Statistics used in the following article are courtesy of the Bucks County Courier Times and the Intelligencer.
By Scott Huff
The first 10 arduous weeks of the Suburban One League football season all point to a coveted invitation to the PIAA District One Playoffs.
Those prized invites were posted last week, and nine SOL teams will participate in six playoff games to be played this Friday.
PIAA Quad-A District One Playoffs – First Round
#13 Upper Dublin at #4 Neshaminy
The season …
Upper Dublin finished the season as the co-champions of the SOL American Conference along with Cheltenham with a 5-1 record. The Flying Cardinals were 7-2 overall. Key wins for Upper Dublin were over Cheltenham (27-20 in double overtime), Norristown (14-10), and Plymouth Whitemarsh (33-27). The Cards lost to both Central Bucks West (42-28) and Upper Moreland (14-13).Neshaminy shared the SOL National Conference title with both CR South and Abington with a 6-1 record. The Redskins were 9-1 overall. Key victories for Neshaminy were wins over Abington (28-10), Souderton (21-19), and Pennsbury (35-14). The lone loss of the season came against CR South (28-21).
The players …
Upper Dublin quarterback Andrew Derr completed 52 passes for 756 yards and threw eight TD passes. Rich Orth caught 20 passes for a 17.6 average and four touchdowns, while Jeff Buchanan caught 18 balls and scored three touchdowns. Anthony Williams was the featured back with eight TD runs.
Neshaminy showcased a very balanced offensive attack. Sean Ulmer led all rushers with 827 yards and nine touchdowns, while Anthony Woodroffe added 797 yards and 11 scores. Corey Majors averaged 8.7 yards on 48 carries. Quarterback Charlie Marterella completed 91 passes for 1349 yards and 12 touchdowns. Dwight Williams was his favorite receiver with 31 catches for a 16.9 average and five scores.
Upper Dublin head coach Bret Stover says …
“The next step for us to be considered a legitimate contender in the district is to make some noise in the playoffs,” said Stover. “We have never won a playoff game at Upper Dublin, and if we want to compete on a bigger scale, we are going to have to win one.
“Neshaminy is one of the finest programs around,” added Stover. “We have to go out, compete, and do what we are good at. We are excited to be able to play this game.”
Neshaminy head coach Mark Schmidt says …
“Execution and penalties always seem to get magnified in the playoffs, and we have to be careful with both,” said Schmidt. “The line of scrimmage is going to be very important, and we have to eliminate them making the big play.
“Upper Dublin has some very good skill players on offense,” added Schmidt. “And on defense they play like every play is their last. Bret has them very well coached.”
Prediction: Neshaminy 35 – Upper Dublin 13
#12 Cheltenham at #5 Abington
The season …
Cheltenham finished the season as co-champions of the SOL American Conference along with Upper Dublin. The Panthers were 9-1 overall and 5-1 in the conference. Key wins for CHS came against Plymouth Whitemarsh (25-23), Upper Moreland (21-14), and Norristown (28-21). The lone loss of the season came against Upper Dublin (27-20) in double overtime.
Abington finished the season with a share of the SOL National Conference along with both CR South and Neshaminy with 6-1 records. The Ghosts were 8-2 overall with losses to Central Bucks East (13-7) in overtime and Neshaminy (28-10). Key wins came over CR South (45-35), Souderton (16-15), and Pennsbury (14-13).
The players …
Cheltenham has a terrific arsenal of weapons that features both the running and passing game. Panther quarterback Kenneth Cropper is a dual threat. Running back Aquil Reed is the leading point producer for the Panthers, while Dan Rouse is a danger to both run and receive.
Abington relied on the talents of senior quarterback Julien Ireland to both run and pass for the Ghosts. Ireland is perhaps the biggest single weapon in the area,\ but has gotten help in the running game lately with the play of Ray Schreiner. DJ MacFadden is a marvelous receiver.Cheltenham head coach Joe Gro says …
“Julien Ireland can hurt you both with his arm and his legs,” said Gro. “I’ve been looking at film all day, and Abington has an excellent football team. I have a great relationship with (Abington head coach) Tim Sorber, and it should be a good game.
“We are doing some things differently than we have in the past, and so has Abington,” added Gro. “This has been a special group of kids, and playing in the playoffs against Abington is also special.”
Abington head coach Tim Sorber says …
“Cheltenham has incredible athleticism and can be very explosive,” said Sorber. “They are a team that can hit you for the big play, and we can’t let that happen.
“This is the third year in a row that we made the playoffs, and playing Cheltenham this year in the first round is nice,” added Sorber. “We are looking forward to the game.”
Prediction: Abington 28 – Cheltenham 14
#15 Souderton at #2 Council Rock South
The season …
Souderton finished the season as the second place finisher in the Suburban One League Continental Conference. The Big Red was 6-1 in conference play behind unbeaten North Penn and was 7-3 overall. Key wins for the Indians were victories over Central Bucks West (34-24), CB East (21-14), and Pennridge (10-7). Souderton lost to North Penn (40-22), Abington (16-15), and Neshaminy (21-19).
Council Rock South finished its season in a three-way deadlock for the SOL National Confernce title along with Abington and Neshaminy. The Golden Hawks were 9-1 overall and 6-1 in the conference. Key wins came over Neshaminy (28-10), Pennridge (31-0), and CR North (27-25). The only loss of the season for CRS came against Abington (45-35).
The players …
Souderton featured three very effective running backs. Tyler Scholl (747 yards & 12 TD), Javon White (689 yards & 8 TD), and Joe McNamara (592 yards & 1 TD) have been magnificent. Big Red quarterback Tanner Allem has completed 64 passes and thrown for four touchdowns.Council Rock South has also been a run-first offense this season. Mark Damirgian has rushed for a team-high 746 yards and has scored 20 touchdowns. Quarterback Billy Fleming has added 440 yards and rushed for 16 touchdowns. Fleming has thrown for three scores and has completed 31 passes.
Souderton head coach Ed Gallagher says …
“This is going to be a very tough challenge for our team,” said Gallagher. “Council Rock South is very physical up front, and their defensive line is great. You don’t have five shutouts for no reason.
“We must execute well both offensively and defensively,” added Gallagher. “I think we have a shot.”
Council Rock South head coach Vince Bedesem says …“Souderton runs that Delaware Wing-T on offense and they challenge you to stop it,” said Bedesem. “They are very aggressive on defense and fly to the football.
“I think that field position is a huge factor in playoff football,” added Bedesem. “We need to have ball security and control the clock on offense.”
Prediction: Souderton 21 – Council Rock South 17
#14 Penn Wood at #3 North Penn
The season …
Penn Wood won the Del-Val League title and finished the season with an overall record of 9-1. The Patriots defeated Chester 18-8 to win the title. Key wins for PW this season were a 21-7 win over Interboro, a 27-26 win over Penn Charter, and a 15-12 win over Glen Mills. The lone loss of the season for the Pats was a 28-12 loss to Malvern Prep.
North Penn won the Suburban One League Continental Conference with an unbeaten 7-0 mark. The Knights were 9-1 overall with their only loss coming in the opening week of the season to La Salle – 27-14. Key wins for NP were wins over Souderton (40-22), Central Bucks West (38-21), and St. Joe’s Prep (38-7).
The players …
Penn Wood showcases the talents of three players in running backs Kavonne Nottingham and Darryle Neville, along with Shawn Oakman. Oakman is a 6-foot, 9-inch defensive end that has committed to Penn State next year.
North Penn has shown the ability in recent weeks to both run and pass the football effectively. Craig Needhammer is the team’s leading rusher with 815 yards and 10 touchdowns. Dominic Taggart – who has rushed for 11 touchdowns – is the leading receiver with six touchdowns. NP quarterback Corey Ernst has completed 87 passes for 17 touchdowns.
North Penn head coach Dick Beck says …
“(Shawn) Oakman is a man among boys,” said Beck of the Patriot defensive end. “We are going to have to find a way to get him blocked.
“Penn Wood likes to spread you out offensively and make you play the entire field,” added Beck. “We haven’t seen that offense all year, but we will be ready for it.”
Prediction: North Penn 31 – Penn Wood 13
#10 Central Bucks West at #7 Coatesville
The season –
Central Bucks West revisited the glory days with a successful season and a return to the district playoffs. The Bucks finished third in the SOL Continental Conference and were unbeaten in games outside the league. Key wins for CBW include wins over Upper Dublin (42-28), Pennridge (13-3), and Central Bucks East (13-12). West lost to North Penn (38-21) and Souderton (34-24).
Coatesville shared the Ches-Mont League title with Downingtown East as both teams suffered a single league loss. The Red Raiders – who have won six straight games – claimed key wins over Unionville (21-17), West Chester East (37-22), and West Chester Henderson (10-0). Coatesville lost games this year to Ridley (27-20) and Downingtown East (21-14).
The players …Central Bucks West has shown an explosive offense this season. Rashaad Williams has been brilliant with 1490 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns. Quarterback Ward Udinski has completed 74 passes for 1264 yards and 13 touchdowns. Bill Bell has caught 26 passes for 518 yards and six touchdowns. Tight end Max Stella has caught 17 balls for 273 yards and a score.
Coatesville has also shown an explosive offense this season. Dae-hon Cheung led the team with 871 yards and 11 touchdowns while Dom Wilson added 340 yards and a score. Quarterback Manny Stocker has completed 82 passes for 978 yards and 13 touchdowns, and Kyle Kerrick leads the team in receiving with 30 catches for 421 yards and 11 scores.
Central Bucks West head coach Brian Hensel says …
“We are going to have to try and slow down their offense,” said Hensel. “Their quarterback is dynamic and can throw from both the pocket and on the edge. They are battle tested and gave Ridely a good game early in the season.
“We haven’t been to the playoffs since 2004,” continued Hensel. “We want to represent the Continental Conference and the Suburban One League well.”
Prediction: Coatesville 28 – Central Bucks West 21
PIAA Class AAA District One Playoffs
#7 Interboro at #2 Upper Moreland
The season …
Interboro has established itself as one of the best Class AAA teams in the area; however, the Bucs struggled somewhat this year and finished with an overall mark of 5-5. Key wins for Interboro included a victory over Chester (34-20), Episcopal Academy (38-21), and Academy Park (24-14). The Bucs have dropped games to Upper Moreland (28-20), Penn Wood (21-7) and Glen Mills (28-27).
Upper Moreland has also established itself as one of the best Class AAA teams in the area. The Golden Bears finished second in the SOL American Conference behind both Upper Dublin and Cheltenham. Key wins include wins over Upper Dublin (14-13), Interboro (28-20), and Strath Haven (14-7). The lone losses of the season for UM came in a 21-14 loss to Cheltenham and a 27-7 loss to Plymouth Whitemarsh.
The players …
Interboro showcases the running of Mitch Helmandollar, who led the Bucs in rushing this season. The passing game features the arm of quarterback Zach McMenamin and the receiving of Ryan Bailey and Chris Long.
Upper Moreland has a one-two punch in the backfield in Greg Adamson and Jordan Spector. Adamson rushed for a team-high 852 yards and scored eight touchdowns, while Spector added 781 yards rushing and nine scores. Golden Bear quarterback Matt Sawick has passed for 658 yards this season and seven touchdowns. Kyle Lockhard is the leading receiver with 15 catches for 248 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
The last game …
Upper Moreland defeated Interboro back on September 24 when the Golden Bears held on for a 28-20 victory. UM led 21-7 at the half and never trailed in the game. Greg Adamson scored three touchdowns for the Bears, while Matt Sawick scored the fourth TD.
Prediction: Upper Moreland 31 – Interboro 20
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