By Scott Huff
December football in Pennsylvania – that oasis of bitter cold and promising snow – is the PIAA Quad-A Playoff football equivalent of the bowl game.
And only the elite are permitted to practice – and play – this second week in December.
While visions of a state championship trophy will dance in their heads.
The PIAA Eastern Final will showcase District One champion North Penn (13-1) and District Twelve champion La Salle (12-1).
It is a rematch of the first game of the season on September 3, 2010, when the fans were dressed in shorts and tank tops.
Defending Quad-A state champion La Salle won that season opener against the Knights – 27-14.
But that was September – and this is December.
North Penn was breathtaking in its 42-6 Eastern Semifinal victory over Neshaminy (12-2). La Salle edged Easton (12-3) in the other Eastern Semifinal contest – 19-7.
The Knights will face Explorers this Saturday at Colonial Stadium on the campus of Plymouth Whitemarsh High School with the kickoff slated for 1 pm.
The PIAA Western Final will showcase District Three champion Cumberland Valley (12-2) and District Seven champion North Allegheny (14-1).
Cumberland Valley easily handled Red Lion (10-4) in its Western Semifinal contest as the Eagles flew to a 35-7 win. North Allegheny defeated State College (7-8) in its Western Semifinal game as the Tigers clawed to a 21-6 victory.
Mansion Park Stadium on the campus of the Altoona Area School District will host the Cumberland Valley – North Allegheny game on Saturday. Kickoff is slated for 1 pm.
What’s Up ‘Doc’?
Venerable North Penn Director of Athletics Don “Doc” Ryan has no reservations about his Knights playing the PIAA Quad-A Eastern Semifinals at Plymouth Whitemarsh High School – home field of the La Salle Explorers.
Well, almost none.
“PW has a very nice facility as far as the playing surface goes, and (North Penn head coach) Dick (Beck) has no problem playing there,” said Ryan. “But there is a concern with the stands being able to hold the crowd that will be there, and some fans are going to have a little bit of a hike to get to the game from the parking lots or wherever they can find parking.
“My understanding is that PW was the only place that would host the game,” added Ryan. “Most of the high schools in District One have closed their stadiums. Council Rock North said that after hosting last week’s game – they were done.
“Again my understanding is that moving the game to a college facility – like a Villanova that has a turf field – was just too costly,” continued Ryan. “It was District One’s turn to host the semifinal game, and this is what we have to offer.”
Does Size Matter?
One common discussion – in terms of football - inside and outside of the PIAA District One planet - is that there may be a lack of competitiveness between the “big” Quad-A schools and the “little” Quad-A schools.
North Penn (13-1) proved to be without question the very best team in District One when it crushed Neshaminy (12-2) – 42-6. The 2010 male enrollment at North Penn High School is 1538 – the largest of the 45 Quad-A teams in the district.
Some may argue that the Knights have a clear advantage in enrollment and a bigger net to catch the good players. They –whoever ‘they’ are - could be wrong.
The second largest school in enrollment is Upper Darby. The Royals finished with a 2010 record with just five wins and eight losses. The 2010 male enrollment at Upper Darby was 1498.
So does size matter?
You decide.
Enrollment figures below were obtained from the PIAA website – School Classification– football. According to the site, a school is considered Class AAAA in football if it has more than 513 male students and less than 99,999 male students.
District One School Male Enrollment ‘10 Record
1. North Penn 1538 13-1
2. Upper Darby 1498 5-8
3. Pennsbury 1395 5-5
4. Neshaminy 1295 12-2
5. Abington 978 10-3
6. CB South 930 4-6
7. Pennridge 927 7-5
8. Bensalem 872 4-7
9. Boyertown 866 10-2
10. C Rock North 858 1-9
11. Spring-Ford 856 9-3
12. Ridley 850 10-2
13. Coatesville 823 8-3
14. Norristown 815 4-6
15. Harry S Truman 814 2-10
16. CB East 807 4-6
17. Souderton 807 7-4
18. C Rock South 789 11-2
19. Downingtown East 781 9-3
20. Conestoga 760 6-4
*** Other SOL Quad-A Schools ***
21. William Tennent 751 4-7
22. CB West 732 9-3
28. Quakertown 670 4-8
30. Hatboro-Horsham 647 3-9
32. Cheltenham 623 9-3
33. Plymouth Whitemarsh 614 6-5
*** SOL Class AAA Schools ***
13. Upper Merion 414 0-10
14. Upper Moreland 408 8-4
Trivia – North Penn has the largest male enrollment in district one with 1538 students. What school has the smallest male enrollment? What is that number of male students in that Class A school?
Note:
There are four school districts in District One that have split high schools. If those districts were united, the male enrollment figures would be as follows:
Central Bucks (South/East/West) – 2469
West Chester (East/Henderson/Rustin) – 1650
Council Rock (North/South) – 1647
Downingtown (East/West) - 1431
Answer to trivia: Jenkintown is the smallest school in district one with a male enrollment of 74 students. The Drakes – great name – finished the season with a record of 1-8. The lone Jenkintown win was a 47-14 win over Morrisville. The Bulldogs male enrollment totaled 82 this year.
Does size matter?
Maybe size only really matters in the hearts and souls of the North Penn football team.
Congratulations Knights!
Suburban One Sports.Com – Top Ten + 1
1. North Penn Knights – [13-1]
2. Neshaminy Redskins – [12-2]
3. Council Rock South Golden Hawks – [11-2]
4. Abington Galloping Ghosts – [10-3]
5. Central Bucks West Bucks – [9-3]
6. Souderton Indians – [7-4]
7. Upper Dublin Flying Cardinals – [7-3]
8. Cheltenham Panthers – [9-3]
9. Upper Moreland Golden Bears – [8-4]
10. Pennridge Rams – [7-5]
+1 Pennsbury Falcons – [5-5]
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