Scott Huff previews the upcoming Thanksgiving Day games and recaps last Friday’s playoff games featuring SOL squads.
By Scott Huff
Forget those PIAA District One Quad-A playoffs.
The real important games are going to be played Thanksgiving morning when the true Homecomings are contested – not for flashy championship trophies – but for community pride. These are the games that are remembered for generations – sons, fathers, grandfathers, and even some great grandfathers have competed on Turkey Day to earn the coveted bragging rights for an entire year.
Quakertown head coach George Banas – who played in this rivalry for the Panthers – has a marvelous understanding of the importance of this splendid event.
“I told the players to make sure that they make eye contact during the playing of the national anthem with whoever is there in the stands to watch them,” said Banas. “It is a very special time. The bleachers are packed, and there are people standing two or three rows deep around the edges of the field.
“When I played, we didn’t do too well record-wise against Pennridge,” added Banas. “But I still have very fond memories of those games. It is just a great experience to be a part of it as a player, and now as a coach.”
Upper Morelandlost its first nine games of the season, but the Golden Bears have won two straight including wins over Upper Merion (21-7) and Owen J Roberts (19-14). A win again this Thursday would be an enormous victory for the Bears.
“To win on Thanksgiving is for the seniors to leave a legacy to the younger players,” said Upper Moreland head coach Dave Heying, who is coaching in his first Golden Bear-Hatter classic. “A win over Hatboro-Horsham gives us three wins to close out the season and will be a huge win for our program – seniors, underclassmen, and the coaching staff.
“To play this week against a rival like Hatboro is special,” added Heying. “In a way, it is the end of this season and the beginning of next year. The players are excited to play.”
Abingtonfinished the season as the Suburban One League National Conference co-champions along with Council Rock South. The Ghosts, however, were shown the PIAA District One Quad-A playoff door in the first round when Abington lost to Pennsbury – 35-24.
“Sure we would have wanted to being playing football in the district playoffs this week,” said Abington head coach Tim Sorber. “But to have this game with Cheltenham is great, and it still gives our seniors one more important game.
“I know a lot of alumni come back to see us play,” added Sorber – a 1989 Abington graduate. “Former fans and players have memories that they get to share at the game.”
Harry S Truman will get its chance to win a game this 2011 football season when the Tigers host Bishop Egan. The game will be played on the turf at Hank Johns Field, and a victory will give the Tiger seniors a great way to end their career.
THANKSGIVING DAY SNAPSHOTS
Quakertown Panthers @. Pennridge Rams – Thanksgiving morning - 10:15 am
Last Year: Pennridge Rams 22 – Quakertown Panthers 12
2011 Records: Quakertown (5-6) *** Pennridge (6-5)
2011 Offensive Scoring Average: Panthers (23.5) *** Rams (19.0)
2011 Defensive Scoring Average: Quakertown (25.3) *** Pennridge (15.4)
Last Game: Quakertown 31 – Saucon Valley 7 *** Pennridge 35 – Norristown 7
Players To Watch: The Panthers are led by in rushing by Justin Wieder, while Erik Jones has taken over at quarterback in recent weeks and has done a good job. Mike Potynski and Matt Roberts have also contributed, while Casey Fosbenner is a threat to score as a place kicker. The Rams are led in rushing by the talents of sophomore Mike Class, while Alex Krivda runs an efficient offense at quarterback. James Marrero and MacKensie Crawford have also contributed, while Zach Midgett is a solid place kicker.
Prediction: Pennridge Rams 27 – Quakertown Panthers 17
Upper Moreland Golden Bears @ Hatboro-Horsham Hatters – Thanksgiving morning – 10 am
Last Year: Hatboro-Horsham Hatters 13 – Upper Moreland Golden Bears 6
2011 Records: Upper Moreland (2-9) *** Hatboro-Horsham (4-7)
2011 Offensive Scoring Average: Golden Bears (14.7) *** Hatters (18.5)
2011 Defensive Scoring Average: Upper Moreland (33.9) *** Hatboro-Horsham (24.6)
Last Game: Upper Moreland 19 – Owen J Roberts 14 *** Hatboro-Horsham 25 – Cheltenham 0
Players To Watch: The Golden Bears have received a wonderful season from Robert Knox. Quarterback Charlie Hooker has improved during the course of his sophomore season and UM utilizes the talents of Dan Cummings and Chris Kitchen. Dan Cripps is the Bear placekicker. The Hatters have a stable of talented running backs and have spread the carries out this season. Included in that group are Casey Saverio, Dom DeFazio, Chris Ejimonyeugwo, Luke Spahits, and Travis Young. Aaron Channing has been an efficient passer and runs the Hatboro-Horsham offense at quarterback.
Prediction: Hatboro-Horsham Hatters 28 – Upper Moreland Golden Bears 13
Abington Galloping Ghosts @ Cheltenham Panthers – Thanksgiving Morning – 10 am
Last Year: Abington Galloping Ghosts 16 – Cheltenham Panthers 7
2011 Records: Abington (9-2) *** Cheltenham (5-6)
2011 Offensive Scoring Average: Galloping Ghosts (31.0) *** Panthers (17.9)
2011 Defensive Scoring Average: Abington (14.7) *** Cheltenham (18.5)
Last Game: Pennsbury 35 – Abington 24 *** Hatboro-Horsham 25 – Cheltenham 0
Players To Watch: The Galloping Ghosts have an explosive offense that is directed by quarterback senior Ken Cropper. The Ghost backfield features the talents of running back Ray Schreiner. Abington features a trio of fine receivers in Josh Lee, Myles Grasty, and Chris Ruhl. The Panthers feature an explosive backfield in senior Aquil Reed and junior Mark Thompson. Quarterback Hyneef Dockery has a fine receiver to throw to in Demitrius Reynolds.
Prediction: Abington Galloping Ghosts 42 – Cheltenham Panthers 21
Bishop Egan Eagles @ Harry S Truman Tigers – Thanksgiving Morning – 10 am
Last Year: Bishop Egan Eagles 27 – Harry S Truman Tigers 13
2011 Records: Bishop Egan (1-9) *** Harry S Truman (0-10)
2011 Offensive Scoring Average: Eagles (11.1) *** Tigers (6.4)
2011 Defensive Scoring Average: Bishop Egan (38.5) *** Truman (37.0)
Last Game: Bishop Egan 36 – Morrisville 6 *** Harriton 41 – Truman 14
Players To Watch: The Eagles have been led all season by quarterback Kyle Techtmann who led Egan in both rushing and passing yards. Another key player for Bishop Egan was running back Tim Bolton. The Tigers are a run first-second-and third team. The foursome of Truman running backs include Marvin Todd, Larry Winton, Bobby Hill, and Dave Blount.
Prediction: Harry S Truman 14 – Bishop Egan 10
Suburban One League PIAA District One Quad-A Playoff Results
North Penn (10-2) earned its ticket to the PIAA Quad-A semi-finals with a 21-7 victory over visiting Neshaminy (8-4).
The Knights scored in their opening drive of the game on a 15-yard touchdown pass from senior quarterback Corey Ernst to senior Dan Gevirtz. After a Neshminy score, North Penn regained the lead for good in the second period on a 74-yard TD burst by Gevirtz. The Knights iced the game in the final period on a 6-yard scoring strike from Ernst to senior Danny Wynne. Gevirtz had 200 yards of total offense – 130 yards rushing and 70 yards receiving. Kyle Mayfield added 115 yards, while Ernst completed 13 passes for 142 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
The Redskins ended its 2011 season with the loss to North Penn. The Neshmainy offense – which was proficient in a 28-0 victory over Unionville in the district opener – could muster just 117 yards of total offense against the Knights. Sean Ulmer culminated a terrific career for the Red and Blue with a four-yard touchdown run. Neshaminy started six sophomores on defense while the Skins started just six seniors on both sides of the ball.
Next: Pennsbury Falcons (9-3) @ North Penn Knights (10-2) – Friday 7:30 pm
Council Rock South (11-1) broke open a tight game in the second half to defeat Downingtown East – 31-19 – and allow the Golden Hawks to fly into the PIAA Quad-A semi-finals.
CR South used its punishing running attack to rack up 333 yards of rushing offense. Senior quarterback Brian Donnelly jetted for a game-high 181 yards on 18 carries and scored a pair of touchdowns. Anthony Alimenti added 82 yards on 15 carries and a score, while Ryan Whiteley collected 57 yards and scored a touchdown. The Hawks led 14-13 at the half and by a 21-19 score in the third period before putting the game away in the fourth period.
Next: Garnet Valley Jaguars (11-1) @ Council Rock Golden Hawks (11-1) – Friday 7 pm
Pennsbury (9-3) earned its ticket to the district Final Four with a stunning 42-21 victory over host Coatesville (9-3). The win wasn’t stunning – but the margin of victory was eye-catching. The Falcons used its unremitting rushing attack to generate 495 yards of total offense – 366 of those yards coming on the ground. DaQuan Mack rushed for a career-high 186 yards on 22 carries for Pennsbury. Quarterback Bruce Campbell was a perfect 3-3 passing for 129 yards and a pair of touchdowns. All three receptions were to Adam Lewis who scored on touchdown aerials of 28 and 73 yards.
Next: Pennsbury Falcons (9-3) @ North Penn Knights (10-2) – Friday 7:30 pm
Central Bucks South (8-4) saw its season come to a catastrophic conclusion as the Titans lost to Garnet Valley – 52-48. The host Jaguars scored on a TD pass in the last 16 seconds of the game to seal the deal for Garnet Valley. The Central Bucks South numbers were mind-blowing with 507 yards of total offense and 23 first downs in a losing effort. Dan Brown rushed for an astounding 250 yards and six touchdowns, while Matt Johns completed 14 passes – seven to Chris Veal – for 180 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
Suburban One Sports.com’s Great Eight
1. North Penn Knights (10-2)
2. Council Rock South Golden Hawks (11-1)
3. Pennsbury Falcons (9-3)
4. Central Bucks South Titans (8-4)
5. (tie) Abington Ghosts (9-2)
Neshaminy Redskins (8-4)
7. Plymouth Whitemarsh Colonials (8-2)
8. Upper Dublin Flying Cardinals (7-4)
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