Football Forecast – 5
By Scott Huff
Ding, ding, ding…….
The Suburban One League features a heavyweight bout under the Friday Night Lights in both the Continental and National Conferences.
The SOL Continental Conference showcases No. 4 Quakertown hosting No. 14 Souderton at Alumni Field in what just might prove to be the championship game for the conference.
The SOL National Conference showcases No. 8 Central Bucks West visiting Helman Field to play No. 12 Pennridge. Both the Bucks and the Rams want to improve on current PIAA District One playoff rankings.
Second to none?
Quakertown is unbeaten to date this season and desperately wants to regain the crown it once wore as a SOL conference champion. The Panthers know all too well the agonizing feeling of being second best.
Quakertown last won a conference championship back in 2014 when the Panthers were members of the SOL Continental Conference. Q-town has finished second in five of the last six seasons dating back to that title run.
Quakertown finished 2nd to Souderton in 2020 in the SOL Continental Conference, finished 2nd to Upper Dublin in 2018 in the SOL American Conference, finished 2nd to Upper Moreland in 2017 in the American, finished 2nd to Plymouth Whitemarsh & Upper Dublin in 2016 in the American, and finished 2nd to Council Rock North in 2015 in the Continental.
In the 2014 SOL Continental Conference championship season for the Panthers, the conference consisted of Council Rock South, Central Bucks East, Council Rock North, Harry S Truman, Norristown, William Tennent, and Central Bucks West.
Quakertown finished the conference season with a 6-1 record with victories over Tennent (21-14), Norristown (34-6), Truman (24-21), CB West (27-7), CR South (19-7), and CR North (48-32). The lone conference loss came against CB East (35-21).
The Panthers finished 2014 with an impressive overall record of 11-2 that included non-league wins over Upper Perkiomen (38-0), Hatboro Horsham (40-13), and Cheltenham (20-7).
Q-town also defeated neighborhood rival Pennridge twice in 2014 – once in a first round PIAA District One playoff game (14-10) – and again on Thanksgiving morning (8-7).
The Panthers were eventually knocked out of the PIAA District One playoffs by Downingtown East (21-0).
Quakertown will now enter a showdown game against Souderton, the defending SOL Continental Conference champion & the defending District One 6A champion.
Last week Q-town captured an impressive 31-0 victory over defending District One 5A champion Upper Dublin.
That’s a mighty big mouthful of champions for the Black Cats to swallow in a couple of weeks.
The Panthers 2021 resume thus far this season is without question impressive. Quakertown has captured lopsided wins over Southern Lehigh (42-7), CR North (42-7), CR South (41-13), & Abington (36-20) - along with the Upper Dublin victory.
Souderton enters the showdown game against the Black Cats with a 35-7 conference victory over winless CR South.
The Souderton resume shows them unbeaten in conference play with victories over Truman (41-0), CR North (42-16) - along with the rout of CR South. The Big Red has lost both non-conference games this season, though, to North Penn (42-27) and Neshaminy (17-6).
Souderton won the 2020 SOL Continental Conference championship – and the biggest win on the championship run was a huge 28-23 victory over Quakertown. The Panthers last defeated the Big Red in 2018, 28-14.
A victory over Souderton would go a very long way for Q-town in a potential SOL Continental Conference title run this season.
Upper Dublin is safely in the rearview mirror after the Panthers’ shutout of the Cardinals last week, and the Panthers surely can’t sleep on explosive Bensalem on October 22nd in another key conference contest.
But will 2021 be the season Quakertown is not just second best - again?
And can the Panthers return to the conference championship throne it once occupied in 2014?
Stay tuned.
Do the Bucks stop here?
Central Bucks West has impressed this season with four consecutive victories after an opening season loss to No. 6 Coatesville, 35-14.
The Bucks are 3-0 in the SOL National Conference and will receive a stern test this week when the Black & Gold invade Helman Field to play Pennridge.
The CB West conference resume to date is spotless with wins over CB South (28-20), Abington (21-0), and Pennsbury (42-14). The Black & Gold also captured a non-conference victory over Council Rock South (27-3).
However, the remainder of the SOL National Conference schedule becomes much more challenging as the Bucks still have Pennridge, No. 2 North Penn, and No. 5 CB East left to play.
This game with the Rams just might show if Central Bucks West is just a pretender or a true contender for the SOL National Conference title.
Pennridge has lost twice this season as the Rams fell to No. 7 Downingtown East (14-7) and No. 2 North Penn (21-14).
Both the Whippets (4-1) and the Knights (5-0) are highly ranked and respected programs in all of 6A District One – and PHS was competitive in both setbacks.
The Green & White has captured conference wins over Pennsbury (35-0) and Neshaminy (28-14), along with a non-conference victory over Council Rock North (35-0).
The test this week against Pennridge will be a very difficult one for CB West – against a very good opponent in the Rams – and in a very hostile environment at Helman Field.
And that’s a lot of ‘verys’ (?).
Stay tuned
Suburban One League
District One Playoff Snapshot
If the PIAA District One playoffs were to begin today…….
District One 6A Rankings
16 teams qualify for playoffs
|
2. North Penn Knights |
5-0 |
780 |
156.000 |
|
4. Quakertown Panthers |
5-0 |
720 |
144.000 |
|
5. Central Bucks East |
4-1 |
680 |
136.000 |
|
8. Central Bucks West |
4-1 |
640 |
128.000 |
|
12 Pennridge Rams |
3-2 |
540 |
108.000 |
|
14.Souderton Indians |
3-2 |
520 |
104.000 |
|
15.Central Bucks South |
3-2 |
510 |
102.000 |
|
16.Bensalem Owls |
3-2 |
490 |
98.000 |
District One 5A Rankings
16 teams qualify for playoffs
|
6. Plymouth Whitemarsh |
4-1 |
650 |
130.000 |
|
8. Upper Dublin Cardinals |
3-2 |
590 |
118.000 |
|
15. Cheltenham Panthers |
2-3 |
380 |
76.000 |
District One 4A Rankings
4 teams qualify for playoffs
|
2. Upper Moreland Bears |
4-1 |
700 |
140.000 |
|
3. Springfield Spartans |
3-1 |
450 |
112.500 |
And the beat goes on…….
SOL National Conference
Friday – 7 pm
Central Bucks West Bucks (4-1, 3-0) @ Pennridge Rams (3-2, 2-1)
Last Week:
Central Bucks West remained unbeaten in conference play with a 42-14 victory over winless Pennsbury. The Bucks led 42-0 at the close of the first half to send the game into the mercy-rule. Vinny Cherubini, Eli Boehm, and Donte Mancini scored first half touchdowns for the winners.
Pennridge trailed unbeaten North Penn 14-7 at the close of the first half but could get no closer in a 21-14 loss to the Knights. The scoring plays for the Rams came on touchdown runs by Phil Picciotti and Conner Lelli. Picciotti scored on a 14-yard run, while Lelli scored the game’s final points on a 25-yard run.
Prediction:
Pennridge Rams 21 – Central Bucks West Bucks 17
Abington Ghosts (1-4, 0-3) @ Central Bucks South Titans (3-2, 2-1)
Last Week:
Abington played terrific defense as the Ghosts limited CB East to 147 total yards and 3 points. However, the Abington offense failed to score in a 3-0 conference loss to the Patriots. Jamie Rivera carried 16 times for a game-high 129 yards rushing.
Central Bucks South rallied from a 14-0 halftime deficit to defeat Neshaminy, 28-27. Brett Szarko fired an 80-yard touchdown pass to Jordan Becker and tossed a 45-yard game-winning score to Tommy Donnelly in the fourth period. Zak Fischer and Cole Maholtz scored rushing touchdowns for the winners. Ryan Smith blocked an extra point to provide the margin of victory.
Prediction:
Central Bucks South Titans 17 – Abington Ghosts 14
Neshaminy Redskins (1-4, 0-3) @ North Penn Knights (5-0, 3-0)
Last Week:
Neshaminy led Central Bucks South 14-0 at halftime but was outscored 28-13 in the second half and dropped a tough 28-27 conference loss to the Titans. Travis Lavelah rushed for 157 yards and scored 2 touchdowns for the Skins. Quarterback Nunzio Zydzik scored a rushing touchdown and also threw a touchdown pass.
North Penn remained unbeaten for the season with a hard fought 21-14 conference victory over Pennridge. Khalani Eaton carried 25 times for 155 yards and scored on touchdown runs of 7 and 18 yards. Levi Carroll – who caught 3 passes for 101 yards – scored on a 75-yard touchdown pass from Ryan Zeltt.
Prediction:
North Penn Knights 31 – Neshaminy Redskins 14
Saturday – 1 pm
Pennsbury Falcons (0-5, 0-3) @ Central Bucks East Patriots (4-1, 3-0)
Last Week:
Pennsbury continued winless for the season as the Falcons suffered a 42-14 conference loss to Central Bucks West. Pennsbury trailed 42-0 at the close of the first half and scored its 14 points in the fourth period.
Central Bucks East had a tremendous defensive effort in a 3-0 conference victory over Abington. The game-winning points came in the third period when Alex Sevesko kicked a 29-yard field goal. Ethan Shine rushed for a team-high 74 yards, while Pat Keller passed for 74 yards in the win.
Prediction:
Central Bucks East Patriots 42 – Pennsbury Falcons 14
SOL Continental Conference
Friday – 7 pm
Souderton Big Red (3-2, 3-0) @ Quakertown Panthers (5-0, 3-0)
Last Week:
Souderton featured a punishing rushing attack in a 35-7 conference victory over winless Council Rock South. Elijah Goods and Brayden Porter each rushed for over 100 yards. Porter scored on touchdown runs of 28 and 1 yards, while Jared Zimmerman, Nate Hageman, and Chris Kerns also scored touchdowns for the winners.
Quakertown was impressive on both offense and defense in a 31-0 conference victory over Upper Dublin. Quarterback Will Steich completed 9 passes for 149 yards and threw 3 touchdown aerials. Zach Fondl caught 2 TD passes of 74 and 2 yards, while John Eatherton caught a 33-yard TD strike. Eatherton also scored on a 27-yard touchdown run. The Panther defense limited Upper Dublin to just 118 yards of total offense.
Prediction:
Quakertown Panthers 24 – Souderton Big Red 21
Upper Dublin Cardinals (3-2, 2-1) @ Truman Tigers (2-3, 1-2)
Last Week:
Upper Dublin lost for the second straight week as the Cardinals suffered a 31-0 conference loss to host Quakertown. Colin O’Sullivan completed 14 passes for 82 yards, while Noah Lee was the leading receiver with 6 catches for 40 yards.
Truman led 12-0 at the close of the first quarter by was outscored 47-6 for the remainder of the game in a 47-18 conference loss to Bensalem. Makai Jackson got the Tigers off to a great start scoring on an 80-yard touchdown run. The loss snapped a 2-game HST winning streak.
Prediction:
Upper Dublin Cardinals 27 – Truman Tigers 20
Bensalem Owls (3-2, 2-1) @ Council Rock North Indians (2-3, 1-2)
Last Week:
Bensalem rallied from a 12-point deficit to rout Truman 47-18 in a conference game. Matthew Saunders fired 2 touchdown passes for the Owls – one to Jalen Soberal – and the other to Ashon Barnes. Barnes, Josiah Leonard, and Allen Myers each scored rushing touchdowns for the winners.
Council Rock North was awarded a 2-0 forfeit victory over Hatboro Horsham.
Prediction:
Bensalem Owls 35 – Council Rock North Indians 14
Council Rock South Hawks (0-5, 0-3) @ Hatboro Horsham (0-4, 0-3)
Last Week:
Council Rock South trailed 21-7 at the close of the first half but could get no closer in a 35-7 conference loss to Souderton. Matt Striffolino fired a 52-yard scoring strike to Jake Zarnowsky. Striffolino completed 9 passes for 139 yards, while Zarnowsky caught 3 passes for 91 yards.
Hatboro Horsham lost 2-0 in a forfeited game to Council Rock North.
Prediction:
Council Rock South Hawks 27 – Hatboro Horsham Hatters 14
SOL American Conference
Friday – 7 pm
Wissahickon Trojans (1-4, 1-1) @ Springfield Spartans (3-1, 1-1)
Last Week:
Wissahickon routed New Hope-Solebury 43-8 in a conference game. Aidan DeFeo completed 11 passes for 236 yards and 5, yes 5, touchdowns. DeFeo, who also scored on a 2-yard touchdown run, threw 2 TD passes to Jaylen Quick (42 & 31 yds), 2 TD passes to Braheem Thomas (11 & 44 yds), and Jaden McLean (40 yds). Kyle Lehman scored on TD runs of 5 & 2 yards, while Nate DeVincent booted a 38-yard field goal.
Springfield led 14-7 in the first period but failed to score again in a 35-14 conference loss to Plymouth Whitemarsh. Ben Cooney scored both Spartan touchdowns on runs of 52 and 1 yards. Cooney rushed for 104 yards on 16 carries and completed 19 passes for 115 yards.
Prediction:
Wissahickon Trojans 24 – Springfield Spartans 21
William Tennent Panthers (0-4, 0-1) @ Cheltenham Panthers (2-3, 1-0)
Last Week:
William Tennent remained winless on the season as the Panthers were defeated by Father Judge, 38-0. The Crusaders, who play in the Philadelphia Catholic League, are now 4-1 for the season.
Cheltenham won its SOL American conference opener with a 32-21 victory over previously unbeaten Upper Moreland. It was the second straight victory for the Panthers. Cheltenham trailed the Golden Bears 21-0 before scoring a TD with 10 seconds remaining in the first half to make it a 21-7 game at halftime. The Panthers outscored Upper Moreland 25-0 in the second half. Jamarr Hook-Waller scored on an interception return, while Matthew Hoffman returned a fumble for a touchdown.
Prediction:
Cheltenham Panthers 32 – William Tennent Panthers 14
Upper Moreland Bears (4-1, 1-1) @ New Hope-Solebury (1-4, 0-2)
Last Week:
Upper Moreland was knocked from the unbeaten ranks in a 32-21 conference loss to Cheltenham. The Golden Bears led 21-7 at the half but could not secure the win. Byron Hopkins threw 2 touchdown passes – one to Anthony Broderick – and the other to Ryan Olexa. Cole Tucker scored on a 7-yard touchdown run.
New Hope-Solebury remained winless in conference play as the Lions were defeated by Wissahickon, 43-7. The lone scoring play for New Hope-Solebury was a 29-yard touchdown pass from Sean Cooney to Miles Dembry.
Prediction:
Upper Moreland Golden Bears 42 – New Hope-Solebury Lions 7
Plymouth Whitemarsh (4-1, 2-0) has a bye.
Last Week:
Plymouth Whitemarsh remained unbeaten in the conference with a 35-14 victory over Springfield. Aiden O’Brien fired 2 touchdown passes – one to Jared Kulson of 59 yards – and another to Phil Taormina of 27 yards. O’Brien, Nate Kern, and Zion East all scored rushing touchdowns for the Colonials.
-30-
- Log in to post comments
