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THIS WEEK’S GAME! As a member of the WNPV radio crew each week, we're assigned a game to broadcast, and you hope that they're exciting and entertaining. This week’s game of CB West vs. Souderton had all the fireworks that normally would be reserved for July 4th. I said before the broadcast that this was a statement game for CB West!
West had improved the last two weeks with a win at William Tennent and a tough loss to Wissahickon in a game they had a legitimate shot at winning. West had to win a big game, something they haven't done in awhile. With Souderton up 21-7 and marching for their fourth TD of the first half (which would of sealed the game), West surprised everyone with a defensive stop at their own 25-yard line. The next play Rashaad Williams, the exciting 10th grader, broke around left end, cut back across the grain and danced down the sideline for a 75-yard TD.
With now under 3:00 to the half, West pooch kicked (a Mike Pettine special) the football. Souderton allowed it to hit the ground, and West jumped on it for the recovery. Two minutes later, West had another TD and 35-yard field goal to go into halftime up 24-21. West came out and scored again to make it 31-21. The combination of the FB – Ted Conrad (a total stud) and the RB - Williams ( fast, great vision) gave West a potent duo. Souderton had no answer on defense, and when they guessed right their tackling was very poor.
Souderton fullback Justin Powell (this kid is the real deal - maybe the top fullback in the Suburban One) literally tried to will his team to victory with tough run after tough run and some exciting TD's. With the score 35-31 and Souderton winning, West drove the length of the field and scored with under 30 seconds remaining to ice the game. What a win for CB West! I must say that I was impressed with their "O" line, and the two running backs are very good high school players.
I feel for Ed Gallagher and Souderton. They are a shell of the team I saw vs. Parkland four weeks ago. That team was fast, strong and had speed in key positions. Their defense was extremely impressive and they had tons of weapons on offense. The injuries in the past weeks to Cory Sholly, captain, RB/CB (ACL injury, out for year), Carlo Cicacci, OT (ACL, out for year), Coyle, RB/CB (torn tendon, out for year), Clint Passarella, sophomore CB (separated shoulder, missed CBW game), and during this CBW game, both Derek Brown, excellent RB and DB, and Ian Eisenhart, an all-league DT, were hurt, changing Souderton's make-up. These injuries contributed to Souderton looking at times like a race car with a small engine. Their team speed is suffering, and coaches Gallagher and defensive coordinator Chuck Muller have their work cut out to right this ship. They have to find players who will step up because Pennridge looms this Friday night and a great rivalry continues!
For CB West, I'm happy for the staff and the players that have endured a tough time but have never waved the white flag. Their resiliency is impressive and they will need to continue to get better. The schedule only gets tougher starting at CB South this Friday night.
Thoughts .....
St Joe’s Prep goes down again......an area coach hit it on the head when he said their "d" backs struggled. Wow, that could be an understatement. LaSalle exploited the defense for over 200 yards passing and 31-17 thrashing. Don't count out St Joe’s Prep yet.......they have the best "O" line in the Delaware Valley and some fine running backs. Their team speed concerns me, and they do need to cover down much better, but I feel they will be in the District semi-finals, and at that point, it's all about who's peaking at the right time.
Pennsbury over CR South.... a coaching friend of mine was at this game and said it was a tale of two halves. All Pennsbury in the first half and all Rock South the second half. I saw Pennsbury early, and they have a great athlete in Brandon Pepper, their QB. He makes it tough on opposing "D's" It will be interesting to see if Pennsbury, Neshaminy and CR South all make the playoffs...My guess is YES !
Q-town at 4-0. My sources tell me they are much improved with good team speed and executing well. Coach Donnelly is a competitor, but time will tell if they continue to win. The real test starts this weekend at Hatboro Horsham.
North Penn...Is there any competition out there??? Coach Beck won't be happy with me saying that North Penn will run the table through the Continental league. Just way too much SPEED AND SKILL. Beck needs to keep his kids focused on two things....improving and playing up to NP standards -----not the scoreboard! It's a long year. They must get better and peak at playoff time....something they haven't done lately.
CB West, Pettine and the coaching connection.
Coach Pettine left such an enduring mark on all his players. We all carry his lessons through life. Many of us who played under Pettine have also gone on to coach. Here's who's coaching presently:
HIGH SCHOOL: Dick Beck - North Penn, Randy Cuthbert - Pennridge, Chris Felton - CB West, Dave Perrine - Quakertown, Casey Quendfield - Pennridge, Frank Case – high school in Colorado, Dave Camburn - CB West, Phil DiGiacomo - CB West, Steve Dorner - CB West, Jeff Gutgesell - Abington, Justin Outten - HS in Texas
COLLEGES: Chuck Driesbach - Rice, Jim O'Neill - Eastern Michigan
PROS: Mike Pettine Jr.
This is an impressive list that again reinforces what I already know......coaching is about giving and making a difference in young men’s lives! It's more than wins and losses. It's developing relationships for a lifetime.
THE REAL TOP TEN!!!! (Forget the point systems…this is the best teams and coaching combined.)
1) North Penn
2) Malvern Prep
3) LaSalle
4) St. Joe’s Prep
5) Cardinal O'Hara
6) Ridley
7) West Catholic
8) Garnet Valley
9) Neshaminy
10) Roman Catholic
The honor roll list will resume next week. That's it for now.... next week I'll answer some of the great questions I've been receiving. Keep them coming......send questions to Coach Carey at suburbanonesports@comcast.com and I'll give an honest, thick-skin type of answer. Until later....keep the hits coming! There's no game in America like high school football.
--Coach Carey