District 1 6A Report Cards/The Man in the Glass

[sepafootballgods]

SUMMA CUM LAUDE: North Penn, Neshaminy, Pennsbury, Ridley

MAGNA CUM LAUDE: Garnet Valley, Downingtown East (DTE), Coatesville

CUM LAUDE: Perkiomen Valley (PV) and Spring-Ford

SLEEPING GIANTS/GIFTED BUT LAZY: Downingtown West (DTW), CB East, Conestoga, CB South

HIDDEN GEMS/INTRIGUING JOBS/UNDERPERFORMERS: Pennridge, Boyertown, Souderton, Owen J, Roberts (OJR), Avon Grove, Quakertown

ATTA BOY!/TEACHERS PET: Plymouth-Whitemarsh (PW), Haverford

TOUGH JOBS/EXTENDED SHORT BUS: Upper Darby, Penn Wood, Norristown, Bensalem, Truman, Tennent

WTF HAPPENED?!/BREAKFAST CLUB: Methacton, CB West, Abington, CR North, CR South, Hatboro-Horsham (H-H)

Three part format on this one, stay with us, please. First, the gods have listed every 6A District team above in a category. Secondly, letter grades are listed below for each, with the rationale and more criteria behind the categorization. Please see bullet points below for the abbreviations/explanations. Lastly, the Man in the Glass missive provides more commentary and filling in of the banks. Let the conjecture ensue!

• Overall Grade and Comments (Grade)—Grade from A to F with one liners
  
  
• PIAA is male 10th to 12th enrollment, all schools are listed in order of enrollment.
  
  
• PA academic rankings (PAR) based on SchoolDigger rating of 674 schools—includes publics and charters.
  
  
• Number of Private schools within 15 miles (PRIV) (door to door for each school), which includes 32 PCL, PIAA, Inter-Ac, PAISAA, Independent and DE schools.
  
  
• Enrollment opportunity (OPP) displays a grade for the opportunity set available within each school
  
  
• Academic Rank (AR) is a grade based upon the SchoolDigger ranking out of 674 public and charter schools in the Commonwealth
  
  
• Competitive Moat (CM) is a grade for the # of Private schools within 15 miles—how susceptible is the school to getting poached, the better the grade the more isolated and less excuses.
  
  
• Facilities (Facil) is ranking for facilities and stadium
  
  
• 2004-2016 Playoff record (PR) is the post season record in the old AAAA, now 6A from 2004 through 2016
  

North Penn: Grade A, The D1 Gold Standard, PIAA 1564, PAR 36, PRIV 4, OPP A+, AR A, CM B+, Facil B, PR 34-12

Pennsbury: Grade: A, third most wins in D1, PIAA 1387, PAR 113, PRIV 5, OPP A, AR B, CM B, Facil B, PR 15-9

Upper Darby: Grade: D- third highest enrollment with just one playoff W? PIAA 1355, PAR 485, PRIV 16, OPP A, AR D-, CM D, Facil C PR 1-3

Neshaminy: Grade: A second in wins, PIAA 994, PAR 202, PRIV 7, OPP A-. AR C+, CM B, Facil B+, PR 24-11

Pennridge: Grade: C- sub par results, PIAA 972, PAR 214, PRIV 1, OPP A-, AR C+, CM A+, Facil A, PR 3-5

CB South: Grade: C- asleep at the wheel, PIAA 910, PAR 76, PRIV 7, OPP A-, AR A, CM B, Facil A, PR 3-5

Abington: Grade: C could be so much better, PIAA 896, PAR 107, PRIV 14, OPP B+, AR B+, CM D+, Facil C+, PR 6-8

Spring-Ford: Grade: B, based upon improvement from 2012, PIAA 868, PAR 26, PRIV 3, OPP B+, AR A, CM A-, Facil B+, PR 5-5

Boyertown: Grade: D largest winless team in D1, PIAA 866, PAR 80, PRIV 3, OPP B+, AR A-, CM A-, Facil A-, PR 0-2

CB East: Grade: C- made it last 2 years, getting close? PIAA 862, PAR 15, PRIV 2, OPP B+, AR A+, CM A, Facil A, PR 1-3

Coatesville: Grade: A taking advantage of its isolation, PIAA 847, PAR 505, PRIV 1, OPP B-, AR D-, CM A+, Facil A, PR 12-9

Souderton: Grade: C- teetering on an upswing, PIAA 806, PAR 125, PRIV 1, OPP B-, AR B+, CM A+, Facil A, PR 1-4

CR South: Grade: C- five years in a row of jack squat, PIAA 804, PAR 48, PRIV 6, OPP B-, AR A, CM B, Facil A, PR 5-3

Conestoga: Grade: C- no more excuses, PIAA 796, PAR 7, PRIV 9, OPP B-, AR A+, CM B-, Facil B+, PR 1-6

Avon Grove: Grade: C- only one appearance? PIAA 738, PAR 159, PRIV 1, OPP C+, AR B, CM A+, Facil B+, PR 2-1

Norristown: Grade: D- enough is enough, PIAA 730, PAR 474, PRIV 11, OPP C+, AR D, CM C, Facil B , PR 0-1

CB West: Grade: D the baton has been passed, legacy is dead. PIAA 729, PAR 110, PRIV 2, OPP C+, AR B+, CM A, Facil B+, PR 2-3

PV: Grade: B tested very well last 4 years, PIAA 724, PAR 72, PRIV 4, OPP C+, AR A-, CM B+, Facil B, PR 5-5

Bensalem: Grade: F but finally showing up for class, PIAA 720, PAR 447, PRIV 7, OPP C+, AR D, CM B, Facil C, PR: DNP

Ridley: Grade: A- awoken from its slumber, PIAA 712, PAR 334, PRIV 9, OPP C+, AR C, CM B-< Facil B, PR 14-9

Truman: Grade: F absent without any excuses, PIAA 670, PAR 519, PRIV 6, OPP C, AR D-, CM B, Facil C, PR DNP

CR North: Grade: D made it 3 years in a row from ’13-15 but still winless, PIAA 665, PAR 28, PRIV 6, OPP C, AR A, CM B, Facil A, PR 0-5

Methacton: Grade: F no work submitted, PIAA 647, PAR 46, PRIV 8, OPP C, AR A, CM B-, Facil B+, PR: DNP

Haverford: Grade: C- good effort but must pass a test, PIAA 638, PAR 24, PRIV 16, OPP C, AR A, CM D, Facil B, PR 0-5

H-H: Grade: D absent for 9 years, poor effort, PIAA 635, PAR 124, PRIV 10, OPP C, AR B+, CM C+, Facil B+, PR 1-2

Tennent: Grade: D ten years of sloppy work, PIAA 635, PAR 377, PRIV 12, OPP C, AR D, CM C-, Facil A, PR 0-2

Quakertown: Grade: C recent work and effort to be noted, PIAA 612, PAR 81, PRIV 1, OPP C-, AR A-, CM A+, Facil B+, PR 2-4

Garnet Valley: Grade: A who has done more with less? PIAA 608, PAR 59, PRIV 6, OPP C-, AR A, CM B, Facil B+, PR 9-8

OJR: Grade: D unsatisfactory given the environment, PIAA 602, PAR 44, PRIV 3, OPP C-, AR A, CM A-, Facil A-, PR 0-1

DTW: Grade: C- Whippet mystique? PIAA 598, PAR 51, PRIV 2, OPP C-, AR A, CM A, Facil A, PR 6-8

DTE: Grade: B+ performing admirably, PIAA 598, PAR 53, PRIV 2, OPP C-, AR A, CM A, Facil A, PR 11-11

Penn Wood: Grade: C- work is improving, PIAA 572, PAR 574, PRIV 15, OPP D, AR D-, CM D, Facil C, PR 0-2

PW: Grade: C excellent attendance but poor test scores, PIAA 571, PAR 93, PRIV 16, OPP D, AR B+, CM D, Facil A-, PR 0-7

Interesting tidbits: 16 of the 33 teams in the D1 6A field have either a single playoff victory or have none for the 2004 through 2016 time period. In other words, are the playoffs worth it? The cream eventually rises. It’s a universe of about 8 to 12 squads per year that are really duking it out. The top 5 schools in enrollment account for 25% of the total participants. OK, everyone knows that enrollment has the highest weight. However, competitive moat is next. Consider the extremes: four teams have just a single private school within 15 miles of their location: Pennridge, Coatesville, Souderton and Avon Grove. 3 schools have SIXTEEN: Upper Darby, Haverford and PW. Penn Wood has 15. This is a major factor. Facilities don’t seem to be an issue. There have been multiple upgrades to turf and super sites, almost all of the playing surfaces are satisfactory. The information and data is laid out for you. Don’t like your grade? Get to work, look in the mirror and start being honest with yourself.

Stay tuned for the Man in the Glass.....

 

[sepafootballgods]

“THE MAN IN THE GLASS”

When you get what you want in your struggle for self And the world makes you king for a day
Just go to the mirror and look at yourself
And see what that man has to say.


For it isn’t your father, or mother, or wife

Whose judgment upon you must pass The fellow whose verdict counts most in your life
Is the one staring back from the glass.


He’s the fellow to please – never mind all the rest
For he’s with you, clear to the end
And you’ve passed your most difficult, dangerous test
If the man in the glass is your friend.


You may fool the whole world down the pathway of years
And get pats on the back as you pass
But your final reward will be heartache and tears
If you’ve cheated the man in the glass.


When the tide goes out, we see who has been swimming naked. Who will be exposed? We the football gods want to shine the light on the programs that “stand out”, for better or for worse, in District 1 AAAA/6A going back to 2004. 13 years of data. No excuses. History doesn’t repeat itself, but it sure does rhyme. School districts have been split, conferences have merged/gone away, private schools have poached players (transfers), the Philadelphia Catholic League and Archdiocese open enrollment have shaken things up as they joined the party in 2008 (in District 12), and facilities have been upgraded (or not). There are a variety of explanations for what has happened off the gridiron. However, the “eye in the sky does not lie” and ditto with the scoreboard. Ultimately, who is getting it done between the lines?

Broadly speaking, the gods grouped the teams into 4 geographic mega conferences: Central/Del-Val League, ChesMont, Suburban One (SO) and the Pioneer Athletic (PAC). It is hard to ignore the results on the chart below. Yes, Dickie and the Knights have an enrollment advantage, but this does not even include his 2003 state title (or 2002 and 2003 District title). The consistency must be acknowledged. 34 playoff wins and 5 D1 titles. Neshaminy must also be applauded—24 playoff wins and twice a District champ and bridesmaid, they also got the PA hubcap in 2001 which is not included in our data set. Ridley, with its smaller enrollment (712), was a monster from 2006 to 2009. They have cooled off but have showed signs of revival with the new head coach. No one else in the Central/DelVal has sniffed what they have done—they have been the model in the underwhelming counties of Chester and Delaware—but an up and comer is lurking—more on that later. Pennsbury has been very consistent as well with 2 District chips and 15 playoff victories, despite a down 2016. The road has gone through these 4 teams for this 13 year period (and the Suburban One—10 of the 13 chips and 7 runners up).

Others get a shout out as well. Coatesville has been the king of the ChesMont winning 12 playoff games, a district and East PA crown in 2012 (the only one for the conference in this time frame). Kudos to DTE, which has won 11 playoff games (not easy) and a D1 silver in 2005, getting there matters. Pretty admirable results, 7-7 vs. Suburban One in playoffs and with just under 600 boys, they are barely in 6A. The negative is they have piled up some hollow playoff wins over 7 teams that collectively have 9 playoff wins in that 13 years time frame. Perk Valley—a non-factor until 2013--has 5 of those 9 scalps, Quakertown (2 wins), Souderton (1 win—at least someone else gets to play on your beautiful new field) and Penncrest—1 win and now down to 5A. They also fattened up on three teams without a win: Plymouth-Whitemarsh (0-7 but the last team in 6A with 571 enrollment—at least they get there), Norristown (they have athletes--how do you only make it once?) and Owen J Roberts (which moved up from original 3A and has fallen off a cliff—very nice facility, this one is hard to figure out). But, on the good side and to reinforce the job Matta has done, they have scalps over both Pennsbury and Neshaminy in D1 play. Council Rock South was a runner up in 2011 to NP, and sports a 5-3 record. They have been eerily quiet since then, so we are looking for more. We beat up Chad in our 12/4/15 missive “Chad’s Verdict” (and are closely monitoring), but since 2011, the Rams have been a tough out in an improved PAC and were runners up in 2012 to Coatesville.

2004: Neshaminy D1 champs, NP runner up, Neshaminy East PA champ, Pittsburgh Central Catholic (PCC) state champ

2005: North Penn D1 champion, DTE runner up, Liberty East PA champ, McKeesport state champ

2006: Pennsbury D1 winner, Ridley runner up, Liberty East champ, Upper St Clair state champ

2007: Ridley D1 champ, WC Henderson (now 5A) runner up, Parkland East champ, PPC state victor

2008: North Penn D1 champ, Neshaminy runner up, Liberty Eastern champ, Bethel Park state winner

2009: Ridley D1 champ, North Penn runner up, LaSalle East and state champ

2010: North Penn D1 winner, Neshaminy runner up, LaSalle East champ, North Allegheny (NA) state champ

2011: North Penn D1 champ, CR South runner up, North Penn East champ, Central Dauphin East state winner

2012: Coatesville D1 winner, Spring-Ford runner up, Coatesville Eastern champ, NA state champ

2013: Neshaminy D1 champion, North Penn runner up, St Joe’s Prep (SJP) East and state champ

2014: Pennsbury D1 champ, Coatesville runner up, SJP east and state champ

2015: Upper Dublin (now 5A) D1 champ, North Penn runner up, Parkland east champ, PCC state winner

2016: North Penn D1 champ, Garnet Valley runner up, SJP east and state champ

SUMMARY: 10 SO District 1 Championships and 7 runner ups. 2 Central/Del Val chips and 2 silver medals. 1 CM hub cap and 3 second place finishes. 1 PAC bridesmaid. Said differently—26 teams made the District 1 final since 2004 and 17 were from the SO, 4 each from Central/DelVal and CM and one from the PAC. This explains the grades below for the entire time period going back to 2004.

CONFERENCE GRADES:

SUBURBAN ONE: A

CENTRAL/DELVAL: C

CHESMONT:C

PAC: D

 

[sepafootballgods]

We the football gods look at the Central/Del-Val League and ask: “Hello, hello is anybody in there?” Comfortably numb would describe the performance outside of Ridley. Let’s start at the top. Upper Darby has a Royal advantage in enrollment (1355), yet sports just a 1-3 playoff slate in 13 years. The lone win in 2015 over a CR North (665) team that is winless in the playoffs for the same time frame. A weak first round L in 2006 to an underperforming Hatboro-Horsham squad (their only D1 playoff victory in the data set), and a first round exit to Pennsbury in 2013 rounds out the resume. We are not impressed. For cryin’ out loud, Richie, somebody please, coach’em up! Large draw, plenty of athletes, this one defies explanation. 3 appearances in 13 years are unsatisfactory. Moving along to a nicer side of the tracks, how about Conestoga (796)? 1-6 in one of the highest ranked public schools in the entire Keystone State? Of course you lose kids to the privates and Inter-Ac, but you have every perceived advantage and continue to come up short. One win over Upper Dublin in 2008 and four bounce outs from CM squads in the playoffs. Thoroughly unacceptable. No need to get into the broomstick job on Vogan, but clearly there are significant administrative issues. The scales of Divine Justice always balance— if not here, then hereafter. Penn Wood is almost 5A with 572 boys, but also has some players and athletes. Only two bids? One was this year vs PV, so maybe there is a positive trend. Haverford will never be mistaken for a powerhouse and is a smaller (638) enrollment 6A, but they have not shown well at 0-5. The positive here is that they have made the dance in 4 of the last 5 years. They are on the radar but not yet in the crosshairs. Garnet Valley has been a great story since moving up in 2008. They have excellent facilities, good academics and demographics in a fast growing community. The Jags are another smaller (608) enrollment school with a respectable 9-8 playoff card despite having zero tradition. Since their upgrade to the big boy classification, they have made the playoffs every year except 2010. Who saw them making a run to the District final in 2016? Ricci deserved coach of the year. They are holding down the Delco/Chesco slopfest. The gods approve.

We covered the ChesMont in some detail already and commend Coatesville and DTE for being the tallest midgets. They have been respectable opponents. Avon Grove could be a sleeping giant, but have not done anything since 2009, which was their only appearance and they went 2-1. We are locked and loaded on them, awaiting the fire signal. DTW is not headed in the right direction with its Hall of Fame (really?) coach. Since 2009 they have been invisible. A 6-8 total record but 2 wins over Conestoga, another over Boyertown and they have been bounced twice by Pennsbury and North Penn (who hasn’t). The split has hurt them, and they get poached by privates, but so does its cross-town rival and they have fared much better in this time frame. Still a solid program, but the Whippets do not scare anyone. Last 4 trips were first round Ls and eliminated by Avon Grove in 2009. That is 5 straight playoff losses. The train needs to get back on the rails and after a lousy ’16, there are grumblings about parents and coaches getting into it on the sidelines during games. This is nonsense and the gritty tradition is gone. Clean it up.

The PAC is a Johnny Come Lately to the playoffs, but PV and Spring-Ford have shown well since 2012. The 422 corridor explosion has benefitted populations and tax bases. Three programs stand out with HUGE question marks. First is Methacton. George Marinkov retired and this program has nose-dived. Yes, the Warriors have smaller numbers (647) but how do you not make the playoffs at least once in 13 years? (They are not alone, we mention 2 additional failures in all of D1 at the end). There are at least 3 youth programs within a few miles. It is located in an upper middle class area with good demographics and has a good academic profile. They are not in a gauntlet conference, and with Upper Merion and Norristown being added, they have opponents that would be considered “winnable” contests. This one is mind-blowing, the gods are perplexed, perhaps the biggest disappointment in the entire District. The second mystery in the PAC is Boyertown (866). If baseball is king, why can’t it be replicated on the gridiron? They are geographically removed, so the privates don’t really recruit the area. Two in play are The Hill and The Perkiomen School (50 grand each); the other is 4A PJP, which is a whole different disappointment to discuss another time. To only have two appearances is inexplicable. Maybe the new coach can make it work. It’s a disgrace. Lastly, OJR (602) is another benefactor of the population boom in western Montco, but the results are slim. Yes, they have moved up, but are playing teams at their level and have wonderful resources. Agreed, they are a little bit in the sticks, but we know the InterAc without a coach has plucked some athletes from Bucktown. Joe Edwards is rolling over in his grave. Playing Twin Valley is not exactly challenging your team. Step it up and show a pulse.

Allow us to wrap it up with the Suburban One, the premiere league in District 1. The gods will not elaborate on the laurels of NP, Pennsbury and Neshaminy; those successes have been documented and discussed already. We will try and not repeat ourselves from teams previously mentioned, unless necessary. The big thing that stands out is the split in Central Bucks. The torch was passed to North Penn in 2002 and they have gripped it tightly. Recall MP Senior saying, “That was your last shot buddy!” to MP Junior after CBW beat NP in a District final. Talk about foreshadowing, the Old Man knew. How prescient. The proverbial golden goose was killed with the split. CB South (910) is 3-5 with wins coming over winless Haverford (twice) and PW. They have been bounced out by Garnet Valley twice. Positive trend is making it 4 of last 6 seasons. How are the academics and facilities? Warrington aint the ‘hood. We need to see more. At CB West, the jewelry is tarnished. A 2-3 record? Gave up 60 points in the last appearance to PV? Hazing scandal? Goodness gracious. Still, with 729 in the door, they should be much better. What would Senior say about losing to Bensalem? Hoot?! CB East is a perennial disappointment. They had a 10 year sabbatical before getting beaten by Quakertown in the first stanza in 2015 and Chad in 2016. 862 boys and a 1-3 record? Top 10 enrollment in one of the best academic environments with great facilities along with a wide and deep competitive moat. Who wouldn’t want that job? How about Abington? At 6-8, the Ghosts (a bit appropriate) losses are to Neshaminy four times, Pennsbury twice, and to North Penn, Pennridge and Coatesville—certainly a scary slate. They gotta find a way to get over the hump; it is not the enrollment (896). CR South (804) was given an atta boy for its runner up in 2011 but has been playing hide ‘n seek since. CR North has barely competed as well. We know, they split too! Pennridge had a good run in 2012 but other than that have been underachieving with its numbers (972) and total profile. Tennent (635) is inexcusable—last trip in 2006-- you got some pub with Steve playing the New Admiral (see It’s Over Johnny!!) on your turf on ESPN this year, but isn’t him stealing your players enough (see Steve’s Verdict)? The gods are flabbergasted, you are taking Steve out to dinner and he is going home with your wife, what is next? Another 635, Hatboro-Horsham gets a WTF. No wonder Steinly retired, they last made it in 2007. Souderton (806) is only 1-4, including a bow out to DTE this year—first trip since 2008. It is another sleeping giant if they get the wheels rolling. Beautiful facility and new school, you would not be walking into the gun fight with a sling shot. What Would Mr. Darrah say? Norristown (730) has only appeared once? Truly hard to fathom the drop off since Roger Grove (RIP) retired. The Friars are eating their lunch. Two more schools that neglected to show up for class (have not made the playoffs since 2004) and have failed: Truman (670) and Bensalem (720). New coach at Truman to get some Pennsbury magic, good luck. The Owls were close this year and did beat the Bucks for the first time since 1964—LBJ was in the Oval Office, also took Pennsbury to OT and beat both Rocks—BUT lost to Truman. Who are you? Can you break the playoff skid?

Pay attention! Class is in session. Don’t be late. Take notes, hand in your homework on time and be prepared for the tests. There will be pop quizzes to keep you on your toes. Class participation matters. We, the gods will be watching and grading, but ultimately, it is YOU, the man in the glass that counts. Do you like what you see?

 

[PA2CAMoleskinner]

That guy is in the glass - he is the one the counts.

Nice writing - hope there is more like this on the way.

 

[lilromeo]

We the football gods look at the Central/Del-Val League and ask: “Hello, hello is anybody in there?” Comfortably numb would describe the performance outside of Ridley. Let’s start at the top. Upper Darby has a Royal advantage in enrollment (1355), yet sports just a 1-3 playoff slate in 13 years. The lone win in 2015 over a CR North (665) team that is winless in the playoffs for the same time frame. A weak first round L in 2006 to an underperforming Hatboro-Horsham squad (their only D1 playoff victory in the data set), and a first round exit to Pennsbury in 2013 rounds out the resume. We are not impressed. For cryin’ out loud, Richie, somebody please, coach’em up! Large draw, plenty of athletes, this one defies explanation. 3 appearances in 13 years are unsatisfactory. Moving along to a nicer side of the tracks, how about Conestoga (796)? 1-6 in one of the highest ranked public schools in the entire Keystone State? Of course you lose kids to the privates and Inter-Ac, but you have every perceived advantage and continue to come up short. One win over Upper Dublin in 2008 and four bounce outs from CM squads in the playoffs. Thoroughly unacceptable. No need to get into the broomstick job on Vogan, but clearly there are significant administrative issues. The scales of Divine Justice always balance— if not here, then hereafter. Penn Wood is almost 5A with 572 boys, but also has some players and athletes. Only two bids? One was this year vs PV, so maybe there is a positive trend. Haverford will never be mistaken for a powerhouse and is a smaller (638) enrollment 6A, but they have not shown well at 0-5. The positive here is that they have made the dance in 4 of the last 5 years. They are on the radar but not yet in the crosshairs. Garnet Valley has been a great story since moving up in 2008. They have excellent facilities, good academics and demographics in a fast growing community. The Jags are another smaller (608) enrollment school with a respectable 9-8 playoff card despite having zero tradition. Since their upgrade to the big boy classification, they have made the playoffs every year except 2010. Who saw them making a run to the District final in 2016? Ricci deserved coach of the year. They are holding down the Delco/Chesco slopfest. The gods approve.

We covered the ChesMont in some detail already and commend Coatesville and DTE for being the tallest midgets. They have been respectable opponents. Avon Grove could be a sleeping giant, but have not done anything since 2009, which was their only appearance and they went 2-1. We are locked and loaded on them, awaiting the fire signal. DTW is not headed in the right direction with its Hall of Fame (really?) coach. Since 2009 they have been invisible. A 6-8 total record but 2 wins over Conestoga, another over Boyertown and they have been bounced twice by Pennsbury and North Penn (who hasn’t). The split has hurt them, and they get poached by privates, but so does its cross-town rival and they have fared much better in this time frame. Still a solid program, but the Whippets do not scare anyone. Last 4 trips were first round Ls and eliminated by Avon Grove in 2009. That is 5 straight playoff losses. The train needs to get back on the rails and after a lousy ’16, there are grumblings about parents and coaches getting into it on the sidelines during games. This is nonsense and the gritty tradition is gone. Clean it up.

The PAC is a Johnny Come Lately to the playoffs, but PV and Spring-Ford have shown well since 2012. The 422 corridor explosion has benefitted populations and tax bases. Three programs stand out with HUGE question marks. First is Methacton. George Marinkov retired and this program has nose-dived. Yes, the Warriors have smaller numbers (647) but how do you not make the playoffs at least once in 13 years? (They are not alone, we mention 2 additional failures in all of D1 at the end). There are at least 3 youth programs within a few miles. It is located in an upper middle class area with good demographics and has a good academic profile. They are not in a gauntlet conference, and with Upper Merion and Norristown being added, they have opponents that would be considered “winnable” contests. This one is mind-blowing, the gods are perplexed, perhaps the biggest disappointment in the entire District. The second mystery in the PAC is Boyertown (866). If baseball is king, why can’t it be replicated on the gridiron? They are geographically removed, so the privates don’t really recruit the area. Two in play are The Hill and The Perkiomen School (50 grand each); the other is 4A PJP, which is a whole different disappointment to discuss another time. To only have two appearances is inexplicable. Maybe the new coach can make it work. It’s a disgrace. Lastly, OJR (602) is another benefactor of the population boom in western Montco, but the results are slim. Yes, they have moved up, but are playing teams at their level and have wonderful resources. Agreed, they are a little bit in the sticks, but we know the InterAc without a coach has plucked some athletes from Bucktown. Joe Edwards is rolling over in his grave. Playing Twin Valley is not exactly challenging your team. Step it up and show a pulse.

Allow us to wrap it up with the Suburban One, the premiere league in District 1. The gods will not elaborate on the laurels of NP, Pennsbury and Neshaminy; those successes have been documented and discussed already. We will try and not repeat ourselves from teams previously mentioned, unless necessary. The big thing that stands out is the split in Central Bucks. The torch was passed to North Penn in 2002 and they have gripped it tightly. Recall MP Senior saying, “That was your last shot buddy!” to MP Junior after CBW beat NP in a District final. Talk about foreshadowing, the Old Man knew. How prescient. The proverbial golden goose was killed with the split. CB South (910) is 3-5 with wins coming over winless Haverford (twice) and PW. They have been bounced out by Garnet Valley twice. Positive trend is making it 4 of last 6 seasons. How are the academics and facilities? Warrington aint the ‘hood. We need to see more. At CB West, the jewelry is tarnished. A 2-3 record? Gave up 60 points in the last appearance to PV? Hazing scandal? Goodness gracious. Still, with 729 in the door, they should be much better. What would Senior say about losing to Bensalem? Hoot?! CB East is a perennial disappointment. They had a 10 year sabbatical before getting beaten by Quakertown in the first stanza in 2015 and Chad in 2016. 862 boys and a 1-3 record? Top 10 enrollment in one of the best academic environments with great facilities along with a wide and deep competitive moat. Who wouldn’t want that job? How about Abington? At 6-8, the Ghosts (a bit appropriate) losses are to Neshaminy four times, Pennsbury twice, and to North Penn, Pennridge and Coatesville—certainly a scary slate. They gotta find a way to get over the hump; it is not the enrollment (896). CR South (804) was given an atta boy for its runner up in 2011 but has been playing hide ‘n seek since. CR North has barely competed as well. We know, they split too! Pennridge had a good run in 2012 but other than that have been underachieving with its numbers (972) and total profile. Tennent (635) is inexcusable—last trip in 2006-- you got some pub with Steve playing the New Admiral (see It’s Over Johnny!!) on your turf on ESPN this year, but isn’t him stealing your players enough (see Steve’s Verdict)? The gods are flabbergasted, you are taking Steve out to dinner and he is going home with your wife, what is next? Another 635, Hatboro-Horsham gets a WTF. No wonder Steinly retired, they last made it in 2007. Souderton (806) is only 1-4, including a bow out to DTE this year—first trip since 2008. It is another sleeping giant if they get the wheels rolling. Beautiful facility and new school, you would not be walking into the gun fight with a sling shot. What Would Mr. Darrah say? Norristown (730) has only appeared once? Truly hard to fathom the drop off since Roger Grove (RIP) retired. The Friars are eating their lunch. Two more schools that neglected to show up for class (have not made the playoffs since 2004) and have failed: Truman (670) and Bensalem (720). New coach at Truman to get some Pennsbury magic, good luck. The Owls were close this year and did beat the Bucks for the first time since 1964—LBJ was in the Oval Office, also took Pennsbury to OT and beat both Rocks—BUT lost to Truman. Who are you? Can you break the playoff skid?

Pay attention! Class is in session. Don’t be late. Take notes, hand in your homework on time and be prepared for the tests. There will be pop quizzes to keep you on your toes. Class participation matters. We, the gods will be watching and grading, but ultimately, it is YOU, the man in the glass that counts. Do you like what you see?

Hey sepa.nice read and you make some good points,thanks.

 

[Stalker]

Whew, not sure if I’m heading up the chart or down but I’m getting through this, I think?....having a Charlie Gordon moment here.

 

[pclfan1]

I enjoyed this post because it is apples to apples. Nice work. I would love for someone to tell me how none of the CB's, Conestoga, Pennridge or Souderton can't have a good a team. I can't think of less done with more than any of those schools. The facilities are beyond impressive at all those schools. They all have feeder programs. Pennridge has a nice (not great) team every 5 years. Souderton is a no show. The CB's have good players but no results yet they have small college facilities. Conestoga should be top 8 team every year. You can see from my screen name I am a Philly guy. I know the challenges every school other than Prep and LS has (this is 6A...Wood intentionally left out). Although on the PCL side open borders can help with that. I need to know the "challenges" these schools have that they can't give the top schools at least a run for their money every so often.

 

[green_beans]

I think one of the issues that Central Bucks has is... they have three schools in a relatively small geographic area..also you need to include Wood as a competitor for players...LV is the pop warner team in the area (I haven't been involved in weight ball for a few years but they always seemed to do a nice job developing kids to get them ready for HS... also most of the CYO kids that go to St. Jude's play CYO ball for Corpus.. all-in-all they area does a nice job developing players.. I think it once they get to HS.. between 3 district schools, plus Wood locally it's a case of a lot of options and not enough players to go around

 

[pclfan1]

Green that seems like it would be stock answer for me also to explain it. But the numbers say excuse. I'm done with youth side also, but kids go public school while playing cyo up there. Yes lose some to wood but always have. You are telling me multiple feeder programs to these schools then. I am not asking for any of these teams to win the district. How bout win a couple games in the playoffs? CB South 910 kids. CB East 862 kids. CB West 729 kids. while DTEast 598, Garnet Valley 608, Ridley 712. Facilities as nice as you can possibly have. I disagree with some of these assessments, Penn Wood, DTW, I just disagree. But I agree with a lot of it.

 

[bucksf-ball]

The CB schools aren't the same since the creation of South. South has a stud running back every once in awhile (Reynolds and Adams) who make them a great team. West is now the smallest of the three and East has made the playoffs the last two years. Souderton is good when in a smaller league, but not when playing the big boys like North Penn and Pennridge. For example this year Souderton beat P-W (8-3). Pennridge is good and competitive. Cuthbert was .500 and Hollenbach has had winning seasons or .500 since his return. Another factor is the best kids at theses schools sometimes go to Wood or Inter Ac schools.

 

[pclfan1]

Bucks your posts are on point always. But I am not feeling you. I believe these schools are tragic underachievers.
Lets put it this way. Let's say Albie Crosby says I need a change. He gets a teaching job in CB South system and he becomes football coach. You still feel that same way...the same blah? No....you would tell me he would recruit the school...the area and he would kick a$$. Kids would be lining up to play for him and give their all, and given a year or two he would win a district. No wonder some of those kids go inter ac or PCL. There are zero expectations at some of these places. I don't blame a kid if football is important to him to go elsewhere.

 

[bucksf-ball]

Actually I do disagree. Albie is a good coach no doubt, but when he was at West Catholic and at Imhotep he was a very traditional coach running pro and spread sets and basing out of a 4-4 scheme. His talent was better than the opponents he played and he won. When it wasn't he didn't always win. Don't forget Rackovan was the HC at CB South, he was Princeton University's OC before going to South, so the guy can coach.
CB South gave him a six figure job mainly to coach football. He had 80+ kids come out, 65 were doing WR passing lines in warm ups. When he got a better paying job at Hill he moved on. CB East hired Donnelly and gave him all of his years of teaching experience, another six figure hire. That year CB cut teachers and kept him. Pennridge's last two HCs have NFL experience on their resume, something they feel is important. So the schools do care about football.

To me the difference now and CB West's glory days is the OL play and mainly the rise of Wood. When West was winning state titles Wood was having losing seasons, lots of them. Now Wood is winning state titles and West has the losing seasons. Thompson (Temple TE) and Russo both went to Holicong Middle (CB East feeder). Also don't remember the kid's name, but Lenape Middle had their QB go to Germantown Academy. So could a coach like Albie win at a CB or Pennridge sure, but a state title? Those days are over if Wood can pull kids from Montco and Bucks.

 

[pclfan1]

Your comments to Wood are founded in fact. But in this discussion, a state isn't even a thought. Just looking at district 1. I would love to see both Pennridge and CB South become regulars in district quarterfinals. RIght now they don't get past first round. Given the facilities and enrollment, that is hard to reconcile. Hell Roman and Judge get bashed on here because they can't get past Prep and LS. Hell Roman takes a beating, and it seems to me they have some people who really care for the program. We know why in the PCL we have right now 2 programs that are powers. We can identify that. In district one, given the amount of schools and populations we have what, 9 schools that we can count on now? Given changing demographics I am putting PV and Spring Ford in the mix until further notice. You have the top 7 and them. Bucks, I just think they are wasting talent. Heck I can tell you kids who have transferred out of there? Starting players at other schools.

 

[pclfan1]

By the way the PCL powers are SJP and Wood.

 

[D1football22]

In all honesty, those parents in CB should move to Collegeville area. Lower taxes, lower beer prices and I think the gas prices are lower. We have room! They can choose either SF or PV school districts. SF has 26 AP courses, and the rankings of a great public school. Look at the school rankings in this post. Why choose Doylestown? Collegeville has Hopp Devil just like Doylestown. 28 miles to Center City. KOP is 8 miles Come on over.... It is beautiful here. We have the room and the apartments. Why fight a losing fight?

 

[bucksf-ball]

PCLfan,

You do have a point that CB South and Pennridge should be better given their enrollment and facilities. That I can't argue.

People on here used to blast Cuthbert when he was at Pennridge and I personally feel he overall wasn't that great there. His best year though was his last and the best in school history. He never really did much at Emmaus, they actually got better when he left and one year at Wissahickon is too early to judge how he will do. Hollenbach hasn't been bad record wise since his return, but I have heard rumblings in the stands about his play calling. He has made the playoffs 2 of his 4 years, both times losing close games. Quakertown beat them by 2 I believe and Neshaminy hung on this year. I feel the Pennridge team 2 years ago actually could have made noise in districts but didn't get in at 7-3 with loses to 3 state playoff teams, and a win vs quarter finalist Neshaminy. While this year's 5-5 team got in (if only 6 classifications 2 years ago huh). I actually was disappointed in the two games I saw them live both mercy ruled games against Perk Valley and CB East. I know they had a new DC, but with the talent they had on D that shouldn't have happened. As for CB South I think they aren't as tough as North Penn kids. A lot of their success this year was against weaker opponents. South just doesn't have the linemen in my opinion. Also to be fair CB South was literally minutes away from beating a Garnet Valley team that went on a run all the way to the District 1 title game.

What's your reason that these programs aren't good? I don't feel it's coaching so must be players or quality of opponents. CB South has two former HCs on staff with Szarko and Collachi.

 

[00shoe]

The CB schools aren't the same since the creation of South. South has a stud running back every once in awhile (Reynolds and Adams) who make them a great team. West is now the smallest of the three and East has made the playoffs the last two years. Souderton is good when in a smaller league, but not when playing the big boys like North Penn and Pennridge. For example this year Souderton beat P-W (8-3). Pennridge is good and competitive. Cuthbert was .500 and Hollenbach has had winning seasons or .500 since his return. Another factor is the best kids at theses schools sometimes go to Wood or Inter Ac schools.

CB schools are right where the school board wants them to be. When Pettine retired many people in the district including the Superintendent and Principal were happy. Administrators don't like playing second fiddle to the football coach. CB is also a different district today then it was 20 years ago for a couple of reasons. 1, Equality, with 3 high schools and 5 middle schools sports is costly. If you check the districts web-site you will see they have to fill about 275 coaching positions each year. Include buses to games, officials, security, the band, cheerleaders etc. there is a lot of expense. 2nd, district has grown and demographics has changed. There was a time when the district had a mix, farmers, white & blue collar families. Today I don't think you will find a cow or a pig anywhere in central bucks and not many factories. Kids today come from families living in 4-$500,000 homes, whose parents are more concerned with the investment they made in dental work then football. Unlike the Pettine era football today is just another sport. .

 

[pclfan1]

Bucks I am not throwing shade at any coaching. As a relocated philly guy I marvel at the facilities and the lack of success just in the district. I think you may have a point on the opponents. And maybe shoe is right, in the league the kids may be softer than North Penn. But I don't get that, because while NP has a bigger population, it isn't like the area hasn't changed in 20 years either. It isn't warrington but it isn't far behind. I don't know the answer. Say you were an up and coming coach. You are young and did your time, lets say D3 assistant. If you were going to target a place to work wouldn't you pick, say a Pennridge? Brand new school, literally no privates stealing your kids (a few to LC, a few to Wood). The facilities are out of this world. You get a job in the school and with coaching the pay is amazing. What am I missing? Ridley has less kids, worse facilities, not as highly ranked and we are miles apart in production.

Shoe I think you are on point also. Goes for a lot of areas. Just don't see why some of these places can't be competitive in their relative realm. Shoe you have been around. It's funny the archdiocesan schools have an impossible job.. The damn Roman coach has to wash the jerseys himself yet he gets held up to Doug Pederson/Mike Tomlin scrutiny. The guy making 100k in the suburbs with a staff behind him and lincoln financial to play in gets a yawn when North Penn consistently kicks their rears. Maybe I need a Hopp Devil with D1football22.

 

[PA2CAMoleskinner]

Good thread here.

Random thoughts that "programs" that do well seem to have some mix of stuff that works when mixed up in the beaker and which can include interested and committed admin, the coach and staff, the demographics of the school population (and that is not as simplistic as it may seem or meant to be taken "incorrectly" at all), facilities, alumni and history, enough money, and on and on. And the "mix" isn't necessarily the same for every school (it has to work, obviously, for the particular school).

And it does seem odd when schools that "should" do well don't seem to deliver.

Still, at the core of it (I think), are the players and the head coach. And since players are usually contributing for two or perhaps three years at a time (on average) I'm thinking an awful lot has to do with the coach (and considering that some schools have what appears to be all the other "stuff" in place, and others don't, with the "have nots" often out performing the "haves", does that then mean it's really "the coach").

Hmm - so my theory is (1) the coach and then (2) the players are paramount (with the other "stuff" necessary but down the list).

What did come first, the chicken or the egg?

I'm rambling.

 

[SPEED&JUMP DR.]

Lets take a look at this from a different angle. If the CB district went back to just two teams ( or even 1 for argument sake), are they competing for a district or State title? My gut says no, and if you belive that then the size of the schools are not the issue.

So if you take any of the 3 schools in 2016 and let Infante and his staff coach them, is that team competing for a district or state title? Once again, my gut says no and if you believe that then coaching is not the issue.

So by process of elimination, that would leave lack of talent and lack of administration/community support, or perhaps a combination of both?

 

[Stalker]

Two relatively recent coaching changes in the district with coaches from my home district I believe show the overwhelming importance of coaching, Coach Brubaker at Spring-Ford and Coach Ortega at Coatesville.


Coach Brubaker was well known in District 3 for grooming Qbs at Wilson (Kerry Collins, Chad Henne, etc) during a 12 year stint before coming to Royersford in 2010 where he guided the Rams to a 67-18 record in his first 8 years following the team’s 27-56 mark the previous 8.


Coach Ortega did the unheard of at York guiding the Bearcats to a 37-18 record from 2004 through 2008, going 10-4 his last two years before arriving in Coatesville in 2009 to guide the Raiders to a 75-22 mark over the last 9 years following a 47-37 record the preceding 9.


A lot of schools can put together an impressive run, winning a lot of games every year, having all the glitz and glitter, heavy with potential. But few of them are teams you know will be there every year, not just winning a lot of games but making a run at states. We call them “players” in the district, the Central Dauphins and Wilsons, Manheim Centrals and Cumberland Valleys and all of them….like Spring Ford and Coatesville, have great coaching staffs.

 

[NorthBroadBullies]

Two relatively recent coaching changes in the district with coaches from my home district I believe show the overwhelming importance of coaching, Coach Brubaker at Spring-Ford and Coach Ortega at Coatesville.


Coach Brubaker was well known in District 3 for grooming Qbs at Wilson (Kerry Collins, Chad Henne, etc) during a 12 year stint before coming to Collegeville in 2010 where he guided the Rams to a 67-18 record in his first 8 years following the team’s 27-56 mark the previous 8.


Coach Ortega did the unheard of at York guiding the Bearcats to a 37-18 record from 2004 through 2008, going 10-4 his last two years before arriving in Coatesville in 2009 to guide the Raiders to a 75-22 mark over the last 9 years following a 47-37 record the preceding 9.


A lot of schools can put together an impressive run, winning a lot of games every year, having all the glitz and glitter, heavy with potential. But few of them are teams you know will be there every year, not just winning a lot of games but making a run at states. We call them “players” in the district, the Central Dauphins and Wilsons, Manheim Centrals and Cumberland Valleys and all of them….like Spring Ford and Coatesville, have great coaching staffs.

Stalker, you make great points here. Brubaker has done an exceptional job at SF and has had some very good teams. Coatesville has also had an impressive run in the past 10 years but the thing with Coatesville is that they always have talent and they will never lose that talent. They rarely lose any impact players to private schools, they are miles and miles from any private school that is worth going to, (sorry Shannahan), I agree that Ortega is a great coach but you also have to see the talent that he has each year, which makes his job a little easier than most.

 

[ChesmontLeague1]

Stalker, you make great points here. Brubaker has done an exceptional job at SF and has had some very good teams. Coatesville has also had an impressive run in the past 10 years but the thing with Coatesville is that they always have talent and they will never lose that talent. They rarely lose any impact players to private schools, they are miles and miles from any private school that is worth going to, (sorry Shannahan), I agree that Ortega is a great coach but you also have to see the talent that he has each year, which makes his job a little easier than most.

North - You and Stalker are both right about Coatesville. Coaching makes a difference (see PA Hall of Fame coaches: Al Black and Mike Dominick plus Jack Helm who should be there). The coaches before Ortega were mediocre at best. Yes Coatesville does and has always had the talent. Ortega helped the ailing Kid Raiders program which was endangered of folding plus they were having their kids stolen by DYW. As far as Shanahan they don't have and doubt they ever will have the football tradition of Coatesville but as far as academics and culture to succeed after high school.. they blow away Coatesville hands down.

 

[Stalker]

Stalker, you make great points here. Brubaker has done an exceptional job at SF and has had some very good teams. Coatesville has also had an impressive run in the past 10 years but the thing with Coatesville is that they always have talent and they will never lose that talent. They rarely lose any impact players to private schools, they are miles and miles from any private school that is worth going to, (sorry Shannahan), I agree that Ortega is a great coach but you also have to see the talent that he has each year, which makes his job a little easier than most.

Right, Coach has the talent pool but he got them winning, consistently and impressively, turning them into a Player. You can have one hell of a ship but you always need the good captain to steer it effectively as Coach has through some turbulent waters recently.

 

[Stalker]

North - You and Stalker are both right about Coatesville. Coaching makes a difference (see PA Hall of Fame coaches: Al Black and Mike Dominick plus Jack Helm who should be there). The coaches before Ortega were mediocre at best. Yes Coatesville does and has always had the talent. Ortega helped the ailing Kid Raiders program which was endangered of folding plus they were having their kids stolen by DYW. As far as Shanahan they don't have and doubt they ever will have the football tradition of Coatesville but as far as academics and culture to succeed after high school.. they blow away Coatesville hands down.

ChesmontLeague1....those youth programs are so critical and a coach like Ortega would revive the Kid Raiders program; good for him! Steelton is very proud of him.
Don't know what he did at York but can tell you at Wilson (West Lawn....Coach Dahms-Brubaker, Slemmer, Gurski, etc) have a feeder system that explains why they are so consistently good, cranking out 9 straight seasons of 11 or more wins. It's staffed by ex players/coaches in many cases (Lincoln Park Bulldogs, Van Reed, Mighty Mites, Midgets, etc) that puts them all on the same page, maturing through a system that often does not see them start until their senior year. Back in the day Coach John Gurski (Gurski Stadium) initiated a weight training program that may have jump started things. Ok C-Mont, thanks for the info.

 

[ChesmontLeague1]

ChesmontLeague1....those youth programs are so critical and a coach like Ortega would revive the Kid Raiders program; good for him! Steelton is very proud of him.
Don't know what he did at York but can tell you at Wilson (West Lawn....Coach Dahms-Brubaker, Slemmer, Gurski, etc) have a feeder system that explains why they are so consistently good, cranking out 9 straight seasons of 11 or more wins. It's staffed by ex players/coaches in many cases (Lincoln Park Bulldogs, Van Reed, Mighty Mites, Midgets, etc) that puts them all on the same page, maturing through a system that often does not see them start until their senior year. Back in the day Coach John Gurski (Gurski Stadium) initiated a weight training program that may have jump started things. Ok C-Mont, thanks for the info.

Stalk - Agreed that youth feeders are critical for successful high school programs. The Kid Raiders not only practice at the Coatesville HS campus now but also and now have all Coatesville area kids playing for them (not DYW). On the flip side some of DYW best athletes were Coatesville kids so long term I wonder how this will effect the DYW (Downingtown Young Whippets) program long term (5-10 years from now).

 

[00shoe]

North - You and Stalker are both right about Coatesville. Coaching makes a difference (see PA Hall of Fame coaches: Al Black and Mike Dominick plus Jack Helm who should be there). The coaches before Ortega were mediocre at best. Yes Coatesville does and has always had the talent. Ortega helped the ailing Kid Raiders program which was endangered of folding plus they were having their kids stolen by DYW. As far as Shanahan they don't have and doubt they ever will have the football tradition of Coatesville but as far as academics and culture to succeed after high school.. they blow away Coatesville hands down.

Al Black was a coach who could put an offense together. Also the only coach to go against Mike Pettine more then once and not have a loosing record. Went 2 & 2 and put up 35+ against west in 3 off those games.

 

[ChesmontLeague1]

Al Black was a coach who could put an offense together. Also the only coach to go against Mike Pettine more then once and not have a loosing record. Went 2 & 2 and put up 35+ against west in 3 off those games.

Shoe - I'm probably wrong but didn't Jack Helm go 2-1 or 2-2 in the early to mid 90s against those great CB West teams?

 

[00shoe]

Shoe - I'm probably wrong but didn't Jack Helm go 2-1 or 2-2 in the early to mid 90s against those great CB West teams?

West went 3 & 1 during that period losing in 1994 14-7. Dtown did beat C.B. East in the playoffs the year they won the state title.

 

[Fletchster1]

The '92 District Final at War Memorial was a shocker to me - Towles and Washington were just too much for the Bucks.

 

[00shoe]

The '92 District Final at War Memorial was a shocker to me - Towles and Washington were just too much for the Bucks.

West had Rob Sweet (Michigan) who never left the field. If the second best player in the school had played football they could have won the state title.

 

[Fletchster1]

West had Rob Sweet (Michigan) who never left the field. If the second best player in the school had played football they could have won the state title.

Was the second best player a track star?

 

[00shoe]

Was the second best player a track star?

Field events

 

[lilromeo]

Field events

shoe,that was Rob Swett,so who was this guy you speak of? I was at that game also.

 

[Fletchster1]

My most vivid memory is those Red Raider backs running away from the Bucks D. Final was close, but didn't seem that way.