By Scott Huff
The price of gas may be outrageous, but there isn’t a doubt that you desperately need it in your tank.
Hatboro-Horsham had plenty in its tank in the second half as the Hatters rallied from a 26-0 first half deficit to earn a dramatic 27-26 victory over host Frankford in its non-league season opener.
“We knew that conditioning was going to be a key factor in us winning the football game,” said Hatboro-Horsham head coach Gary Pagliaro. “We rotated players in every series in order to keep them fresh. I think that we had an advantage in the second half because of our conditioning.
“During the summer and once camp opened in August, we got the kids in early (7:30-9 am) on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday to work on both install and conditioning,” added Pagliaro. “We worked hard on the weights, and it seemed to pay off on Friday night.”
Two senior Hatters starters – Casey Saverio and Dom DeFazio – exemplified the results of the Hatter conditioning program.
“Both Casey and Dom play the game at 100 miles an hour – from the first quarter to the fourth quarter,” said Pagliaro. “The young players see that, and really, that was the difference in the game on Friday. Both Casey and Dom don’t just talk about how things should be done, they back it all up on the playing field.”
Saverio – who rushed for 82 yards on 18 carries and scored on a six-yard run – is an excellent running back and defensive back. DeFazio – who scored on a one-yard run and a 90-yard pass completion from Aaron Channing – is also a superb running back and anchors the Hatter defense from his linebacker position.
Hatboro-Horsham will move on to meet powerful Neshaminy this Friday in its second non-league contest.
“We know that we are going against a good football program,” said Pagliaro. “We looked at film of them last week (against Souderton), and we know that they are going to be very well conditioned.”
Neshaminy was indeed very well conditioned in the Redskins game with visiting Souderton.
The Skins were beaten soundly in the offensive and defensive statistical columns but trailed the Big Red on the Heartbreak Ridge scoreboard by only 13-7 at intermission.
“We pride ourselves on being well conditioned,” said Neshaminy head coach Mark Schmidt. “We work hard on the weights in the off season, and we want to be able to play hard in the second half of football games.”
Neshaminy played very hard in the second half - outscoring Souderton by a 13-0 margin – and stole a 20-13 victory over a highly regarded Souderton team.
Souderton head coach Ed Gallagher seemed to be astonished with the turn of events from the first half to the second half.
“We just need to be in better shape,” said Gallagher. “We did a whole lot of good things in the first half, but we ran out of gas in the second half. We need to fix that.”
North Penn head coach Dick Beck seemed to be annoyed with the turn of events that transformed a 21-10 Knight lead over La Salle to a stunning 44-27 loss.
“We played hard for a half – and then we couldn’t get players back on the field,” said Beck as the NP sideline was littered with players with leg cramps. “We have to be able to get players back on the field. We just stopped playing (in the second half), we ran out of gas.”
The price of gas may be outrageous, but you need it in you tank – even if only to win football games
This Was the Week That Was in the Suburban One League
Abington (1-0) won its season opener as the visiting Ghosts rolled to a 35-20 victory over Central Bucks East (0-1). Senior quarterback Ken Cropper – a transfer from Cheltenham – scored on runs of 34 and 43 yards. Ray Schreiner also scored a pair of touchdowns on runs of 33 and five yards. Josh Lee – who caught four passes for 120 yards – scored on a 52-yard TD pass from Cropper. Abington collected 352 yards of total offense and was led in rushing by Cropper with 92 yards. Cropper was a perfect 5-for-5 passing for 127 yards and a touchdown.
Plymouth Whitemarsh (1-0) blasted Methacton 35-7 as the Colonials captured their season opener. Russhon Phillips threw a pair of scoring strikes for PW – one to Erik Tucker for 19 yards – and the other to Xavier Ellington for 26 yards. Phillips – who completed five of ten passes for 110 yards - also scored on a four-yard touchdown run. Ellington also scored on a 20-yard touchdown burst for the winners.
Next: Plymouth Whitemarsh @ Abington – Friday – 7 pm
Last Year: Abington 13 – Plymouth Whitemarsh 7
Prediction: Abington 27 – Plymouth Whitemarsh 20
Bensalem (1-0) presented first year head coach Kevin Kelly with a victory as the Owls flew to a 23-6 non-conference win over Overbrook (0-1). C.J. Lebesco carried the ball 19 times for a game-high 156 yards. He scored on runs of 30 and one yards for the winners. Kevin Hopkins also broke the 100-yard barrier with 105 yards on 16 carries. Hopkins scored on an eight yard TD run.
Pennridge (0-1) was shocked by the Haverford School (1-0) in a 26-21 setback. The Rams – who led 14-3 at halftime – managed 273 yards of total offense. Mike Class returned a kick off 95 yards for a touchdown. Quarterback Mike Pasquale threw touchdown passes to Micah Stutzman and Mackensie Crawford.
Next: Pennridge @ Bensalem – Friday – 7 pm
Last Year: Pennridge 34 – Bensalem 24
Prediction: Pennridge 20 – Bensalem 17
Neshaminy (1-0) overcame a 13-7 first half deficit to defeat Souderton (0-1) – 20-13 – in its season opener. Senior Redskin quarterback Joe Bianchino – making his first varsity start – threw three touchdown passes. Bianchino fired an 87-yard strike to Ron Smith, tossed a 69-yard aerial to Bobby Marterella and connected with Sean Ulmer for a 29-yard TD pass.
Hatboro-Horsham (1-0) overcame a 26-0 first half deficit to defeat host Frankford (0-1) – 27-26 – in its season opener. The Hatter defense came up with three sacks, three fumbles recoveries, and three interceptions to spark the win. Dom DeFazio scored a pair of touchdowns, Casey Saverio also scored a rushing touchdown, and quarterback Aaron Channing threw for a score and ran for a second touchdown.
Next: Hatboro-Horsham @ Neshaminy – Friday – 7 pm
Last Year: Neshaminy 35 – Hatboro-Horsham 7
Prediction – Neshaminy 24 – Hatboro-Horsham 13
Council Rock South (1-0) jetted out of the gate with a resounding 42-20 victory over Central Bucks South (0-1) in the season opener for both teams. Brian Donnelly stole the spotlight for the Golden Hawks with a four-touchdown performance. Donnelly – who ran for 174 yards on 17 carries – scored on TD runs of 35, 1, 38, and 4 yards. He also completed three passes for 43 additional yards.
Father Judge (1-0) came up with an impressive win in its first game of the season as the Crusaders routed Northeast (0-1) – 45-19. Father Judge is a member of the Philadelphia Catholic League, while Northeast is a member of the Philadelphia Public League.
Next: Council Rock South @ Father Judge – Friday
Last Year: Did Not Play
Prediction: Council Rock South 38 – Father Judge 20
Council Rock North (1-0) matched its win total from last season as the Indians held off Haverford High (0-1) – 20-19. Cal Parker scored a pair of touchdowns for Rock North on runs of 29 and 11 yards. Trevor Guzy also scored a TD for the Indians. Rock North finished last season with an overall record of 1-9.
Central Bucks South (0-1) generated 450 yards of total offense, but the Titans could not defeat Council Rock South in a 42-20 loss. Matt Johns completed 23 of 35 passes for 234 yards and a touchdown. Chris Veal caught 10 passes for 116 yards and a score. Dan Brown returned a kickoff 95 yards for a special teams touchdown for the Titans.
Central Bucks South @ Council Rock North – Friday – 7 pm
Last Year: Central Bucks South 42 – Council Rock North 0
Prediction: Central Bucks South 35 – Council Rock North 21
Quakertown (1-0) led 27-6 at the half and held on to defeat Upper Perkiomen – 27-20. Zac Gravelle completed seven passes for 78 yards that included a 20-yard TD pass to Matt Roberts. Gravelle also scored on touchdown runs of 44 and 11 yards. Nick Nagele returned a kickoff 55 yards for a Panther touchdown.
Pocono Mountain East (1-0) opened its season with a convincing 41-7 win over Dieruff High School (0-1). The host Cardinals won in a mercy-rule affair.
Next: Quakertown @ Pocono Mountain East – Friday
Last Year: Quakertown 35 – Pocono Mountain East 28
Prediction: Pocono Mountain East 21 – Quakertown 20
Central Bucks West (1-0) needed a field goal late in the game to edge Upper Dublin – 10-7.Nick Danido booted a 27-yard field goal with 4:56 remaining in the game to earn the win for the Bucks. Sherrod Higginbotham was the leading rusher for CB West with 64 yards and a touchdown.
William Tennent (0-1) outgained Wissahickon (0-1) in total offense, but the Panthers were on the wrong side of the scoreboard in a 10-7 loss.Chai Smith rushed for 108 yards on 16 carries, while Joe Lutz was able to score the lone Tennent touchdown on a five-yard run. The Panthers turned the ball over four times on offense.
Next: William Tennent @ Central Bucks West – Friday 7 pm
Last Year: Central Bucks West 49 – William Tennent 7
Prediction: Central Bucks West 38 – William Tennent 13
Norristown (1-0) flew to a 27-20 victory Pottsgrove (0-1) in its non-league opener.Senior quarterback Shannon Mayer scored a pair of TD for the winners, while Brandon Shippen rushed for a staggering 197 yards. Robby Curtin and Eric Handy also scored touchdowns for Norristown.
Central Bucks East (0-1) had its hands full in a 35-20 loss to visiting Abington at War Memorial Field.Senior tight end Jake O’Donnell scored on a 60-yard pass from Josh Bernard. Greg Herrmann kicked a pair of field goals for the Patriots – one from 32 yards – and the other from 30 yards out.
Next: Central Bucks East vs. Norristown @ Upper Merion – 7 pm
Last Year: Did Not Play
Prediction: Central Bucks East 24 – Norristown 20
Cheltenham (1-0) devoured Harry S Truman (0-1) 35-0 in the season opener for both teams. Mark Thompson was spectacular with 170 yards rushing and a touchdown. Hyneef Dockery threw for 90 yards and a touchdown for the Panthers. CHS racked up 282 yards rushing against the Tigers.
Bishop McDevitt (1-0) opened its season with a 41-0 victory over Lower Moreland. The Lancers led 13-0 at the half.
Next: Bishop McDevitt @ Cheltenham – Friday – 7 pm
Last Year: Cheltenham 27 – Bishop McDevitt 13
Prediction: Cheltenham 21 – Bishop McDevitt 14
Wissahickon (1-0) captured a win for first year head coach Jeff Cappa as the Trojans edged William Tennent (0-1) – 10-7. Dan Matthews booted a 28-yard field goal for the Trojans. Randy Frankenfield scored on a one-yard run. Dan Murphy led Wissy in rushing with 70 yards on nine carries.
Archbishop Ryan (0-1) lost to Cardinal O’Hara last week (1-0) – 24-21.
Next: Archbishop Ryan @ Wissahickon – Friday – 7 pm
Last Year: Archbishop Ryan 27 – Wissahickon 20
Prediction: Archbishop Ryan 17 – Wissahickon 14
North Penn (0-1) lost a 21-10 halftime lead and lost to powerful La Salle (0-1) – 44-27.
Kyle Mayfield led the Knight attack with a superlative outing. Mayfield – a junior – rushed for 204 yards on 20 carries. North Penn – however – could not overcome its four turnovers.
Lansdale Catholic (0-1) opened its season with a heartbreaking 27-26 loss in triple overtime to Perkiomen Valley (1-0).The Crusaders had 262 yards of total offense and held Perk Valley to just two first downs.
Next: Lansdale Catholic @ North Penn – Friday – 7 pm
Last Year: North Penn 42 – Lansdale Catholic 0
Prediction: North Penn 56 – Lansdale Catholic 13
Souderton (0-1) lost a 13-7 halftime lead and lost to Neshaminy (1-0) – 20-13. The Big Red rushing attack featured senior Javon White who rushed for 89 yards and a touchdown. Senior quarterback Tanner Allem completed 10 passes for 86 yards and also rushed for a touchdown.
Perkiomen Valley (1-0) won a dramatic 27-26 triple overtime game against Lansdale Catholic (0-1). The Vikings had just two first downs the entire game, but were able to score a touchdown on each of its possessions in the OT.
Next: Perkiomen Valley (1-0) @ Souderton (0-1) – Friday – 7 pm
Last Year: Souderton 39 – Perkiomen Valley 0
Prediction: Souderton 52 – Perkiomen Valley 6
Harry S Truman (0-1) struggled in its 35-0 loss to host Cheltenham (1-0). The Tigers, rushed for 130 yards, were led by Dave Blount. Truman managed just four first downs and had only four yards passing.
Penn Charter (0-0) did not play last week.
Next: Penn Charter @ Harry S Truman – Friday – 7 pm
Last Year: Did Not Play
Prediction: Penn Charter 20 – Truman 14
Pennsbury (0-1) failed to score in its 24-0 loss to Easton (1-0).Jeremiah Agrio-Reilly rushed for 103 yards on 11 carries to pace the Falcons. Pennsbury finished the game with 185 rushing yards and 195 yards of total offense. Easton scored all 24 points in the second quarter.
Harrisburg (0-1) opened its season with a 35-6 non-league loss to host Parkland. The game was a mercy-rule contest.
Next: Pennsbury @ Harrisburg – Friday
Last Year: Pennsbury 32 – Harrisburg 28
Prediction: Pennsbury 27 – Harrisburg 17
Upper Dublin (0-1) won the stat battle but lostthe game on the scoreboard. The Cardinals lost to Central Bucks West (1-0) – 10-7. Senior quarterback Andrew Derr completed 13 passes for 140 yards and a touchdown.
Gernantown Academy (0-0) did not play last week.
Next: Germantown Academy @ Upper Dublin – Friday – 7 pm
Last Year: Did Not Play
Prediction: Upper Dublin 21 – Germantown Academy 13
Upper Moreland (0-1) opened the Dave Heying coaching era with a 42-6 loss to Strath Haven (1-0). The lone score of the game for the Golden Bears was an 11-yard touchdown pass from Zack Donnelly to Kareem Archer.
Upper Perkiomen (0-1) opened its 2011 football season with a 27-20 setback to Quakertown (1-0).
Next: Upper Perkiomen @ Upper Moreland
Last Year: Did Not Play
Prediction: Upper Perkiomen 35 – Upper Moreland 13
Upper Merion (0-1) opened the Harold Smith coaching era with a 27-6 loss to Academy Park (1-0). The lone score of the game for the Vikings was a 13-yard touchdown pass from Jake Keszczyk to Tyler Wisely.
Methacton (0-1) opened its season with a 35-7 loss to Plymouth Whitemarsh (1-0).
Next: Upper Merion @ Methacton – Saturday – 1 pm.
Last Year: Methacton 14 – Upper Merion 7
Prediction: Methacton 14 – Upper Merion 7
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