Scott Huff previews the upcoming PIAA 4A semifinal game against St. Joe’s Prep and also recaps the final weekend of the season for most football teams.
By Scott Huff
Neshaminy is one step away from a trip to the PIAA Quad-A state championship game next week at Hersheypark Stadium – but it is an enormous step. The hurdle the Skins must navigate will come this Saturday against powerful Philadelphia Catholic League – District 12 champion St. Joseph’s Prep.
Neshaminy advanced last week with a more than impressive 42-7 victory over North Penn in the District One title game played at Souderton High School. Junior running back D’Andre Pollard was magnificent rushing for 230 yards and 4 touchdowns. Blake Sullivan added 78 yards, while Denny Lord scored a pair of touchdowns for the Skins. The offensive line of John Koch, Matt Wynne, Mike Palmer, Hunter Kelly, Dan Johnson, Billy Ritchey, and Luke Carrezola was outstanding.
St. Joe Prep took a 21-0 lead in the first half and coasted to a 21-10 win over District 11 champion Parkland. The Hawks celebrated the return of senior quarterback Chris Martin. Martin, who missed the previous two games to a knee injury, looked sharp as he completed 12 passes for 235 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
“His arm looked pretty good to me,” said Neshaminy head coach Mark Schmidt. “He hit on some big plays, but the team isn’t all about him. They have good size and are very athletic. They can turn a five-yard catch into a 50-yard touchdown.
“We are coming off a very good game against North Penn,” added Schmidt. “We ran the ball very well – and everything seemed to work. The game plan wasn’t broke during the game – so we didn’t fix it. We never had to get to Plan B.
“We have played some teams that like to throw the ball like (SJP),” continued Schmidt. “Council Rock North, Downingtown West, and Unionville all are pass first teams. We’re excited and ready to play.”
Neshaminy Redskins (13-1) vs. St. Joseph’s Prep Hawks (10-3)
@ Northeast High School
Saturday – 1 pm
Winner Gets the Winner of Lower Dauphin (10-3) vs. Pittsburgh Central Catholic (15-0)
Tale of the Tape
Offensive Scoring Average:
Neshaminy: 36.4
St. Joseph’s Prep: 30.6
Defensive Points Allowed:
Neshaminy: 10.1
St. Joseph’s Prep: 19.8
Margin of Victory:
Neshaminy: + 26.3
St. Joseph’s Prep: + 10.8
Rushing:
Neshaminy: D’Andre Pollard 297 carries, 2804 yards, (9.4 average), 36 touchdowns; Denny Lord 48 carries, 300 yards, (6.3 average); 13 touchdowns.
St. Joe Prep: Olamide Zaccheaus 107 carries, 780 yards, (7.3 average), 11 touchdowns; D’Andre Swift 102 carries, 551 yards, (5.4 average), 3 touchdowns; Chris Martin 85 carries, 451 yards, (5.3 average), 5 touchdowns.
Passing:
Neshaminy: Tyler Wombough 54 completions, 788 yards, 8 touchdowns.
St. Joe Prep: Chris Martin 127 completions, 1770 yards, 22 touchdowns.
Receiving:
Neshaminy: Hamiid Pack 31 receptions, 502 yards, (16.2 average), 4 touchdowns; Cole Creighton 10 receptions, 113 yards, (11.3 average), 0 touchdowns.
St. Joe Prep: John Reid 35 receptions, 550 yards, (15.7 average), 7 touchdowns; Jawan McAllister 30 receptions, 407 yards, (13.6 average), 6 touchdowns; Olimide Zaccheaus 27 receptions, 334 yards (12.4 average), 3 touchdowns; D’Andre Swift 28 receptions, 390 yards, (13.9 average), 5 touchdowns.
And the beat goes on…
North Penn Shown Exit Door
The 2013 season that began for the Knights with three decisive losses to La Salle (34-7), Archbishop Wood (49-3), and St. Joe Prep (35-6) ended with a decisive loss to Neshaminy (42-7) in the PIAA District One championship game. But North Penn will have to remember the impressive 10-game winning streak that got them to the district title game – a streak that saw the Knights become unbeaten Suburban One League Continental Conference champions with a perfect 7-0 mark.
The highlight of the season for North Penn would have to be the Knights convincing 31-21 victory over host Pennsbury in the district quarterfinals. Remember, it was the same talented Pennsbury team that had just handed Neshaminy its only loss of the season – a stunning 31-3 loss at Falcon Field – just two weeks earlier.
North Penn will graduate a core of talented seniors that includes quarterback Austin Shearer, running back Luke Berry, tight end Connor Gill, two-way standout Nick Wright and others. But the Knights will return explosive sophomore running back Nyfease West who emerged over the course of the season as one of the elite backs in the area.
North Penn will not defend its SOL Continental Conference crown next season as the Knights ‘move’ to the SOL National Conference next season. The new alignment – based on male school enrollment – will place North Penn in a conference with Neshaminy, Pennsbury, Abington, Bensalem, Pennridge, Souderton, and Central Bucks South.
Wow.
Turkey Day Leftovers
How about the Suburban One League American Conference?
Both Cheltenham and Upper Moreland were underdogs in their respective Turkey Bowl games on Thanksgiving morning, yet both the Panthers and the Golden Bears were able to steal impressive victories.
Cheltenham had not beaten Abington since 2005 and prospects were not good for 2013. However, the Panthers were able to score a 35-34 overtime victory in what will be remembered as one of the most memorable in series history. Senior Marcus Heimann was the memory maker for CHS by scoring the game winning 2-point conversion in the overtime.
Upper Moreland used some big play scores to overcome Hatboro-Horsham by a 21-14 score in its Thanksgiving Day victory. Fullback Nick DeLucas scored the game winner on a 90-yard run in the second half, while tailback Tyler Whitmore jetted 80-yards for a touchdown.
How about those Truman Tigers?
Harry S Truman finished the season with a 6-6 record – the most wins in the program since 1995 – after a 34-7 win over Conwell-Egan on Turkey Day. In that game, Trysten Hunt turned in a spectacular outing with 115 yards rushing and 4 touchdowns. Look for things to continue to improve for the Tigers as Truman moves from the SOL National Conference to the SOL Continental Conference next season. No more competing during the regular season against the likes of Neshaminy, Pennsbury, or Abington.
Are you kidding me?
Two of the most dynamic running backs in the area completed their scholastic careers on Thanksgiving morning – and neither has been given a firm commitment from any college programs.
Michael Class of Pennridge polished his legacy as one of the most prolific runners in school history with a 3 touchdown – 212-yard performance – in a 27-7 victory over Quakertown. Class finished this season with 1756 rushing yards and 21 rushing touchdowns.
Craig Reynolds of Abington polished his legacy as one of the most prolific runners in school history with a 4 touchdown – 192-yard performance – in a 35-34 overtime loss to Cheltenham. Reynolds finished this season with 2089 rushing yards and 31 touchdowns.
Are you kidding me?
Suburban One Sports Top ‘24’
1. Neshaminy Redskins (13-1)
2. North Penn Knights (10-4)
3. Pennsbury Falcons (10-2)
4. Abington Galloping Ghosts (10-4)
5. Central Bucks West Bucks (9-3)
6. Plymouth Whitemarsh Colonials (8-3)
7. Upper Dublin Flying Cardinals (9-2)
8. Pennridge Rams (8-4)
9. Council Rock North Indians (7-4)
10. Quakertown Panthers (7-5)
11. Wissahickon Trojans (6-4)
12. Cheltenham Panthers (6-6)
13. Truman Tigers (6-6)
14. Springfield Spartans (5-5)
15. Central Bucks East Patroits (4-6)
16. Central Bucks South Titans (4-6)
17. Upper Moreland Golden Bears (5-7)
18. Hatboro-Horsham Hatters (4-8)
19. Souderton Indians (2-8)
20. Council Rock South Golden Hawks (2-8)
21. William Tennent Panthers (2-8)
22. Upper Merion Vikings (3-7)
23. Bensalem Owls (1-9)
24. Norristown Eagles (0-11)
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