Pennridge 35 Pennsbury 0

[705 Hood]

Another week, another mercy rule shutout loss for the Falcons. Pennsbury has now lost 8 straight football games (perhaps the first time that has ever been said). The Falcons more than doubled their total offensive output from 83 yards last week to 172 yards Friday night, but also lost 4 fumbles. Defensively, PHS allowed 368 rushing yards to Pennridge (per PAPrepLive), and the punt team gave up a second blocked punt in two weeks.

Some observations on the situation at PHS:
* Coach McShane has noted that the Falcons are young (again), but the most striking thing I noticed from the bleachers about the team is their SIZE, or more specifically, the lack thereof. The O and D lines look like JV or even Freshman units. One parent mentioned that one OT tips the scales at 145 lbs.
* PHS finished this game at 51 carries for 147 yards, but was at 42 for 94 before their final mercy-time drive.
* After 2 games, 53 of 58 rushing attempts by RBs have been by 3 sophomores.
* The option pitch is not yet a viable part of the new flex-bone offense. For the second week in a row, I noted exactly ONE option pitch (which was, in fact, an overhand throw).
* The passing game was a Galen Snyder-like 2-3 for 25 yards (2 game totals: 3-6 for 34). I thought for a brief moment that it was 2013 when I heard a fan yell, "Throw the ball!"
* For the record, no one on the active roster had thrown or caught a varsity pass before this year.
* Speaking of throwing, last year's JR starting QB did not come out for football this year. Per some parents in the stands, some number of starting lineman-types also decided not to play.
* Believe it or not, last year's leading rusher (and only player with a varsity carry coming into the season) is serving a multi-game academic probation.
* Adding injury to insult, two starting defensive players went down on back to back plays in the third quarter. At least one looked serious.
* An 0-10 season is a very real possibility. IF Snyder indicates that he wants to coach again, smart money says the AD entertains the idea (heard it here first LOL).
* With North Penn up next at Falcon Field, I hope Coach Beck is feeling extraordinarily merciful next Friday.

 

[HSFB99]

Hood, what is the reasoning behind starters not coming back out for the team? There’s clearly something wrong within the program. That’s very rare, unless they quit to focus on another sport. I also noticed they severely lack size and numbers. What’s the beef?

 

[705 Hood]

Hood, what is the reasoning behind starters not coming back out for the team? There’s clearly something wrong within the program. That’s very rare, unless they quit to focus on another sport. I also noticed they severely lack size and numbers. What’s the beef?

The folks I spoke to didn't know the reason for some kids not coming back. An issue within the program would be the first place to look, but I am unaware of any deep-rooted problems. From what I have seen, practices can be somewhat slow-paced, even boring, but kids in every program complain about practice. I agree it is rare to lose starters year over year and I don't remember another significant example of this at PHS over the last 10 years or so.

 

[HSFB99]

It seems their roster numbers are also really down considering their overall enrollment. Are they losing kids to Egan or other Catholic/privates?

 

[705 Hood]

It seems their roster numbers are also really down considering their overall enrollment. Are they losing kids to Egan or other Catholic/privates?

I'll get my first official look at the roster next week at home, but numbers seem lower. They always lose a few to Egan and Notre Dame (NJ), but I don't know specifics this year.

 

[HSFB99]

Who do they play this week? Thanks

 

[705 Hood]

Who do they play this week? Thanks

North Penn at Pennsbury. Just what the Falcons need right now.

 

[solfootballfan]

I see Neshaminy and Pennsbury are winless. Doesn’t sound well down there.

 

[wilson8500]

I asked about the lack of players.A Pennsbury grad at the game said sophomores don't dress for games. They did list a lot more in the game program.

 

[705 Hood]

I asked about the lack of players.A Pennsbury grad at the game said sophomores don't dress for games. They did list a lot more in the game program.

I think that is generally correct for away games. Usually bring first two strings of O and D, plus all seniors, specials, maybe all QBs and maybe a few random others. Lots of sophs and some juniors stay home, probably saving use of one bus. But generally they dress everyone in the program for home games.

 

[McShittty]

I think that is generally correct for away games. Usually bring first two strings of O and D, plus all seniors, specials, maybe all QBs and maybe a few random others. Lots of sophs and some juniors stay home, probably saving use of one bus. But generally they dress everyone in the program for home games.

 

[McShittty]

I think that is generally correct for away games. Usually bring first two strings of O and D, plus all seniors, specials, maybe all QBs and maybe a few random others. Lots of sophs and some juniors stay home, probably saving use of one bus. But generally they dress everyone in the program for home games.

I'll get my first official look at the roster next week at home, but numbers seem lower. They always lose a few to Egan and Notre Dame (NJ), but I don't know specifics this year

 

[McShittty]

PHS lost 2 kids to Egan, and 2 kids moved to Bristol.
Snyder will take the team next year, and with in 5 years he will pass it down to his son.
💶💰in the 🏦🏦!

 

[HSFB99]

Has Snyder expressed interest in coming back?

 

[705 Hood]

PHS lost 2 kids to Egan, and 2 kids moved to Bristol.
Snyder will take the team next year, and with in 5 years he will pass it down to his son.
💶💰in the 🏦🏦!

Very plausible scenario, IMHO. Heard Snyder's son was currently student-teaching in Pennsbury district.

 

[HSFB99]

Any idea why Snyder left West?

 

[705 Hood]

Any idea why Snyder left West?

I do not but will keep my ears open.

 

[solfootballfan]

West has been a remote shell for years. The younger coaches are most likely woke. Surprised Beck and GV coach have held on this long. I’m hearing that West’s run a couple years ago is over and don’t expect anything serious in the future. Coaches are young and inexperienced, with the exception of Sanders and the numbers are light. Most likely have a few more losses coming this year. Just hearsay, but what’s said.

 

[lilromeo]

Any idea why Snyder left West?

heard he couldnt get along with some of the staff.

 

[solfootballfan]

I was surprised to hear him last week on Pennridge game. Very interesting to hear his analysis; he’s like Carey when he was on the radio, definitely more knowledgeable than I.

 

[wilson8500]

What did he say about the game?

 

[bucksftball]

West has been a remote shell for years. The younger coaches are most likely woke. Surprised Beck and GV coach have held on this long. I’m hearing that West’s run a couple years ago is over and don’t expect anything serious in the future. Coaches are young and inexperienced, with the exception of Sanders and the numbers are light. Most likely have a few more losses coming this year. Just hearsay, but what’s said.

Not accurate, at all. West has two coaches in their 30s, including Coach Rowan, and the rest of the staff is 50+. Coach Rowan and Coach Gehringer (OL - LaSalle and Catholic U) are younger but I don't think anyone would describe them as woke. Coach Rowan was hand picked by Mike Carey, from his coaching tree, and I don't think he's picking a coach that's "woke". Is the run over? Hard to say. Numbers are UP, not down. 2019 team was dressing less than 40 players, now at 60+ when everyone is healthy so probably in the 55 range for most games. Last year's senior class was tiny and this year's senior class is smaller than the classes behind it, meaning the numbers next year will also go up.

West has a serious weight program and they take maybe one month off a year without OTAs but otherwise they are an 11 month a year program now. Word is their on-field practices are tough. They run an old school system that is based on being physical and wearing teams down, when they don't have the size or talent to compete with them otherwise. That's not going to work against everyone, and yes, they might lost some more games this year, but the program looks like it could be at the point where it's 6-4, 7-3, 8-2 consistently, with the occasional year like 2019 when the talent all comes together. When you look at some of the guys they've lined up on the field the last couple of years... I don't know that you can point at the staff and say they're not getting the most out of the kids. Leaving the South game last week, and talking to people on both sides... there's no reason that West should be able to line up and run South over, not from a talent perspective. But they did, for the third year in a row. So something is going right. Doylestown and the surrounding area is a very different place from when Coach Pettine retired. Not just the opening of CB South (imagine the 2019 West team if they had say, just 5 of the better players from South that year) but just as important there's been a major demographic shift and there are fewer kids playing football. Youth leagues in the immediate area are struggling.

So I guess it's about re-calibrating expectations. If they average 7-3 with a playoff appearance each year, is that success? It's certainly a step forward after a lot of years mostly struggling.

In terms of Snyder, as lilromeo stated, the word is he couldn't successfully integrate into the existing staff. He's close with Sanderson obviously so it's not like he walked in there a complete stranger. I have no idea on the specifics.

 

[HSFB99]

I agree Bucks. Add into the fact that Coach Pettine wasn’t losing several starters per year to privates. LaSalles roster is littered with kids that would go to west if they went the public school route (many of them were in CB middle schools). I’m not saying this is right or wrong (nor do I want to get into a public/private debate), but it is just a fact. It’s harder to win at a lot of the public schools today than it was 20-30 years ago.

 

[bucksftball]

I agree Bucks. Add into the fact that Coach Pettine wasn’t losing several starters per year to privates. LaSalles roster is littered with kids that would go to west if they went the public school route (many of them were in CB middle schools). I’m not saying this is right or wrong (nor do I want to get into a public/private debate), but it is just a fact. It’s harder to win at a lot of the public schools today than it was 20-30 years ago.

Yeah exactly, I stay away from that topic because there's not much you can do about it except try to get better so that more of those kids decide to stay home.

 

[HSFB99]

For sure, I’m just pointing out the obvious. I’m not casting blame or making excuses for anyone. It’s just the reality of this day and age.

 

[705 Hood]

I was surprised to hear him last week on Pennridge game. Very interesting to hear his analysis; he’s like Carey when he was on the radio, definitely more knowledgeable than I.

Agreed, he provided some pretty deep insight for a high school broadcast regarding the new flex-bone at PHS.

 

[solfootballfan]

Not accurate, at all. West has two coaches in their 30s, including Coach Rowan, and the rest of the staff is 50+. Coach Rowan and Coach Gehringer (OL - LaSalle and Catholic U) are younger but I don't think anyone would describe them as woke. Coach Rowan was hand picked by Mike Carey, from his coaching tree, and I don't think he's picking a coach that's "woke". Is the run over? Hard to say. Numbers are UP, not down. 2019 team was dressing less than 40 players, now at 60+ when everyone is healthy so probably in the 55 range for most games. Last year's senior class was tiny and this year's senior class is smaller than the classes behind it, meaning the numbers next year will also go up.

West has a serious weight program and they take maybe one month off a year without OTAs but otherwise they are an 11 month a year program now. Word is their on-field practices are tough. They run an old school system that is based on being physical and wearing teams down, when they don't have the size or talent to compete with them otherwise. That's not going to work against everyone, and yes, they might lost some more games this year, but the program looks like it could be at the point where it's 6-4, 7-3, 8-2 consistently, with the occasional year like 2019 when the talent all comes together. When you look at some of the guys they've lined up on the field the last couple of years... I don't know that you can point at the staff and say they're not getting the most out of the kids. Leaving the South game last week, and talking to people on both sides... there's no reason that West should be able to line up and run South over, not from a talent perspective. But they did, for the third year in a row. So something is going right. Doylestown and the surrounding area is a very different place from when Coach Pettine retired. Not just the opening of CB South (imagine the 2019 West team if they had say, just 5 of the better players from South that year) but just as important there's been a major demographic shift and there are fewer kids playing football. Youth leagues in the immediate area are struggling.

So I guess it's about re-calibrating expectations. If they average 7-3 with a playoff appearance each year, is that success? It's certainly a step forward after a lot of years mostly struggling.

In terms of Snyder, as lilromeo stated, the word is he couldn't successfully integrate into the existing staff. He's close with Sanderson obviously so it's not like he walked in there a complete stranger. I have no idea on the

Not accurate, at all. West has two coaches in their 30s, including Coach Rowan, and the rest of the staff is 50+. Coach Rowan and Coach Gehringer (OL - LaSalle and Catholic U) are younger but I don't think anyone would describe them as woke. Coach Rowan was hand picked by Mike Carey, from his coaching tree, and I don't think he's picking a coach that's "woke". Is the run over? Hard to say. Numbers are UP, not down. 2019 team was dressing less than 40 players, now at 60+ when everyone is healthy so probably in the 55 range for most games. Last year's senior class was tiny and this year's senior class is smaller than the classes behind it, meaning the numbers next year will also go up.

West has a serious weight program and they take maybe one month off a year without OTAs but otherwise they are an 11 month a year program now. Word is their on-field practices are tough. They run an old school system that is based on being physical and wearing teams down, when they don't have the size or talent to compete with them otherwise. That's not going to work against everyone, and yes, they might lost some more games this year, but the program looks like it could be at the point where it's 6-4, 7-3, 8-2 consistently, with the occasional year like 2019 when the talent all comes together. When you look at some of the guys they've lined up on the field the last couple of years... I don't know that you can point at the staff and say they're not getting the most out of the kids. Leaving the South game last week, and talking to people on both sides... there's no reason that West should be able to line up and run South over, not from a talent perspective. But they did, for the third year in a row. So something is going right. Doylestown and the surrounding area is a very different place from when Coach Pettine retired. Not just the opening of CB South (imagine the 2019 West team if they had say, just 5 of the better players from South that year) but just as important there's been a major demographic shift and there are fewer kids playing football. Youth leagues in the immediate area are struggling.

So I guess it's about re-calibrating expectations. If they average 7-3 with a playoff appearance each year, is that success? It's certainly a step forward after a lot of years mostly struggling.

In terms of Snyder, as lilromeo stated, the word is he couldn't successfully integrate into the existing staff. He's close with Sanderson obviously so it's not like he walked in there a complete stranger. I have no idea on the specifics.

Ok, you are obviously close and this is a bit sensitive. Not a big deal. I just heard that the coaches are new to the system and the HC was all in but a couple others not. It’s understandable that some people might be a bit sensitive and take offense if a guy that was running that system for years comes in and points out changes that need to be done. Change is very difficult for most especially when you are 50+ and think you are experienced at a particular job. There was others that couldn’t believe what transpired along with parents. So most know what went on there. Like I said, sometimes change is hard especially coming unvarnished.

just reminds me of Trump, many were upset with a different perspective from many years of doing things a certain way. I also heard that Snyder could give 2 shits so it doesn’t matter anyway.

The good news for West is that I also heard they took his suggestions and are running with them.

win, win as they say 😀

 

[bucksftball]

Ok, you are obviously close and this is a bit sensitive. Not a big deal. I just heard that the coaches are new to the system and the HC was all in but a couple others not. It’s understandable that some people might be a bit sensitive and take offense if a guy that was running that system for years comes in and points out changes that need to be done. Change is very difficult for most especially when you are 50+ and think you are experienced at a particular job. There was others that couldn’t believe what transpired along with parents. So most know what went on there. Like I said, sometimes change is hard especially coming unvarnished.

just reminds me of Trump, many were upset with a different perspective from many years of doing things a certain way. I also heard that Snyder could give 2 shits so it doesn’t matter anyway.

The good news for West is that I also heard they took his suggestions and are running with them.

win, win as they say

Not worth a long back and forth because yes, I do know a lot of people close to the program, but no, the consistent story is that it wasn't about the offensive scheme. The changes he would have made offensively would have been to a system that his close friend Sanderson helped install, and would have been helping him run. I wasn't in the room so everything that occurred is just rumors floating around or colored with each person's take on the situation. Coach Snyder and his son were never on the field for a practice or even met the players, so I'm not sure too many parents have the slightest idea what transpired. By all accounts, he's a great coach and I'm sure would have been a great asset to West. What I'm pointing out as not true are 1. Numbers are light 2. Young coaches are "woke"

 

[solfootballfan]

Lol, 50’s is young for me. I think you can be woke In your 50’s. I’m old. Hey, I wasn’t there either. Just 2nd and 3rd hand. How many kids they got out? I think that can’t be in question. Any both ways?

no practices and they can’t work with someone? Wow, I guess that’s what our world has come to. We used to at least work together and work things out and or give it some time to make a call. Me thinks there’s more to this as I was told from a few sources.

it doesn’t matter, I hope Snyder doesn’t go back to Pennsbury because they were a force.

 

[bucksftball]

Lol, 50’s is young for me. I think you can be woke In your 50’s. I’m old. Hey, I wasn’t there either. Just 2nd and 3rd hand. How many kids they got out? I think that can’t be in question. Any both ways?

no practices and they can’t work with someone? Wow, I guess that’s what our world has come to. We used to at least work together and work things out and or give it some time to make a call. Me thinks there’s more to this as I was told from a few sources.

it doesn’t matter, I hope Snyder doesn’t go back to Pennsbury because they were a force.

Numbers in 2018, first year of new staff were low 60s in 9th-12th.
Numbers in 2021, year four, are approximately +40, a little over 100.

Even with some early season injuries and a suspension carried over from last year, only two guys starting both ways. A few guys flipping over occasionally but only two doing it regularly.

Again, I wasn't there so it's all rumors, but it doesn't sound like a snap decision to part ways. Sounds like it built up over the course of numerous staff meetings. I'm sure each side has their own version of it, but like you say, at this point it doesn't matter.

 

[solfootballfan]

What did he say about the game?

Too deep for me, ha ha.

he was talkin schemes and such and how a certain block and play is good for different circumstances and the pros and cons of running it. These guys most likely forgot more than most of us will ever know.

Also, something about other schools and teams back in the 70’s and how they ran the flex bone.

you can tell it’s the dude’s life passion.