North Penn/UD

[coverandmove1]

Seems if we're not talking about Prep or Lasalle, football doesn't exist. NP on a roll, coach DB pushing all the right buttons and peaking at the right time. Offensively, they can finally run and pass this year, excellent balance, OL playing significantly better than anyone thought. West healthy now but unfortunately FB(28) is still dinged up, however plethora of backs (Ostopowicz, Stewart) takes a little sting out of that issue. After going to Johns early and often at the start of the year the ball has been spread around a little more with Hubler and Henley stepping up to make plays. Def has improved as the year has progressed, only giving up 28 points in 3 playoff games, although turnovers cost DTE some points. Quality of UD competition a question mark ,however holding Pennsbury to 14 points and 52 yards of rushing is a feat. Also shut down Bruce from Upper Darby. Stover and UD passing game give UD balance very similar to NP. Should be a very close hotly contested game where TO's play significant part, Special teams or trick play turns the tide.

 

[NPfan05]

New poster on here but I have been reading the board for years...

I think too much stock is being put into Upper Dublin being able to deal with Pennsbury's physicality and stop their running game. Everything I have heard seems to be that people think that Pennsbury was the ultimate test to see if UD has what it takes. The last two weeks they put 8-9-10 men in the box. North Penn is much more versatile than anything UD has seen. They can run outside, up the middle, throw to the backs, throw deep, and throw intermediate. They will keep UD honest. The development of Hubler, Henley, Vasger and Thomas in the passing attack has been huge. It allows NP to keep Earl (6'1" 235) in as an extra blocker while still throwing to the tight end (either Vasger or Thomas). Some teams have tried to double Johns, like Neshaminy last week, but Udinski just hits Hubler or Henley then. This week UD still has to deal with the power running game but this time they can't load up. If Upper Dublin beats NP it will be a fantastic effort and I believe will prove they have what it takes to at least get to Hershey.

Defensively North Penn has been able to get significant pressure only rushing their 4 linemen. This has freed the linebackers up to drop into coverage and take away the underneath route. It is important that North Penn be able to get pressure on Stover this week with those 4 linemen so that the linebackers can continue to take away the underneath route but also watch him running out of the backfield. NP's weakness on D has been their ability to cover the deep ball and pressure has helped limit that. Lastly, North Penn rotates players more than Upper Dublin which could help late in the game.

 

[coverandmove1]

Now we're talking football.

 

[fbfan1225]

The UD coaches have done a great job this year. As I have said before the team that beats them will need to pass for 200 yards. They stack the box every week not just the past 2 as they have played no team that could pass. If Beck can figure out how to call passing plays that will be the difference.

That said UD could win this game. NP comes into these games with a chip on their shoulder and playing a mostly unknown team could take them for granted, think 2009. Stover makes nice plays all over the field and the drag pass to the slot or TE has been big plays all year. Calling out special teams will be a key to watch. UD has only punted a handful of times this year, i don't have the stats but I will bet 5-7. Their one punt last week should have been blocked and was an adventure. It will be interesting to see what happens if they are forced to punt several times. I would send the house if I am NP. UD also has a few players hurt and they aren't very deep.

You got to think the big school with experience wins this one but the new Rocky movie just came out.

 

[NPfan05]

'09 Ridley-NP final...NP was undefeated and Ridley was determined. A very scrappy bunch that Ridley team was. I would argue that this Upper Diblin team is even better than that Ridley team but may not be as tough. NP will have to have had a good week of practice and stay focused. From what I have seen this far they seem very focused and determined in these games. Almost like they think they have a point to prove too. As I stated, UD has been able to stack the box against Upper Darby and Pennsbury because of the lack of an aerial attack. I would like to see NP spread them out with 3 and 4 receiver sets and run West right at them. See how they do when they can't stack the box. It will also be interesting to see if they elect to double Johns like Neshaminy did last week.

 

[SPEED&JUMP DR.]

Fb- Ridley and North Penn have played 4 times in district play with each team winning two. While Ridley might have been a slight underdog in 2009 , I do not think they were an unknown team.

 

[Stalker]

Slowing Pennsbury down is a good example of Upper Dublin's ability (quickness) but as some inferred its significance shouldn't be exaggerated. It does say they can match up physically....for 4 quarters (and that's critical) against size and quality. Pennsbury's offense may have been a rebuild but the defense was not....and it was year 2 for Alley who was no slouch. Also, they had no trouble with Ply White (42-0), shutting Nasir down. DT East couldn't do that (+230ry) at home. PW's offense was a difficult offense as PSB's was to a degree, speaking to UD's discipline.
Someone mention Upper Darby who had size and considerable athleticism with Bruce over 2400 and the QB over 1600 and a duel threat +1000ry. All I'm getting at is that there are indicators Upper Dublin can play with teams of North Penn's caliber.

The discussion seems to largely be what Upper Dublin hasn't seen or faced rather than what
North Penn has not seen as in a multiple threats a QB of Stover's magnitude presents. (Use to call that one-sided handicapping) He's +2000 passing and almost 1000 rushing,very smart, experienced, long (6-4, 215), quick, accurate. They have underrated speed throughout the team with few drops making Stover and company something few teams have faced.

Having said that, they lose much if OT/LB Winebrake can't play. No.Penn looks to be without Isabella which has to be a loss at LB more than RB.

Bottom line as always it's about line play and special teams which is why to me WInebrake's presence is important. Cards have a strong FG kicker that could prove decisive.

 

[fbfan1225]

Fb- Ridley and North Penn have played 4 times in district play with each team winning two. While Ridley might have been a slight underdog in 2009 , I do not think they were an unknown team.

Speed they took them for granted like everyone except LaSalle did that year. That was one stunned NP crowed leaving that game.

 

[NPfan05]

North Penn was caught with an early right hook that year. They scored and then Ridley returned the kick for a TD. That was killer. That NP team was still young though and returned many of their key starters. The next year they beat CR South handily in the final then lost to La Salle in an incredible game by 3.

Isabella is probably out but Dan Drop filled in for him at LB last week and was outstanding. A couple of sacks, tackles for loss etc. He drilled Mason Jones on one play in the 3rd qtr and it looked like he fumbled. He was ruled down and Neshaminy went on to score. I saw a replay of the game and Jones did, without question, fumble that ball. NP had it going the other way for a TD of they don't blow the whistle. Drop needs to have that same type of game this week.

 

[reluctant_to_comment]

UD 14 - NP 6 at the end of the 1st Quarter

 

[00shoe]

at the half 21 to 17 NP ahead. UD needs to win the 3rd quarter to have a chance. I like DB but UD winning would prove a point.

 

[reluctant_to_comment]

UD up by 16 with 21 unanswered points in the 3rd quarter. 37-21 to start the 4th.

 

[reluctant_to_comment]

46-21. Wow, I didn't see that coming.

 

[00shoe]

Congrats to UpperDublin a Cinderella team. You can slay giants with solid fundamentals and good coaching.

 

[NPfan05]

Hard to call them a Cinderella team. They are undefeated and we all knew at the beginning of the year they were going to be good. They are just doing what many thought they would. NP didn't execute in the second half. They showed in the first half, particularly in the second qtr, that they have the talent. Thats what having a senior laden team can do. They just continuously executed. Congrats to Upper Dublin and good luck!

 

[00shoe]

I call them a Cinderella team because they have whipped the large school Goliaths (Upper Darby, NP, Pennsbury) of district I

 

[coverandmove1]

Watched and read all year long about the great passing attack at NP. Especially cooney and markol with respect to the awesome balance they have now, something they haven't had in years! What happened yesterday to the vaunted attack, pedestrian if you ask me. Non factor.,

 

[Fletchster1]

Solid QB play gives them a chance versus Parkland. Let's Go District 1!