Scott Huff outlines the District One playoff setup, recaps all of last week’s action and predicts this week’s winners. Photo courtesy of Geanine Jamison Photography. Check for a complete gallery of photos: https://solsports.zenfolio.com/p910208710
By Scott Huff
District One has decided to participate in the PIAA state football playoffs.
Here’s the deal.
There will be 4 teams from Class 6A in the district playoffs and 4 teams from Class 5A. There will be only 1 team from Class 4A and just 1 team from Class 3A.
The 6A and 5A District One playoffs would begin 11/6/20 with the District One championship to be played on 11/13. Both the 4A and 3A state playoffs would be begin 11/6/20.
The playoff qualification will be determined for district seeding using the existing power rankings.
A District One team must play at least four games to qualify and District 11 has decided not to participate.
The Suburban One League will have played five games that determine its ‘power point’ average ranking. Check the District One website to see the matrix used to determine how total points and rankings are calculated.
If the district playoffs were to begin today in 6A there would be 2 teams from the Suburban One League – unbeaten Pennridge (3-0) and unbeaten Souderton (3-0) – in the first round. The only remaining 6A unbeaten teams in D-1 are Spring-Ford (4-0) and Coatesville (2-0).
If the district playoffs were to begin today in 5A there would 2 teams from the Suburban One League – Upper Dublin (2-1) and Wissahickon (2-1). Kennett (2-0) and Unionville (2-0) are currently 1 & 2 in the District One Class 5A rankings.
If the district playoffs were to begin today in 4A Upper Moreland (3-0) would be the D-1 representative from the SOL. The Golden Bears, Springfield (1-2) and Lower Moreland (0-2) are the only three teams in the district that will meet the minimum of four games played to qualify for the postseason. Pottsgrove (1-0) has only three games scheduled and Pope John Paul II (1-0) has just two games on the schedule.
If the district playoffs were to begin today in 3A New Hope (1-2) is already in the playoffs. The newest member of the SOL is the only team in the entire district that plays in Class 3A.
But the district playoffs do NOT begin today.
Stay tuned.
SOL National Conference
Snapshot
Pennridge (3-0, 3-0) continued to be one of the most impressive teams in the area. The Rams opened the season with a 35-14 win over Central Bucks West and followed with an eye-popping 30-0 victory over host Neshaminy at Heartbreak Ridge. Last week, the Green & White dismantled Central Bucks East 42-0.
Pennridge still has an extremely difficult road to follow toward a potential unbeaten conference season. The Rams will host Central Bucks South (2-1) this week and will host Abington (2-1) in the ‘regular’ season finale.
Neshaminy (2-1, 2-1) is one of seven Class 6A teams in D-1 with a single loss and is still in the hunt of a possible playoff, but all the one-loss teams would need some help. The Skins have lost to Pennridge (30-0) but have claimed impressive wins over both North Penn (35-19) and Abington (49-28). The bad news for the stretch run is that the Scarlet & Blue finish the season with winless Central Bucks West (0-3) and Pennsbury (0-3) – not many bonus points there.
Abington (2-1, 2-1) has claimed wins over both Central Bucks South (41-28) and Central Bucks West (28-20) and suffered its lone loss against Neshaminy (49-28). The Ghosts close out the conference schedule winless Pennsbury (0-3) and a huge ‘regular season’ finale at unbeaten Pennridge (3-0).
Central Bucks South (2-1, 2-1) has victories over Central Bucks East (41-21) and Pennsbury (49-35) and suffered its lone loss to Abington (42-28). The Titans have two very challenging road conference games remaining at unbeaten Pennridge (3-0) and at North Penn (2-1).
North Penn (2-1, 2-1) has defeated both Pennsbury (41-20) and Central Bucks West (53-28) in conference play and lost its conference opener to Neshaminy (35-19). The Knights finish the season at Central Bucks East (1-2) and close the ‘regular season’ with a home game against Central Bucks South (2-1).
SOL Continental Conference
Snapshot
Souderton (3-0, 3-0) has the least challenging schedule to an unbeaten season after defeating Upper Dublin (28-7) in its conference showdown last week. The Big Red has currently winless 5A Hatboro-Horsham (0-3) and 6A Bensalem (0-3) left on the ‘regular’ schedule.
Upper Dublin (2-1, 1-1) suffered its first loss of the season against unbeaten Souderton. The Flying Cardinals still have high hopes of gaining a 5A District One playoff invitation. Remaining on the ‘regular’ season are home games with Council Rock North (1-1) and Hatboro-Horsham (0-3).
Quakertown (2-1, 2-1) has rebounded from its opening season loss to Souderton (28-23) with blowout victories over Council Rock South (42-7) and Hatboro-Horsham (48-0). The Class 6A Panthers close the ‘regular’ season with home games against winless Bensalem (0-3) and unbeaten Upper Moreland (3-0). The Golden Bears are an elite Class 4A team.
Council Rock South (2-1, 2-1) boasts a winning record with wins over winless 5A Hatboro-Horsham (14-6) and 6A Bensalem (30-6). The 6A Golden Hawk loss, however, was a crushing 42-7 loss to 6A Quakertown (2-1). Rock South drops ‘down’ this week to play 4A Springfield Township (1-2) and closes the ‘regular’ season with 6A Council Rock North (1-1).
SOL American Conference
Snapshot
Upper Moreland (3-0, 3-0) is a Class 4A team that is at the head of the conference with wins over 3A New Hope-Solebury (21-7), 6A William Tennent (14-9), and 4A Springfield Township (47-28). The Golden Bears close out the ‘regular’ season with a conference game against 5A Plymouth Whitemarsh (1-2, 1-1) and a non-conference at 6A Quakertown (2-1, 2-1).
Wissahickon (2-1, 1-0) is unbeaten in conference play as the 5A Trojans won a thrilling overtime game against 3A New Hope-Solebury. Wissahickon has split their two non-conference games with a win over 5A Hatboro-Horsham (14-12) and a loss to 5A Upper Dublin (31-27). The Trojans close out the ‘regular’ season with a game at 6A William Tennent (1-2) and a home game with 5A Plymouth Whitemarsh (1-2).
New Hope-Solebury (1-2) has already punched its ticket to the District One playoffs as the only Class 3A team in the entire district. The Lions were more than competitive in a conference win over 4A Springfield (45-35) and tough conference losses to both 4A Upper Moreland (21-7) and 5A Wissahickon (34-31 in overtime). NH-S closes the season against unbeaten Academy of the New Church (2-0) and 6A William Tennent.
And the beat goes on…
SOL National Conference
Friday
Central Bucks South Titans (2-1, 2-1) @ Pennridge Rams (3-0, 3-0)
Last Week:
Central Bucks South led 35-7 at the close of the first half and cruised to a 49-35 conference victory over Pennsbury. Carter Hallgren completed 14 passes for 204 yards and three touchdowns to three different receivers. Jacob Christiansen rambled for 125 yards and scored three touchdowns to highlight the rushing attack.
Pennridge continued its potential run to a title with a punishing 42-0 conference victory over Central Bucks East. The Rams ground out 265 yards of rushing offense with seven different ballcarriers gaining more than 10 yards. Shane Harzell was the leading rusher with a modest 65 yards on nine carries, while Elias Dantzler scored three touchdowns on just four carries. Quarterback Bobby Croyle fired a TD pass to Tyler Fuchs.
Prediction:
Pennridge 28 – CB South 14
Neshaminy Redskins (2-1, 2-1) @ Central Bucks West (0-3, 0-3)
Last Week:
Neshaminy rebounded – boy, did they rebound – from its 30-0 loss to Pennridge as the Redskins routed previously unbeaten Abington 49-28 in a conference game. Chris James rebounded – boy, did he rebound – from his 37-yard outing against the Rams as he carried 30 times for a staggering 222 yards and four touchdowns. James scored on runs of 14, 54, 13 & 33 yards. Michael Donato caught three passes – two for touchdowns – one from quarterback Nunzio Zydzik and the other from Gavin O’Connor. Zydzik also scored a rushing touchdown for the winners.
Central Bucks West took an early 7-0 lead when Jack Fileppo returned the opening kickoff 74 yards for a touchdown, but the Bucks defense could not stop an offensive explosion by North Penn in a 53-28 conference loss to the Knights. CBW featured a strong rushing attack in the game as Eli Boehm rushed for a team-high 143 yards and Donte Mancini rushed for 127 yards and three touchdowns.
Prediction:
Neshaminy 49 – Central Bucks West 20
Pennsbury Falcons (0-3, 0-3) @ Abington Ghosts (2-1, 2-1)
Last Week:
Pennsbury remained winless on the season as the Falcons were caged by Central Bucks South 49-35 in a conference loss. Pennsbury generated a staggering 515 yards of total offense in the defeat. Patrick Kirk completed 24 passes for 305 yards and three touchdowns – and also rushed for a score. Anthony Cordisco caught two touchdown passes for the Falcons.
Abington racked up some impressive offense stats, but the Ghosts could not stop the offense of Neshaminy in a 49-28 conference loss. Abington accumulated 443 yards of total offense, but the outburst could not keep the Ghosts from losing their first game of the season. Oreck Frazier carried 11 times for 160 yards and scored two long distance touchdowns – one of 89 yards and the other of 43 yards. Quarterback Johnny Dzielawa completed 13 passes for 178 yards and a score, while Caleb Baker caught eight passes for 101 yards.
Prediction:
Abington 49 – Pennsbury 42
Saturday
North Penn Knights (2-1, 2-1) @ Central Bucks East Patriots (1-2, 1-2)
Last Week:
North Penn exploded for 53 points in the Knights 53-28 conference victory over Central Bucks West. NP rushed for 301 yards and featured Khalani Eaton who raced for 264 yards and four touchdowns. Ryan Zeltt completed nine passes for 212 yards and two touchdowns. Malik Starten caught two passes for scores for the Knights – one of 32 yards and the other of 49 yards.
Central Bucks East suffered a huge blow with the loss of outstanding quarterback Anthony Giordano to injury in the CB South game, and the Patriots were routed by Pennridge 42-0 in a conference game. The high-powered CBE offense was held to just 55 yards of total offense and a minus 19 yards rushing.
Prediction:
North Penn 49 – CB East 13
SOL Continental Conference
Friday
Souderton Indians (3-0, 3-0) @ Hatboro-Horsham Hatters (0-3, 0-3)
Last Week:
Souderton captured a huge conference victory as the Big Red defeated Upper Dublin 28-7. Souderton led 21-7 at the close of the first half and played impressive defense all night to hold down the high-flying Cardinals. Jalen White rushed 25 times for 85 yards and scored on touchdown runs of two and four yards, while quarterback Evan Kutzler threw a TD pass to Shaun Purvey and rushed for another score.
Hatboro-Horsham was more than competitive in its opening two games in tight losses to Council Rock South (14-6) and Wissahickon (14-12), but the Hatters were less than competitive in a 48-0 conference loss to Quakertown.
Prediction:
Souderton 42 – Hatboro-Horsham 13
Bensalem Owls (0-3, 0-3) @ Quakertown Panthers (2-1, 2-1)
Last Week:
Bensalem continues to struggle in this 2020 season as the Owls were defeated by Council Rock South 30-6. Bensalem played a competitive first half and only trailed the Golden Hawks 7-0 at intermission. The Blue & White have been outscored by a staggering 112-20 thus far this season.
Quakertown punished Hatboro-Horsham 48-0 in its conference game last week. Will Steich tossed two touchdown passes for the Panthers – one to Zach Fondl. Junior Tyler Wood led the Panthers ground game with 90 yards and one touchdown on eight carries. John Eatherton, Aidan Sylsberry and Brady Williams each scored a rushing touchdown for the Black Cats.
Prediction:
Quakertown 49 – Bensalem 8
Council Rock North Indians (1-1, 1-1) @ Upper Dublin Cardinals (2-1, 1-1)
Last Week:
Council Rock North did not play. The Indians non-conference game with Conwell-Egan was postponed due to a Covid-19 issue at CR North High School. Rock North opened the season with a 40-6 win over Bensalem and followed with a 31-8 conference loss to Souderton.
Upper Dublin lost its critical conference contest with Souderton as the Flying Cardinals dropped a 28-7 game to the Big Red. Upper Dublin scored a first half touchdown on a run by Jacob Rossman. Quarterback Colin O’Sullivan completed 14 passes for 119 yards.
Prediction:
Upper Dublin 35 – Council Rock North 21
SOL American Conference
Friday
PW Colonials (1-2, 0-1) @ Upper Moreland Bears (3-0, 3-0)
Last Week:
Plymouth Whitemarsh opened its 2020 conference season with a tough 17-14 loss to William Tennent. The Colonials led 14-9 in the second half but failed to hold the lead. Adrien O’Brien carried 11 times for 111 yards and a score, while Nate Kern rushed 20 times for 102 yards. Quarterback Chris McLaughlin scored on a 20-yard run.
Upper Moreland remained unbeaten as the Golden Bears raced to a 47-28 conference victory over Springfield. Byron Hopkins fired two touchdown passes for the winners. Anthony Broderick scored two touchdowns – one on a run and the other on a pass reception. Cameryn Jackson carried 19 times for 223 yards and a touchdown.
Prediction:
Upper Moreland 28 – Plymouth Whitemarsh 24
Wissahickon Trojans (2-1, 1-0) @ William Tennent Panthers (1-2, 1-2)
Last Week:
Wissahickon captured a thrilling 34-31 overtime conference victory over New Hope-Solebury. The Trojans trailed by 24-14 at the close of the first half but mounted a second half comeback. Wissahickon trailed 31-21 with just 1:30 left in the fourth quarter but a 30-yard field goal by Nate DeVincent with seven seconds left send the game into OT. DeVincent would win the game with another 30-yard FG in the overtime. Kyle Lehman led the Trojan rushing attack as he carried 18 times for 164 yards and a score, while quarterback Aiden Defeo completed 10 passes for 115 yards and two touchdowns.
William Tennent won its first game of the season with a come-from-behind 17-14 conference victory over Plymouth Whitemarsh. The game winning score came on a 38-yard TD pass from Matt Miller to Ryan Emmerich. Miller finished with 14 completions for 259 yards and a score.
Prediction:
William Tennent 24 – Wissahickon 21
SOL Non-League Games
Friday
Council Rock South Hawks (2-1) @ Springfield Spartans (1-2)
Last Week:
Council Rock South registered a special win as the Golden Hawks soared to a 30-6 conference victory over Bensalem. The Rock South special teams forced two Owl turnovers, while Jack O’Neill returned the second half kickoff 85 yards for a score. The Hawks rebounded from a lopsided 42-7 loss to Quakertown last week with the lopsided win over Bensalem.
Springfield led 28-27 after three quarters but failed to hold the lead in a 47-28 loss to Upper Moreland. Quarterback Gabe Franczyk completed 15 passes and fired three touchdown passes – to three different receivers – to fuel the offense.
Prediction:
Council Rock South 28 – Springfield 24
Academy of the New Church (2-0) @ New Hope-Solebury (1-2)
Last Week
Academy of the New Church is unbeaten so far this 2020 season with victories over both Riverside (14-7) and Bristol (28-6). ANC plays its football in the Friends School League.
New Hope-Solebury suffered a heart-breaking 34-31 overtime conference loss to Wissahickon. The Lions led 21-7 early in the game but could not close out the win. Quarterback Philip Weinseimer was once again outstanding as he ran for two touchdowns and threw for another score. Chris Kohlen booted a 20-yard field goal for NH-S.
Prediction:
New Hope-Solebury 38 – Academy of the New Church 21
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