Back for its fourth season, the popular Intelligencer/Courier Times ‘Let’s Talk Football’ features high school football beat writers Kevin Cooney and Dan Dunkin. Cooney, the Phillies beat writer, covers schools in the Intelligencer area while Dan Dunkin – who has been covering sports at the high school and professional level for 25 years - covers teams in the Courier Times area. Both share their perspective on the teams in their coverage area. To stay on top of the high school football news in the area, visit the web site http://www.phillyburbs.com/sports/high_school/
(Note: Kevin Cooney is once again not available to contribute to ‘Let’s Talk Football’ this week. He is planning to return next week.)
SuburbanOneSports.com: On Saturday, Bensalem and Council Rock South will be squaring off in a game between two teams with identical 0-3 records. Share your thoughts about both of those squads.
Dan Dunkin: “For a matchup of 0-3 teams, this is a compelling game to me because both have played heavy-duty pre-conference schedules and gotten waxed. We don’t know who these teams really are relative to the SOL National, and neither do they. They played three tough teams out of conference, and they both desperately need a win as they’re starting the league season, and they’re going to find out a lot about themselves in this game.
“You can’t get a totally accurate gauge of your team by playing a very tough schedule. You know where you stand in relation to those very good teams, but where do you stand against most teams? I don't think either team is as bad as their records and point differentials suggest, so it’s interesting in that way.
“CR South got ambushed at Pennridge. There was a long delay lightning and weather. Pennridge, granted, is a very good team. South was down 28-0 before you knew what happened, and I think they’re better than that. They got beat on the line of scrimmage, and they didn’t tackle well. I was a little surprised it was that one-sided that quickly.
“This is a critical game for confidence and trying to get going in the right direction in the league season. Bensalem played Archbishop Wood, Archbishop Ryan and Pennridge. CR South played Central Bucks South, Father Judge and Pennridge. I would like to think right now that both teams will be far more competitive in the league, but we’re going to learn a lot from this game.”
SuburbanOneSports.com: Neshaminy posted its third win and third shutout in as many games against Souderton. Your thoughts about the Redskins.
Dan Dunkin: “They’re continuing to get better week by week, which is the sign of a very good team. They have not had any lapses. What hurt them the last two years were lapses against Council Rock North and then against Tennent. I don’t see that happening this year. I see a very committed, focused team as well as a very talented and tough team.
“The moves Neshaminy has made with their defense to get faster have worked extremely well. They’ve worked as well as they could have hoped. I think they’re going to just grow with confidence but not get ahead of themselves.”
SuburbanOneSports.com: Pennsbury had an impressive win over Downingtown East to finish its non-league stretch 2-1. Your comments about the Falcons’ strong showing.
Dan Dunkin: “Pennsbury beating Downingtown East – they took that growth step that they had an opportunity to take against a very worthy opponent that has beaten them the past couple of years. Their running game is clicking on all cylinders. Every year Galen Snyder gets that Wing-T going. It might be a different featured back, but he’s got a stable of backs with Chuck Snorweah leading the way. The offensive line is really playing well. It’s one that has grown together. They have four returning starters. If that team executes, they’re tough.
“What is exciting about Pennsbury is that they have a few more underclassmen starting than seniors. People talk about how good they could be next year, but don’t forget about this year. They’re right there nipping at Neshaminy. Everybody knows this is Neshaminy's and Pennsbury’s conference, especially this year. It’s the last year of the SOL as we know it. Both of those teams are playing well, and all signs point to – if they take care of business, it’s going to be quite a regular season finale to decide the league championship.”
SuburbanOneSports.com: Pennsbury will travel to Truman to play a Tiger squad that is 2-1. Can Truman give the Falcons a game?
Dan Dunkin: “This is Truman’s Super Bowl playing Pennsbury. They have all those seniors, and they have improved a lot. I’m sure Galen Snyder and his guys are going to be ready. They’re not going to take this team lightly, and they’ll take care of business. Pennsbury's virtually new defense is progressing well and I don't see Truman, which is capable of big plays, making many in this one.”
SuburbanOneSports.com: Abington is playing Council Rock North in a battle of 3-0 teams. Your thoughts about those two teams.
Dan Dunkin: “Abington is really interesting, and coach Tim Sorber and his group do such an excellent job of using their skill people. They’ve been in the playoffs five straight years, and they’re a legit 3-0. They have speed, they have athletes, they have size on their offensive line. Craig Reynolds, Tyler Schreiner and Anthony Lee, their quarterback, are all a handful to deal with. They’re going to be a tough matchup for anybody defensively.
“My game of the week this week is CR North/Abington. It’s a tough task for North (after playing Hatboro-Horsham on Monday) to turn around and prepare in three days for Abington. It’s a real disadvantage. This North team is interesting, too. This kid Dejuan Martin has made them more interesting. He is a really explosive athlete. He and (quarterback) Brandon McIlwain will keep defensive coordinators up nights because with their speed and athletic ability, they are really problematic.
“North hasn’t played anybody yet, and I’ve not seen that ability to move the chains. Big plays, yes, but grind it out? I don't know. I don’t know if they can control the clock and control the ball. Their defense is sketchy. It can't be to win this game.
“Defensively, North is really hurt by the loss of Tyler Callender on the front line. He’s out probably the rest of the year with a foot injury. I think it’s going to be hard for North to deal with Abington’s offense, especially with a short turnaround. They’re going to have to make a lot of big plays in the passing game and in the return game to be close in this game. I'm picking Abington.”
SuburbanOneSports.com: Heading into the Continental Conference season which team or teams would you consider the favorites? Why?
Scott Huff: “Pennridge is the defending conference champion, and the Rams have gone through the non-conference schedule unbeaten. However, the quality of opponents was not the greatest as PHS defeated Emmaus (1-2), Bensalem (0-3), and Council Rock South (0-3). But the Rams have one of the elite running backs not only in the conference, but the SOL and the entire state in Michael Class. Quarterback Matt Pasquale has given Pennridge a passing threat to balance the offense. A question mark for the Rams might be defense where the Green and White return just two starters from last year’s championship team.
“Central Bucks South showcases an explosive offense with running back Josh Adams also one of the premier running backs in the conference – SOL – and state. The Titans have proven to once again be potent on offense with a 31-point effort in a win over CR South and a 47-point effort against Notre Dame (NJ), but the huge question mark concerns the defense which yielded 34.7 points per game in the non-conference games. South had its bottom spanked when the Titans played powerful Coatesville and lost 46-13. In that game, Adams was held to negative yardage rushing the football. On paper, and again we know that games are not played on paper, Pennridge and CB South might be the # 1 and # 2 teams in the conference again.
SuburbanOneSports.com: What about dark horse teams?
Scott Huff: “North Penn – a dark horse – are you kidding? The Knights ventured into the minefield that is the Philadelphia Catholic League and absorbed quite a bit of punishment with huge losses to La Salle (34-7), Archbishop Wood (49-3) and St. Joe Prep (35-6). The ugly math equation calculates to a negative 118-16. However, the Suburban One League Continental is not the PCL, and the Knights are still the Knights – maybe? Playing teams that are ranked # 1 (Prep), # 4 (Wood), and # 6 (La Salle) in the state rankings might have been for the first time in the program’s history a reach – a long reach. North Penn head coach Dick Beck has invested a lot of time and energy in the program, and it would be difficult to imagine a conversation of conference championships and not include the Knights.
“Quakertown managed just a single win last year and was unbeaten in three non-conference games this season. The Panthers claimed wins over Upper Perkiomen (27-7), Upper Moreland (31-14), and Cheltenham (28-14) – not exactly La Salle, Wood, and Prep. However, 3-0 is 3-0, and even if Q-town does not challenge for a title, it should be more competitive than last season’s 0-7 conference record.”
SuburbanOneSports.com: Evaluate the matchups in the opening week of the Continental Conference.
Scott Huff: “North Penn vs. Central Bucks East will be a barometer as to where the Knights actually are this season. North Penn (0-3) has had its way with most conference teams in the past – including the Patriots (1-2), which lost to the Knights 42-7 last season. This game could come down to which quarterback – NP’s Austin Shearer or CBE’s Zach Nelsen – has a more productive day. Central Bucks West head coach Brian Hensel has never beaten a Souderton team coached by Ed Gallagher in his four previous years as head coach of the Bucks. Most would think that this would be the year that West (2-1) ends that streak against the winless Indians (0-3). Don’t be too surprised if this game is close – or if Souderton pulls the ‘upset’. Central Bucks South should put up huge offensive numbers when the Titans (2-1) travel to Hatboro-Horsham. However, the Titan defense has yet to impress, and the Hatters (2-1) should also score some points. Bet the over – and Central Bucks South to win the game. Both unbeaten Pennridge and Quakertown play non-conference games this week as the Rams (3-0) travel to Academy Park (3-0), while the Panthers (3-0) host Pocono Mountain East (2-1). Both will play in competitive games – look for one – or the other – or both – to remain unbeaten.”
SuburbanOneSports.com Heading into the American Conference season which team or teams would you consider the favorites? Why?
Scott Huff: “If non-conference results mean anything, Upper Dublin emerged as an early favorite with a 3-0 start. The non-conference schedule included impressive wins over Central Bucks West (45-21) and Truman (21-7). The Cardinals have a senior returning quarterback in John Derr, and that is always a huge plus when the season begins. Upper Dublin should be in the conversation. Plymouth Whitemarsh is the defending champion, and the Colonials shook off two lopsided losses to Perkiomen Valley (33-0) and Abington (34-12) to stun Downingtown West (36-34). Put Plymouth Whitemarsh back in that championship conversation, and the young Colonials will continue to improve as the season moves along. Wissahickon – which stunned Downingtown East 38-35 in the first round of the PIAA Quad-A District One Playoffs last season – will also be a contender despite an unimpressive 1-2 non-conference record.”
SuburbanOneSports.com: Who are the dark horse teams?
Scott Huff: “Upper Merion was only able to pull off a single conference victory last year, but the Vikings went 2-1 in the non-conference schedule and should improve on that record this year. DeQuan Mitchell is one of the best backs in the conference as proven with his 299-yard performance last week in a 32-20 win over Olney.
“Springfield was unbeaten in its two non-conference games with wins over Lower Moreland and Neumann-Goretti – both Class AA schools. The Class AA Spartans won one game last year in the conference – a conference that features five Quad-A teams – a pair of Class AAA teams – and Springfield. Look for the Spartans to improve on their one-win conference record this year. Neither Upper Merion or Springfield will challenge for a conference title, but both the Vikings and Spartans should be more competitive against the likes of Cheltenham, Upper Moreland, and Norristown – and of course, each other.”
SuburbanOneSports.com: Evaluate the matchups in the opening week of the American Conference.
Scott Huff: “Without question the marquee game in the conference will be Upper Dublin at Wissahickon as the Cardinals and Trojans renew a fierce neighborhood rivalry. Last year was an offensive firework display as Wissahickon won 41-21, and the indications are that this could happen again this season. The Cardinals (3-0) and Trojans (1-2) had one common opponent this non-conference season in Central Bucks West. Upper Dublin soared by the Bucks 45-21, while Wissahickon lost a 31-28 heartbreaker. Look for the Cardinals to add to that heartbreak. Plymouth Whitemarsh will open its defense of its conference title when the Colonials host Upper Moreland. PW is coming off its most impressive game of the non-conference schedule when the Colonials edged Downingtown West, while Upper Moreland yielded 18 points in the fourth period in a painful 24-14 loss to William Tennent. Give PW a win in this one. Springfield had an unwanted bye in the third week of the season, but it gave head coach Chris Shelly two weeks to prepare for host Cheltenham. The Spartans (2-0) should be more competitive this year, but maybe not ready for the step up to the Quad-A. Panthers (1-2) in this one. Norristown won its only game of the season last year against Upper Merion, but the Eagles have not played well and are winless this season. Upper Merion is 2-1 and should not only seek - but achieve - revenge in this neighborhood brawl.’
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