By Scott Huff
FOR THE DEFENSE
Pennridge, Souderton, and Upper Moreland all have 2020 Suburban One League conference championships to defend – and it surely won’t be easy.
Pennridge will defend the SOL National Conference title after going 5-0 during the 2020 pandemic season. The Rams advanced to the PIAA District One championship game losing to Souderton, 31-17.
Pennridge, however, did not face North Penn during its title run. A 30-0 victory over Neshaminy coupled with Neshaminy’s 35-19 win over North Penn allowed the Rams to avoid clearing the dangerous Knight hurdle.
That will not happen this 2021 season as the Rams travel to Crawford Stadium under the Friday night lights to defend their conference championship against the powerful Knights.
Pennridge last defeated North Penn in 2012, 28-21. The Rams have lost the last seven meetings with the Knights losing by scores of 37-14 (2019), 42-20 (20-18), 45-35 (2017), 45-21 (2016), 31-7 (2015), 47-22 (2014), and 31-20 (2013).
Pennridge comes into the showdown game with North Penn with a 3-1 record.
The Rams only loss came against the current # 1 ranked team in all of District One 6A – unbeaten Downingtown East – in the season opener, 14-7.
Pennridge has collected conference victories over Pennsbury (35-0) and Neshaminy (28-14). Last week the Rams routed Council Rock North 35-0 in a non-conference contest.
North Penn comes into the showdown game with Pennridge with an unbeaten 4-0 record.
The Knights have collected dominating conference victories over Abington (58-8) and Pennsbury (35-0). North Penn has also registered non-conference wins over Souderton (42-27) and last week against Upper Dublin (35-20).
Souderton will defend the SOL Continental Conference title after going 5-0 during the 2020 pandemic season. The Big Red claimed victories over the two serious conference challengers to the championship last year – Upper Dublin (28-7) and Quakertown (28-23).
Souderton moved on to the District One title game against Pennridge and captured the trophy with a 31-17 victory over the rival Rams. The Big Red lost in the first round of the state playoff to St. Joe Prep, 51-43.
Souderton is 2-0 in the conference this season with huge wins over both Harry S Truman (41-0) and Council Rock North (42-16). The Big Red is winless, however, out of the conference with losses to both North Penn (42-27) and Neshaminy (17-6).
Souderton should have very little conference competition this week as the Big Red is scheduled against winless Council Rock South. The Hawks have been outscored this season by a margin of 127-30.
The big game in the SOL Continental this week features defending District One 5A champion Upper Dublin and Quakertown. Both the Cardinals and the Panthers are 2-0 in conference play.
Upper Dublin has collected conference wins over CR South (38-7) and Bensalem (23-12). The Cardinals defeated Wissahickon 43-0 in the season opener but lost last week to North Penn 35-20.
Quakertown is unbeaten overall with conference wins over CR North (42-7) and CR South (41-13) – a non-league victory over Southern Lehigh (42-7), and a non-conference victory over Abington 36-20.
Upper Moreland will defend its SOL American Conference title as the Golden Bears were a perfect 4-0 during the 2020 pandemic season. Upper Moreland went on to capture the PIAA District One 4A championship.
The Golden Bears opened the SOLA conference play with a come-from-behind 35-31 victory over Wissahickon.
Upper Moreland is unbeaten so far this season – and the Trojans are winless. This game could be an indication of how competitive the conference might be this season.
The Golden Bears will host Cheltenham on Friday. The Panthers, after three straight non-league setbacks, have yet to play a conference game. The Black Cats are coming off a convincing 33-0 non-conference win over Norristown.
In addition to Upper Moreland, Plymouth Whitemarsh and Springfield are 1-0 in the conference. And the Colonials and Spartans will meet this week with first place in the SOL American Conference on the line.
Stay tuned.
ONE --- DERFUL
There was cause for celebration this week in the Suburban One League as a handful of firsts were achieved.
Troy Gore was able to celebrate not only Cheltenham’s first victory of the season but also celebrated his first win as a head coach. The Panthers ended a three-game losing skid with a dominating 33-0 non-league victory over Norristown.
Cheltenham had lost non-league games to Abington (19-7), Springside Chestnut Hill (38-14), and Archbishop Wood (49-0). It was a brutal non-league schedule that should prepare the Black Cats well for the upcoming SOL American Conference schedule.
Neshaminy also celebrated its first victory of the season as the Redskins humbled Souderton 17-6 in a non-league game. Neshaminy scored on offense, defense, and special teams in the win, however, it was the dominating play of the defense that put the game in the win column for the very first time in the 2021 season.
Both Pennsbury and Hatboro Horsham had been shut out in all the games the two teams had played prior to last week. Although both teams are still winless, the Falcons and Hatters finally put points on the scoreboard for the first time this 2021 season.
Pennsbury lost to Harry S Truman in a cross-over shootout, 39-29. In the first three games of the season the Falcons had been whitewashed by Academy Park (42-0), Pennridge (35-0), and North Penn (35-0).
Hatboro Horsham lost to Central Bucks South 50-8 in a non-conference game. In the first two games of the season, the Hatters had been whitewashed by both Bensalem (39-0) and Harry S Truman (42-0).
You can’t win if you don’t score.
And hopefully now that Pennsbury and Hatboro Horsham have found the endzone this 2021 season the wins will follow.
Suburban One League
District One Playoff Snapshot
If the PIAA District One playoffs were to begin today
Current 6A D-1 Playoff Rankings
16 Teams Qualify
3. North Penn Knights 4-0 600 150.00
5. Quakertown Panthers 4-0 560 140.00
6. CB East Patriots 3-1 510 127.50
9. Pennridge Rams 3-1 480 120.00
9. CB West Bucks 3-1 480 120.00
14 Souderton Big Red 2-2 360 90.00
16 CB South Titans 2-2 330 82.50
Current 5A D-1 Playoff Rankings
16 Teams Qualify
5. Upper Dublin Cardinals 3-1 520 130.00
7. PW Colonials 3-1 480 120.00
16 Cheltenham Panthers 1-3 220 55.00
Current 4 A Playoff Rankings
4 teams Qualify
1. Upper Moreland Bears 4-0 650 162.50
3. Springfield Spartans 3-0 380 126.67
And the beat goes on…
SOL National Conference
Friday – 7 pm
Pennridge Rams (3-1, 2-0) @ North Penn Knights (4-0, 2-0)
Last Week:
Pennridge won for the third straight week as the Rams defeated Council Rock North 35-0 in a non-conference game. Pennridge scored 5 rushing touchdowns in the game – two by Brennan Fisher (35 & 22 yards), and one each by Tyler Wetzel (3 yds), Brandon Landherr (7), and Logan McGowan (5). The Rams rushed for 335 yards in the win.
North Penn remained unbeaten with a 35-20 non-conference victory over previously unbeaten Upper Dublin. Ryan Zeltt completed 11 passes for 202 yards and 3 touchdowns – two to Levi Carroll (32 & 7 yards) and one to Luke Cody (15 yds). Khalani Eaton carried 18 times for 165 yards and scored on runs of 7 and 5 yards.
Prediction:
North Penn Knights 28 – Pennridge Rams 14
Central Bucks East Patriots (2-1, 2-0) @ Abington Ghosts (1-3, 0-2)
Last Week:
Central Bucks East defeated Bensalem 35-26 in a non-conference game. Quarterback Pat Keller fired 3 touchdown passes – 2 to Joe Maeglin and 1 to Luke Quillen. Quinn Moody ran the opening kickoff back for a TD, while Ethan Shine rushed for a score.
Abington lost for the third straight week as the Ghosts fell to Quakertown in a non-conference game. Abington held a 7-6 lead in the first quarter against the unbeaten Panthers. Johnny Dzielawa completed 18 passes for 115 yards and threw a 60-yard TD pass to Saud Salhuddin. Salhuddin also returned a kickoff 80 yards for a touchdown.
Prediction:
Central Bucks East Patriots 28 – Abington Ghosts 14
Pennsbury Falcons (0-4, 0-2) @ Central Bucks West Bucks (3-1, 2-0)
Last Week:
Pennsbury scored its first points of the season but could not come up with a victory as the Falcons lost a 39-29 shootout in a non-conference game with Harry S Truman. Shane McGurrin carried 22 times for 86 yards and scored on touchdowns runs of 4, 4, & 20 yards. McGurrin also threw a 10-yard touchdown pass to Jayce Secoda.
Central Bucks West collected a 27-3 non-conference victory over winless Council Rock South. Donte Mancini carried 20 times for 137 yards and scored on runs of 37 & 31 yards. Ganz Cooper fired a 50-yard touchdown pass to Vinny Cherubini.
Prediction:
Central Bucks West Bucks 38 – Pennsbury Falcons 14
SOL Continental Conference
Friday – 7 pm
Upper Dublin Cardinals (3-1, 2-0) @ Quakertown Panthers (4-0, 2-0)
Last Week:
Upper Dublin was knocked from the ranks of the unbeaten in a 35-20 non-conference loss to unbeaten North Penn. Colin O’Sullivan completed 14 passes for 128 yards and fired a 32-yard scoring pass to Noah Lee. Tawfiq Bartlett scored on a 4-yard run, while Owen Carl kicked a 33-yard field goal.
Quakertown remained unbeaten as the Panthers clawed Abington, 36-20, in a non-conference contest. Tyler Woodman carried 16 times for 231 yards and scored on touchdown runs of 10, 11, & 63 yards. Will Steich fired touchdown passes to Zach Fondl and Zach Greulich.
Prediction:
Quakertown Panthers 21 – Upper Dublin Cardinals 17
Hatboro Horsham Hatters (0-4, 0-2) @ Council Rock North Indians (1-3, 0-2)
Last Week:
Hatboro Horsham remained winless as the Hatters were topped by Central Bucks South, 50-8, in a non-conference game. Hatboro Horsham has been outscored 131-8 this season. Jaadyn Vanderburg scored a touchdown for the Hatters – the first score of the season for Hatboro Horsham.
Council Rock North lost for the third straight week, falling to Pennridge, 35-0, in a non-conference contest. Gavin Papp carried 20 times for 61 yards, while Jackson Farley completed 4 passes for 51 yards.
Prediction:
Council Rock North Indians 28 – Hatboro Horsham Hatters 8
Council Rock South Hawks (0-4, 0-2) @ Souderton Big Red (2-2, 2-0)
Last Week:
Council Rock South was competitive in the first half and trailed Central Bucks West by a 7-3 margin. The Hawks, however, were outscored 20-3 in the second half and lost to CBW 27-3. Gavin Hagen booted a 26-yard field goal for Rock South.
Souderton could generate very little offense in a 17-6 non-conference loss to Neshaminy. The lone score came on a 47-yard fumble recovery for a TD by Caleb Hageman. The Big Red had outscored opponents 83-16 in the previous two games.
Prediction:
Souderton Big Red 28 – Council Rock South Hawks 7
SOL American Conference
Friday – 7 pm
Cheltenham Panthers (1-3, 0-0) @ Upper Moreland Bears (4-0, 1-0)
Last Week:
Cheltenham won its first game of the season with a 33-0 non-conference victory over Norristown. Jamil Banks, Zaheim Salhuddin, and Jordan Lilly all scored rushing touchdowns for the winners. T.J. Taylor threw touchdown passes to Zaire Williams and Matt Hoffman.
Upper Moreland remained unbeaten as the Golden Bears rallied in the fourth quarter to defeat Wissahickon 35-31 in the SOLA opener for both teams. Cameryn Jackson scored on a 90-yard kickoff return and also scored on a 13-yard run. Byron Hopkins threw 2 touchdown passes – one of 15-yards to Ryan Olexa – and the other TD pass of 20-yards to Paul Myers.
Prediction:
Upper Moreland Bears 27 – Cheltenham Panthers 24
PW Colonials (3-1, 1-0) @ Springfield Spartans (3-0, 1-0)
Last Week:
Plymouth Whitemarsh won its SOL American Conference opener with a 55-0 victory over New Hope-Solebury. The Colonials led by a staggering 49-0 at the close of the first half.
Springfield won its SOL American Conference opener with a 35-21 victory over William Tennent. Ben Cooney scored 2 rushing touchdowns and also threw a 15-yard touchdown pass to Will Conlin. Conlin caught 7 passes for 82 yards. Ryan Gibbons scored on a 1-yard run, while Dylan McKenzie returned a punt 59-yards for a score.
Prediction:
Plymouth Whitemarsh Colonials 28 – Springfield Spartans 17
New Hope-Solebury Lions (1-3, 0-1) @ Wissahickon Trojans (0-4, 0-1)
Last Week:
New Hope-Solebury lost its Suburban One League American Conference opener to Plymouth Whitemarsh, 55-0. The Lions have been outscored 143-9 this season.
Wissahickon remained winless with a tough 35-31 SOLA game against Upper Moreland. Braheem Thomas returned a kickoff 90 yards for a TD and also caught a 12-yard TD pass from Aidan DeFeo. Kyle Lehman scored on TD runs of 5 & 2 yards, while Nate DeVincent kicked a 38-yard field goal.
Prediction:
Wissahickon Trojans 38 – New Hope-Solebury Lions 14
Non-League Game
Father Judge Crusaders (3-1) @ William Tennent Panthers (0-3)
Last Week:
Father Judge defeated Boys Latin Charter 49-24. The Crusaders have collected wins over Lansdale Catholic, Cardinal O’Hara, and B.L.C. Father Judge has lost only to Archbishop Ryan, 21-14.
William Tennent opened its SOL American Conference season with a 35-21 loss to Springfield. The Panthers trailed the Spartans 28-21 in the fourth quarter but could get no closer.
Prediction:
Father Judge Crusaders 35 – William Tennent Panthers 13
SOL National Conference
Saturday, 1 p.m.
Central Bucks South Titans (2-2, 1-1) @ Neshaminy Redskins (1-3, 0-2)
Last Week:
Central Bucks South rebounded from a 2-game losing streak to crush Hatboro Horsham 50-8. Cole Maholtz rushed 9 times for 135 yards and scored 2 touchdowns. Ryan Smith, Matt Boyce, Aiden Prestigiacomo, and Liam Goss also scored rushing touchdowns for the Titans. Brett Szarko threw a 69-yard touchdown pass to Tommy Donnelly.
Neshaminy captured its first win of the season with a 17-6 non-conference victory over Souderton. Nunzio Zydzik threw a touchdown pass to Dayvon Tinsley. Brett Conrad scored on a 47-yard run with a fake punt. The Skins led 14-0 at the half and allowed just a fourth quarter touchdown.
Prediction:
Central Bucks South Titans 21 – Neshaminy Redskins 17
Harry S Truman Tigers (2-2, 1-1) @ Bensalem Owls (2-2, 1-1)
Last Week:
Harry S Truman exploded for 39 points in a 39-29 non-conference victory over winless Pennsbury. Terrell Delp had a spectacular day completing 17 passes for 350, yes 350, yards and 5, yes 5, touchdowns.
Makai Jackson caught 9 passes for 254 yards and scored on TD catches of 51, 9, & 78 yards. Jackson also ran for a score as did Ronald Wilson.
Bensalem lost to Central Bucks East 35-26 in a non-conference game. Bensalem trailed in second half of the game by a 35-6 score but rallied for 20 unanswered points to close to within 11 points at the final buzzer.
Prediction:
Bensalem Owls 31 – Truman Tigers 24
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