By Scott Huff
Abington head coach Tim Sorber and Souderton head coach Ed Gallagher both know up close and personal what it is like to play both North Penn and Neshaminy.North Penn (13-0) and Neshaminy (12-1) will square off for the PIAA Class AAAA District One title Friday night – 7 p.m. - at William Tennent High School.
Sorber and his Ghosts (9-3) dropped a 7-0 nail biter to Neshaminy midway through the season, while Abington was jettisoned from the Quad-A playoffs in a 42-14 loss to North Penn.
Gallagher and his Indians (5-6) hung the only defeat of the season on Neshaminy – 14-13 – in the season opener. Souderton was knocked out of the Quad-A playoffs in a 35-7 loss to North Penn. The Indians also lost to the Knights 33-10 during the regular season.
“I really think that it is going to be a very close game,” said Sorber. “The team that makes the least turnovers is going to win this game.
“I don’t know if North Penn has played a team as physical as Neshaminy,” added Sorber. “I know that (Neshaminy head coach) Mark (Schmidt) has a lot of confidence in his kids, and they are going to try and control the offensive line and run the football.
“Some people don’t give (North Penn senior) Ronnie Akins enough credit as a defensive player,” continued Sorber. “He was the best defensive back we faced, and he can really disrupt an offense.
“(North Penn coach) Dick (Beck) moves Akins around a lot on offense, and that creates problems,” added Sorber. “It should be a great high school football game.”
Souderton coach Gallagher agrees.
“They both have outstanding football teams,” said Gallagher. “North Penn looked a little vulnerable against the pass against Downingtown West, but I still think that Neshaminy will want to run the football.
“The Neshaminy defense can really shut down the run,” added Gallagher. “But North Penn has the ability to make the big plays on offense all season – they have so many weapons.
“When we beat Neshaminy, we did it when we were healthy, and we did it with big plays,” continued Gallagher. “Both teams have talent and both teams can mix it up offensively. I’m really anxious to see the game.”
Both Sorber and Gallagher may be in the stands on Friday night – but both were on the opposite sideline this season and can say that they have competed with the very best.
No matter who wins.
Turkey Day Servings
The Facts and Only the Facts …
Cheltenham (5-6) @ Abington (9-3)
Thanksgiving Evening
6 p.m.
Last Abington win in series – 2007 – {45-6}
Last Cheltenham win in series – 2005 – {36-35}
Last game – Abington lost to North Penn in the PIAA Class AAAA quarterfinal game – 42-14.
Last game – Cheltenham lost to Chester in a non-league game – 19-11.
Season highlights – Abington finished third in the powerful Suburban One League National Conference behind only Neshaminy and Pennsbury. The Ghosts defeated Glen Mills in the opening round of the Quad-A playoffs, 48-35.
Season highlights – Cheltenham finished in fourth place in the Suburban One League American Conference with a 3-3 record defeating conference rivals Norristown, Wissahickon, and Plymouth-Whitemarsh. The Panthers led non-league power St. Joe Prep early in the game but dropped a 52-23 contest.
Who’s Who? – Abington features a terrific offensive team that can both run the football and pass. The Ghost passing game features the talents of junior quarterback Sam Kind along with receivers Anthony Hensley and Dom Massey. Sophomore running back Julien Ireland is a 1000-plus yard rusher.
Who’s Who? – Cheltenham is a run-oriented team that showcases the awesome talent of quarterback/running back/wideout Mikhail Reed. Reed has scored at least one touchdown in every game for the Panthers. Damian Finley provides another weapon in the Cheltenham backfield.
Prediction: Abington rebounds from playoff loss against North Penn big time – Ghosts 45 – Cheltenham 20.
Hatboro-Horsham (5-6) @ Upper Moreland (10-2)
Thanksgiving Morning
10:00 a.m.
Last Upper Moreland win in the series – 2005 – {40-34}
Last Hatboro-Horsham win in the series – 2007 – {35-21}
Last game – Upper Moreland was jettisoned from the PIAA Class AAA District One Final by Bayard Rustin – 21-14.
Last game – Hatboro-Horhsam prepped for its Turkey Day meeting with the Bears with a 25-21 non-league win over Boyertown.
Season Highlights – Upper Moreland earned a co-championship in the SOL American Conference. The only conference loss for the Bears was to co-champ Upper Dublin. Upper Moreland beat both Phoenixville and Owen J Roberts before losing to Bayard Rustin.
Season Highlights – Hatboro-Horsham defeated two PIAA Quad-A District One Playoff teams this season. The Hatters blasted Souderton 32-0 and edged Quakertown 23-22. Hatboro-Horsham also lost to a pair of playoff teams – Neshaminy and North Penn.
Who’s Who? – Upper Moreland features the sensational play of running back Chris Smallwood. Smallwood – who was injured in the loss to Bayard Rustin – is questionable for the Hatter game. Quarterback Mike Rosenbaum and receiver Tom Knox are a potent passing combination.
Who’s Who? – Hatboro-Horsham has been able to put points on the board all season. The Hatters features the running of Mike Borbin and Eddie Coombs. Quarterback Dan Lineberger is a double threat passing and running the football.
Prediction: An Upper Moreland victory would give them the most wins in school history. Look for history to be made in a close one – Upper Moreland 21 – Hatboro-Horsham 20.
Pennridge (6-5) @ Quakertown (8-3)
Thanksgiving Morning
10:15 a.m.
Last Pennridge win in series – 2007 – {36-0}
Last Quakertown win in series – 2004 – {21-7}
Last game – Pennridge was ousted from the PIAA Quad-A District One Playoffs in the first round by Garnet Valley, 21-7.Last game – Quakertown was also ousted from the PIAA Quad-A District One Playoffs in the first round by Ridley, 21-0.
Season Highlights – Pennridge can actually tie Quakertown for second place in the Suburban One League Continental Conference with a win. The Rams earned the #15 seed in the playoffs with a winning season, but PHS will have to beat Q-town to avoid being .500.
Season Highlights – Quakertown had its best season in recent memory. The Panthers lost to a pair of highly regarded District One programs – North Penn and Ridley – and were upset by Hatboro-Horsham. A victory would put Q-town in sole possession of second place in the SOL Continental Conference behind conference champion North Penn.
Who’s Who? – Pennridge has showcased the talents of quarterback Brad Herrmann this season. Herrmann has been a double threat both running and passing the football. Ian Walbridge has also been a reliable back for the Rams, and Jesse Knepp has shown breakaway speed.
Who’s Who? – Quakertown has boasted a very balanced offense to go along with a stingy defense. Quarterback Ryan Tincknell has been extremely effective, and running back Tony Latronica has had games with ‘big numbers.’ Eric Fath is terrific on both sides of the football.
Prediction: This game should be a marvelous game filled with both emotion and talent. I like the Rams to win in an ‘upset’ of sorts – Pennridge 28 – Quakertown 21.
Conwell-Egan (7-4) @ Harry S Truman (2-9)
Thanksgiving Morning
10:00 a.m.
Last Harry S Truman win in series – 2007 – {33-12}
Last Conwell-Egan win in series – 2006 – {41-40}
Last game – Harry S Truman defeated Stroudsburg 15-4 in a non-league game.
Last game – Conwell-Egan was destroyed by Archbishop Wood 44-14 in a Philadelphia Catholic League playoff game.
Season Highlights – Truman had most of its season highlights in its last game against Stroudsburg. The venture into the Lehigh Valley doubled the win total for the season for the Tigers. Truman’s only other win came in a 12-7 victory over William Tennnet.
Season Highlights – Conwell-Egan had a fine PCL season that saw the Eagles move into the playoffs. CEHS could not solve Wood, however, as the Eagles lost to AW in the regular season by a 41-0 score.
Who’s Who? – Truman has relied on running back Jeff Tiberi and the quarterback play of Mike Schmidt this season. Tom Bremme – a tight end/running back – had an excellent game in the win over Stroudsburg.
Who’s Who? – Conwell-Egan has used the double threat of quarterback Joe Della-Croce to score most of its points this season. The Eagles alumni include the talents of former West Virginia star quarterback Steve Slaton – now a star running back for the Houston Texans.
Prediction: - Truman to close the season with a two-game winning streak and an upset victory over rival Egan – Harry S Truman 16 – Conwell-Egan 14.
PIAA QUAD-A DISTRICT ONE FINAL
North Penn (13-0) vs. Neshaminy (12-1)
@ William Tennent High School
Friday Night
7:00 p.m.
Last North Penn victory in series – 2006 {29-7}
Last Neshaminy victory in series – 2007 {35-0}
Last North Penn game – The Knights ripped off 23 unanswered points in the second half to rip Downingtown West, 51-21, in the PIAA Quad-A District One Semifinal game.
Last Neshaminy game – The Redskins ‘upset’ unbeaten Garnet Valley 21-14 in the PIAA Quad-A District One Semifinal game. Neshaminy trailed 14-0 early in the game but rallied for the win.
Season Highlights – North Penn is unbeaten and won the Suburban One League Continental Conference championship. The Knights have beaten Souderton, Abington, and Downingtown West to advance to the title game.
Season Highlights – Neshaminy is the Suburban One League National Conference champion and has only a single loss – to Souderton – on its resume. The Redskins have beaten Downingtown East, Ridley, and Garnet Valley to advance to the title game.
Who’s Who? – North Penn has utilized a ‘big-play’ offense that has featured the talents of running backs Ronnie Akins and Tyler Smith, along with quarterback Justin Davey. The Knights also have a terrific offensive line and a solid defense.
Who’s Who? – Neshaminy also a pair of sensational running backs in Quilan Arnold and Bryan Dean, along with quarterback Brian Titus. The Redskin defense is one of the best in the state.
Prediction: North Penn avenges last season’s 35-0 loss with a hard fought victory and a District One championship. North Penn 35 – Neshaminy 31.
SuburbanOneSports.Com’s Top Ten
1. North Penn Knights (13-0)
2. Neshaminy Redskins (12-1)
3. Pennsbury Falcons (9-3)
4. Upper Moreland Golden Bears (10-2)
5. Abington Ghosts (9-3)
6. Quakertown Panthers (8-3)
7. Upper Dublin Flying Cardinals (8-2)
8. Pennridge Rams (6-5)
9. Souderton Indians (5-6)
10. Council Rock South Golden Hawks (6-4)
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