Reporter Week 9 Preview Capsules
Here is a look at the six games on the high school football schedule for Week Nine.
Neshaminy at North Penn
Time/Place: Friday, 7:30 p.m., at Crawford Stadium, North Penn High School.
On Twitter: @khunter10.
Records: Neshaminy is 6-2 overall and 4-1 in the Suburban One League National Conference. North Penn is 6-2 overall and 5-0 in the SOL National.
What’s at Stake: With a victory, the Knights clinch at least a share of the conference crown.
Last Week: The Knights won a 27-20 showdown with Pennsbury while the Skins routed Bensalem 41-8.
Last Year: The Knights prevailed in a defensive battle with the Skins, 17-13.
Players to Watch: Will Dogba is the power gear in the Skins’ rushing attack while running back Nyfease West is back and healthy for the Knights.
Prediction: North Penn 27, Neshaminy 13.
Pennridge at Souderton
Time/Place: Friday, 7 p.m., at Souderton Area High School.
On the Air: The game will be broadcast live on 1440 AM and live on the internet at wnpv1440.com.
On Twitter: @mpcabrey.
Records: The Rams are 5-3 overall and 3-2 in the SOL National. Big Red is 4-4 overall and 2-3 in the SOL National.
What’s at Stake: The Rams need a win to keep their playoff hopes alive.
Last Week: Pennridge won 28-17 over Central Bucks South while Big Red won a thriller, 42-41 over Abington.
Last Year: The Rams won 28-17 over Big Red in 2014.
Players to Watch: Quarterback Devon Balmer can make a lot of plays for the Rams. Big Red’s trio of backs, Jamar White, Blake Gular and Koby Khan, are coming off a big performance against the Ghosts.
Prediction: Pennridge 35, Souderton 28.
Lansdale Catholic at Neumann-Goretti
Time/Place: Saturday, 10 a.m., at South Philly Super Site
On Twitter: @khunter10.
Records: The Crusaders come into this one 6-2 overall and 2-1 in the Philadelphia Catholic League Class AA. Goretti is 1-7 overall and 0-3 in the PCL Class AA.
What’s at Stake: With a win, the Crusaders lock up the No. 2 spot in PCL Class AA.
Last Week: The Crusaders shut out Archbishop Carroll 21-0. Goretti was on the wrong end of a 41-20 decision against Bishop McDevitt.
Last Year: Goretti was a 24-12 winner over LC.
Players to Watch: Quarterback Dontae Mason can get the Goretti attack moving. LC can counter with a high-powered rushing attack featuring backs Ryan Quigley and Marlen Fenstermacher.
Prediction: Lansdale Catholic 28, Neumann-Goretti 14.
Methacton at Pottstown
Time/Place: Saturday, 1 p.m., at Pottstown High School.
Records: Methacton searches for its first win, coming in at 0-8 overall and 0-7 in the Pioneer Athletic Conference. The Trojans are 6-2 overall and 4-2 in the PAC 10.
What’s at Stake: Pottstown needs to win to stay on course for the District 1-AAA playoffs.
Last Week: The Warriors lost 47-7 to Owen J. Roberts while the Trojans were shut out 34-0 by Spring-Ford.
Last Year: Methacton earned a 56-12 win over the Trojans a year ago.
Players to Watch: Brandon Tinson is a solid runner for Pottstown. Methacton quarterback Jason Eckman will try to direct the Warriors to their first win of the season.
Prediction: Pottstown 21, Methacton 7.
Central Bucks West at Central Bucks East
Time/Place: Saturday, 1 p.m., Lt. Colby Umbrell Field at Patriot Stadium, Central Bucks East High School.
Records: The Bucks are 2-6 overall and 2-3 in the SOL Continental. The Patriots are 6-2 overall and 3-2 in the SOL Continental.
What’s at Stake: The Patriots need to win the annual rivalry matchup to keep their postseason hopes intact.
Last Week: The Bucks fell 33-15 to Council Rock North. The Patriots, meanwhile, were a 19-7 winner over Truman.
Last Year: East won by forfeit, 2-0.
Players to Watch: West quarterback Eddie Shields will help the Bucks try and end a three-game skid. East has a versatile quarterback of its own in Jack Lamb.
Prediction: Central Bucks East 24, Central Bucks West 14.
Upper Merion at Wissahickon
Time/Place: Friday, 7 p.m., at Wissahickon High School.
Records: The Trojans are 1-7 overall and 0-5 in the SOL American. Upper Merion comes into this one 2-6 overall and 0-5 in the SOL American.
Last Week: Upper Merion lost 33-20 to Springfield Montco while Wissahickon fell 30-14 to Cheltenham.
Last Year: Upper Merion was a 14-7 winner over Wissahickon.
Players to Watch: Quarterback Mike Schoenleber will try to get the Trojan attack off to a strong start. Temple University commit Isaiah Graham-Mobley stars at free safety for Upper Merion.
Prediction: Upper Merion 21, Wissahickon 20.
