By Scott Huff
If the opening round of the PIAA District One playoffs was reviewed by the critics and fans of Rotten Tomatoes(google it), the percentages would be low – really low.
There was not a single entertaining game over the course of the night.
The final scores in 6A were almost all blowouts with the closest win coming when No. 11 Plymouth Whitemarsh defeated No. 6 Abington 56-42.
The remaining scores were Downingtown West 63 – Pennsbury 35; North Penn 35 – CB South 7; Downingtown East 55 – Perkiomen Valley 27; Haverford 49 – Spring-Ford 14; CB West 42 – Ridley; Coatesville 49 – Souderton 18 & Garnet Valley 43 – Owen J Roberts 0.
The average margin of victory in those 8 Class 6A games was 30.3 points – no manicurist needed - not too many nail biters in those games.
The final scores in 5A were almost as ugly. Cheltenham won by 34 points; West Chester East won by 32 points; Kennett won by 31 points; Academy Park won by 26 points; West Chester Rustin won by 23 points; Unionville won by 18 points & Penn Wood won by 17 points.
The average margin of victory in those Class 5A games was 24.5 points – no manicurist needed – no nail biters in those games,
The final scores in the two Class 4A games were equally lopsided. Bishop Shanahan won by 42 points, while Upper Moreland won by 23 points.
The average margin of victory in those Class 4A games was 32.5 points – no manicurist needed – no nail biters in those games.
Let’s hope the entertainment factor is much higher this week.
‘I get no respect’ – Rodney Dangerfield
Plymouth Whitemarsh has something in common with the legendary comedian (google him) in that the Colonials entered the PIAA Class 6A playoffs with little or no respect.
- PW was the only team with a single loss that did not host a home game and was seeded 11th.
- There were five teams that entered the tournament with a single loss – and the other four were the top seeds in the district.
- No. 1 Downingtown West; No. 2 Central Bucks West; No. 3 Garnet Valley & No. 4 Downingtown East were all 9-1 during the regular season.
- No. 5 Spring-Ford; No. 6 Abington; No. 7 Coatesville & No. 10 Souderton were all ranked ahead of the Colonials with tworegular season losses.
- No. 8 Central Bucks South & No. 9 North Penn were both ranked ahead of PW with three regular seasonlosses.
Plymouth Whitemarsh competed in the SOL. American Conference – a conference that featured just two other 6A teams, three 5A teams, and a 4A team. And despite a single loss to No. 1 Class 5A Cheltenham (28-24) – the numbers never did add up for the Colonials.
The number that did matter – big time – was the final score in the opening round against Abington. PW survived as a low seed in the district with a convincing 56-42 victory over the SOL National Conference champion Ghosts.
The Colonials march on this week to travel to Garnet Valley to meet a Jaguar team that won its opening round game 43-0. Everyone knows how good GV is – and now everyone knows how good PW is.
Good luck!!!!
How about those Golden Bears?
Upper Moreland will play this week in the PIAA District One 4A championship game against Bishop Shanahan.
The Golden Bears were the No. 4 seed in the tournament and had little difficulty in beating No. 1 seed Springfield (Montco), 37-14. Upper Moreland was the lone 4A team in the SOL American Conference. And playing ‘up’ against 6A teams like Quakertown, Hatboro-Horsham & Plymouth Whitemarsh – along with 5A teams like Upper Dublin, Wissahickon & Cheltenham – got the Bears more than ready for the 4A title game.
Bishop Shanahan was the No. 3 seed in the tournament and had little difficulty in beating No. 2 seed Pottsgrove, 56-24. The Eagles were a 4A team that played the likes of 6A super powers Coatesville, Downingtown West & Downingtown East during its Ches-Mont National Conference schedule.
Good luck to the Golden Bears!
President of the Bret Stover Fan Club?
I would have to admit that I would be a member of the club - if there was one.
Upper Dublin head coach Bret Stover and his coaching staff did a truly remarkable job in getting the No. 10 Flying Cardinals to the PIAA District One 5A playoffs. Injuries are always a part of the game, but a program with a limited roster is often devastated with injuries to key players.
Mike Slivka – one of the elite quarterbacks in the area – went down in the fourth week of the season in a lopsided loss to private school power Penn Charter. Slivka had guided the Cardinals to a 3-0 record to begin the season – but his injury was season ending.
And not only did UD lose the services of the talented Slivka – there were no less than six other starters that were lost over the course of the season.
The season came to a painful close for Upper Dublin in the opening round of the playoffs when the Cardinals were shut out by No. 7 West Chester Rustin 23-0. But Stover and his veteran coaching staff squeezed every bit of talent out of the remaining roster.
The reward for all that hard work?
A successful 5A program that will be put into an all 6A Continental Conference next year with the realignment of the SOL – don’t get me started about that.
An Upper Dublin program that will lose allof its rivalry games with schools like Wissahickon, Cheltenham, Plymouth Whitemarsh, Hatboro-Horsham, & Upper Moreland. And the newly formed SOL American Conference has two 6A schools in the conference – William Tennent & Plymouth Whitemarsh.
Like I said – don’t get me started!
Exit door
The 2019 season came to a close for four Suburban One League teams in the first round of the 6A playoffs.
No. 6 Abington, No. 8 Central Bucks South, No. 10 Souderton & No. 16 Pennsbury were all jettisoned from the playoffs.
The Ghostswere one of three higher seed teams to lose an opening round game. The Maroon & White were stunned by No. 11 Plymouth Whitemarsh surrendering 56 points in a 56-42 loss to the upstart Colonials.
The spotlight for the 2019 season fell on quarterback Tamir Berhtau. Berthau scored 5 touchdowns in the loss – passed and rushed for a staggering 28 scores over the course of the season – and finished the year with over 1,000 yards both rushing and passing.
The Titanswere also one of the three higher seeds to lose an opening round game. CB South – who defeated No. 9 North Penn (36-35) earlier this season – could not duplicate its winning ways in a 35-7 loss to the Knights.
Sean Smith concluded a superlative season. The gifted wide receiver caught 54 passes for 1183 yards (21.9 average) and 14 touchdowns. Smith also rushed for 240 yards and 5 touchdowns.
The Indianstook an early 7-0 lead against No. 7 Coatesville, but the Big Red was bludgeoned in the second quarter giving up 49 – yes 49 – points in the second period in a 49-18 loss against the 2-time defending District One champions.
The loss ended the season for Souderton with a record of 8-3. The senior class recorded a 3-7 record as sophomores.
The Falcons took an early 21-7 first half lead against No. 1 Downingtown West. The game was tied at 28-28 at halftime, but Pennsbury was outscored 35-7 in the second half.
The loss ended a roller coaster season for the Falcons. Pennsbury opened the season with three losses, but rallied to win six of its final seven games to gain the 16thand final berth in the PIAA District One playoffs.
And the beat goes on…
PIAA DISTRICT ONE 6A QUARTERFINAL PLAYOFFS
FRIDAY – 7 PM
NO. 9 NORTH PENN KNIGHTS (8-3) @ NO. 1 DOWNINGTOWN WEST (10-1)
Last Week:
North Penn advanced to the second round of the playoffs with a convincing 35-7 victory over SOL Continental Conference rival Central Bucks South. The Knights had lost to the Titans 36-35 in the regular season. Khalani Eaton rushed for a game-high 150 yards and a touchdown, while Evan Spann rushed for an additional 128 yards and 2 scores.
Downingtown West broke open a 28-28 halftime deadlock and defeated Pennsbury 63-35. The Whippets outscored the Falcons 21-0 in the fourth quarter to secure the win. Tyriq Lewis had a spectacular game rushing for a 216 yards and 5 touchdowns. DW rushed for a staggering 347 yards and had 25 first downs.
Season Resume:
North Penn finished the regular season tied for 2ndin the Suburban One League Continental Conference.
Downingtown West finished the regular season as the tri-champion of the Ches-Mont National Conference.
Offense/Defense Points Per Game:
North Pennhas scored an average of 35.7 points per game. The Knights have allowed an average of 20.3 points per game.
Downingtown West has scored an average of 43.0 points per game. The Whippets have allowed 18.0 points per game.
Signature Wins:
North Penn has signature wins over No. 16 Pennsbury (13-3), No. 10 Souderton (47-21), and No. 8 Central Bucks South (35-7).
Downingtown West has signature wins over No. 3 Garnet Valley (42-19), No. 8 Central Bucks South (34-13), No. 13 Perkiomen Valley (33-17), No. 4 Downingtown East (63-35) & No. 16 Pennsbury (63-35).
Losses:
North Penn has lost games to No. 2 Central Bucks West (28-27), No. 8 Central Bucks South (36-35), and La Salle (42-6).
Downingtown West lost its only game of the season to Coatesville (29-21).
Winner Gets:
The winner of the North Penn/Downingtown West game will play the winner of the game between No. 4 Downingtown East & No. 12 Haverford.
NO. 7 COATESVILLE (9-2) @ NO. 2 CENTRAL BUCKS WEST BUCKS (10-1)
Last Week:
Coatesville trailed No. 10 Souderton 7-0 at the end of the first quarter but exploded for 49 points in the second quarter. The 2-time defending District One champion routed the Big Red 49-18. Ricky Ortega passed for an impressive 349 yards, while Dupree Bryant caught 6 passes for 129 yards.
Central Bucks West led 42-0 and cruised to a 42-7 victory over No. 15 Ridley. Josh Jackson had 10 carries for 131 yards and 3 touchdowns, while Jack Fallon added 106 yards on 11 carries for a touchdown.
Season Resume:
Coatesville finished the regular season as the tri-champion of the Ches-Mont National Conference.
Central Bucks Westfinished the regular season as the champion of the Suburban One League Continental Conference.
Offense/Defense Points Per Game:
Coatesville has scored an average of 34.4 points per game. The Red Raiders have allowed 15.3 points per game.
Central Bucks Westhas scored an average of 34.5 points per game. The Bucks have allowed 14.4 points per game.
Signature Wins:
Coatesville has signature wins over No. 1 Downingtown West (29-21) & No. 10 Souderton (49-18).
Central Bucks West has signature wins over No. 8 Central Bucks South (42-28), No. 9 North Penn (27-26), No. 6 Abington (45-28) & No. 15 Ridley (42-7).
Losses:
Coatesville has lost games to No. 4 Downingtown East (28-24) & Harrisburg (14-6).
Central Bucks Westlost its only game of the season to No. 10 Souderton (28-27).
Winner Gets:
The winner of the Central Bucks West/Coatesville game will play the winner of the game between No. 3 Garnet Valley & No. 11 Plymouth Whitemarsh.
NO. 11 PLYMOUTH WHITEMARSH (10-1) @ NO. 3 GARNET VALLEY JAGS (10-1)
Last Week:
Plymouth Whitemarsh stunned No. 6 Abington with a 56-42 victory. Brian Dresnin rushed 24 times for 304 yards and 4 touchdowns, while Michael Paciello rushed for 121 yards and 3 touchdowns on just 4 carries.
Garnet Valley blasted No. 14 Owen J Roberts 43-0. The Jaguars used a relentless rushing attack that featured Jake Morin (129 yards) & Greg Reynolds (95 yards).
Season Resume:
Plymouth Whitemarsh finished the regular season as the 2ndplace finisher in the Suburban One League American Conference.
Garnet Valley finished the regular season as the outright champion of the Central League.
Offense/Defense Points Per Game:
Plymouth Whitemarsh scores an average of 38.7 points per game. The Colonials have allowed an average of 14.6 points per game.
Garnet Valley scores an average of 44.6 points per game. The Jaguars have allowed an average of 19.1 points per game.
Signature wins:
Plymouth Whitemarsh defeated No. 6 Abington (56-42).
Garnet Valley defeated No. 12 Haverford (35-28) & No. 15 Ridley (42-24).
Losses:
Plymouth Whitemarsh lost its only game to No. 1 (5A) Cheltenham (28-24).
Garnet Valley lost its only game to No. 1 Downingtown West (42-19).
Winner Gets:
The winner of the Plymouth Whitemarsh/Garnet Valley game will play the winner of the game between No. 2 Central Bucks and No. 7 Coatesville.
DISTRICT ONE QUARTERFINAL 5A PLAYOFFS
Friday – 7 pm
NO. 9 UNIONVILLE INDIANS (7-4) @ NO. 1 CHELTENHAM PANTHERS (10-1)
Last Week:
Unionville advanced to the second round of the playoffs with a 28-10 victory over No. 8 Marple-Newtown. Connor Shilling rushed for a game-high 207 yards and scored 3 touchdowns for the Indians.
Cheltenham advanced to the second round of the playoffs with a 41-7 victory over No. 16 Spingfield (Delco). The Panthers led 33-0 at halftime. Adonis Hunter rushed for a TD and also passed for a score. Siddiq Williams had a TD run and returned a punt for a touchdown.
Season Resume:
Unionville finished the regular season tied for 3rdplace in the Ches-Mont American Conference.
Cheltenham finished the regular season as the champion of the Suburban One League American Conference.
Offense/Defense Points Per Game:
Unionville has scored an average of 27.3 points per game. The Indians have allowed an average of 17.8 points per game.
Cheltenham has scored an average of 35.3 points per game. The Panthers have allowed 13.6 points per game.
Signature Wins:
Unionville has a signature win over No. 8 Marple-Newtown (28-10).
Cheltenham has signature wins over No. 10 Upper Dublin (41-7), No. 11 (6A) Plymouth Whitemarsh (28-24), and No. 16 Springfield (Delco) (41-7).
Losses:
Unionville has lost games to No. 2 West Chester East (27-23), No. 4 Kennett (27-13), No. 7 (6A) Coatesville (34-21) & No. 7 West Chester Rustin (28-7).
Cheltenham lost its only game to No. 6 (6A) Abington (19-7).
Winner Gets:
The winner of the Cheltenham/Unionville game will play the winner of the game between No. 4 Kennett and No. 5 Strath Haven.
DISTRICT ONE CHAMPIONSHIP 4A GAME
NO. 4 UPPER MORELAND BEARS (6-5) @ NO. 3 BISHOP SHANAHAN EAGLES (6-5)
Last Week:
Upper Moreland advanced to the district title game with a resounding 37-14 victory over No. 1 Springfield Township. The Golden Bears were led by sophomore quarterback Byron Hopkins who rushed for 216 yards and 3 touchdowns. Hopkins also fired a TD pass.
Bishop Shanahan advanced to the district title game with a resounding 56-24 victory over No. 2 Pottsgrove. The Eagles were led by a pair of sophomores as quarterback Cooper Johnson completed 11 passes for 251 yards and 3 touchdowns, while Brandon Choi rushed for 3 touchdowns.
Season Resume:
Upper Moreland finished the regular season as the 5thplace team in the Suburban One League American Conference.
Bishop Shanahan finished the regular season as the 4thplace team in the Ches-Mont National Conference.
Offense/Defense Points Per Game:
Upper Moreland has scored an average of 20.2 points per game. The Golden Bears have allowed 17.2 points per game.
Bishop Shanahan has scored an average of 25.4 points per game. The Eagles have allowed 22.3 points per game.
Signature Wins:
Upper Moreland has defeated No. 1 Springfield Township (37-14).
Bishop Shanahan has defeated No. 2 Pottsgrove (56-24).
Losses:
Upper Moreland has lost to Quakertown (14-13), No. 11 (6A) Plymouth Whitemarsh (28-6), Sun Valley (27-23), No. 1 (5A) Cheltenham (34-6) & No. 10 (5A) Upper Dublin (14-6).
Bishop Shanahan has lost games to Chichester (31-14), No. 1 (6A) Downingtown West (42-7), No. 7 (6A) Coatesville (41-17) & No. 4 (6A) Downingtown East (49-21).
Winner Gets:
The winner of this game is the PIAA District One 4A champion.
PIAA DISTRICT ONE PLAYOFFS
FOOTBALL FORECAST
6A
DOWNINGTOWN WHIPPETS 35 – NORTH PENN KNIGHTS 28
COATESVILLE RED RAIDERS 35 – CENTRAL BUCKS WEST BUCKS 28
GARNET VALLEY JAGUARS 35 – PW COLONIALS 28
5A
CHELTENHAM PANTHERS 35 – UNIONVILLE INDIANS 28
4A
BISHOP SHANAHAN EAGLES 35 – UPPER MORELAND GOLDEN BEARS 28
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