SOL Football Notebook (11-16-17)

Scott Huff previews the District One semifinal playoff games featuring SOL teams. Pennridge, Pennsbury and Upper Dublin will be in action.

By Scott Huff

And the beat goes on…

The Pennridge Rams, the Garnet Valley Jaguars, the Pennsbury Falcons, and the Coatesville Red Raiders.

The beloved Ernie from Sesame Street fame once sang the well-known song “One of These Things” where the lyrics are –

One of these is not like the others
One of these just doesn’t belong.
Can you tell which (team) is not like the others,
By the time I finish this song?

Which of the final four teams in the PIAA 6A District One semifinals doesn’t belong? 

In a very curious way – Coatesville - why?

Coatesville (11-1), ironically enough, is the only team in the final foursome to have actually won a conference championship this season.  The Red Raiders were unbeaten in the Ches-Mont National Division this season.

Pennridge (10-2) had to settle for a second place finish in the Suburban One League Continental Conference behind champion North Penn (9-3).  The Rams lost their head-to-head battle against the Knights by a 45-35 score.
Pennsbury (10-2) had to settle for a second place finish in the Suburban One League behind champion Neshaminy (10-2).  The Falcons lost its regular season game to the Redskins by a heartbreaking 21-20 margin.

Garnet Valley (11-1) had to settle for second place in the Central League behind champion Springfield (12-0).  The Jaguars lost their only game of the season in a 14-7 loss to the league champion Cougars.

Springfield (Delco) is a 5A school and will play in the District One semifinals this week against Upper Dublin (8-3). 

And by the way, Bret Stover’s Flying Cardinals also did not win a conference title.  In fact, UD finished the SOL American Conference in third place behind both Upper Moreland (11-1) and Quakertown (7-4).

The three regular season Suburban One League champions – North Penn, Neshaminy, and Upper Moreland – will now have to ‘buy a ticket’ to attend any of the PIAA District One semifinal games.

And that – for Knight, Redskin and Golden Bear fans - is indeed      a very depressing refrain to hear.

No.8 Pennsbury Falcons (10-2) @ No. 4 Coatesville Red Raiders (11-1).
Last Week in the PIAA 6A District One Quarterfinals
Pennsburyflew by the No.1 seed Neshaminy at Heartbreak Ridge in a somewhat surprising 36-15 rout of the Redskins.  The Falcons led by just 16-15 at the close of the first half, but PHS dominated the second half.  Pennsbury featured a two-headed backfield monster in Andrew Basalyga and Nasan Robbins in the win.  Basalyga rushed for 2 scores and 146 yards, while Robbins also scored 2 touchdowns and rushed for 106 yards.
Coatesville exploded for over 600 yards of total offense and 30 first downs as the Red Raiders blitzed Downingtown East 61-42.  Quarterback Ricky Ortega was an offensive machine completing 15 passes for 225 yards and 4 touchdowns.  He also rushed for 110 yards in the win.
Playoff Resume: 
Pennsbury
opened the PIAA 6A District One playoffs with a 17-0 victory over No. 9 Central Bucks South.  The Falcon defense limited the Titans to less than 100 yards in the win, while quarterback Zach DeMarchis rushed for a score and threw a touchdown pass.  DeMarchis rushed for 167 yards as the game’s leading rusher.
Coatesville opened the PIAA 6A District One playoffs with a punishing 51-22 victory over Harry S Truman.
Regular Season Resume:
Pennsbury
finished the regular season in second place in the Suburban One League National Conference.
Coatesville finished the season as the champion of the Ches-Mont National Division.
Signature Wins:
Pennsbury
collected signature wins over Academy Park (27-20), Penn Wood (41-28), Truman (47-32), Central Bucks South (17-0), and Neshaminy (36-15).
Coatesville won key games over Downingtown East (38-27), WC Rustin (49-0), Harry S Truman (51-22) and Downingtown East (61-42).
Losses:
Pennsbury
has lost games to North Penn (29-20) and Neshaminy (21-20).
Coatesville lost its only game back on September 1st with a 14-7 loss to Cumberland Valley.
Pennsbury Head Coach Dan McShane says:

“We look forward to the challenge of playing the team that most people think is the favorite.
“They have lots of speed in the skill positions on offense including the quarterback (Ricky Ortega) and the running back (Aaron Young) position. They create good balance for them with the run and pass. We will need to get lots of hats to the football in our run defense, and reroute their receivers in pass defense.
“When the quarterback scrambles, we will have to hold our coverage, but get him on the ground if he keeps it.
Bus rides don’t bother us, nor does the time of the year. Our kids just know there is a football game to be played at the end of the ride.
Our kids and coaches take a very short-term approach with each game. The focus is on WIN (What’s Important Now). I’m sure when we look back we will appreciate our accomplishments.”
Winner Gets:
The winner of this game will play the winner of the game between No. 3 Garnet Valley and No. 7 Pennridge in the PIAA 6A District One finals.

No. 7 Pennridge Rams (10-2) @ No. 3 Garnet Valley Jaguars (11-1)
Last Week in the PIAA 6A District One Quarterfinals
Pennridge
once again featured a tenacious defense in a 25-0 victory over Perkiomen Valley.  Perk Valley lost only two games all season – both to the Rams as PHS recorded a 29-0 shutout in Week 3 of the season.  Zak Kantor was extremely efficient in the passing game completing just 5 passes – but three for touchdowns.  Joe Devine, Nick Tarburton, and Kyle Schetter all had TD catches for the Green  & White.  Schetter also scored a rushing touchdown.
Garnet Valley stunned North Penn 36-35 to advance to the semifinal game with Pennridge.  The Jaguars trailed the Knights 35-7 late in the third period but rallied for an astonishing 29 unanswered points to secure the win.  Sophomore quarterback Ryan Gallagher threw a TD pass to Kevin Doherty with 46 seconds left in the game to close the gap to 35-34 – and Gallagher was successful on a 2-point conversion to seal the deal.  Matt Lassik led the GV triple-option offense with 125 yards rushing.
Playoff Resume:
Pennridge
opened the District One playoffs with a 24-0 victory over No. 10 Quakertown.  The Ram defense was led by Penn State recruit Nick Tarburton.  Tarburton was also the leading rusher on offense and scored a touchdown.  Kyle Schetter rushed for over 100 yards and scored two touchdowns.
Garnet Valley opened the District One playoffs with a 32-13 victory over Central Bucks West.  Matt Lassik rushed for 100 yards, while running mate Danny Guy rushed for 95 yards.  The Jaguars sacked the CB West quarterback seven times during the win.
Season Resume:
Pennridge
finished the regular season as the second place team in the Suburban One League Continental Conference.
Garnet Valley finished the season as the second place team in the Central League.
Signature Wins:
Pennridge
won key games this season over Perkiomen Valley (29-0), Central Bucks West (26-6), Central Bucks South (21-7), Quakertown (24-0), and Perkiomen Valley (25-0).
Garnet Valley won signature games over Bayard Rustin (19-7), Haverford (28-13), Marple Newtown (34-31), Central Bucks West (32-13), and North Penn (36-35).
 Losses:
Pennridge
has lost games to Neshaminy (23-14) and North Penn (45-35).
Garnet Valley lost its only game of the season to Springfield (Delco) – 14-7.
Pennridge Head Coach Jeff Hollenbach says:
“Garnet Valley is a big strong team that wants to play downhill most of the time.  Their offensive line is big and impressive.
“They run a triple option attack which is different from most of the offenses we have seen this year.  The fact that it's a completely different offense makes it incredibly challenging to prepare for in one week

“Defensively, they are quick and tough and are good tacklers. They are primarily a two-platoon team, which is also an advantage.   
“For them to make the comeback they did last week against an excellent North Penn team is very impressive.  I'm sure they will come into this game flying high off of that win.   
“As far we're concerned, our defense is playing incredibly well, two consecutive shutouts in the playoffs is a great accomplishment, and offensively we have been consistent with a variety of players making excellent contributions. 
“Our offensive line has continued to improve throughout the season, which is the reason for our success. 
“This will be the fifth time in Pennridge history that a team has made it to the Final Four of the District, and no team has made it to the Finals.  So reaching the finals is a huge motivation for us, as it is for every other team that is still playing. 
“We are looking forward to an excellent football game.”
Winner Gets:
The winner of this game will advance to the PIAA 6A District One final against the winner of No. 4 Coatesville and No.8 Pennsbury in the PIAA 6A District One final.

No. 5 Upper Dublin (8-3) @ No. 1 Springfield (Delco) (12-0)
Last Week in the PIAA 5A District One Quarterfinals
Upper Dublinhad to survive a pair of fourth period turnovers to ‘upset’ No. 4 seed Academy Park 17-12.  The Flying Cardinals received a game-saving defensive stop late in the game to preserve the win.  Selvin Haynes – who also caught 4 passes on the offensive side of the ball - came up with the defensive play of the game breaking up a potential game-winning TD pass.  Julian Gimbel threw for 175 yards on 17 completions and was also the leading rusher with 55 yards and a touchdown.
Springfield took care of business in the quarterfinals with a 28-7 victory over West Chester Rustin.  Ja’Den McKensie rushed for 100 yards and 2 touchdowns for the Cougars.  Quarterback Jack Pensicska passed for 90 yards and a TD.  Kyle Long caught a pair of touchdown passes – one from Pensicska and another on a halfback pass.
Playoff Resume:
Upper Dublin
opened the PIAA 5A District One playoffs with a 27-21 victory over No. 12 Radnor.  Malik Bootman rushed 31 times for 125 yards and three touchdowns.  Julian Gimbel completed eight passes for 153 yards and a touchdown in a 39-12 victory.
Springfield opened the PIAA 5A District One playoffs with a convincing 33-0 victory over Penncrest.  It kept the No. 1 seeded Cougars unbeaten with their 11th straight win.
 Season Resume:
Upper Dublin
finished the regular season in third place in the Suburban One League American Conference.
Springfield finished the regular season as the champion of the Central League.
Signature wins:
Upper Dublin
collected signature wins over Hatboro-Horsham (14-7), Plymouth Whitemarsh (28-14), Radnor (27-21), and Academy Park (17-12).
Springfield has won key games over Strath Haven (41-13), Marple Newtown (42-19). Garnet Valley (14-7), Penncrest 38-0, and WC Rustin (48-17).
Losses:
Upper Dublin
has lost games to Perkiomen Valley (31-9), Quakertown (34-28 in OT), and Upper Moreland (21-20).
Springfield – None.
Upper Dublin Head Coach Bret Stover says:
“Did anyone give us a chance to be here when the playoffs began???
“Of course we did, you always develop the plan to win, and if you can execute it, you should be in there late in the fourth quarter with a chance to win it.
“Great accomplishment for this group of players, absolutely. Just three returning starters from last season’s team and to come within one point from winning a fourth consecutive SOL American championship. Many teams would not have recovered from that. Not this group, my seniors re-focused the team and said let’s make a run at it.
“We just played within one point of the team that everyone all but handed the district title, so the confidence we got from the Upper Moreland game was huge. Now here we are the sole survivor from the north.
“This group has held up the tradition established here earning their third District semifinal in four years, and that says a lot about where UD football is.
“Springfield has absolutely earned that #1 seed ranking. The schedule and teams they play are very tough, so we know they are battle tested. They are disciplined, well coached and extremely athletic.
“Keys again will be the three-pronged approach. We need to play well in all three phases and limit their big plays much like we did versus Academy Park. If we can continue to win the turnover battle, that obviously is huge this time of the year.
“Hey, would you rather be (playing at) home this time of year? Absolutely, but we also embrace the opportunity you get this time of year and you don't care where the game is played as long as you are invited.
“We are one of 16 teams in 5A still in the hunt and that's an honor we don't take lightly over here at Upper Dublin. Meaningful football in November, that's one of our goals every year
“We are approaching this one week at a time and my staff and I will enjoy at least one more week with this group.”Winner Gets:
The winner of this game will face the winner of the game between No. 3 Unionville and No. 7 Marple Newtown in the PIAA 5A District One final.

Exit Door

North Penn was shown the PIAA 6A District One playoff door in an astonishing 36-35 quarterfinal loss to Garnet Valley.  The SOL Continental Conference champion Knights led 35-7 in the third period but failed to hold the lead.  Quarterback Steve DePaul completed 13 passes for 250 yards and 4 touchdowns – all TD receptions were to Justis Henley, who caught a total of 8 passes for 160 yards.

Neshaminy was shown the PIAA 6A District One playoff door in a 36-15 quarterfinal loss to rival Pennsbury.  The Suburban One League National Conference champion showcased a two-touchdown performance by Joel Stills in the setback.  Stills scored on runs of 55 and 16 yards for the Skins.  Neshaminy had opened the playoffs with a 42-21 victory over Spring-Ford.

Upper Moreland was shown the PIAA 5A District One playoff door in a 24-18 quarterfinal loss to Marple Newtown.  The SOL American Conference champion Golden Bears – who were knocked out of the playoffs last year by Marple Newtown – scored a pair of long distance touchdowns.  Caleb Mead returned a kickoff 98 yards for a score, and Sterlen Barr scored on a 75-yard pass play from quarterback Brendan Olexa.

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