To view game photos of the Pennsbury/Frankford, Upper Dublin/Truman, CR South/Pennridge and the Quakertown/Cheltenham games, visit the Photo Gallery.
By Scott Huff
The first three weeks of the season for all of the Suburban One League teams involves competition with teams out of the conference.
The ‘appetite’ for those respective teams often gives a great indication of where the football program is in relationship to the elite programs in the state.
North Penn (2-1) is one of those elite programs – and there will be no cupcakes on its non-league menu.
The Knights – who open Suburban One League Continental Conference play this week with Central Bucks South (2-1) – will not enter conference play unbeaten. North Penn lost its season opener – 27-14 – to defending PIAA Quad-A state champion La Salle.
“North Penn has a great football program – and it is a measuring stick to see how good a football program you have when you have the chance to play them,” said Central Bucks South head coach Dave Rackovan. “Everyone in the conference knows that they are the team to beat, and once again they have shown that they are a great football team.”
The Knights have whipped both cross-town rival Lansdale Catholic (42-0) and St. Joseph Prep (38-7) in the last two weeks of play. This is a team on a roll going into SOL Continental action.
There are five Suburban One League teams venturing into Week Four of the 2010 season with impressive unbeaten records.
That select list includes Cheltenham (3-0) and Upper Moreland (3-0) from the American Conference; Central Bucks West (3-0) from the Continental Conference; and Neshaminy (3-0) and Council Rock South (3-0) from the National Conference.
The SOL American Conference has seven football teams, which creates a situation where one team plays a non-conference game each week. Upper Moreland is that team this week with a contest at Interboro.The SOL Continental Conference has a Thanksgiving Day game between Pennridge and Quakertown. Therefore, both the Rams and the Panthers play out of conference this week. Pennridge is at Lansdale Catholic and Quakertown is at Downingtown West.
The SOL National Conference is a tight eight-team conference. All eight teams have conference games this week.
This is the Week that Was in the Suburban One League
Suburban One League American Conference
Upper Moreland (3-0) graduated one of the elite running backs in the area in Chris Smallwood. But don’t shed a tear for the Golden Bears as a pair of running backs has punished the opposition on the ground this season.
Seniors Jordan Spector and Greg Adamson have slipped into Smallwood’s enormous shoes – and with room to spare.
“Both played last year, and we had a lot of confidence in them coming into this season,” said Upper Moreland head coach Adam Beach. “We knew that they would be able to take that next step and give us that good running game.
“They push each other a lot, and the team has become successful as a result of that,” added Beach. “Both are very strong runners with some breakaway speed, but they both have different styles than Chris. They are both more north/south runners.”
The Golden Bears have gotten golden efforts from three of their offensive lineman. Senior tackle Dave Driscoll, senior center Dave Connelly, and senior Guard Ryan Christensen have opened the gates for both Spector and Adamson.
“Those three lineman are all captains and have provided good leadership,” said Beach. “They are very athletic as a group and have opened up some nice holes for Jordan and Greg.”
Evidence of that fact was in Upper Moreland’s 27-20 non-league win over Furness (2-1) last week.
The Golden Bears raced for 330 rushing yards. Spector rushed 22 times for 133 yards and three touchdowns. Adamson rushed for 23 times for a game-high 170 yards.
“We run the ball a lot, but why not?” questioned Beach. “We will do what it takes to win football games.”
Next: Upper Moreland (3-0) @ Interboro (2-1)
Last Year: Did Not Play
Prediction: Upper Moreland 34 – Interboro 20
Cheltenham (3-0) put on a fourth period show to rally and defeat host Quakertown (1-2) – 25-12. The Panthers scored three touchdowns in the final quarter to erase a 12-6 Quakertown lead.
Quarterback Kenneth Cropper fired a pair of touchdown passes to Dan Rouse – one a 98-yard TD strike – and the other a 24-yard scoring aerial. Cropper threw a third TD pass of 80 yards to Anqil Reed, and Reed also scored on a 10-yard run.
Upper Dublin (2-1) led 28-7 at intermission and went on cruise control in the second half to throttle Harry S Truman (1-2) – 44-7.
Andrew Derr – the Flying Cardinal junior quarterback – was an efficient 8-12 for 115 yards. Anthony Williams scored three touchdowns for the winners with 16 carries for 106 rushing yards.
Next: Upper Dublin (2-1) @ Cheltenham (3-0)
Last Year: Cheltenham 32 – Upper Dublin 28
Prediction: Upper Dublin 28 – Cheltenham 24
Plymouth Whitemarsh (1-2) made a terrific comeback, but failed to win its non-league game with West Chester Henderson (2-1). The Colonials dropped their game to the Warriors – 31-27.
PW proved it was capable of running the football with a total of 345 rushing yards. Phil Bucci rushed for a game-high 175 yards and a TD. Russon Phillips scored on runs of 38 and 28 yards, while Wakim Blythe scored on a six-yard run.
Wissahickon (0-3) is still in search of its first win of the season, and the Trojans ran into a buzz saw last week against unbeaten Central Bucks West (3-0). Wissy lost its non-league game to the Bucks – 48-14.
Trojan senior running back Anthony Delegall dialed long distance for both for his touchdowns. Delegall – who rushed for a game-high 180 yards on 12 carries – scored on runs of 68 and 88 yards.
Next: Wissahickon (0-3) @ Plymouth Whitemarsh (1-2)
Last Year: Wissahickon 15 – Plymouth Whitemarsh 9
Prediction: Plymouth Whitemarsh 27 – Wissahickon 20
Norristown (1-2) scored 35 points in its game with host Central Bucks South (2-1) – but lost 51-35.
The Eagle offense soared behind Brandon Shippen who rushed for a team-high 95 yards and scored two touchdowns. Norristown quarterback Shannon Mayer completed 11 passes and threw scoring strikes to Shippen, Tyler McAlpine, and Anthony DiNolfi.
Upper Merion (0-3) struggled on both sides of the football in its 24-6 non-league loss to William Tennent (2-1).
Naim Cheeseboro rushed for a team-high 112 yards, while Jake Kecszyk scored the lone touchdown for the Vikings on a nine-yard run.
Next: Upper Merion (0-3) @ Norristown (1-2)
Last Year: Norristown 28 – Upper Merion 0
Prediction: Norristown 35 – Upper Merion 13
Suburban One League Continental Conference
Central Bucks South (2-1) scored a staggering 51 points in its win over Norristown, but head coach Dave Rackovan was far from thrilled after watching the film.
“We needed every one of those 51 points,” said Rackovan in reference to the Titans 51-35 win over the Eagles. “Defensively we have to play much better. Norristown has some good athletes, and we showed the we couldn’t handle them on the defensive side of the ball.
“Offensively, we played well,” added Rackovan – who was the offensive coordinator at Princeton University last fall. “We got the things done that we wanted to get done, but I really feel that we can do better.
“(Quarterback) Matt Johns has shown improvement in making decisions,” continued Rackovan. “And he will get even better when he gets more varsity experience.”
Johns engineered a Titan offense that racked up a stunning 440 yards of total offense. Johns passed for 130 yards and threw three touchdowns – two to Steve Oprendek.
Chris Veal highlighted the CB South rushing attack with 180 yards and a touchdown. Bobby DiPasquale dialed long distance with a 69-yard touchdown dash.
Next on the agenda for the Titans is powerful North Penn.
“North Penn is the program that everyone wants to aspire to,” said Rackovan. “It is great that they are in our conference, and we have the opportunity to play them every year.”
North Penn (2-1) took St. Joseph’s (1-2) to the woodshed last week and spanked the Prep – 38-7. The Knights are ranked fifth in the state according to EasternPaFootball.com.
North Penn pummeled the Hawks 31-7 in the first half before easing off the throttle in the second half. Craig Needhammer led the Knights with 85 yards rushing and a score. Quarterback Corey Ernst was effective, completing 11 passes for 185 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
Next: Central Bucks South (2-1) @ North Penn (2-1)
Last Year: North Penn 27 – CB South 7
Prediction: North Penn 38 – CB South 20
Central Bucks West (3-0) kept its 2010 record spotless with an easy 48-14 non-league victory over host Wissahickon (0-3). It is the first time since 2000 that West has opened the season 3-0.
The Bucks gored the Trojans in the first half and led 34-7. Rashaad Williams (13 carries for 135 yards) and Jake Poeske (5 carries for 70 yards) led the offensive surge with three touchdowns each. Max Stella ran back an interception for 101 yards for a TD to lead the defensive effort.
Souderton (1-2) outgained host Abington (2-1) on the stat sheet, but the Big Red could not defeat the Ghosts on the scoreboard, losing 16-15.
The Indians scored what appeared to be a game-tying touchdown with one second left on the regulation clock on a pass from Tanner Allem to Ry Yozallinas. But the attempt for a game winning two-point conversion failed, and Abington held on for the one-point win.
Next: Central Bucks West (3-0) @ Souderton (1-2)
Last Year: Souderton 20 – CB West 14
Prediction: Souderton 26 – CB West 21
Pennridge (2-1) was less than impressive in its 31-0 loss to Council Rock South. It was the first loss of the season for the Rams.
The Rams were limited to just 133 yards of total offense. Brandon Cope returned to the lineup after missing time with a concussion.
Next: Pennridge (2-1) @ Lansdale Catholic [at Wissahickon].
Last Year: Did Not Play
Prediction: Pennridge 21 – Lansdale Catholic 7
Hatboro-Horsham (2-1) defeated host Council Rock North (0-3) – 27-21 – in two overtimes. The teams were deadlocked at 21-21 at the end of regulation.
Junior fullback Dom DeFazio scored a pair of touchdowns for the Hatters – including the game winner. DeFazio – playing his first game of the season – rushed for a career-high 201 yards.
Central Bucks East (1-2) is still trying to adjust to the loss of senior running back Justyn White. The Patriots lost last week to powerful Neshaminy (3-0) – 30-7.
East did manage to put together a decent running game without White as the team amassed 180 total rushing yards. Sean Reily led the Pats with 70 rushing yards, while quarterback Josh Bernard scored the lone East touchdown.
Next: Hatboro-Horsham @ Central Bucks East (1-2)
Last Year: Hatboro-Horsham 14 – Central Bucks East 7
Prediction: Hatboro-Horsham 24 – CB East 13
Quakertown (1-2) led visiting Cheltenham after three quarters – 12-6 – but folded in the fourth period in a 25-12 non-league loss.
The Panthers failed three times to score on first-and-goal situations. Q-town scored a pair of touchdowns on runs by Joe Able and John Keller.
Next: Quakertown (1-2) @ Downingtown West (0-3)
Last Year: Did Not Play
Prediction: Quakertown 14 – Downingtown West 13
Suburban One League National Conference
Abington (2-1) held on to a thrilling 16-15 victory over visiting Souderton (1-2) last week.
Souderton scored a touchdown with just one second left in the game to close to within a point. And the Indians elected to attempt to win the game on a two-point conversion from an extra point formation – which failed.
“I was a little surprised that they attempted to win the game that way,” said Abington head coach Tim Sorber. “When they lined up that way, we all yelled ‘Watch the fake’ from the sidelines.
“The last three games have all come down to the last few seconds,” added Sorber in reference to the wins over Souderton and Plymouth Whitemarsh, and the loss to Central Bucks East. “Nothing has been easy.”
Abington was able to defeat Souderton even though the Big Red defense limited Ghost quarterback Julien Ireland to just 13 net yards on 19 carries. Ireland did, however, throw a pair of TD ‘bombs’ to senior D.J McFadden of 26 and 75 yards.
“D.J. has begun to make some big plays for us,” said Sorber. “Julien has gained a lot of confidence throwing the ball downfield, and D.J. is going to be one of those downfield threats.
“Defensively, we have been also playing good football,” added Sorber. “Myles Grasty (junior linebacker) and John Conway (senior defensive lineman) have been outstanding.”
Abington will take its show to ‘Heartbreak Ridge’ this week to take on unbeaten Neshaminy (3-0).
“(Neshaminy linebacker/running back) Corey Majors is just a special player,” said Sorber of the Villanova-bound senior. “And Neshaminy is always big and physical. We will have to be at our best.”
Neshaminy (3-0) prepped for its showdown with Abington by handling Central Bucks East – 30-7.
The Redskins racked up 310 yards of total offense. Sean Ulmer led the running attack with 120 yards and a pair of touchdowns, while Skins’ quarterback Charlie Marterella completed 7-of-10 passes for 103 yards – and a nine-yard scoring pass to Dwight Williams.
Next: Abington (2-1) @ Neshaminy (3-0)
Last Year: Abington 28 – Neshaminy 24 & Neshaminy 24- Abington 17.
Prediction: Neshaminy 27 – Abington 14
Pennsbury (2-1) won its second straight game of the season with a 19-14 non-league victory over Philadelphia Public League foe Frankford (0-3).
The Falcons trailed 14-13 at the half, but rallied back behind a fine outing by running back Brandon Pepper. Pepper rushed for a game-high 142 yards on 19 carries and scored three touchdowns – two of 59 yards each.
Bensalem (0-3) lost a heart breaker to Archbishop Ryan – 21-20 – in double overtime. The game was tied 7-7 at the end of regulation.
The Owls scored in regulation on a 20-yard TD pass by Anthony Prisco. Davonte Newkirk scored in the first overtime on a five-yard run, and Christian Fernandez scored on a six-yard run in the second overtime.
Next: Bensalem (0-3) @ Pennsbury (2-1)
Last Year: Pennsbury 44 – Bensalem 0
Prediction: Pennsbury 31 – Bensalem 8
William Tennent (2-1) doubled its win total from the 2009 season with a 24-6 victory over Upper Merion (0-3).
Connor Geiger carried the rushing load for the Panthers with 111 yards on 24 carries. Chai Smith added 60 yards that included a 24-yard touchdown run. Quarterback Shakat Kofa led a balanced Tennent attack.
Council Rock North (0-3) almost came up with a win for first year head coach Adam Collachi as the Indians lost in double overtime to Hatboro-Horsham (2-1), 27-21.
Rock North senior Benn Parker returned a punt 70 yards for a touchdown with 13.9 seconds left in the game to force the overtime.
Next: Council Rock North @ William Tennent (2-1)
Last Year: Council Rock North 38 – William Tennent 14
Prediction: Council Rock North 20 – William Tennent 17
Council Rock South (3-0) blew out Pennridge (2-1) in a battle of the unbeatens – 31-0.
Rock South had a pair of touchdown runs from Mark Damirgian to spark the offense. Billy Fleming and Brian Donnelly also scored for the Hawks. Ben Solis booted a 37-yard field goal.
Truman (1-2) tied its game with Upper Dublin (2-1) – 7-7 – early in the game, but gave up 37 unanswered points in a 44-7 loss.
Larry Winton led the Tigers offensively with 98 yards and a touchdown, while Derron Thompson added 48 yards and a second score.
Next: Council Rock South @ Truman (1-2)
Last Year: Rock South 34 – Truman 14
Prediction: Council Rock South 45 – Truman 6
Suburban One Sports.com
Super Seven
1. North Penn Knights (2-1)
2. Neshaminy Redskins (3-0)
3. Council Rock South Golden Hawks (3-0)
4. Pennsbury Falcons (2-1)
5. Central Bucks West Bucks (3-0)
6. Upper Moreland Golden Bears (3-0)
7. Cheltenham Panthers (3-0)
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