2014: District 1, Suburban One-National
League-Conference mini review-preview:
Thought I’d take a shot at some reviews and assessments of teams in the SOL. American and Continental Conferences to follow. Early and all so bear with me for lack of information or any errors which I hope will be few. Here we go!
Neshaminy 4-6; Neshaminy had their first losing season since 2003 (3-7) in the midst of replacing a lot of bodies from the previous year and breaking in a new coach in Mike Frederick with the retirement of Coach Schmidt before last season. Coach Schmidt had a 20 year career at Heartbreak Ridge finishing with a 161-66 record. Frederick’s subsequent resignation after a year at the helm allowed longtime assistant Steve Wilmot to step in. See the following link for more.
http://www.neshaminyfootball.com/
A less than friendly schedule in the re-aligned SOL-National coupled with non-conference games against Gonzaga (10-3) and Downingtown West (6-5) didn’t help. Still, the defending District-1 AAAA champs had their moments with a talented young team and a senior running back in D’Andre Pollard (5-8, 180, 169/1292ry, Villanova). Pollard set the school all time record the year before gaining 2929 yards on 328 carries to break Jamar Brittingham’s mark of 2585 set in 2000. The toughest loss that prevented a 5-5 outing last year came at home against North Penn. Here the Skins saw their two game winning streak and chances of making the playoffs come to an end with a 17-13 loss on a 1-yd keeper by quarterback Jake Bevans with 19 seconds left on the clock. Four weeks earlier, they lost a tough one to an inspired bunch of Rams, 21-14, playing their first game at Helman Field before a packed house. Excepting Super Storm Sandy in 2012, this was also the first time Pennridge played a home game not at legendary Poppy Yoder Field. Bottom line for the Skins, they fielded their worst offense in 11 years, averaging 21ppg. At 22ppg average yield, they also fielded their worst defense in over 20 years. But a pile of returning bodies, almost the entire offense, belated continuity in the coaching staff and an experienced quarterback should help improve numbers on both sides of the line and get the Tribe right back in the thick of things.
Pennsbury 13-2; Opposite Neshaminy above, the Falcons fielded one of their more powerful teams in years, winning districts while advancing to the state semifinal against St. Joseph’s Prep (11-3). They last reached the semis in 2006, losing to Dan Persa (Northwestern) led Liberty in four overtime periods, 45-38. Against St. Joe’s, a scoreless 1st quarter preceded a 27-0 outburst as the Hawk dominated, winning 37-7. It was still a heck of a year with the Falcons fielding one of their deepest teams in years and most prolific offense at 38ppg. In fact it’s been quite a three year run averaging 30, 39 and 38ppg, resulting in 9-3, 10-2 and 13-2 campaigns. Should mention the D that was right there as well allowing 14, 13 and 15ppg over the same period. Running back Charles Snorweah (Rutgers) set multiple school records including single season rushing, 2805, career rushing, 4997, single season Tds, 39, Career Tds, 72 and a few Bucks County records. Raheem Thompson and Victor Delgado with over 1500 rush yards between them have also graduated, wiping out the backfield except for QB Alley. QB Mike Alley (6-4, 215, sr) RB/LBs Daulton Hose (6-0, 180, sr) and Chris Rupprecht (6-0, 215, se) plus TE Vinnie Ratamess (6-3, 210, sr) and OT Maurice Stukes (6-7, 340, jr, got time as a soph) also return. But the line is essentially gone from tackle to tackle including RT Sam Raywood (6-3, 360), LG Austin O’Neill (6-2, 265), C Mason Hourier (6-0, 260), LT Brandon Pabon (6-1, 330) and RG Brendon Hogin (6-0, 235). The Falcons had some graduations but don’t think the cupboard is bare, especially one that returns seven players who started as juniors on defense last year including the entire small but super quick defensive line; DTs Jeremiah Wells (5-9, 200, sr), Nick Paragano (6-1, 275, sr) and Joe Mauer (5-10, 195, sr) with DEs Jack Kenney (6-0, 220, sr) and junior Makhi Butler (6-2, 215) also returning. LBs Luke Snyder (6-0, 195, sr, 102 tackles) and Daulton Hose return plus LB/S Greg Lichtenstein (6-0, 175, sr). Robert Daly (5-11, 175, sr) is the sole returnee to the secondary unless Lichtenstein starts at SS. The schedule is tough but it’s tough for everyone in the National this year with all members returning a starter at quarterback except Central Bucks South. The non-conf games against CR North, CR South and LaSalle all return a starting QB except the Explorers. The conference schedule is favorable with Souderton, Abington, North Penn and Neshaminy all coming to them suggesting they’ll be right in it again this year.
North Penn 7-4; North Penn’s offense stagnated for the third straight year at 26ppg, remembering this is a team that typically fields offenses scoring at least 30-some points per game. Also, the defense fell off the chart last year allowing 21ppg! The year before was 22, with 2012’s edition allowing 18ppg. So while it’s a combination of declines on both side of the ball, it has been more about their inability to stop people than scoring points. Who said pass defense? They were breaking in a new quarterback last year but many thought they’d be more with Nyfease West toting the rock behind a largely veteran, definitely senior offensive line including tackles Frank Tranzilli (6-2, 275) and Andrew Thomas (6-2, 245), guards Nick Argento (6-2, 290) and Ryan Nowicki (6-0, 250), plus tight end Colby Beck (6-2, 210). It didn’t work out that way but at least they return an experienced quarterback in Jake Bevan (5-9, 160, sr, 39/68/595-4/3-Td/Pick) and running back West (5-11, 190, sr, 976ry). RBs Nick Isabella (6-0, 200, sr, 696ry), Justin Ostopowicz (5-8, 190, sr, 267ry) and Elgin Horton (5-8, 170, jr) also return giving them a nice look in the backfield. You assume a school the size of North Penn can at least field a competent line. They’ll definitely need it, opening with LaSalle at home. Then things get dicey hitting the road for three straight against West Catholic, Downingtown East and Pennridge.
Abington 6-5; Things were looking up for the Ghosts last year, starting out 3-0 with what we now know was a strong win against Upper Dublin in the third game of the year, winning 27-20. For the most part, that was their zenith, with things going south the next four games but particularly at Neshaminy where a 1st quarter pick-6 denied Abington who came back to within three points at 21-18 with four minutes left in the game but couldn’t get any closer, losing to the Skins by that score. Losses to Pennsbury 34-7, Pennridge 35-22 and Central Bucks South 23-7 followed. A 3-1 finish got them above .500 for the tenth straight year but they saw a big drop off in offense, falling from 30ppg in 2013 to 21 last year. The D stayed locked in place at 19 where it has been for the last three years. And the bottom dropped out in the win column as well, plummeting from 10 to 6, their lowest number of wins since 2004. The fall dropped them out of the postseason for the first time since 2007. They do return a veteran, senior quarterback in David Kretschman (6-0, 175) with a few receivers and running backs from last year but they’ll miss receiver Jordan Neely and running back Juawine Sowell.
League-Conference mini review-preview:
Thought I’d take a shot at some reviews and assessments of teams in the SOL. American and Continental Conferences to follow. Early and all so bear with me for lack of information or any errors which I hope will be few. Here we go!
Neshaminy 4-6; Neshaminy had their first losing season since 2003 (3-7) in the midst of replacing a lot of bodies from the previous year and breaking in a new coach in Mike Frederick with the retirement of Coach Schmidt before last season. Coach Schmidt had a 20 year career at Heartbreak Ridge finishing with a 161-66 record. Frederick’s subsequent resignation after a year at the helm allowed longtime assistant Steve Wilmot to step in. See the following link for more.
http://www.neshaminyfootball.com/
A less than friendly schedule in the re-aligned SOL-National coupled with non-conference games against Gonzaga (10-3) and Downingtown West (6-5) didn’t help. Still, the defending District-1 AAAA champs had their moments with a talented young team and a senior running back in D’Andre Pollard (5-8, 180, 169/1292ry, Villanova). Pollard set the school all time record the year before gaining 2929 yards on 328 carries to break Jamar Brittingham’s mark of 2585 set in 2000. The toughest loss that prevented a 5-5 outing last year came at home against North Penn. Here the Skins saw their two game winning streak and chances of making the playoffs come to an end with a 17-13 loss on a 1-yd keeper by quarterback Jake Bevans with 19 seconds left on the clock. Four weeks earlier, they lost a tough one to an inspired bunch of Rams, 21-14, playing their first game at Helman Field before a packed house. Excepting Super Storm Sandy in 2012, this was also the first time Pennridge played a home game not at legendary Poppy Yoder Field. Bottom line for the Skins, they fielded their worst offense in 11 years, averaging 21ppg. At 22ppg average yield, they also fielded their worst defense in over 20 years. But a pile of returning bodies, almost the entire offense, belated continuity in the coaching staff and an experienced quarterback should help improve numbers on both sides of the line and get the Tribe right back in the thick of things.
Pennsbury 13-2; Opposite Neshaminy above, the Falcons fielded one of their more powerful teams in years, winning districts while advancing to the state semifinal against St. Joseph’s Prep (11-3). They last reached the semis in 2006, losing to Dan Persa (Northwestern) led Liberty in four overtime periods, 45-38. Against St. Joe’s, a scoreless 1st quarter preceded a 27-0 outburst as the Hawk dominated, winning 37-7. It was still a heck of a year with the Falcons fielding one of their deepest teams in years and most prolific offense at 38ppg. In fact it’s been quite a three year run averaging 30, 39 and 38ppg, resulting in 9-3, 10-2 and 13-2 campaigns. Should mention the D that was right there as well allowing 14, 13 and 15ppg over the same period. Running back Charles Snorweah (Rutgers) set multiple school records including single season rushing, 2805, career rushing, 4997, single season Tds, 39, Career Tds, 72 and a few Bucks County records. Raheem Thompson and Victor Delgado with over 1500 rush yards between them have also graduated, wiping out the backfield except for QB Alley. QB Mike Alley (6-4, 215, sr) RB/LBs Daulton Hose (6-0, 180, sr) and Chris Rupprecht (6-0, 215, se) plus TE Vinnie Ratamess (6-3, 210, sr) and OT Maurice Stukes (6-7, 340, jr, got time as a soph) also return. But the line is essentially gone from tackle to tackle including RT Sam Raywood (6-3, 360), LG Austin O’Neill (6-2, 265), C Mason Hourier (6-0, 260), LT Brandon Pabon (6-1, 330) and RG Brendon Hogin (6-0, 235). The Falcons had some graduations but don’t think the cupboard is bare, especially one that returns seven players who started as juniors on defense last year including the entire small but super quick defensive line; DTs Jeremiah Wells (5-9, 200, sr), Nick Paragano (6-1, 275, sr) and Joe Mauer (5-10, 195, sr) with DEs Jack Kenney (6-0, 220, sr) and junior Makhi Butler (6-2, 215) also returning. LBs Luke Snyder (6-0, 195, sr, 102 tackles) and Daulton Hose return plus LB/S Greg Lichtenstein (6-0, 175, sr). Robert Daly (5-11, 175, sr) is the sole returnee to the secondary unless Lichtenstein starts at SS. The schedule is tough but it’s tough for everyone in the National this year with all members returning a starter at quarterback except Central Bucks South. The non-conf games against CR North, CR South and LaSalle all return a starting QB except the Explorers. The conference schedule is favorable with Souderton, Abington, North Penn and Neshaminy all coming to them suggesting they’ll be right in it again this year.
North Penn 7-4; North Penn’s offense stagnated for the third straight year at 26ppg, remembering this is a team that typically fields offenses scoring at least 30-some points per game. Also, the defense fell off the chart last year allowing 21ppg! The year before was 22, with 2012’s edition allowing 18ppg. So while it’s a combination of declines on both side of the ball, it has been more about their inability to stop people than scoring points. Who said pass defense? They were breaking in a new quarterback last year but many thought they’d be more with Nyfease West toting the rock behind a largely veteran, definitely senior offensive line including tackles Frank Tranzilli (6-2, 275) and Andrew Thomas (6-2, 245), guards Nick Argento (6-2, 290) and Ryan Nowicki (6-0, 250), plus tight end Colby Beck (6-2, 210). It didn’t work out that way but at least they return an experienced quarterback in Jake Bevan (5-9, 160, sr, 39/68/595-4/3-Td/Pick) and running back West (5-11, 190, sr, 976ry). RBs Nick Isabella (6-0, 200, sr, 696ry), Justin Ostopowicz (5-8, 190, sr, 267ry) and Elgin Horton (5-8, 170, jr) also return giving them a nice look in the backfield. You assume a school the size of North Penn can at least field a competent line. They’ll definitely need it, opening with LaSalle at home. Then things get dicey hitting the road for three straight against West Catholic, Downingtown East and Pennridge.
Abington 6-5; Things were looking up for the Ghosts last year, starting out 3-0 with what we now know was a strong win against Upper Dublin in the third game of the year, winning 27-20. For the most part, that was their zenith, with things going south the next four games but particularly at Neshaminy where a 1st quarter pick-6 denied Abington who came back to within three points at 21-18 with four minutes left in the game but couldn’t get any closer, losing to the Skins by that score. Losses to Pennsbury 34-7, Pennridge 35-22 and Central Bucks South 23-7 followed. A 3-1 finish got them above .500 for the tenth straight year but they saw a big drop off in offense, falling from 30ppg in 2013 to 21 last year. The D stayed locked in place at 19 where it has been for the last three years. And the bottom dropped out in the win column as well, plummeting from 10 to 6, their lowest number of wins since 2004. The fall dropped them out of the postseason for the first time since 2007. They do return a veteran, senior quarterback in David Kretschman (6-0, 175) with a few receivers and running backs from last year but they’ll miss receiver Jordan Neely and running back Juawine Sowell.
