Parkland -SJP

[RoverNation05]

Let’s talk about actual football

This is Parkland’s tenth state playoff appearance. Of course, they were state champs in 2002. They made runs to state finals in 2007 and 2015, with the 2015 quarterfinal against LaSalle being D11’s only win over a PCL school in states and the second over D12 since the PCL joined in 2008 - Liberty beat the George Washington team that knocked out LaSalle in ‘08. The Trojans won their quarter and msde Eastern Finals twice in the 90s, in 96 and 98, when they were establishing themselves as a football program to reckon with.

Parkland started the year 1-1, with a blowout loss to Freedom, but ran through and admittedly soft schedule until a season concluding 27-0 shut out loss to Emmaus. They avenged both losses in the playoffs, with a 17-3 win last week over Emmaus being a huge three week turnaround.

Parkland is coached by Tim Moncman, who went to three state finals and won the ‘08 state title at Liberty. He was Parkland’s defensive coordinator from 2012-15 before taking over following the retirement of legendary Jim Morgans (two state titles with ACC, two finals with Parkland). Moncman runs the defense, while former William Allen head coach Chris Kinane is the offensive play caller.

Parkland is big up front with a very talented sophomore running back in TJ Lawrence. They don’t throw a ton, but Osmany Guzman is completing nearly 70% of his passes on the season and has a 13-3 TD/INT ratio. He’s used his legs more lately, with a career high in rushing in the championship game against Emmaus. They’re young, with four sophomores who contribute on offense, including both running backs.

Defensively, they’ve been lights out in the playoffs. Lawrence at middle linebacker is the guy - if he grows a couple inches he is a four star linebacker, he’s limited to running back at his current height, but he’s still 15. They’ll show a lot of variety in their fronts, lots of smart kids on defense. Dom Martrich at defensive end/stand up linebacker is a menace.

If you look at the Born Index, it power rates Parkland as the fourth best team in D11 and a 24 point underdog in this one (seeing Easton sitting there at #6 and almost ten points better than Parkland is frustrating). They will need to slow the game down and play perfect football to win a 17-14 kind of game tonight. If they get down by two scores, it’s not a good scene.

 

[RCH13co18]

Let’s talk about actual football

This is Parkland’s tenth state playoff appearance. Of course, they were state champs in 2004. They made runs to state finals in 2007 and 2015, with the 2015 quarterfinal against LaSalle being D11’s only win over a PCL school in states and the second over D12 since the PCL joined in 2008 - Liberty beat the George Washington team that knocked out LaSalle in ‘08. The Trojans won their quarter and msde Eastern Finals twice in the 90s, in 96 and 98, when they were establishing themselves as a football program to reckon with.

Parkland started the year 1-1, with a blowout loss to Freedom, but ran through and admittedly soft schedule until a season concluding 27-0 shut out loss to Emmaus. They avenged both losses in the playoffs, with a 17-3 win last week over Emmaus being a huge three week turnaround.

Parkland is coached by Tim Moncman, who went to three state finals and won the ‘08 state title at Liberty. He was Parkland’s defensive coordinator from 2012-15 before taking over following the retirement of legendary Jim Morgans (two state titles with ACC, two finals with Parkland). Moncman runs the defense, while former William Allen head coach Chris Kinane is the offensive play caller.

Parkland is big up front with a very talented sophomore running back in TJ Lawrence. They don’t throw a ton, but Osmany Guzman is completing nearly 70% of his passes on the season and has a 13-3 TD/INT ratio. He’s used his legs more lately, with a career high in rushing in the championship game against Emmaus. They’re young, with four sophomores who contribute on offense, including both running backs.

Defensively, they’ve been lights out in the playoffs. Lawrence at middle linebacker is the guy - if he grows a couple inches he is a four star linebacker, he’s limited to running back at his current height, but he’s still 15. They’ll show a lot of variety in their fronts, lots of smart kids on defense. Dom Martrich at defensive end/stand up linebacker is a menace.

If you look at the Born Index, it power rates Parkland as the fourth best team in D11 and a 24 point underdog in this one (seeing Easton sitting there at #6 and almost ten points better than Parkland is frustrating). They will need to slow the game down and play perfect football to win a 17-14 kind of game tonight. If they get down by two scores, it’s not a good scene.

Does parkland still have a bunch of 2 way guys?

 

[RoverNation05]

Does parkland still have a bunch of 2 way guys?

TJ Lawrence is their running back and middle linebacker - he’s their best player on both offense and defense.

Matt Dorsey plays guard and defensive tackle. He was a 2nd team all EPC offensive lineman this year.

Reid Andrush plays tight end/fullback and defensive end. He was an all Lehigh County defensive player, gets used in packages on offense.

The three receivers, Leo Dauberman, Nass Adams, and Preston Mertz, all are part of a six man group that gets snaps in the secondary. Mertz plays more defense than offense, Adams more offense than defense, Dauberman truly goes both ways and was 2nd team all EPC at receiver and all Lehigh County at safety.

 

[RCH13co18]

TJ Lawrence is their running back and middle linebacker - he’s their best player on both offense and defense.

Matt Dorsey plays guard and defensive tackle. He was a 2nd team all EPC offensive lineman this year.

Reid Andrush plays tight end/fullback and defensive end. He was an all Lehigh County defensive player, gets used in packages on offense.

The three receivers, Leo Dauberman, Nass Adams, and Preston Mertz, all are part of a six man group that gets snaps in the secondary. Mertz plays more defense than offense, Adams more offense than defense, Dauberman truly goes both ways and was 2nd team all EPC at receiver and all Lehigh County at safety.

I remember the last parkland team that played sjp. They had the game in that area I believe. They had a stud rb and wr that made some plays. I just thought they got worn down.

 

[D1 Transplant]

I don't see Parkland, or Easton for that matter had they won District 11, staying within 24 points of Prep. The same fate holds true for the winner of tonight's District One game. Prep should mercy rule their way to winning states.

 

[tulla]

I don't see Parkland, or Easton for that matter had they won District 11, staying within 24 points of Prep. The same fate holds true for the winner of tonight's District One game. Prep should mercy rule their way to winning states.

One real x factor is the weather. Just watched much of the George Washington-LaSalle game in 2008 where GW upset a heavily favored LS with a huge assist from gusty winds that made the LS passing game, which was all based on sharp timing, much less effective:

The forecast for tonight calls for steady cold rain with the possibility of wet snow by the end of the game. I'm not saying that necessarily advantages either team, but that kind of weather makes upsets more possible because turnovers, slips on the turf, etc. are more likely. The game will not be the same as it would be if it were played on a dry field.

 

[Fletchster1]

Hopefully foul weather can slow up SJP and maybe enable Parkland to get a few turnovers to make it in game in the 4th.

 

[RoverNation05]

I don't see Parkland, or Easton for that matter had they won District 11, staying within 24 points of Prep. The same fate holds true for the winner of tonight's District One game. Prep should mercy rule their way to winning states.

I wouldn't either. The advantage Easton has on Parkland in a game like this is they have receivers with a unique physicality and they throw the ball significantly better than Parkland does. Freedom too. I don't think anybody would cover three touchdowns with SJP, but those two would have more of a puncher's chance.

 

[RoverNation05]

I remember the last parkland team that played sjp. They had the game in that area I believe. They had a stud rb and wr that made some plays. I just thought they got worn down.

Last time they played, SJP was up 49-6 at halftime and scored on every possession. That Parkland team was led by Trey Tremba on offense - he got a concussion in the D11 title game and didn't play against SJP. That Parkland team also has the distinction of probably being the worst D11 champion in history - they went 6-4 and finished 6th in the EPC, and were seeded 7th in the field, but then improbably won three straight games in the playoffs (helped in no small part by the #2 seed losing their quarterback and conference player of the year to a broken hand in the last regular season game, priming Parkland for an upset in the first round).

In 2017, SJP went up 35-7 at halftime on Parkland, and won 49-14. That Parkland team came in 12-0, running back Jahan Worth played linebacker at Duquesne, he was like a 1,600 yard rusher. No big receiving threat though. And that game was a stomping.

The 2016 game might be what you're talking about? That one was 24-17 at halftime, before SJP pulled away and won 38-17. D'Andre Swift ran for a cool 317 yards on 18 carries in that one. Parkland recovered a fumble for a touchdown and blocked a punt to set up a score in that one. Not really studs on that Parkland team - Worth was a junior breaking in at running back, looking at the old box score Juan Salas had 100 yards receiving, that's a name I kind of recognize?

The 2014 game of course, was the classic. It helped that Parkland had wide receiver Kenny Yeboah (just caught his first NFL touchdown the other night for the Jets) and Devante Cross (who got a cup of coffee as a safety for the Packers) on offense. Cross had crazy numbers in that game - i think he ran for 96 yards and threw for 280 and scored or threw all four Parkland touchdowns. Late Swift TD was the difference in that one. Yeboah and Cross were both juniors who came back the next year to fuel the run to state finals.

 

[D1 Transplant]

Tulla,
I've watched a few highlight video's of the Prep this year. Their line is college sized. I agree weather is an equalizer, but Prep probably won't need to throw the ball to win this game, barring a few fumbles, this game won't be close.

 

[RoverNation05]

The biggest separator is SJP has one of the best linebacking corps in America, playing behind a very for real defensive line (I think Haskell in particular is fantastic). That is Parkland’s absolute kryptonite. Sacca and Smith will take over.

 

[Relayer]

Only 13-0 midway through the 2nd qt.

 

[RCH13co18]

Only 13-0 midway through the 2nd qt.

Prep fumbled their first possession in the red zone.

 

[MC1975]

20-0

 

[Relayer]

40-0 Prep. Anyone who spent money to watch this game in that weather is a damn fool.

 

[lilromeo]

40-0 Prep. Anyone who spent money to watch this game in that weather is a damn fool.

Watched it streamed. The biggest losers in this game were the Refs. It was so damn obvious they intended for the Prep to double their effort to score. Wait until the penalty yards are announced, What a joke and a disgrace.

 

[Relayer]

Watched it streamed. The biggest losers in this game were the Refs. It was so damn obvious they intended for the Prep to double their effort to score. Wait until the penalty yards are announced, What a joke and a disgrace.

So with proper officiating the score might have been 61-0? Gotcha

 

[lilromeo]

So with proper officiating the score might have been 61-0? Gotcha

Yes ,thats not the point as you know . it was brutal.

 

[Relayer]

Yes ,thats not the point as you know . it was brutal.

I'm know you're correct about the bias officiating. But it was 40-0, how can anyone complain...seriously. Prep is on the verge of winning their 9th championship in 11 years. My alma-mater has never won a single playoff game. Only if we has playoffs in the late 70's, we would have been right there!

 

[Fletchster1]

O’Doyle Rules!

 

[CAMoleskinner]

Walt Snyder. (1968 - 1987).

 

[RoverNation05]

I have never heard of a PCL playoff game where the PCL team didn’t get screwed by the officials. Its the DiMaggio hit streak of PIAA football.

 

[northalleghenytiger]

Parkland come on guys

 

[tulla]

I'm know you're correct about the bias officiating. But it was 40-0, how can anyone complain...seriously. Prep is on the verge of winning their 9th championship in 11 years. My alma-mater has never won a single playoff game. Only if we has playoffs in the late 70's, we would have been right there!

I listened to much of the game but didn't see it, so I can't comment on the officiating. But I can say that if it was the case that the officials were trying to keep the score closer or simply applying different standards to the two teams, it wouldn't be the first time. It's somewhat understandable, but it's still wrong since officials have to be fair even in lopsided games. That's their job, and it's important for officials in all kinds of games not to take it into their own hands to try to even things up even to a minor degree.

Big picture: a state quarterfinal should not be so lopsided. Yes, it could easily have been 61-0. You don't even have had to play the game to feel sorry for the Parkland players who were so overmatched. It's awful to lose by such a margin, especially if it's your last high school game and maybe your last overall game ever. And to be honest, I don't think it can be all that great for the SJP players either.

It will be interesting to see what happens in the next two weeks. Bonner, Roman, and SJP are all (easily) into the state semifinals so it's very possible state championships in the three largest classifications will be won by PCL teams. (It also looks like PCC has a good chance to be in the final.) Probably a good time to consider where things are and how best to go forward. Rover's great reports suggest 1) Parkland, at least over the course of the year, was the third or fourth best 6A team in District 11, and 2) high school football in the Valley is a fair bit weaker than it was a decade or so ago. It's hard to see how that can be due to SJP's dominance, but maybe there's a connection I don't see.

 

[Relayer]

Walt Snyder. (1968 - 1987).

Thanks skinner. Walt was my second biggest role model after my father. He was was a great coach, but a better person. CR had very good teams in '76, and the team I started on in '79. Both could have fared very well in playoffs.

 

[D1 Transplant]

I would imagine this is the last year that we'll see boundary versus non-boundary. I would think D11 is sick and tired of these unfair match-ups, and the press, fan base and coaches will push to end this nonsense.

 

[Fletchster1]

Just need the ADs to band together.

 

[bucksftball]

It sometimes seems like the Prep is purposely trying to make things even worse. Last week Sacca gets a pick six at the end of the game, up 35-0. Why is the first team still in? They score this week up 40-7 and tack another one on... is this a result of the Souderton situation in 2020? Trying to put up numbers for national ranking / recruiting purposes?

I just saw that the late score was a kickoff return. Not sure it changes my thoughts on the late scores, but perhaps a little more understandable if it was the backups on the return.

 

[tulla]

It sometimes seems like the Prep is purposely trying to make things even worse. Last week Sacca gets a pick six at the end of the game, up 35-0. Why is the first team still in? They score this week up 40-7 and tack another one on... is this a result of the Souderton situation in 2020? Trying to put up numbers for national ranking / recruiting purposes?

I just saw that the late score was a kickoff return. Not sure it changes my thoughts on the late scores, but perhaps a little more understandable if it was the backups on the return.

Certainly it was mostly the back-ups beginning late in the third quarter. I'm not sure why the starters stay in longer in some games than in others--when the margins are substantial. As I recall, against Souderton in 2020 there were many who thought SJP should have put the starters back after Souderton scored a couple of times.

National rankings don't mean anything, at least not this year, for SJP.

 

[lilromeo]

I have never heard of a PCL playoff game where the PCL team didn’t get screwed by the officials. Its the DiMaggio hit streak of PIAA football.

Parkland kids played tough no doubt. I know you watched the game and if you disagree that the Refs were not biased then I am amazed that you would think otherwise. Yes the score could have been worse or maybe the mercy rule would have been implemented in the first half and the prep plays reserves for the entire second half. Im going to drop it,just dont want the refs to ruin the playing of the game.

 

[RoverNation05]

I was actually at Lafayette to see Joe McCourt go into the hall of fame tonight, so I guess I was supporting the PCL after all. Just a long con.

Tulla, I actually think LV football is in a better spot now than it’s been in the last ten years or so (2016-2020 was a particularly bad lull, I think it’s on the upswing). I think I could credibly argue 5 of the top 15ish teams in 6A are from D11. None in the top five, but maybe half of the next tier is Valley teams. Parkland was an unlikely champ, I probably would have ranked them fifth of those five going into playoffs. But they won the games.

I agree with what Moncman says a couple years ago afyer SJP - it sucks that it is locked in to be D11’s first game every year. Flexibility in the bracket would be nice.

 

[RCH13co18]

Maybe PIAA don’t step in bc non boundary only dominates one classification. Thoughts?

 

[D1 Transplant]

Maybe PIAA don’t step in bc non boundary only dominates one classification. Thoughts?

I doubt it. They're more concerned with law suits and less with fairness.

 

[D1 Transplant]

Parkland kids played tough no doubt. I know you watched the game and if you disagree that the Refs were not biased then I am amazed that you would think otherwise. Yes the score could have been worse or maybe the mercy rule would have been implemented in the first half and the prep plays reserves for the entire second half. Im going to drop it,just dont want the refs to ruin the playing of the game.

You're more concerned with the ref's ruining the game, but have no concern about an all-star team of elite athletes recruited from a 50 mile radius over two states and hundreds of school districts not ruining the game? Ok.

 

[RoverNation05]

Here’s Tim after the game

 

[lilromeo]

You're more concerned with the ref's ruining the game, but have no concern about an all-star team of elite athletes recruited from a 50 mile radius over two states and hundreds of school districts not ruining the game? Ok.

Not the refs job to try and influence the outcome of a game.If you believe otherwise then so be it. The prep has been doing the same thing they have always done ,just doing it better .

 

[D1 Transplant]

I didn't see the game, but I seriously doubt the refs were trying to influence the outcome, but if you believe that, so be it.

 

[tulla]

I didn't see the game, but I seriously doubt the refs were trying to influence the outcome, but if you believe that, so be it.

I just saw the video of the game. The refs were definitely not being even-handed.

It's a different issue completely from the recruiting one. The problem may be--and here I am just guessing--that the refs, like a lot of other people, may have both anticipated and witnessed the disparity and, consciously or not, thought they'd try to give Parkland a bit of a break.

I saw Emmaus-Easton a couple of weeks ago. Both looked a good bit better than Parkland.

 

[D1 Transplant]

Just read an article where Tim Roken talked about the penalties, he said and I quote "we will have to clean up the amount of penalties." He didn't complain, so be like Tim.

Also, Easton and Emmaus would suffer the same fate as Parkland did, both those teams get mercy ruled.

 

[tulla]

Just read an article where Tim Roken talked about the penalties, he said and I quote "we will have to clean up the amount of penalties." He didn't complain, so be like Tim.

Also, Easton and Emmaus would suffer the same fate as Parkland did, both those teams get mercy ruled.

You can imagine the reaction if Roken had complained about the officiating after a 46-8 win. I've never heard him say anything bad about any refs. But Lil and I aren't SJP coaches--and Lil isn't even an SJP guy. We just watched the game.

Of course not all the calls against the Prep were bad ones. It's just that some of the calls (and non-calls) looked very one-sided. Don't believe me? Watch the tape.