Scott Huff previews the games that will highlight the SOL’s version of ‘Championship Week.’
By Scott Huff
Championship week is upon us, as enormous scholastic football games will be played in the three conferences of the Suburban One League.
In the SOL Continental Conference, Central Bucks West (7-1, 5-0) will host North Penn (5-3, 5-0) with the conference title – perhaps – on the line. The winner improves to 6-0 in the conference and would have an outright title in its hands with a win in the conference finale next week. Central Bucks West will face district rival Central Bucks South (4-4, 2-3) at West next week, while North Penn will face neighborhood rival Souderton (1-7, 1-4) at North Penn.
In the SOL American Conference, Plymouth Whitemarsh (6-2, 5-0) will host Upper Dublin (8-0, 5-0) with the conference title – perhaps – on the line. The winner improves to 6-0 in the conference and would have an outright title in its hands with a win in the conference finale next week. Plymouth Whitemarsh will travel to Springfield (4-3, 2-3) to play the Spartans next week, while Upper Dublin will host Upper Merion (3-5, 1-4) to face the Vikings.
In the SOL National Conference, Abington (7-1, 4-1) will host Neshaminy (8-0, 5-0) with the conference title – perhaps – on the line. An Abington win over the Redskins – and a Neshaminy win the final week of the season against Pennsbury (7-1, 5-0) – would create 6-1 conference records for all three teams and create a tri-championship between the Ghosts, Redskins, and Falcons. A Neshaminy win over the Abington would create a winner-take-all championship final on November 1 for the Skins against Pennsbury – provided that the Falcons win as expected at Bensalem (1-7, 1-4) this week.
And the beat goes on…
Championship Week
SOL Continental Conference
North Penn Knights @ Central Bucks West
7 pm
North Penn head coach Dick Beck says:
“Central Bucks West is a lot like Central Bucks South in that they want to be able to spread the field. West has a nice running back in (Marvin) Todd, but they can also throw the ball with (John) Fitz. Fitz can also hurt you running the football. Their goal offensively is get those two players in the open field – and just like last week against (Pennridge running back Mike) Class – we are going to have to tackle well. Going back to West to play really isn’t that big a deal for me (Beck played championship football @ CB West under legendary coach Michael Pettine Sr.). What is a big deal is that this team after going 0-3 at the beginning of the season has a chance to win a conference championship.”
Central Bucks West head coach Brian Hensel says:
“Nobody in the state – or maybe the country – played as tough a non-league schedule as North Penn. And for them to be 0-3 then (against La Salle, Archbishop Wood, and St. Joe Prep), and playing for a conference championship now, isn’t a surprise. North Penn has a great program. (Sophomore) Nyfease West has been terrific in their backfield, and (senior) Luke Berry has given them great leadership. Great teams have great leaders. North Penn has the biggest and fastest offensive line in the conference, and the fact that they like to run the ball is smart coaching. (Quarterback) Austin Shearer can hurt you throwing the ball, and North Penn has multiple weapons. Our team has been great at focusing on one game at a time this year, and this is finally the week we get North Penn.”
Knights-Bucks Stat Track
Records:
North Penn (5-3, 5-0) * Central Bucks West (7-1, 5-0)
Scoring Average:
North Penn (22.4 overall – 32.6 conference) * Central Bucks West (30.6 overall – 34.8 conference)
Defensive Scoring Average:
North Penn (24.3 overall – 15.2 conference) * Central Bucks West (23.9 overall – 21.2 conference)
Quarterback comparison:
North Penn: Austin Shearer – 57 completions – 634 yards passing – 5 touchdowns.
Central Bucks West: John Fitz – 94 completions – 1099 yards – 13 touchdowns.
Running back comparison:
North Penn: Nyfease West – 111 carries – 812 yards – 7.3 average – 5 touchdowns & Luke Berry – 85 carries – 549 yards – 6.5 average – 8 touchdowns.
Central Bucks West: Marvin Todd – 108 carries – 762 yards – 7.1 average – 10 touchdowns.
Receiving comparison:
North Penn: Justin Hudimac - 15 receptions – 205 yards – 13.7 average – 2 touchdowns.
Central Bucks West: Joe Ramos – 21 receptions – 331 yards – 15.8 average – 6 touchdowns.
Suburban One League Continental Conference ‘Honor Roll’ Last Week
John Fitz of Central Bucks West fired 4 touchdown passes as the Bucks gouged Hatboro-Horsham 47-21.
Alex Gibson of Central Bucks East rushed for 185 yards and 4 touchdowns as the Patriots marched to a 28-21 win over Central Bucks South.
Nyfease West of North Penn rushed for a game-high 119 yards and 2 touchdowns as the Knights marched to a 31-20 win over Pennridge.
Rob Burns of Quakertown rushed for a game-high 110 yards and a touchdown as the Panthers clawed Souderton in overtime 24-21.
John O’Malley of Hatboro-Horsham caught passes that totaled 190 yards and rushed for 85 yards as the Hatters were topped by CB West 47-21.
Kevin Witchey of Central Bucks South passed for 210 yards and 2 touchdowns as the Titans were defeated by Central Bucks East 28-21.
Matt DiPasquale of Pennridge passed for 100 yards and a touchdown as the Rams were beaten by North Penn 31-20.
Joe Curotto of Souderton completed 11 passes as the Indians were defeated 24-21 in overtime by Quakertown.
Suburban One League Continental Conference Schedule
North Penn Knights (5-3, 5-0) @ Central Bucks West Bucks (7-1, 5-0)
Last Week: North Penn defeated Pennridge 31-20 & Central Bucks West defeated Hatboro-Horsham 47-21.
Last Year: North Penn 48 – Central Bucks West 28.
Central Bucks East Patriots (4-4, 3-2) @ Pennridge Rams (5-3, 1-3)
Last Week: Central Bucks East defeated Central Bucks South 28-21 & Pennridge lost to North Penn 31-20.
Last Year: Pennridge 34 – Central Bucks East 24.
Quaketown Panthers (4-4, 1-3) @ Central Bucks South (4-4, 2-3)
Last Week: Quakertown Panthers defeated Souderton in OT 24-21 & CB South lost to CB East 28-21.
Last Year: Central Bucks South 48 – Quakertown 6.
Hatboro-Horsham Hatters (3-5, 1-4) @ Souderton Indians (1-7, 1-4)
Last Week: Hatboro-Horsham lost to CB West 47-21 & Souderton lost to Quakertown in OT – 24-21.
Last Year: Souderton 37 – Hatboro-Horsham 7.
Championship Week
SOL American Conference
Upper Dublin Cardinals @ Plymouth Whitemarsh Colonials
7 pm
Upper Dublin head coach Bret Stover says:
“It is really exciting to be playing a meaningful game this late in the season. Plymouth Whitemarsh runs some of the same things that we do, and we go against our own offense every day. But they do some different things too, and they do them very well. They feature the quarterback (Connor Hanlon) and have two very good running backs (Jose Mora-Vega and Brian Afflick) just like we do with John (Derr) and Kyleif (Lee) and John Lee. John Derr will be starting his 19th game at quarterback for us, and he provides a lot of leadership for this team. Last week we started 4 seniors on defense and 5 seniors on offense. Those seniors picked us up in games against Wissahickon and Cheltenham that we were down 14-0 in each. PW reminds us of CB West who we beat in our first game of the year (45-17) – they are going to be much bigger than us. Our kids, after being able to beat West, will play with confidence.”
Plymouth Whitemarsh head coach Dan Chang says:
“Our goal at the beginning of the season is always to win the league championship, and anything beyond that is a bonus. The seniors on this team have won a league title the last two years, and in the back of their mind, they would like to win another title. We as coaches know that it is a year-to-year thing – every team is different. Upper Dublin has a lot of weapons offensively – they are a really dangerous team. (Quarterback) John Derr is a dual-threat player as a runner and a passer, and both Lee running backs are explosive. Upper Dublin has scored a lot of points and they are really scary with all the things that they can do. We hope that we can play a great game against them – it will take a great game to beat them.”
Cardinals-Colonials Stat Track
Records:
Upper Dublin (8-0, 5-0) * Plymouth Whitemarsh (6-2, 5-0)
Scoring Average:
Upper Dublin (38.5 overall – 42.2 conference) * Plymouth Whitemarsh (32.9 overall – 43.0 conference)
Defensive Average:
Upper Dublin (12.5 overall – 14.4 conference) * Plymouth Whitemarsh (28.5 overall – 25.4 conference)
Quarterback Comparison:
Upper Dublin: John Derr – 49 completions – 597 yards – 2 touchdowns
Plymouth Whitemash – Connor Hanlon – 51 completions – 838 yards – 9 touchdowns
Running Back Comparison:
Upper Dublin: Kyleif Lee – 76 carries – 550 yards – 14 touchdowns * John Lee - 75 carries – 468 yards – 10 touchdowns * John Derr – 63 carries – 526 yards – 7 touchdowns.
Plymouth Whitemarsh: Jose Mora-Vega – 126 carries – 802 yards – 9 touchdowns * Brian Afflick – 107 carries – 736 yards – 8 touchdowns * Connor Hanlon – 59 carries – 455 yards – 7 touchdowns.
Receiving:
Upper Dublin: Ryan Siwinski – 26 receptions – 399 yards – 1 touchdown.
Plymouth Whitemarsh: James Rodgers – 31 receptions – 560 – yards – 5 touchdowns
Suburban One League American Conference ‘Honor Roll’ Last Week
Marcus Heimann of Cheltenham rushed for 2 touchdowns and threw for 2 touchdowns as the Panthers clawed Upper Moreland 42-28.
Kyleif Lee of Upper Dublin rushed for a game-high 110 yards and scored 3 touchdowns as the Cardinals flew by Springfield 34-7.
Connor Hanlon of Plymouth Whitemarsh rushed for 205 yards and 2 rushing touchdowns – and also threw a TD pass – as the Colonials marched to a 42-21 win over Norristown.
Josh Smith of Wissahickon rushed for 140 yards and a touchdown as the Trojans marched to a 36-20 victory over Upper Merion.
Tyler Whitmore of Upper Moreland rushed for 135 yards and touchdown as the Golden Bears were caged by Cheltenham 42-28.
Rashon Lusane of Norristown threw for 2 touchdowns and ran for a score as the Eagles were beaten by Plymouth Whitemarsh 42-21.
Isaiah Graham-Mobley of Upper Merion threw for 3 touchdown passes as the Vikings were sunk by Wissahickon 36-20.
Suburban One League American Conference Schedule
Upper Dublin Cardinals (8-0, 5-0) @ Plymouth Whitemarsh Colonials (6-2, 5-0)
Last Week: Upper Dublin defeated Springfield 34-7 & Plymouth Whitemarsh defeated Norristown 42-21.
Last Year: Plymouth Whitemarsh 42 – Upper Dublin 14.
Cheltenham Panthers (3-5, 2-3) @ Upper Merion Vikings (3-5, 1-4)
Last Week: Cheltenham defeated Upper Moreland 42-28 & Upper Merion lost to Wissahickon 36-20.
Last Year; Cheltenham 54 – Upper Merion 35.
Springfield Spartans (4-3, 2-3) @ Upper Moreland Golden Bears (3-5, 2-3)
Last Week: Springfield lost to Upper Dublin 34-7 & Upper Moreland lost to Cheltenham 42-28.
Last Year: Upper Moreland 17 – Springfield 14.
Wissahickon Trojans (4-4, 3-2) @ Norristown Eagles (0-8, 0-5)
Last Week: Wissahickon defeated Upper Merion 36-20 & Norristown lost to Plymouth Whitemarsh 42-21.
Last Year: Wissahickon 42 – Norristown 13.
Championship Week
SOL National Conference
Neshaminy Redskins @ Abington Ghosts
7 pm
Abington head coach Tim Sorber says:
“In all the years I have coached at Abington, this is the most athletic, fast, and strong team that Neshaminy has ever had – and that is at almost every position. D’Andre Pollard is one of the best backs we have had to prepare for, and he isn’t the only weapon they have. (Neshaminy head coach) Mark (Schmidt) has opened up the offense a little and is throwing more on first down. Neshaminy has a team with a lot of seniors that have started since they were sophomores. Mark and his staff have done a great job of nurturing this team. I have nothing but respect for the Neshaminy program – class all the way from the players to the coaching staff.”
Neshaminy head coach Mark Schmidt says:
“Abington has one excellent back in Craig Reynolds, and I just hope we can contain him – he looks bigger, faster, and stronger than last year Their offensive line is the biggest line we have faced this year, and they are not only big but fast and aggressive. (Abington head coach) Tim (Sorber) likes to spread you out offensively, and they have had a lot of success with that system. We have remained focused on what we have had to do to get to this part of the season. Abington this week – Pennsbury next week. We know that we can’t do anything but focus on Abington – we are going to have to play four good quarters in order to beat them.”
Ghosts-Redskins Stat Track
Records:
Abington (7-1, 4-1) * Neshaminy (8-0, 5-0)
Scoring Average:
Abington (30.9 overall – 26.4 conference) * Neshaminy (37.8 overall – 40.4 conference)
Defensive Scoring Average:
Abington (14.8 overall – 15.4 conference) * Neshaminy (5.1 overall – 8.2 conference)
Quarterback comparison: (note-Abington starting quarterback Anthony Lee has been lost for the year to injury)
Abington: David Kretschman * 10 completions * 179 yards * 3 touchdowns
Neshaminy: Tyler Wombough * 39 completions * 575 yards * 8 touchdowns
Running Back Comparison:
Abington: Craig Reynolds * 147 carries * 1177 yards * 16 touchdowns
Neshaminy: D’Andre Pollard * 139 carries * 1535 yards * 21 touchdowns
Receiving Comparison:
Abington: Jordan Neely * 17 receptions * 316 yards * 1 touchdown
Neshaminy: Hamid Pack * 23 receptions * 382 yards * 4 touchdowns.
Suburban One League National Conference ‘Honor Roll’ Last Week
D’Andre Pollard of Neshaminy rushed for 280 yards and 3 touchdowns as the Redskins defeated Bensalem 49-7.
Raheem Thompson (140 yards & TD), Ronquay Smith (120 yards & TD), and Charles Snorweah (110 yards & 2 TD) led the high flying Falcon offense in a 42-8 victory over Council Rock North.
David Kretschman of Abington threw for 3 touchdown passes as the Ghosts routed Council Rock South 41-14.
Bobby Hill of Harry S Truman scored 2 touchdowns as the Tigers clawed William Tennent 29-0.
Chris Welde of Council Rock North scored a touchdown as the Indians were beaten by Pennsbury 42-8.
Anthony Alimenti of Council Rock South scored a touchdown as the Golden Hawks were defeated by Abington 41-14.
George Pegram of Bensalem threw a touchdown pass the Owls were beaten by Neshaminy 49-7.
Suburban One League National Conference Schedule
Neshaminy Redskins (8-0, 5-0) @ Abington Ghosts (7-1, 4-1)
Last Week: Neshaminy defeated Bensalem 49-7 & Abington defeated Council Rock South 41-14.
Last Year: Neshaminy 21 – Abington 14.
Bensalem Owls (1-7, 1-4) @ Pennsbury Falcons (7-1, 5-0)
Last Week: Bensalem lost to Neshaminy 49-7 & Pennsbury defeated Council Rock North 42-8.
Last Year: Pennsbury 35 – Bensalem 10.
Council Rock North (5-3, 2-3) @ Truman Tigers (3-5, 1-4)
Last Week: CR North lost to Pennsbury 42-8 & Truman defeated William Tennent 29-0.
Last Year: CR North 49 – Truman 22.
William Tennent (2-6, 1-4) @ Council Rock South (1-7, 1-4)
Last Week: William Tennent lost to Truman 29-0 & CR South lost to Abington 41-14.
Last Year: CR South 28 – William Tennent 7.
Suburban One Sports.com
Top Ten
1. Neshaminy Redskins (8-0, 5-0)
2. Pennsbury Falcons (7-1, 5-0)
3. North Penn Knights (5-3, 5-0)
4. Upper Dublin Cardinals (8-0, 5-0)
5. Abington Ghosts (7-1, 4-1)
6. Central Bucks West Bucks (7-1, 5-0)
7. Plymouth Whitemarsh Colonials (6-2, 5-0)
8. Pennridge Rams (5-3, 1-3)
9. Council Rock North Indians (5-3, 2-3)
10. Central Bucks East Patriots (4-4, 3-2)
Saturday Night Fever
Pennsbury Falcons 42 – Council Rock North Indians 8
Pennsbury (7-1, 5-0) presented its Homecoming Night crowd an early Halloween treat last Saturday night as the Falcons soared to a 42-8 Suburban One League National Conference victory over Council Rock North (5-3, 2-3).
Pennsbury scored the first four times it had the football in the first half and led 28-0 at intermission. The game kicked into the mercy-rule before the close of the third period. The ground-and-pound Falcon offense cranked out four rushing touchdowns as Charles Snorweah found the end zone twice, while Ronquay Smith and Raheem Thompson each scored single touchdowns for the winners. The Pennsbury defense also scored when Rob Daly intercepted a pass and jetted 80-yards for a touchdown.
Council Rock North averted a shutout with a touchdown in the third period. Chris Welde earned the scoring honors for the Indians with a 65-yard touchdown burst. Despite the lopsided loss, Rock North still has hopes for a District One playoff invitation. If the Indians could win out the next two weeks against both Harry S Truman (3-5, 1-4) and Council Rock South (1-7, 1-4), CR North would have a shot at a lower level invite to the postseason dance.
Council Rock North Indians 0 0 8 0 * 8
Pennsbury Falcons 21 7 7 7 * 42
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