Parkland (13-1) at Upper Dublin (14-0)
Upper Dublin State Playoff Appearances: 1 (2015)
Parkland State Playoff Appearances: 11 (1996, 1997, 1998, 2002, 2003, 2007, 2009, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015)
Upper Dublin State Playoff Record: 2-0
Parkland State Playoff Record: 16-9
Upper Dublin in the Eastern Final: 0-0
Parkland in the Eastern Final: 2-2
Last Times They Were Here
Parkland has made four trips to the Eastern Final, going 2-2. In 1996, the Trojans lost to eventual state champion Downingtown, 27-14, in Parkland’s first state playoff appearance. Arlen Harris ran for 199 yards in the game and Dan Ellis threw for another 184 in a dominant offensive effort by the Whippets. They also held Parkland running back Matt Thomas (who ran for 2,100 yards that season) to 54 yards. In 1998, Parkland was obliterated by CB West, 34-7, to end their season. The Bucks scored on their first three possessions and scored 34 points while attempting just two passes. Dustin Picciotti rumbled for 126 yards and 3 touchdowns on 22 carries. CB West won the state final the next week by a 56-7 score, their second of three straight titles.
In 2002, Parkland cruised past North Penn, 33-13. In the first half, Austin Scott ran for 206 yards and two touchdowns on 14 carries as the Trojans put the Knights away early. Scott finished with 279 yards on 23 carries and Parkland as a team ran for 372 yards in the game. Parkland went on to win the state title. In 2007, Parkland broke a 21-21 tie with a pair of 50+ yard touchdown runs in the fourth quarter to beat Ridley, 35-21. Parkland sealed the game with a 99 yard touchdown drive in the final five minutes, capped by a 56 yard Kevin Herrod run. Parkland held Ridley to 18 yards rushing on 27 carries in the win.
Upper Dublin won their first District 1 championship last weekend in their first District 1 finals appearance. This is the furthest an Upper Dublin has ever advanced in the state tournament, and is the first 14 win team in school history. They are also the only undefeated team left in 4A. There has not been an undefeated champion in 4A since North Allegheny in 2012. The last eastern undefeated champion was North Penn in 2003.
Parkland Last Week
The Trojans beat LaSalle 16-13 in overtime thanks to a ferocious defense, a gutsy effort by quarterback Devante Cross, and a controversial pass interference call in the final three minutes of regulation. LaSalle scored on their opening drive, but struggled to move the ball offensively for most of the game, until exploding for a 71 yard field goal drive in the final five minutes to take a 10-7 lead. Parkland, who repeatedly drove the ball inside the LaSalle 30, but couldn’t come away with points, mustered a 78 yard drive for a field goal in response, abetted by the aforementioned PI on 4th and 6 from the 26. In overtime, Parkland stuffed LaSalle on 3rd and goal from the 3, forcing the Explorers to kick a field goal. Two plays later, Devante Cross ran for his second touchdown of the day, and the Trojans escaped with a 16-13 win. Cross ran for 118 yards on 28 carries and was 13-21 for 148 yards and two picks. Nick Rinella had five catches for 76 yards and a touchdown, plus a sack and an interception to lead LaSalle. The Explorers only mustered 82 rushing yards on 30 carries.
Upper Dublin Last Week
Upper Dublin got a monster effort from quarterback Ryan Stover in a shocking 46-21 victory over perennial D1 contender North Penn. Stover threw for 246 yards and a touchdown and rushed for 60 yards. The Cardinals took an early 14-0 lead, but trailed 21-17 at halftime and it looked like the upstart had met its match. But they marched right down the field on a 64 yard drive to open the third quarter, capped by a Stacy Gardner touchdown. After forcing a three and out, Upper Dublin drove right back down and scored, converting on a pair of third downs, including a 35 yard TD on third and 9. After North Penn fumbled at their own 27, Upper Dublin scored three plays later and the rout was on as the Cardinals were up 37-21 at the end of the quarter. Stacy Gardner added his fourth touchdown of the afternoon in the early 4th quarter, and a safety on a punt accounted for the final margin. North Penn’s Nyfese West had a big day, running for 144 yards and two scores, but North Penn could not get their passing game going, which had been a potent weapon all year. Upper Dublin in particular did a great job shutting down big play receiver Ricky Johns, who was limited to two catches for 20 yards.
When Upper Dublin Has the Ball
The Cardinals are one of the most diverse and balanced offensive teams in Pennsylvania. It all starts at quarterback, where Ryan Stover is a four year starter. The 6’4 210 pound son of head coach Bret Stover has thrown for 2,291 yards on the year and rushed for another 977. Most impressive is his accuracy and decision making, he comes in completing 65% of his passes with a 26-6 TD/INT ratio. Upper Dublin does not have a “go to guy” in the passing game, but seven different Cardinals have at least ten catches on the year, led by tight end Jack Rapine with 30.
In the running game, Stover is a threat to take off, and running backs Kalif Lee and Stacey Gardner are a handful. Lee put up his second straight 1,000 yard season and Gardner averages 11.7 yards per carry. Gardner, Lee, and Stover all have double digit rushing touchdowns, led by Lee’s 19. Both Lee and Gardner are bigger backs (Lee is 5’10 200, Gardner is 5’10 215) but have some wiggle and breakaway speed. They run behind a smaller offensive line, but one that has played together for three years, as most of this team is seniors who all started together as sophomores.
Their game plan is no secret, they’ll go spread with tempo and put the ball in Stover’s hands to make good decisions and run the show. In a lot of ways, they resemble Parkland offensively, but with a smaller line and more dynamic running backs. They’re likely to try and replicate Liberty’s success running the ball against the Trojans, the only team to do so. The Hurricanes attacked them with a spread option look and a mobile quarterback (as did Whitehall), something Parkland really hasn’t had to defend since. Upper Dublin certainly will present that threat, and if they can have some success with read option, then run the passing game off it, they’ll be in good shape.
The Trojans defensive line is playing out of their minds right now, and the linebacking corps is a typical Tim Moncman group. They’ll have to be at their sharpest to contain the UD offense. UD’s speed on the perimeter and coming out of the backfield puts a lot of pressure on defenses, and they’ll try to stretch the Parkland secondary to cover the width of the field. Parkland’s defensive line last week seemed to have a definite quickness advantage against a more physically imposing group. This time around, the Upper Dublin line is just as athletic as the Parkland group, and I don’t think they’ll be able to just run right around them off of the snap.
When Parkland Has the Ball
A lot will hinge on the health of Devante Cross, who looked pretty banged up at the end of last week’s war with LaSalle. When healthy, Cross is a dynamic talent under center, and he’s one of three quarterbacks in 4A to throw for 2,000 yards and rush for 1,000 yards this season. He’s also one rushing touchdown away from becoming the player in D11 history to run and throw for 20 touchdowns in one season.
When things get tight, Parkland really leans on Cross, particularly running their QB power over the left side of their line. There was an interesting article in the Morning Call this week about Parkland’s line, and that in the offseason they made the choice to move Patrick Ferry from right tackle, where he started every game as a sophomore, to left guard so they would have Ferry and Brouse lined up next to each other. They’re super left handed when they run, particularly with Cross, but they also have 585 pounds blocking for them on that side.
Upper Dublin needs an answer for Kenny Yeboah in the passing game. LaSalle held him in check, and prevented everything downfield to Yeboah, though much of that was due to a fabulous individual effort from Nick Rinella. He still got his (5 catches for 60 yards), but they didn’t hit one go-route or fade, which is a big part of their offense. If Upper Dublin is making Yeboah run hitches or go over the middle (assuming Parkland’s offense gives him the option on routes, it looks like it, but I don’t know) then they’re in good shape.
Defensively, Upper Dublin runs exceptionally well. Their led by a fantastic set of linebackers, Henry Winbrake, Max Winbrake, Rapine, and Gardner. Rapine may be the best athlete on the field for either team, he’s heading to Johns Hopkins to play lacrosse. They don’t have a major individual pass rush threat, but they have thirteen different players who have tallied a sack this year, and get their with a variety of blitz packages and bringing different looks. LaSalle had some success last week bringing pressure from the secondary, and Upper Dublin may try to duplicate that.
Miscellaneous
Upper Dublin has only forced 14 turnovers on the year (7 picks, 7 fumbles), but they really take care of the football, coughing it up just nine times on the season.
Upper Dublin has blocked five kicks this year, led by Rapine who has blocked four. Parkland is perfectly adequate on special teams, but doesn’t have a star at kicker or punter. Long snapper Nolan Ridgway is as good as they come though, so if Upper Dublin is going to get to a kick, they’ll have to scheme it and get there, I don’t see Parkland breaking down.
The Pick
Parkland 42-35
Upper Dublin State Playoff Appearances: 1 (2015)
Parkland State Playoff Appearances: 11 (1996, 1997, 1998, 2002, 2003, 2007, 2009, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015)
Upper Dublin State Playoff Record: 2-0
Parkland State Playoff Record: 16-9
Upper Dublin in the Eastern Final: 0-0
Parkland in the Eastern Final: 2-2
Last Times They Were Here
Parkland has made four trips to the Eastern Final, going 2-2. In 1996, the Trojans lost to eventual state champion Downingtown, 27-14, in Parkland’s first state playoff appearance. Arlen Harris ran for 199 yards in the game and Dan Ellis threw for another 184 in a dominant offensive effort by the Whippets. They also held Parkland running back Matt Thomas (who ran for 2,100 yards that season) to 54 yards. In 1998, Parkland was obliterated by CB West, 34-7, to end their season. The Bucks scored on their first three possessions and scored 34 points while attempting just two passes. Dustin Picciotti rumbled for 126 yards and 3 touchdowns on 22 carries. CB West won the state final the next week by a 56-7 score, their second of three straight titles.
In 2002, Parkland cruised past North Penn, 33-13. In the first half, Austin Scott ran for 206 yards and two touchdowns on 14 carries as the Trojans put the Knights away early. Scott finished with 279 yards on 23 carries and Parkland as a team ran for 372 yards in the game. Parkland went on to win the state title. In 2007, Parkland broke a 21-21 tie with a pair of 50+ yard touchdown runs in the fourth quarter to beat Ridley, 35-21. Parkland sealed the game with a 99 yard touchdown drive in the final five minutes, capped by a 56 yard Kevin Herrod run. Parkland held Ridley to 18 yards rushing on 27 carries in the win.
Upper Dublin won their first District 1 championship last weekend in their first District 1 finals appearance. This is the furthest an Upper Dublin has ever advanced in the state tournament, and is the first 14 win team in school history. They are also the only undefeated team left in 4A. There has not been an undefeated champion in 4A since North Allegheny in 2012. The last eastern undefeated champion was North Penn in 2003.
Parkland Last Week
The Trojans beat LaSalle 16-13 in overtime thanks to a ferocious defense, a gutsy effort by quarterback Devante Cross, and a controversial pass interference call in the final three minutes of regulation. LaSalle scored on their opening drive, but struggled to move the ball offensively for most of the game, until exploding for a 71 yard field goal drive in the final five minutes to take a 10-7 lead. Parkland, who repeatedly drove the ball inside the LaSalle 30, but couldn’t come away with points, mustered a 78 yard drive for a field goal in response, abetted by the aforementioned PI on 4th and 6 from the 26. In overtime, Parkland stuffed LaSalle on 3rd and goal from the 3, forcing the Explorers to kick a field goal. Two plays later, Devante Cross ran for his second touchdown of the day, and the Trojans escaped with a 16-13 win. Cross ran for 118 yards on 28 carries and was 13-21 for 148 yards and two picks. Nick Rinella had five catches for 76 yards and a touchdown, plus a sack and an interception to lead LaSalle. The Explorers only mustered 82 rushing yards on 30 carries.
Upper Dublin Last Week
Upper Dublin got a monster effort from quarterback Ryan Stover in a shocking 46-21 victory over perennial D1 contender North Penn. Stover threw for 246 yards and a touchdown and rushed for 60 yards. The Cardinals took an early 14-0 lead, but trailed 21-17 at halftime and it looked like the upstart had met its match. But they marched right down the field on a 64 yard drive to open the third quarter, capped by a Stacy Gardner touchdown. After forcing a three and out, Upper Dublin drove right back down and scored, converting on a pair of third downs, including a 35 yard TD on third and 9. After North Penn fumbled at their own 27, Upper Dublin scored three plays later and the rout was on as the Cardinals were up 37-21 at the end of the quarter. Stacy Gardner added his fourth touchdown of the afternoon in the early 4th quarter, and a safety on a punt accounted for the final margin. North Penn’s Nyfese West had a big day, running for 144 yards and two scores, but North Penn could not get their passing game going, which had been a potent weapon all year. Upper Dublin in particular did a great job shutting down big play receiver Ricky Johns, who was limited to two catches for 20 yards.
When Upper Dublin Has the Ball
The Cardinals are one of the most diverse and balanced offensive teams in Pennsylvania. It all starts at quarterback, where Ryan Stover is a four year starter. The 6’4 210 pound son of head coach Bret Stover has thrown for 2,291 yards on the year and rushed for another 977. Most impressive is his accuracy and decision making, he comes in completing 65% of his passes with a 26-6 TD/INT ratio. Upper Dublin does not have a “go to guy” in the passing game, but seven different Cardinals have at least ten catches on the year, led by tight end Jack Rapine with 30.
In the running game, Stover is a threat to take off, and running backs Kalif Lee and Stacey Gardner are a handful. Lee put up his second straight 1,000 yard season and Gardner averages 11.7 yards per carry. Gardner, Lee, and Stover all have double digit rushing touchdowns, led by Lee’s 19. Both Lee and Gardner are bigger backs (Lee is 5’10 200, Gardner is 5’10 215) but have some wiggle and breakaway speed. They run behind a smaller offensive line, but one that has played together for three years, as most of this team is seniors who all started together as sophomores.
Their game plan is no secret, they’ll go spread with tempo and put the ball in Stover’s hands to make good decisions and run the show. In a lot of ways, they resemble Parkland offensively, but with a smaller line and more dynamic running backs. They’re likely to try and replicate Liberty’s success running the ball against the Trojans, the only team to do so. The Hurricanes attacked them with a spread option look and a mobile quarterback (as did Whitehall), something Parkland really hasn’t had to defend since. Upper Dublin certainly will present that threat, and if they can have some success with read option, then run the passing game off it, they’ll be in good shape.
The Trojans defensive line is playing out of their minds right now, and the linebacking corps is a typical Tim Moncman group. They’ll have to be at their sharpest to contain the UD offense. UD’s speed on the perimeter and coming out of the backfield puts a lot of pressure on defenses, and they’ll try to stretch the Parkland secondary to cover the width of the field. Parkland’s defensive line last week seemed to have a definite quickness advantage against a more physically imposing group. This time around, the Upper Dublin line is just as athletic as the Parkland group, and I don’t think they’ll be able to just run right around them off of the snap.
When Parkland Has the Ball
A lot will hinge on the health of Devante Cross, who looked pretty banged up at the end of last week’s war with LaSalle. When healthy, Cross is a dynamic talent under center, and he’s one of three quarterbacks in 4A to throw for 2,000 yards and rush for 1,000 yards this season. He’s also one rushing touchdown away from becoming the player in D11 history to run and throw for 20 touchdowns in one season.
When things get tight, Parkland really leans on Cross, particularly running their QB power over the left side of their line. There was an interesting article in the Morning Call this week about Parkland’s line, and that in the offseason they made the choice to move Patrick Ferry from right tackle, where he started every game as a sophomore, to left guard so they would have Ferry and Brouse lined up next to each other. They’re super left handed when they run, particularly with Cross, but they also have 585 pounds blocking for them on that side.
Upper Dublin needs an answer for Kenny Yeboah in the passing game. LaSalle held him in check, and prevented everything downfield to Yeboah, though much of that was due to a fabulous individual effort from Nick Rinella. He still got his (5 catches for 60 yards), but they didn’t hit one go-route or fade, which is a big part of their offense. If Upper Dublin is making Yeboah run hitches or go over the middle (assuming Parkland’s offense gives him the option on routes, it looks like it, but I don’t know) then they’re in good shape.
Defensively, Upper Dublin runs exceptionally well. Their led by a fantastic set of linebackers, Henry Winbrake, Max Winbrake, Rapine, and Gardner. Rapine may be the best athlete on the field for either team, he’s heading to Johns Hopkins to play lacrosse. They don’t have a major individual pass rush threat, but they have thirteen different players who have tallied a sack this year, and get their with a variety of blitz packages and bringing different looks. LaSalle had some success last week bringing pressure from the secondary, and Upper Dublin may try to duplicate that.
Miscellaneous
Upper Dublin has only forced 14 turnovers on the year (7 picks, 7 fumbles), but they really take care of the football, coughing it up just nine times on the season.
Upper Dublin has blocked five kicks this year, led by Rapine who has blocked four. Parkland is perfectly adequate on special teams, but doesn’t have a star at kicker or punter. Long snapper Nolan Ridgway is as good as they come though, so if Upper Dublin is going to get to a kick, they’ll have to scheme it and get there, I don’t see Parkland breaking down.
The Pick
Parkland 42-35
