Tulla, I took my daughter to the North Penn/CB South game as she’s at South now, so was only able to listen on the car ride home as that game started 30 minutes earlier and had a running clock. Side note, NP looks really good, but their defense looks very vulnerable and susceptible to speed (several times the South receivers got behind the secondary, but the South QB just didn’t have the accuracy). NP took them apart without their star RB, who I thought had the first carry of the game, but then I didn’t see him since that touch. Hoping he stays healthy as he is a Swift-like talent.
We got in the car just at the time that Wood punched in the TD to extend the lead to 14-6 with 11:00 + to go in the game. The SJP announcers mentioned the light game experience of an offensive lineman who was called for a false start on the Prep’s final drive that resulted in the FG, so it lends credence to your question about a starting lineman is out. As we know, thankfully, Chada is a difference maker as not many HS kickers can hit a 34 yard FG in that situation.
The offense has struggled the past two weeks without Jones. I’m hoping he is healthy. The only passes that Prep threw in the time that I listened in the 4th went to the back-up Sophomore receiver (is Washington still out)? I also didn’t hear Phillips name called at all in the 4th. Did they only use Bunch and the QB keeper because everything else was ineffective? Is Phillips out, as well? The commentators did mention that the Wood d-line had great push for most of the game and (sounded like) Dane didn’t have much time to throw from the pocket.
I think the team will be pumped for La Salle and I expect a good game with or without Jones, but (if they can squeak past La Salle), they’re going to need all of their traditional starters back to really make a deep run. In my view, the D is going to largely have to carry them and, with a run heavy team, the O-line has to be healthy. With all the talent that they have in that Sophomore class, the passing game has seemed way too inconsistent this year. Not being able to stretch the field like in past years has had a huge impact on the running game. This year has probably witnessed the most 3 and outs in probably over 10 years.
The team still has a chance, but it just won’t be easy and they will be the underdog in several games (including next week). That being said, you have to like all of the experience that the underclassmen are getting and you can see that they are set-up to be a really strong team over the next 2 years.
Finally, not surprised to see the CB West/Pennridge game being a close one and suspect that the West coaching (they’ve had some really good schemes all year and pushed NP in their regular season game) made a difference. From my perspective, I thought Pennridge (with a really good D and decent team speed) could have made some noise in the D1 playoffs and surprised some people if they got by West. The path seems relatively clear for North Penn to get to the final. Should be an interesting match-up with GV. Dark horse seems to be Q’town. Haven’t seen them play yet, but they just keep winning.
