Scott Huff recaps all of last weekend’s SOL football action.
By Scott Huff
The Suburban One League season is racing toward its conclusion, and there are many teams that still desperately cling to the hope of making the PIAA postseason.
Pennridge (6-1, 3-0) does not appear to be one of those teams after the Rams gouged Central Bucks South (6-1, 3-1) 21-10 last week. However, North Penn (4-3, 3-1) does appear to be one of those teams on the playoff bubble, and the defending SOL Continental Conference champion will have to travel to Poppy Yoder Field this Friday night to meet the upstart Rams.
“North Penn is always the team to beat in our conference for as long as I can remember,” said Pennridge head coach Randy Cuthbert. “To be able to play them on our home field is great. The crowds have been big this season, and the excitement for this team has been special.
“What also makes this team special is that they are all great kids to coach,” added Cuthbert. “They want to put themselves on the map, and the kids know that North Penn is right in front of them.”
The lone loss on the season for Pennridge was an overtime loss to Bensalem in the second week of the season.
“Not to take anything away from Bensalem, but the only team to beat Pennridge this year was Pennridge,” said Cuthbert as the Rams turned the ball over four times in the red zone against the Owls. “Sometimes a loss like that can give a team some focus. We have played and practiced much better after that game.”
Council Rock North (3-4, 2-2) is playing for its playoff life as the Indians will meet the powerful Pennsbury Falcons (5-2, 4-0) at Falcon Field in a critical SOL National Conference game.
“We know that if we want any chance of playing in the playoffs, we would have to beat Pennsbury,” said Council Rock North head coach Adam Collachi after the Indians routed Bensalem 29-0 last week. “The players are looking forward to playing this game.”
The Indians have progressed the season behind the superlative talents of freshman quarterback Brandon Mcllwain. The 6-foot 1-inch, 185-pound signal caller has been an offensive threat both running and passing the football.
“Brandon runs the ball around 20 times a game, and also throws about 20 times a game,” said Collachi. “We knew coming into the season that he was a special talent. He is one of the most competitive players that I have seen in my 20 years of coaching football.
“We run a no-huddle offense, and he takes in all the plays from the sidelines through hand signals,” added Collachi. “And he hasn’t missed a single call all season. That says a lot about a kid that is only 14 years old.
“We run a lot of options where he can either keep the ball, pitch the ball, or throw the ball,” continued Collachi. “And again, he has made very few bad reads.”
Springfield (4-3, 1-3) won its first SOL American Conference game when the Spartans stunned Norristown (1-6, 1-3) 18-6. And it was a very special victory for the Blue and Silver.
“The players were very emotional after what happened last week,” said Springfield head coach Chris Shelly in reference to the tragic death of Cole Luxton. “Win or lose this week, I was proud of the way that the players came together. It was a difficult time, and the players played hard for both family and community.”
Springfield senior Chase Luxton – brother of Cole – caught the game sealing touchdown pass in the fourth period on a pass from Chris Stone. The Spartans also blocked a pair of Norristown punts – both of which resulted in touchdowns. Billy Dahm blocked both kicks – one was recovered for a score by Phil Ianozi, and the other was recovered by Dahm himself.
“Chase’s touchdown was a huge play for us,” said Shelly. “And Billy game up with two huge punt blocks. We take pride in our special team play.”
Springfield is a Class AA team, and the win over the Quad-A Eagles was huge for playoff points.
“We knew what we were in for when we moved back into the Suburban One League,” said Shelly, “We play both Upper Dublin (Quad-A) and Upper Moreland (Class AAA), and we want to be able to steal at least one of those games. We want to get back into the playoffs.”
That Was The Week That Was In The Suburban One League
SOL Continental Conference
Pennridge (6-1, 3-0) moved to the head of the conference class behind sensational junior Michael Class and s terrific defensive effort in a 21-10 victory over previously unbeaten Central Bucks South (6-1, 3-1). Class raced for 270 yards rushing and scored on a 70-yard run. He also scored on a 30-yard touchdown pass from senior quarterback Alex Krivda. Kyle Bigam scored on a 3-yard run for the Rams. The Pennridge defense limited explosive CB South to ‘just’ 229 yards of total offense.
North Penn (4-3, 3-1) earned a second shot at a conference title as the Knights took care of business in a 34-0 victory over Hatboro-Horsham (1-6, 1-3). Kyle Mayfield scored three touchdowns for North Penn. Mayfield scored on runs of nine and five yards and scored on a 14-yard touchdown pass from Mike Berstecher. Mayfield finished with 72 yards on 12 carries for the Knights.
Next: North Penn Knights @ Pennridge Rams
Last Year: North Penn 27 – Pennridge 0.
Central Bucks South (6-1, 3-1) will attempt to bounce back from its first loss of the season as the Titans were defeated by Pennridge last week – 21-10. Running back Josh Adams finished the game with 110 yards on 24 carries. Quarterback John Pileggi completed 10 passes for 117 yards that included an 8-yard scoring strike to junior Paul Weeks.
Central Bucks East (3-4, 1-3) could do little offensively or defensively as the Patriots were routed by host Souderton (4-3, 2-2) – 37-0. CB East trailed 28-0 by the close of the first half. The Patriots – who scored 20 points last week in a loss to CB West – could manage just 110 yards of total offense and five first downs. Quarterback Zach Nelsen completed four passes for 72 yards.
Next: Central Bucks East Patriots @ Central Bucks South Titans
Last Year: Central Bucks South 61 – Central Bucks East 40.
Central Bucks West (4-3, 2-2) moved over the .500 mark as the Bucks rambled to a 42-0 victory over host Quakertown (1-6, 0-3). Quarterback Cody Riemenschneider was brilliant, rushing for a pair of touchdowns and firing a touchdown pass to Mark Ciadelli. Riemenschneider completed 23 of 26 passes for an even 300 yards. Sherrod Higginbotham scored on a 20-yard run.
Hatboro-Horsham (1-6, 1-3) could do little offensively or defensively as the Hatters were routed by North Penn (4-3, 3-1) – 34-0. Hatboro-Horsham – which defeated Quakertown in its previous outing – could muster just five first downs against the Knights. The Hatters finished the game with a meager 91 yards of total offense.
Next: Hatboro-Horsham Hatters @ Central Bucks West Bucks
Last Year: Central Bucks West 23 – Hatboro-Horsham 12.
Souderton (4-3, 2-2) moved over the .500 mark as the Indians rolled to a 37-0 victory over visiting Central Bucks East (1-6, 1-3). Senior Anthony Williams scored four touchdowns for Souderton. Williams scored on runs of 18, six, and four yards and also scored on a 60-yard kickoff return. Dan Knight scored on a 1-yard run and rushed for a game-high 169 yards.
Quakertown (1-6, 0-3) could do little offensively or defensively as the Panthers were caged by visiting Central Bucks West (4-3, 2-2) – 42-0. Quakertown – which lost a heart breaking 14-13 contest to Hatboro-Horsham in its previous game – collected just six first downs. The Panthers finished the game with a meager 53 yards of total offense.
Next: Souderton Indians @ Quakertown Panthers
Last Year: Souderton 41 – Quakertown 17.
SOL National Conference
Pennsbury (5-2, 4-0) remained unbeaten in conference play as the Falcons soared to a 41-0 victory over William Tennent (3-4, 2-2). Senior Shawn Pepper scored three touchdowns for the winners. DaQuan Mack, Tommy Hose, and Daulton Hose each scored solo touchdowns for Pennsbury. Tommy Hose scored on an 80-yard touchdown burst.
Council Rock North (3-4, 2-2) was impressive as the Indians collected a 29-0 victory over Bensalem (2-5, 1-3). Freshman Brandon Mcllwain rushed 17 times for 153 yards and completed seven passes for 74 yards. AJ Nielsen scored on a seven-yard touchdown run. Place kicker Max Pedinoff kicked a trio of field goals from 37, 22, and 37 yards.
Next: Council Rock North Indians @ Pennsbury Falcons
Last Year: Pennsbury 19 – Council Rock North 8.
Abington (5-2, 3-1) bounced back from its lone conference loss as the Ghosts routed Harry S Truman (2-5, 0-4) – 40-12. Tyler Schreiner had a break out game for Abington with 210 yards rushing on just nine carries. Schreiner scored on a 50-yard run for the Ghosts. Craig Reynolds rushed for a game-high 110 yards. Dylan Collins threw a pair of touchdown passes to Kendall Stewart (26 & 27 yards) and a TD pass to Trey Guaglionona (9 yards).
Council Rock South (1-6, 1-3) played one of its best games of the season although the Golden Hawks lost to Neshaminy (5-2, 3-1) – 21-14. CR South led 14-0 at the close of the first half. Quarterback Greg Paprocki fired a 30-yard touchdown pass to Tyler Anderson, and Christian Crane scored on a seven yard touchdown scamper.
Next: Council Rock South Golden Hawks @ Abington Ghosts
Last Year: Council Rock South 30 – Abington 22.
Neshaminy (5-2, 3-1) rallied in the second half as the Redskins erased a 14-0 first half deficit to defeat pesky Council Rock South (1-6, 1-3) – 21-14. Nate Hall sparked the Neshaminy comeback and finished with 296 rushing yards and a pair of touchdowns. Denny Lord also scored for the Skins with a 1-yard touchdown run.
Bensalem (2-5, 1-3) struggled both offensively and defensively as the Owls were defeated by Council Rock North (3-4, 2-2) – 29-0. Kevin Hopkins completed 13 passes for Bensalem for 155 yards. Donnie Reed caught six passes for 75 yards. The Owls were held to 184 yards of total offense and 10 first downs.
Next: Neshaminy Redskins @ Bensalem Owls
Last Year: Neshaminy 26 – Bensalem 0.
William Tennent (3-4, 2-2) struggled both offensively and defensively as the Panthers were caged by first place Pennsbury (5-2, 4-0) – 41-0. Tennent quarterback Jeff Ledford completed four of six passes for 50 yards. The Panthers managed just 104 yards of total offense.
Harry S Truman (2-5, 0-4) remained winless in the conference as the Tigers were caged by Abington (5-2, 3-1) – 40-12. Marvin Todd scored a touchdown for Truman with an 80-yard touchdown burst, while quarterback Zolna scored on a 12-yard run.
Next: William Tennent Panthers @ Harry S Truman Tigers
Last Year: William Tennent 22 – Truman 14.
SOL American Conference
Plymouth Whitemarsh (6-1, 4-0) remained unbeaten in conference play as the Colonials marched to an easy 42-17 victory over Upper Merion (1-6, 1-3). Alton Custis had a huge day for Plymouth Whitemarsh with four touchdowns – three on receptions – and one on an interception return. Custis caught five passes for 135 yards. Quarterback Pete Giorgio threw a pair of touchdown passes and passed for 171 yards.
Norristown (1-6, 1-3) struggled offensively as the Eagles could manage just a single touchdown against Springfield (4-3, 1-3). The lone touchdown came in the third period to close the deficit to 12-6. Quarterback Sonny Brewer scored on a five-yard run for Norristown.
Next: Plymouth Whitemarsh Colonials @ Norristown Eagles
Last Year: Plymouth Whitemarsh 32 – Norristown 0.
Cheltenham (5-2, 3-1) took a strong hold on second place in the conference as the Panthers won a critical game over Wissahickon (4-3, 2-2) – 20-6. Mark Heimann came ‘off the bench’ in relief of running back Mark Thompson to rush for 125 yards on 14 carries. Heimann also completed five passes for 110 yards. Hyneef Dockery scored on a touchdown reception. Place kicker Remi Wachsmuth booted a pair of field goals – one of 25 yards – and the other of 27 yards.
Upper Moreland (4-3, 2-2) lost a hard fought conference game as the Golden Bears fell to Upper Dublin (4-3, 2-2) – 14-7. Robert Knox rushed for a game-high 96 yards on 16 carries and scored on a 64-yard touchdown run. Quarterback Charlie Hooker completed seven passes for 83 yards.
Next: Cheltenham Panthers @ Upper Moreland Golden Bears
Last Year: Cheltenham 28 – Upper Moreland 22.
Wissahickon (4-3, 2-2) lost a key conference game as the Trojans were captured by Cheltenham (5-3, 3-1) – 20-6. Dan Murphy led Wissahickon with 62 rushing yards on eight carries and scored the lone Trojan touchdown on a three-yard run. Wissahickon had zero passing yards in the game.
Upper Merion (1-6, 1-3) failed to build on its winning streak as the Vikings were sunk by Plymouth Whitemarsh (6-1, 4-0) – 42-17. Upper Merion had ended a 25-game losing streak last week with a 42-12 victory over Springfield.
Next: Wissahickon Trojans @ Upper Merion Vikings
Last Year: Wissahickon 48 – Upper Merion 18.
Upper Dublin (4-3, 2-2) won a hard fought conference game as the Flying Cardinals flew by Upper Moreland (4-3, 2-2) – 14-7. Upper Dublin scored single touchdowns in both the second and third period to secure the win. The touchdown makers for the Cardinals were John Derr (25 yard run) and Reed Rapine (one yard run).
Springfield (4-3, 1-3) won its first conference game of the season as the Spartans defeated visiting Norristown (1-6, 1-3) – 18-6. Billy Dahm was the big play maker blocking a pair of punts that were recovered for touchdowns. Phil Ianozi recovered one of those blocked punts for a score, while Dahm scored the other TD. Chase Luxton scored on a 15-yard scoring pass from Chris Stone.
Next: Springfield Spartans @ Upper Dublin Flying Cardinals
Last Year: Did Not Play.
Suburban One Sports.com
Top Ten
1. Pennsbury Falcons (5-2, 4-0)
2. Pennridge Rams (6-1, 3-0)
3. Central Bucks South Titans (6-1, 3-1)
4. North Penn Knights (4-3, 3-1)
5. Plymouth Whitemarsh Colonials (6-1, 4-0)
6. Abington Ghosts (5-2, 3-1)
7. Neshaminy Redskins (5-2, 3-1)
8. Souderton Indians (4-3, 2-2)
9. Cheltenham Panthers (5-2, 3-1)
10. Wissahickon Trojans (4-3, 2-2)
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