By Scott Huff
Ouch!!!!
The Suburban One League took an excruciating blow to its collective reputation with the results of the opening week of the PIAA District One Playoffs.
Only North Penn and Neshaminy survived the first round of the Quad-A playoffs. And cynics might say that was only because the Knights defeated fellow SOL member Council Rock North (39-12) and the Redskins edged SOL National Conference member Abington (24-17).
Excluding the NP-CRN game, and the Neshaminy-Abington game – the SOL was outscored by a staggering point margin of 120-50 on the Quad-A level.
The major upset of the first round had to be the loss of #2 seed Pennsbury to #15 seed Unionville (12-7).“Pennsbury losing was very surprising,” said Abington head coach Tim Sorber. “I thought - and so did a lot of other people - that they should get to the district final.
“We were happy that we had five teams get in from the (SOL) National Conference,” added Sorber. “Now all we have left is Neshaminy.”
The District One Quad-A playoff exit door was also shown to Norristown, Council Rock South, and Quakertown.
“A lot of people feel that the Suburban One League is the best league in the state,” said Quakertown coach John Donnelly as his Panthers were eliminated from the playoffs in a 41-14 loss to Avon Grove. “You want to play well as a team, but you also want your league to do well.
“I was really surprised to see that only North Penn and Neshaminy are left,” added Donnelly. “They play each other in the next round, and I’m sure whoever wins that game will represent the league well.”
The District One Class AAA playoff exit door was also shown to Upper Moreland, which played a terrific game against Pottsgrove, losing 21-14.
“We played Norristown last week, and I really think that they were the best team that we played all season,” said Upper Moreland coach Adam Beach. “Not to take anything away from Pottsgrove, but I think that (Bayard) Rustin is the best team on our level in the area.”
Upper Moreland, Quakertown, and Abington all can still conclude their respective seasons with a victory. All three will have intense Thanksgiving morning away game rivalries.
“Old-timers really don’t care if we win a playoff game,” said Beach. “All they want us to do is beat Hatboro-Horsham on Thanksgiving.
“It gives us a quality program to end our season on,” added Beach. “The good news is that we can get rid of the bad feeling about losing to Pottsgrove with a win on Thanksgiving.”
“Our guys were very unhappy with the outcome against Avon Grove,” said Donnelly. “We won’t get a shot to play that game over, but we will have a shot to play Pennridge.
“Nine wins would be a nice way to end the season, and it will give our seniors a chance to go out the right way,” continued Donnelly. “But Pennridge is hungry, and it should be a great game.”
“We have mixed feelings about playing Cheltenham,” said Sorber. “It is a tremendous rivalry with a rich tradition, but we were hoping to still be involved in the playoffs.
“The kids now know that this is their final game,” said Sorber. “And we want to end this season with a win.”
PIAA District One Quad-A Playoff Results
North Penn (12-0) dominated the contest from the outset of the game as NP scored on its first six possessions to roll over Council Rock North, 39-12. The Knights had three players score a pair of touchdowns – Craig Needhammer (2 and 15), Dominic Taggart (7 and 14), and Todd Smolinsky (37 and 39). North Penn will host Neshaminy in a second round game.
Council Rock North (6-5) scored both of its touchdowns in the fourth quarter on a pair of TD runs by Brandon Cottom. Cottom – who rushed for 152 yards on 27 carries – scored on runs of 3 and 38 yards. Starting quarterback Tyler Hamilton missed the game due to injury. The season is now over for the Indians.
Neshaminy (9-2) rallied from a 10-3 deficit to defeat National Conference rival Abington, 24-17. The Redskin backfield of Corey Majors and Bryan Dean each scored on 10-yard runs. The Skins also scored on a 12-yard TD pass from Charlie Marterella to Ricky Brebner and on a field goal by Ricky Domico. Neshaminy will advance to a second round game with North Penn this week.
Abington (7-3) was ousted from the playoffs by Neshaminy at Heartbreak Ridge, 24-17. The Ghosts took a 7-0 lead when Kevin Deal scored after recovering a blocked punt, and led 10-3 when Ian MacMillan booted a field goal. The final Abington score came in the fourth quarter on a 1-yard TD burst by Julien Ireland. Abington will end its season at Cheltenham on Thanksgiving morning.
Pennsbury (9-2) suffered the biggest upset in the first round of the PIAA District One Playoffs with its 12-7 setback to Unionville (8-3), 12-7. The Falcons led 7-6, but were held scoreless in the second half. Brandon Pepper rushed for a score and led the team with 197 yards on 17 carries. Dante Devine was held to 65 yards on 21 carries. The season is now over for the SOL National Conference champions.
Norristown (9-2) made a cameo appearance in the postseason as the Eagles were jettisoned from the playoffs by Downingtown East (9-2), 27-14. The scoring plays for the Birds was a 60-yard TD pass from Shannon Mayer to brother Sheldon Mayer – and a 10-yard TD run by Charles Tibbs. Norristown gave up 320 rushing yards – 240 of those to sophomore Drew Harris. The season is now over for the Eagles.
Quakertown (8-3) scored on an 80-yard touchdown run by Tony Latronica on its first possession, but the Panthers struggled defensively and lost to Avon Grove (10-1), 41-14. The Panthers also scored a defensive touchdown when Dylan Gossler scored on a 32-yard fumble recovery. Avon Grove rushed for a total of 429 yards on 47 carries. Quakertown will travel to Pennridge on Thanksgiving morning.
Council Rock South (8-3) was held to just 82 yards of total offense in a 40-15 loss to powerful Ridley (10-1). The Green Raiders torched the Golden Hawks for 431 yards of total offense. Braxton Ambrose scored both touchdowns for South – one on a 13-yard run and the other on a 55-yard return of a blocked punt. The season in now over for the Golden Hawks.
PIAA District One Class AAA Playoffs
Upper Moreland (5-5) lost a heartbreaking 21-14 contest to favored Pottsgrove (11-0) in its first round PIAA District One playoff game. The Golden Bears scored on their first play from scrimmage – a 58-yard pass from Matt Sawick to Kyle Lockhard – and on a 2-yard run by Chris Smallwood. Pottsgrove won the game in the fourth period with just 34 seconds left in the game. The final game of the season for the Bears will be at Hatboro-Horsham on Thanksgiving morning.
Non-League Games
Souderton (6-5) overcame an 0-3 start at the beginning of the season to end the year with a winning record as a result of its 48-0 rout of Upper Dublin (4-6). The Indians rushed for 307 total yards that included five scores – two each by Tyler Scholl and Derek Brown – and one by Andrew Coyle. QB Connor Brokenshire passed for 195 yards and a pair of scores. The season is now over for the Big Red.
Upper Dublin (4-6) finished the SOL American Conference season in second place behind Norristown, but the Flying Cardinals (4-2 conference) were grounded in their non-league finale against Souderton (6-5), 48-0. UD managed just 66 yards of total offense in the loss. It was the final game of the season for the Cards.
Hatboro-Horsham (5-6) prepped for its Turkey Day showdown with a 30-8 nonleague win over Bensalem (3-8). Darryl Neville rushed for a game-high 138 yards on 20 carries and scored on runs of 48 and 4 yards. Nick Dovidio rushed for 101 yards on 11 carries. The Hatters will host Upper Moreland on Thanksgiving morning.Bensalem (3-8) did not save its best for last as the Owls were clipped by host Hatboro-Horsham (5-6), 30-8. The lone scoring play came in the final period when Kevin Hopkins threw a scoring strike to Davonte Newkirk. The season is now over for Bensalem.
Pennridge (5-6) prepped for its Turkey Day showdown with Quakertown with a convincing 39-14 non-league victory over host Cheltenham (3-8). The Rams scored a rushing touchdown – Jesse Knepp – a passing TD – Kyle Peters to Drew Smith – a defensive touchdown – Chad Moyer interception return – and a special teams TD – Andrew Rice return of a blocked punt.
Cheltenham (3-8) prepped for its Turkey Day showdown with Abington with the 39-14 loss to Pennridge (5-6). Chris Stevens scored the first Panther touchdown on a 75-yard kickoff return and added a TD run by Damin Finley.
Truman (3-8) played well in a 21-7 nonleague victory over Stroudsburg (3-8). The Tigers rushed for 257 yards and were led by a 100-yard effort by Drew Peterson. Peterson also completed three passes – one to Travis Thomas for a touchdown. Truman will close its season with a Thanksgiving Day date against Conwell-Egan.
Central Bucks West (1-10) closed its season with a tough 17-0 nonleague loss to Archbishop Ryan (1-10). Ward Udinski completed 15 passes for 180 yards and a pair of scores – one to Max Stella and the other to Jarret Shugars. Jake Poeske rushed for a team-high 94 yards. The season is now finished for the Bucks.
SuburbanOneSports.com Super Seven
1. North Penn Knights (11-0)
2. Neshaminy Redskins (9-2)
2 +. Pennsbury Falcons (9-2)
4. Abington Ghosts (7-3)
5. Council Rock Hawks (8-3)
6. Norristown Eagles (9-2)
7. Quakertown Panthers (8-3)
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