By Scott Huff
Suburban One Sports.com Senior Writer
Amid a sea of lopsided scores throughout the Suburban One League during the second week of conference action, there was a pair of instant classics.
Souderton (3-2, 2-0) scored the winning touchdown with a scant 1.7 seconds left in its game with neighborhood rival Pennridge (3-2, 0-1) to produce an exhilarating 10-7 SOL Continental Conference victory.
And William Tennent (4-1, 2-0) made a heroic defensive stand and held Truman (1-4, 0-2) at the Panther two-yard line with 3.9 seconds remaining to preserve a thrilling 22-21 SOL National Conference win.
“At the end of the game, I thought we might have been a little lucky,” said Souderton head coach Ed Gallagher. “But after watching the film, I came away impressed with the way we played on that last drive.”
The Big Red drive began on its one-yard line with a little over five minutes left in the game. Souderton would cover those 99 yards on a punishing 21-play drive that culminated with a 15-yard scoring pass from quarterback Tanner Allem to wide receiver Ry Yozallinas.
“On that last play we wanted to make sure that the pass was thrown into the end zone because we were out of timeouts,” said Gallagher. “Tanner made a nice throw, and Ry made a clutch catch. It was do or die.
“I don’t remember ever winning, or losing, a game like that in the last couple of seconds,” added Gallagher. “It was a huge win for our football team. There is a big difference being 2-0 in the (conference) than 1-1.”
The same could be said for William Tennent in its win over Truman.
“The players have been there before, and we knew what to do to win the game,” said William Tennent head coach Biz Keeny. “We needed to make a play defensively, and our linebackers stepped up and made that play.”
The trio of Panther linebackers who all got a piece of the Tiger ball carrier on that final play was juniors Matt McKenna, John Orsado, and Connor Geiger.
“On that last drive we were not only playing Truman, but the clock, and we just told our guys to keep them on the field” said Keeny. “Truman has two real good running backs in (Derron) Thompson and (Larry)Winton, and for us to play them tough at the goal line says a lot about how far we have come this year.”
And the same could be said about the play of Truman.
“We watched the film on Saturday and gained a sense of confidence,” said Truman head coach Ed Cubbage. “A game like we played against Tennent is a part of the growing up process for this team.
“We had over 400 yards of total offense, but give the Tennent kids credit for finding a way to win,” continued Cubbage. “We will be going into the Abington game this week knowing that we have some talent – now we have to turn that into wins.”
The only other close game in the SOL was a 21-14 comeback SOL Continental Conference win by Quakertown (2-3, 1-0) over Hatboro-Horsham (2-3, 0-2). The Panthers scored twice in the final five minutes to win the game.
In the nine remaining SOL games, the average offensive scoring of the winning team was 35 points, while the average scoring of the losing team was just 9 points.
That computes to an enormous 26-point spread.
This is the Week that Was in the SOL
SOL National Conference
Council Rock South (5-0, 2-0) made its statement to the pollsters in the area with its fourth straight shutout in humbling Pennsbury (2-3, 0-2), 24-0.
Mark Damirgian stole the offensive spotlight for the Golden Hawks with a three-touchdown effort. Damirgian scored on runs of five and 27 yards and also caught a 12-yard TD pass from Billy Fleming. Ben Solis booted a 21-yard field goal for Rock South.
Bensalem (1-4, 1-1) could not follow its previous upset of Pennsbury with a second upset against Neshaminy (5-0, 2-0). The Owls played tough but dropped a 28-14 verdict.
Christian Fernandez was the offensive catalyst for Bensalem as he rushed for 125 yards on 22 carries and scored both Owl touchdowns. Fernandez scored on runs of five and nine yards.
Next: Bensalem (1-4, 1-1) @ Council Rock South (5-0, 2-0)
Last Year: Council Rock South 35 – Bensalem 10.
Prediction: Council Rock South 28 – Bensalem 6
Neshaminy (5-0, 2-0) kept its record spotless for the 2010 season with a 28-14 conference win over Bensalem (1-4, 1-1).
The Redskins featured a pair of 100-yard runners in Anthony Woodroffe (100 yards) and Sean Ulmer (105 yards). Quarterback Charlie Marterella completed nine passes for 90 yards – including a five-yard TD pass to Shane Quinn.
Council Rock North (0-5, 0-2) scored 31 points, but the Indians were routed by Abington (3-2, 1-1), 49-31.
Brandon Knotts found the end zone three times for Rock North – one on a 36-yard run – and the other two on TD catches of one and 84 yards. Quarterback Vince Piancentino complete five passes for 145 yards and the two scores to Knotts.
Next: Council Rock North (0-5, 0-2) @ Neshaminy (5-0, 2-0)
Last Year: Neshaminy 14 – Council Rock North 13
Prediction: Neshaminy 49 – CR North 13
Pennsbury (2-3, 0-2) is in uncharted waters as the Falcons have a losing record both overall and in the SOL National Conference. Pennsbury was shut out last week by host Council Rock South (5-0, 2-0) – 24-0.
The Falcons were limited to just 110 yards of total offense in the loss. Brandon Pepper ran for a team-high 68 yards on 18 carries.
William Tennent (4-1, 2-0) continued to impress as the Panthers held on for a 22-21 conference win over Harry S Truman (1-4, 0-2).
Connor Geiger scored the game-winning touchdown for WT, while Mike Excell kicked what proved to be the winning point after touchdown. Manny Gamboa scored on a 15-yard TD pass from Shakat Kofa. Kofa also scored on a one-yard run.
Next: William Tennent (4-1, 2-0) @ Pennsbury (2-3, 0-2)
Last Year: Pennsbury 43 – William Tennent 12
Prediction: Pennsbury 27 – William Tennent 14
Abington (3-2, 1-1) led 49-7 at the half and defeated Council Rock North (0-5, 0-2), 49-31.
The Ghosts had seven different players reach the end zone in the ‘mercy-rule’ contest. Julien Ireland rushed only eight times for a team-high 75 yards. He also completed three passes for 72 yards.
Harry S Truman (1-4, 0-2) was two yards away from victory in its 22-21 loss to William Tennent (4-1, 2-0).
Derron Thompson was superb as he scored three touchdowns for the Tigers. Thompson rushed for 180 yards on 24 carries. Larry Winton also had an excellent game with 192 yards on 23 rushes.
Next: Truman (1-4, 0-2) @ Abington (3-2, 1-1)
Last Year: Abington 35 – Truman 19
Prediction: Abington 27 – Truman 20
SOL Continental Conference
North Penn (4-1, 2-0) continued its march through the conference unbeaten with a 28-6 victory over Central Bucks East (2-3, 1-1).
The Knight defense kept the East offense under wraps with only eight first downs. Corey Ernst completed eight pass for 115 yards and three touchdowns – one to Brandon Mercer, one to Dominic Taggart, and one to Ralphie Reeves.
Central Bucks West (4-1, 1-1) sent out its calling card as one of the elite teams in the conference with a 49-7 destruction of rival Central Bucks South (2-3, 0-2).
Speedster Rashaad Williams raced for 196 yards and scored on TD runs of 96 and 35 yards. Jake Poeske scored on TD runs of eight and 20 yards, while Ward Udinski threw a scoring pass to Bill Bell.
Next: North Penn (4-1, 2-0) @ Central Bucks West (4-1, 1-1).
Last Year: North Penn 49 – Central Bucks West 7
Prediction: North Penn 28 – CB West 17
Souderton (3-2, 2-0) remained unbeaten in conference play as the Big Red scored on their last offensive play of the game to defeat rival Pennridge (3-2, 0-1), 10-7.
The Indians also scored on the last play of the first half on a rare free kick as sophomore Jeff Wolf boomed a 49-yard field goal. Wolf is also a member of the Big Red soccer team.
Hatboro-Horsham (2-3, 0-2) led after three quarters, but could not hold the lead in a 21-14 conference setback to Quakertown (2-3, 1-0).
Matt Hollenbeck had given the Hatters the lead with a one-yard touchdown run. Hatboro also led early on a TD pass from Hollenbeck to Joe Palo. Hollenbeck completed 12 passes for 105 yards.
Next: Souderton (3-2, 2-0) @ Hatboro-Horsham (2-3, 0-2)
Last Year: Souderton 32 – Hatboro-Horsham 14
Prediction: Souderton 28 – Hatboro-Horsham 13
Quakertown (2-3, 1-0) rallied in the fourth quarter to defeat Hatboro-Horsham, 21-14. The Panthers scored 14 points in the final five minutes to ice the win.
Quarterback Zac Granvelle scored on a 77-yard run late in the first half. The final two Q-town scores came on a three-yard run and on a touchdown pass to Nick Barndt.
Central Bucks South (2-3, 0-2) could not make a defensive stop the entire ballgame in its 49-7 conference loss to Central Bucks West (4-1, 1-1).
Ben Torres scored the lone touchdown for the Titans, while quarterback Matt Johns completed 12 passes for 105 yards.
Next: Central Bucks South (2-3, 0-2) @ Quakertown (2-3, 1-0)
Last Year: Quakertown 42 – CB South 23
Prediction: Quakertown 28 – CB South 21
Central Bucks East (2-3, 1-1) played North Penn tough in the first half and trailed by just 14-6. However, the Knights outscored the Patriots 14-0 in the second half and claimed a 28-6 conference victory.
CB East senior running back Justyn White returned and led the team with 85 yards. White also scored the only Patriot touchdown on a 29-yard run.
Pennridge (3-2, 0-1) lost a heartbreaker to Souderton on the last offensive play of the game. 10-7.
The lone score of the game for the Rams came in the third quarter on a one-yard run by quarterback Kyle Peters. Peters completed six of nine passes for 105 yards.
Next: Central Bucks East (2-3, 1-1) @ Pennridge (3-2, 0-1)
Last Year: Central Bucks East 21 – Pennridge 14
Prediction: Central Bucks East 21 – Pennridge 14
SOL American Conference
Plymouth Whitemarsh (3-2, 2-0) catapulted to the top of the conference standings with a convincing 27-7 victory over Upper Moreland (4-1, 0-1).
Quarterback Russhon Phillips threw a pair of TD passes to Kenny Williams – one for 44 yards and the other for 70 yards. Phillips also scored on a seven-yard run, while Phil Bucci also scored on a three-yard run.
Upper Dublin (4-1, 2-0) earned a share of the top spot in the conference standings with a convincing 35-6 victory over Upper Merion (0-5, 0-2).
Rich Orth scored three touchdowns for the Flying Cardinals – two on passes from Andrew Derr – and the third on a 50-yard pass interception. Anthony Williams and Jino Park also scored touchdowns for UD.
Next: Plymouth Whitemarsh (3-2, 2-0) @ Upper Dublin (4-1, 2-0)
Last Year: Upper Dublin 21 – Plymouth Whitemarsh 13
Prediction: Plymouth Whitemarsh 21 – Upper Dublin 20
Norristown (3-2, 2-0) also owns a share of the top spot in the conference standings with a convincing 33-6 victory over Wissahickon (0-5, 0-2).
Tailback Brandon Shippen rushed for a game-high 145 yards and scored on three TD runs (three, 25 and 28 yards). Terrence Edwards scored on a 35-yard interception return. Quarterback Shannon Mayer threw for 215 yards that included a 15-yard scoring strike to Lawerence Pryor.
Upper Moreland (4-1, 0-1) lost its first game of the season as the Golden Bears fell to Plymouth-Whitemarsh (3-2, 2-0), 27-7.
Greg Adamson scored the only touchdown for Upper Moreland when he returned the second half kickoff 92 yards for a score. The Golden Bears managed just eight first downs and 102 yards of total offense.
Next: Norristown (3-2, 2-0) @ Upper Moreland (4-1, 0-1)
Last Year: Norristown 27 – Upper Moreland 0
Prediction: Norristown 21 – Upper Moreland 20
Cheltenham (4-1, 0-1) ventured outside the conference and throttled Chichester (0-5), 47-8. The Panthers led 35-0 to force a ‘mercy-rule’ second half.
Earning scoring honors for the winners were Chris Stephens, Aquil Reed (two scores), Josh Lewis (two scores), Mark Thompson, and Jamir Bullock.
Upper Merion (0-5, 0-2) is still in search of its first win of the season after losing 35-6 to Upper Dublin (4-1, 2-0).
The Vikings were led in rushing by Naim Cheeseboro who ran for a team-high 80 yards on 20 carries. The lone score for UM came on a TD pass from Dan Yarnell to Cheeseboro.
Next: Cheltenham (4-1, 0-1) @ Upper Merion (0-5, 0-2)
Last Year: Upper Merion 20 – Cheltenham 14
Prediction: Cheltenham 42 – Upper Merion 13
Wissahickon (0-5, 0-2) is still in search of its first victory of the season after losing to Norristown (3-2, 2-0) – 33-6.
The lone touchdown of the game for the Trojans was scored by Anthony Delegall who scored on a 40-yard run. Delegall led Wissy with a team-high 90 yards rushing.
Next: Wissahickon (0-5) @ Episcopal Academy (1-2)
Last Year: Wissahickon 42 – Episcopal Academy 14
Prediction: Wissahickon 14 – Episcopal Academy 13
Suburban One Sports.com
Great Eight
1. North Penn Knights [4-1]
2. Neshaminy Redskins [5-0]
3. Council Rock South Golden Hawks [5-0]
4. Souderton Indians [3-2]
5. Central Bucks West Bucks [4-1]
6. Abington Galloping Ghosts [3-2]
7. Upper Dublin Flying Cardinals [4-1]
8. William Tennent Panthers [4-1]
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