
Downingtown West has scored an average of 28.0 points per game and has allowed an average of 13.1 points per game.
Winner Gets:
*The winner of the District One final game between No. 4 North Penn & No. 2 Downingtown West will play the winner of District 12 champion St. Joseph Prep (8-2) & District 11 champion Parkland (11-2).
Prediction:
North Penn Knights 24 * Downingtown West Whippets 21
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