11. Pennsbury 3-1. It was another romp for Pennsbury with Souderton showing little, going down hard in a 37-0 loss. The win comes on the heels of their 41-19 rout of Council Rock North the week before suggesting they are finding their groove. Ok, sit down for this one. In what will appear as a typo, Pennsbury quarterback Mike Alley threw three touchdowns (three!) of 17, 71 and 74 yards. The Wing-T still pounded out 324 yards on the ground but how about Air Pennsbury! They’ve been “ground and pound” so let’s hear it for a little “lost and found” with the forward pass…while they still have quarterback Mike Alley (6-4, 215, sr) on the roster. He has a strong enough arm and a good touch. Anything there would go a long way towards replacing or at least masking skill losses and giving them balance, something new in Fairless Hills. With Abington and Bensalem up next, two 0-4 teams with a combined yield of 286 points or 36ppg, the Falcons should continue their roll.
12. Quakertown 4-0. In a recurrent theme, Quakertown also had the weekend off beating punch less Tennett 56-7. Senior running back Robert Burns (5-10, 185) has grown into another level this year, rushing for 248 yards and five touchdowns on 12 carries. Same for senior Tom Garlick (Archbishop Wood) at 6-4 who is having a strong year completing 21 of 38 passes for 345 yards. Check the stats to see they are beating teams far more convincingly this year than last, motoring along at 44ppg with a defense allowing 8ppg. If anything, we may be underestimating them this year based on seasons where in all honesty they disappointed. Norristown is next, and at 2-2 they shouldn’t be taken lightly. But who will show up? The team that crushed Methacton and Wissahickon, then losing narrowly to Plymouth Whitemarsh, or the one that lost last week to Central Bucks West (1-3) 31-28?
13. Perkiomen Valley 4-0. Well, at least these games allow the offense to stretch their legs. Perk Val stretched them pretty good last week trouncing 1-3 Owen J. Roberts 49-14. Quarterback Stephen Sturm played a half, completing 11 of 13 for 194 yards and three touchdowns. He’s got 13 touchdowns for the year. This week finds them in Pottstown against the undefeated Trojans battling for PAC-10 respect and an AAA post season berth. A win here would just about lock that up. But the problem with these “newcomers” doing well is that they are newcomers doing well!...getting everyone’s attention, in particular the blue bloods of the neighborhood like Spring Ford, Pottsgrove and Perkiomen Valley who destroyed them last year 42-6. Pottstown won’t be able to stop them, making the question, will they be able to keep up?
14. Freedom 4-0. Let Freedom ring….and roll as they storm their way through Southern competition, undefeated, atop the conference alongside mighty Parkland. Last week was a statement of sorts playing without injured running back Roberto Diez. As is often the case, two seniors stepped into the void, Andre Santos (5-9, 215) and Jeremy Parker (5-8, 170). LB/RB Santos packs a wallop with Parker adding some zip to compliment another strong performance from quarterback Joe Young who was nearly perfect, completing 6 of 7 for 162 yards. Allentown Central Catholic (3-1) is next, nipping at their heels a game back. This will be Freedom’s toughest game to date and yet another test for the Central Catholic coming off games against Parkland and Easton who they defeated last week 26-24.
15. Spring Ford 4-0. The Rams sent Boyertown to their third defeat of the season after recovering from a first half slump to score 36 second half points to beat the Bears 39-6. Update; senior quarterback Rick Venuto (6-0, 185) won the starting quarterback position Stone Scarcelle was projected to acquire and is having a good year, completing 68% of his passes for 644 yards. He had another strong outing last week completing 9 of 15 for 144 yards with a touchdown and 44 yards rushing that produced two more touchdowns. Winless Methacton is next, allowing 46ppg. The Rams beat a much better Warrior team last year 49-20 and can name it here. Then comes Pottsgrove.
16. Nazareth 3-1. Talk about a lights out performance! Quarterback Travis Stefanik was awesome against Emmaus, completing 15 of 22 passes for 228 yards and five touchdowns while running for another 204 yards on 18 carries for two more scores. 432 total yards! All of this was part of a great comeback at Emmaus where the Hornets led 28-21 at the half only to see Naz go on a 28-8 second half tear to win it going away, 49-36. Wow! One thing that is obvious about the EPC-South, it is one of the most competitive conferences in the state and a conference that is loaded with talent. As much as we wave the banner here in southeastern Pennsylvania, and rightly so, you’ve got to give credit to the teams up north in the Lehigh Valley. They should move to 4-1 at home verses Northampton (1-3) this week, a team they beat last year 35-21.
17. Liberty 3-1. Liberty bounced back last week following their loss to Nazareth, blasting Whitehall 42-7. While it came as no surprise they won, knowing Whitehall graduated 21 of 22 starters, it was the enormity of the win that got your attention, showing us just how large the Hurricane offense can be, combined with defensive improvements made over the week before. Quarterback Doug Erney was awesome, completing 9 of 13 passes for 158 yards and 3 tds. As impressive was his running ability, darting here and there on the way to 70 yards of real estate. He is the real deal and will have much to do with how far the Canes go this year. Struggling Emmaus is next (1-3) mired in a three game losing streak. Liberty bested them last year 42-33 and should have their way again this year with the focus they had against Whitehall to prevent the look ahead to Parkland the following week.
18. Council Rock South 2-2. If you’re looking for one of the best 2-2 teams in the East, here you go. In truth they are one of the better teams in southeastern PA with the narrow losses to Pennsbury and Neshaminy marring their record to prevent a 4-0 slate. With two more consecutive home games, they could really ramp things up the next few weeks before playing Quakertown October 23rd. Coming off a 50-15 win against Truman, they have Central Bucks East (3-1) this week and Central Bucks West (1-3) the following. The game this week will be a war (46-40 CRS last year) with the Patriots coming off a 26-21 loss at home to Council Rock North, their first loss of the year.
19. Wyoming Valley West 4-0. You can only ignore 4-0 so long, even if the schedule is lacking. What they do pass in flying colors is the eye test. Gee, there’s a concept! Can’t see all these teams but there is the internet to help out. They’re impressive, handling 3A-Wyoming 42-17, 4A Delaware Valley 30-6, 3A-Pittston 62-13 and 3A-Berwick last week 34-6. They are deep in skill players at running back and wide out and return a huge line that has become a Spartan staple over the years; Chris Bleich 6-6 310-soph, Jason Wall 5-11 265-sr, Brian Hoffman 6-0 260-sr, Brydon Rukstalis 6-0 225-jr, Chris Wolfe 6-0 260-sr and TE LJ Wesneski 6-3 235-sr. Coughlin (3-1, 3A) is next, a team they beat last year 48-20. There doesn’t appear to be a team on the schedule that can beat them although they finish with two road games that could get dicey, Scranton (3-1) and the undefeated Millionaires of Williamsport who are loaded at the skill positions with speed.
20. Plymouth Whitemarsh 4-0. Whitemarsh doesn’t impress as much as Valley West as a one dimensional attack but what a job they’ve done rebuilding last year’s line that at the top of the season appeared to be a liability. Apart from TE Luke Mascio (6-2, 220, sr), the entire line graduated including Virginia signee LT Ryan Bischoff (6-5, 305), RT Joe DeSanto (6-3, 270, the Archbishop Carroll transfer, West Chester U), OGs Brett Highland (6-0, 240, Ursinus College) and Steve Kovacic (6-1, 275, Wilkes Univ) plus Center Anthony Casselli (5-11, 250, Albright). But with running backs Nafeese Nasir (765 ry), Jake Winterbottom (185ry) and Blaise Gravinese (255ry) gaining 1205 yards, an average of 7.83 ypc, you know the new line is getting it done. Junior Joe Stoberl (5-11, 175) has settled in under center. 1-3 Wissahickon is next, then Upper Moreland who just lost at home to Hatboro Horsham suggesting the Colonials will be 6-0 heading into the Upper Dublin game October 16th.
Honorable Mention
Williamsport 4-0, at Dallas
Stroudsburg 3-1, home to East Stroudsburg South
Central Bucks South 2-2, at North Penn
Central Bucks East 3-1, at Council Rock South
Pennridge 2-2, at Neshaminy
Council Rock North 2-2, home to Tennett
Garnet Valley 3-1, home to Springfield
Unionville 3-1, at Downingtown East
Northeast 4-0, at Roxborough
Franklin 3-1, at Martin Luther King
12. Quakertown 4-0. In a recurrent theme, Quakertown also had the weekend off beating punch less Tennett 56-7. Senior running back Robert Burns (5-10, 185) has grown into another level this year, rushing for 248 yards and five touchdowns on 12 carries. Same for senior Tom Garlick (Archbishop Wood) at 6-4 who is having a strong year completing 21 of 38 passes for 345 yards. Check the stats to see they are beating teams far more convincingly this year than last, motoring along at 44ppg with a defense allowing 8ppg. If anything, we may be underestimating them this year based on seasons where in all honesty they disappointed. Norristown is next, and at 2-2 they shouldn’t be taken lightly. But who will show up? The team that crushed Methacton and Wissahickon, then losing narrowly to Plymouth Whitemarsh, or the one that lost last week to Central Bucks West (1-3) 31-28?
13. Perkiomen Valley 4-0. Well, at least these games allow the offense to stretch their legs. Perk Val stretched them pretty good last week trouncing 1-3 Owen J. Roberts 49-14. Quarterback Stephen Sturm played a half, completing 11 of 13 for 194 yards and three touchdowns. He’s got 13 touchdowns for the year. This week finds them in Pottstown against the undefeated Trojans battling for PAC-10 respect and an AAA post season berth. A win here would just about lock that up. But the problem with these “newcomers” doing well is that they are newcomers doing well!...getting everyone’s attention, in particular the blue bloods of the neighborhood like Spring Ford, Pottsgrove and Perkiomen Valley who destroyed them last year 42-6. Pottstown won’t be able to stop them, making the question, will they be able to keep up?
14. Freedom 4-0. Let Freedom ring….and roll as they storm their way through Southern competition, undefeated, atop the conference alongside mighty Parkland. Last week was a statement of sorts playing without injured running back Roberto Diez. As is often the case, two seniors stepped into the void, Andre Santos (5-9, 215) and Jeremy Parker (5-8, 170). LB/RB Santos packs a wallop with Parker adding some zip to compliment another strong performance from quarterback Joe Young who was nearly perfect, completing 6 of 7 for 162 yards. Allentown Central Catholic (3-1) is next, nipping at their heels a game back. This will be Freedom’s toughest game to date and yet another test for the Central Catholic coming off games against Parkland and Easton who they defeated last week 26-24.
15. Spring Ford 4-0. The Rams sent Boyertown to their third defeat of the season after recovering from a first half slump to score 36 second half points to beat the Bears 39-6. Update; senior quarterback Rick Venuto (6-0, 185) won the starting quarterback position Stone Scarcelle was projected to acquire and is having a good year, completing 68% of his passes for 644 yards. He had another strong outing last week completing 9 of 15 for 144 yards with a touchdown and 44 yards rushing that produced two more touchdowns. Winless Methacton is next, allowing 46ppg. The Rams beat a much better Warrior team last year 49-20 and can name it here. Then comes Pottsgrove.
16. Nazareth 3-1. Talk about a lights out performance! Quarterback Travis Stefanik was awesome against Emmaus, completing 15 of 22 passes for 228 yards and five touchdowns while running for another 204 yards on 18 carries for two more scores. 432 total yards! All of this was part of a great comeback at Emmaus where the Hornets led 28-21 at the half only to see Naz go on a 28-8 second half tear to win it going away, 49-36. Wow! One thing that is obvious about the EPC-South, it is one of the most competitive conferences in the state and a conference that is loaded with talent. As much as we wave the banner here in southeastern Pennsylvania, and rightly so, you’ve got to give credit to the teams up north in the Lehigh Valley. They should move to 4-1 at home verses Northampton (1-3) this week, a team they beat last year 35-21.
17. Liberty 3-1. Liberty bounced back last week following their loss to Nazareth, blasting Whitehall 42-7. While it came as no surprise they won, knowing Whitehall graduated 21 of 22 starters, it was the enormity of the win that got your attention, showing us just how large the Hurricane offense can be, combined with defensive improvements made over the week before. Quarterback Doug Erney was awesome, completing 9 of 13 passes for 158 yards and 3 tds. As impressive was his running ability, darting here and there on the way to 70 yards of real estate. He is the real deal and will have much to do with how far the Canes go this year. Struggling Emmaus is next (1-3) mired in a three game losing streak. Liberty bested them last year 42-33 and should have their way again this year with the focus they had against Whitehall to prevent the look ahead to Parkland the following week.
18. Council Rock South 2-2. If you’re looking for one of the best 2-2 teams in the East, here you go. In truth they are one of the better teams in southeastern PA with the narrow losses to Pennsbury and Neshaminy marring their record to prevent a 4-0 slate. With two more consecutive home games, they could really ramp things up the next few weeks before playing Quakertown October 23rd. Coming off a 50-15 win against Truman, they have Central Bucks East (3-1) this week and Central Bucks West (1-3) the following. The game this week will be a war (46-40 CRS last year) with the Patriots coming off a 26-21 loss at home to Council Rock North, their first loss of the year.
19. Wyoming Valley West 4-0. You can only ignore 4-0 so long, even if the schedule is lacking. What they do pass in flying colors is the eye test. Gee, there’s a concept! Can’t see all these teams but there is the internet to help out. They’re impressive, handling 3A-Wyoming 42-17, 4A Delaware Valley 30-6, 3A-Pittston 62-13 and 3A-Berwick last week 34-6. They are deep in skill players at running back and wide out and return a huge line that has become a Spartan staple over the years; Chris Bleich 6-6 310-soph, Jason Wall 5-11 265-sr, Brian Hoffman 6-0 260-sr, Brydon Rukstalis 6-0 225-jr, Chris Wolfe 6-0 260-sr and TE LJ Wesneski 6-3 235-sr. Coughlin (3-1, 3A) is next, a team they beat last year 48-20. There doesn’t appear to be a team on the schedule that can beat them although they finish with two road games that could get dicey, Scranton (3-1) and the undefeated Millionaires of Williamsport who are loaded at the skill positions with speed.
20. Plymouth Whitemarsh 4-0. Whitemarsh doesn’t impress as much as Valley West as a one dimensional attack but what a job they’ve done rebuilding last year’s line that at the top of the season appeared to be a liability. Apart from TE Luke Mascio (6-2, 220, sr), the entire line graduated including Virginia signee LT Ryan Bischoff (6-5, 305), RT Joe DeSanto (6-3, 270, the Archbishop Carroll transfer, West Chester U), OGs Brett Highland (6-0, 240, Ursinus College) and Steve Kovacic (6-1, 275, Wilkes Univ) plus Center Anthony Casselli (5-11, 250, Albright). But with running backs Nafeese Nasir (765 ry), Jake Winterbottom (185ry) and Blaise Gravinese (255ry) gaining 1205 yards, an average of 7.83 ypc, you know the new line is getting it done. Junior Joe Stoberl (5-11, 175) has settled in under center. 1-3 Wissahickon is next, then Upper Moreland who just lost at home to Hatboro Horsham suggesting the Colonials will be 6-0 heading into the Upper Dublin game October 16th.
Honorable Mention
Williamsport 4-0, at Dallas
Stroudsburg 3-1, home to East Stroudsburg South
Central Bucks South 2-2, at North Penn
Central Bucks East 3-1, at Council Rock South
Pennridge 2-2, at Neshaminy
Council Rock North 2-2, home to Tennett
Garnet Valley 3-1, home to Springfield
Unionville 3-1, at Downingtown East
Northeast 4-0, at Roxborough
Franklin 3-1, at Martin Luther King
