Scott Hugh features Souderton, Tennent and Springfield and highlights some of the top offensive performances.
By Scott Huff
There are ‘One’derful wins and then there are Wonderful wins.
The ‘One’derful wins last week were Suburban One League first time conference victories for Souderton (Continental), Hatboro-Horsham (Continental), Springfield (American), William Tennent (National), and Council Rock South (National). And for both the Indians of Souderton and the Golden Hawks of Council Rock South – it was the very first taste of victory this season.
Upsets, of sorts, one and all.
Souderton (1-5, 1-2) stunned highly touted Pennridge (4-2, 0-2) in the final moments of its 32-29 victory. CR South (1-5, 1-2) collected its first win of the 2013 season with a 28-13 victory over Truman (2-4, 0-3).
Hatboro-Horsham (3-3, 1-2) worked overtime to capture its first conference win of the season over Quakertown (3-3, 0-2) – 26-19. Springfield (3-2, 1-2) rode the scoreboard seesaw as the Spartans collected a 33-31 first conference victory over Upper Merion (3-3, 1-2). And William Tennent (2-4, 1-2) won its first conference game in the final moments as the Panthers clawed Bensalem (1-5, 1-2) by a 22-21 count.
The Wonderful wins last week in the SOL Continental Conference included resurgent North Penn’s (3-3, 3-0) - 35-28 victory over CB South (4-2, 2-1) and Central Bucks West’s (5-1, 3-0) 42-34 victory over district rival Central Bucks East (2-4, 1-2). The Knights and the Bucks remain on top of the conference standings.
The Wonderful wins in the SOL American included Upper Dublin’s (6-0, 3-0) 49-14 victory over Cheltenham (2-4, 1-2); Plymouth Whitemarsh’s (4-2, 3-0) – 44-34 victory over Wissahickon (2-4, 1-2) and Upper Moreland’s (3-3, 1-2) – 21-20 squeaker over winless Norristown (0-6, 0-3). The Flying Cardinals and Colonials remain on top of the conference standings.
The Wonderful wins in the SOL National Conference included Neshaminy’s (6-0, 3-0) – 42-20 victory over Council Rock North (4-2, 1-2); and Pennsbury’s (5-1, 3-0) – 37-0 rout over previously unbeaten Abington (5-1, 2-1). The Redskins and Falcons remain on top of the conference standings.
And as Lawrence Welk would said way back in a day – “one’derful, wonderful.”
Google the old band leader if you must.
And the beat goes on …
Suburban One League Continental Conference ‘Snapshot’
Souderton Indians
The 2013 season demanded that Souderton convert a fourth-and-two late in the fourth quarter of its conference game against archrival Pennridge. Failure to convert that play with the Big Red trailing 29-25 would result in still another painful loss for the Indians, and at 0-3 in the conference standings would erase any faint hopes of a successful season.
“I told our coaches and players that we weren’t going to lose that game,” said Souderton head coach Ed Gallagher. “I said we were going for it.”
Not the first down, mind you, it was a pass – a long one – for a touchdown. The result was a 65-yard scoring pass from quarterback AJ Curotto to Manny Nieves that sealed an improbable 32-29 victory,
“It is easy to be a gambler when you are 0-5,” said Gallagher. “But to be honest, I’m still in shock. We have had some misfortunate this season, and to be able to get this win is great for the kids.”
Souderton is now 1-2 on the SOL Continental – and the Indians have a stretch of win-able conference games that include Central Bucks East (1-2), Hatboro-Horsham (1-2), and Quakertown (0-2). Souderton could be 4-2 in the conference with games to play against co-leaders Central Bucks West (3-0) and North Penn (3-0) still ahead.
“We have to focus on Central Bucks East this week – they have a lot of offensive weapons,” said Gallagher. “Alex Gibson is one of the best backs in the league, and we are going to have to come up with a game plan to limit what he does.”
Suburban One League Continental Conference ‘Honor Roll’
John Fitz of Central Bucks West passed for 318 yards and four touchdowns as the Bucks gouged rival Central Bucks East 42-34.
Luke Berry of North Penn rushed for a game-high 193 yards and scored three touchdowns as the Knights marched to a 35-28 win over Central Bucks South.
Manny Nieves of Souderton caught four passes for 136 yards including the game-winner as the Indians captured a 32-29 victory over rival Pennridge.
Casey Walsh of Hatboro-Horsham completed 16 passes for 256 yards and three touchdowns as the Hatters topped Quakertown 26-19 in overtime.
Alex Gibson of Central Bucks East rushed for a game-high 294 yards and four touchdowns as the Patriots were defeated by rival CB West 42-34.
Matt DiPasquale of Pennridge completed 10 passes for 211 yards and 2 touchdowns as Pennridge lost to Souderton 32-29.
Matt Stoneback of Quakertown rushed for a team-high 116 yards and scored a touchdown as the Panthers were beaten in overtime by Hatboro-Horsham 26-19.
Josh Adams of Central Bucks South rushed for a team-high 95 yards that included a 53-yard TD run as the Titans were defeated by North Penn 35-28.
Suburban One League Continental Conference Schedule
Pennridge Rams (4-2, 0-2) @ Central Bucks South (4-2, 2-1) – Friday – 7 pm
Last Week: Pennridge lost to Souderton 32-29 & CB South lost to North Penn 35-28.
Last Year: Pennridge 21 – Central Bucks South 10.
Quakertown Panthers (3-3, 0-2) @ Central Bucks West (5-1, 3-0) – Friday – 7 pm
Last Week: Quakertown lost to Haboro-Horsham 26-19 & CB West defeated CB East 42-34.
Last Year: CB West 42 – Quakertown 0.
Hatboro-Horsham Hatters (3-3, 1-2) @ North Penn Knights (3-3, 3-0) – Friday – 7:30 pm
Last Week: Hatboro-Horsham defeated Quakertown 26-19 & North Penn defeated CB South 35-28.
Last Year: North Penn 34 – Hatboro-Horsham 0.
Souderton Indians (1-5, 1-2) @ Central Bucks East (2-4, 1-2) – Saturday – 1 pm
Last Week: Souderton defeated Pennridge 32-29 & CB East lost to CB West 42-34.
Last Year; Souderton 37 – CB East 0.
Suburban One League American Conference ‘Snapshot’
Springfield Spartans
Springfield will always be the small Class AA fishin the big Quad-A & AAA pond that is the Suburban One League American Conference. And that small fish took a huge bite out of the competition with a thrilling 33-31 win last week over Class AAA Upper Merion.
“We got the big win we were looking for – a win in the Suburban One League,” said Springfield head coach Chris Shelly. “The game went back and forth the whole game. It looked like we couldn’t lose – it looked like we couldn’t win – and in the end the football gods smiled on us when they missed the field goal on the final play of the game.
“We were able to make big plays when we needed them,” added Shelly. “Both (seniors) Malik Ball (outside linebacker/tight end) and Jhaloni Johnson (running back/defensive back) had monster games. Both are tremendous athletes.”
Springfield (3-2, 1-2) had been competitive to a pair of Quad-A teams in Cheltenham and Wissahickon. However, the final result was a pair of losses to the Panthers (28-26) and Trojans (14-0).
Next for the Spartans will be Quad-A Norristown (0-6, 0-3). Springfield defeated the Eagles last season 18-8 for its lone SOL American Conference win against six losses.
“Norristown isn’t that far away from being a good football team,” said Shelly. “Norristown lost to a pretty good Upper Moreland team 21-20 last week and have some offensive weapons.
“This is the game that we look at as an opportunity to help us get into the (Class AA) playoffs,” added Shelly. “There may not be too many people who will pick us to win this game (in the media), but we will be there.”
Suburban One League American Conference ‘Honor Roll’
Brian Afflick of Plymouth Whitemarsh scored three touchdowns and rushed for a game-high 125 yards as the Colonials marched to a 44-34 win over Wissahickon.
John Lee of Upper Dublin rushed for a team-high 129 yards and scored 2 touchdowns as the Flying Cardinals soared to a 49-14 win over Cheltenham.
Martin Worgan of Springfield rushed for 100 yards and scored what proved to be the game-winning touchdown as the Spartans marched to a 33-31 win over Upper Merion.
Tyler Whitmore of Upper Moreland rushed for a team-high 102 yards as the Golden Bears clawed winless Norristown 21-20.
Jared Reed of Wissahickon caught four passes for 90 yards and 2 touchdowns as the Trojans were beaten by Plymouth Whitemarsh 44-34.
Greg Morris of Cheltenham rushed for a game-high 151 yards and 2 touchdowns as the Panthers were caged by Upper Dublin 49-14.
Carmen Fortino of Upper Merion completed 16 passes for 206 yards and 2 touchdowns as the Vikings were sunk by Springfield 33-31.
Isiah Carter of Norristown rushed for a game-high 110 yards and a touchdown as the Eagles were beaten by Upper Moreland 21-20.
Suburban One League American Conference Schedule
Upper Dublin Cardinals (6-0, 3-0) @ Upper Moreland Golden Bears (3-3, 2-1) – Friday – 7 pm
Last Week: Upper Dublin defeated Cheltenham 49-14 & Upper Moreland defeated Norristown 21-20.
Last Year: Upper Dublin 14 – Upper Moreland 7.
Plymouth Whitemarsh Colonials (4-2, 3-0) @ Upper Merion Vikings (3-3, 1-2) – Friday 7 pm
Last Week: Plymouth Whitemarsh defeated Wissahickon 44-34 & Upper Merion lost to Springfield 33-31
Last Year: Plymouth Whitemarsh 42 – Upper Merion 17.
Cheltenham Panthers (2-4, 1-2) @ Wissahickon Trojans (2-4, 1-2) – Friday 7 pm
Last Week: Cheltenham lost to Upper Dublin 49-14 & Wissahickon lost to Plymouth Whitemarsh 44-34
Last Year: Cheltenham 20 – Wissahickon 6.
Springfield Spartans (3-2, 1-2) @ Norristown Eagles (0-6, 0-3) – Saturday 1 pm
Last Week: Springfield defeated Upper Merion 33-31 & Norristown lost to Upper Moreland 21-20.
Last Year: Springfield 18 – Norristown 6.
Suburban One League National Conference ‘Snapshot’
William Tennent Panthers
The William Tennent football program learned a huge life lesson last week – and also came up with its first conference win over Bensalem – 22-21.
The life lesson came when the mother of Panther senior Alex Perks lost her three-year battle with cancerrecently. And Perks scored the game-winning points on a 2-point conversion to seal the win just a day before his mother’s funeral.
“The coaching staff and all the players on this team have so much respect for Alex,” said William Tennent head coach Bob Rosenberger. “There was not a dry eye in our postgame huddle.”
William Tennent trailed 21-7 in the fourth period, but the Panthers rallied back to close to 21-20. Instead of electing to kick the extra point, Rosenberger opted to go for the win with a try for the 2-point conversion. Perks took the ball and scored the game-winner.
“We had chances to beat both Central Bucks West and Council Rock North if we made plays at the end of the game,” said Rosenberger. “We made that play against Bensalem – and it felt great.
“We are two plays away, really, from being 4-2 instead of 2-4,” added Rosenberger. “Next week we get Pennsbury. No surprises there – they are just going to pound each and every play.”
Suburban One League National Conference ‘Honor Roll’
Charles Snorweah of Pennsbury rushed for a team-high 94 yards and scored 2 touchdowns as the Falcons soared to a 37-0 victory over Abington.
Alex Perks of William Tennent rushed for a team-high 176 yards and scored both a touchdown and the game winning 2-point conversion as the Panthers clawed Bensalem 22-21.
D’Andre Pollard of Neshaminy rushed for a game-high 194 yards and scored 2 touchdowns as the Redskins captured a 42-20 victory over Council Rock North.
Vince Alimenti of Council Rock South rushed for a team-high 144 yards as the Golden Hawks soared to a 28-13 victory over Harry S Truman.
Ian Pisarchuk of Bensalem rushed for a game-high 205 yards as the Owls were beaten by William Tennent 22-21.
Brandon McIlwain of Council Rock North passed for 217 yards and 2 touchdowns as the Indians were defeated by Neshaminy 42-20.
Bobby Hill of Truman rushed for a team high 90 yards and scored a touchdown as the Tigers were caged by CR South 28-13.
Craig Reynolds of Abington rushed for a team-high 106 yards as the Ghosts were beaten by Pennsbury 37-0.
Suburban One League National Conference Schedule
Pennsbury Falcons (5-1, 3-0) @ William Tennent Panthers (2-4, 1-2) – Friday- 7 pm
Last Week: Pennsbury defeated Abington 37-0 & William Tennent defeated Bensalem 22-21
Last Year: Pennsbury 41 – William Tennent 0.
Harry S Truman Tigers (2-4, 0-3) @ Abington Ghosts (5-1, 2-1) – Friday 7 pm
Last Week: Truman lost to Council Rock South 28-13 & Abington lost to Pennsbury 37-0
Last Year: Abington 40 – Truman 12.
Bensalem Owls (1-5, 1-2) @ Council Rock North Indians (4-2, 1-2) – Saturday 1:30 pm
Last Week: Bensalem lost to William Tennent 22-21 & CR North lost to Neshaminy 42-20
Last Year: Council Rock North 29 – Bensalem 0.
Neshaminy Redskins (6-0, 3-0) at Council Rock South Hawks (1-5, 1-2) – Friday 7 pm
Last Week: CR South defeated Truman 28-13 & Neshaminy defeated CR North 42-20.
Last Year: Neshaminy 21 – CR South 14.
Suburban One Sports.com
Top Ten
1. Neshaminy Redskins (6-0, 3-0)
2. Pennsbury Falcons (5-1, 3-0)
3. North Penn Knights (3-3, 3-0)
4. Upper Dublin Flying Cardinals (6-0, 3-0)
5. Central Bucks West Bucks (5-1, 3-0)
6. Central Bucks South Titans (4-2, 2-1)
7. Abington Ghosts (5-1, 2-1)
8. Plymouth Whitemarsh Colonials (4-2, 3-0)
9. Pennridge Rams (4-2, 0-2)
10. Council Rock North Indians (4-2, 1-2)
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