Dan McShane leads new-look Pennsbury football for first time

FAIRLESS HILLS – Although there have been exceptions, there are three things you could pretty much always count on from the Pennsbury High School football team.

The Falcons will come straight at you with a power running game, they will play tough physical defense and they will emerge victorious in at least 70 percent of their games.

With a new coach in Dan McShane, practically a whole new set of players following major graduation losses and a new spread offense, it will be very interesting to see what transpires when Pennsbury opens its season Friday against Frankford at Falcon Field.

In other words, there are just all kinds of unknowns, although the coach isn’t one of them after McShane ran the Pennsbury defense the previous five years.

Adding to the intrigue is the fact Pennsbury goes into this game needing to win in order to avoid what could be an 0-3 start. It’s next two games are against La Salle and North Penn, which both project as two of the top teams in Pennsylvania’s new Class AAAAAA Division.

While Frankford is not on the level of La Salle or North Penn, the Philadelphia Public School League team is far from an easy opponent. Frankford was 7-5 a year ago and is rarely short on talent.

Included in Frankford’s returning all-league players on offense are senior quarterback Mike Morrell, tight end/fullback Jameer Brooks, and wide receivers Esky Lopez and Brandon DeJesus. Morrell threw for 1,411 yards last year and accounted for 29 total touchdowns. Lopez caught 31 passes for 364 yards.

Not making things any easier is a Frankford defense that has returned seven starters.

This is kind of like going to a five-star restaurant under new management. You assume you will still get a quality meal, but you’re just not quite sure what’s on the menu.

Roman Catholic at Neshaminy, tonight, 7 p.m.

There was a sense of optimism at Roman during the pre-season, but you can look for a dose of reality to set in for the Philadelphia Catholic League team on Heartbreak Ridge. With eight offensive returning starters from last year’s nine-win team, Neshaminy can’t wait to get what promises to be a very successful season off and started. Roman does have three players returning on defense who received all-league honors, but it was also 1-9 last year and has had three straight losing seasons. It’s difficult to envision this being close at the end.

Penn Wood at Bensalem, tonight, 7 p.m.

The Owls have lost 28 games in a row, but keep in mind they had the misfortune of continually remaining in the highest division of the Suburban One League. Penn Wood was just 3-7 last year and must replace an all-league running back. The Owls must stop the passing combination of senior quarterback Jason Lindsey-Terrell to senior wide out Dymer Vaughn. Until it starts winning games Bensalem is in the underdog role, but this is one of the more winnable games on its schedule.

Truman at Ridley, tonight, 7 p.m.

Ridley has a rich tradition in football, but has struggled of late and has not won a playoff game since 2012. Enter first-year coach Dave Wood, who has vowed to put the starch back in the Delaware County team. Ridley runs a triple option and has a real threat in receiver Brock Anderson. Linebacker Ryan Gricco heads up the team’s defense. Truman lost a lot to graduation after last year’s near playoff miss and a night game at Ridley is not an easy way to get the season started.

Father Judge at Council Rock South, tonight, 7 p.m.

Rock South is young and will have to get things together in a hurry to pull this off. Although it has been stuck behind St. Joe’s Prep and La Salle in the PCL big school hierarchy, Father Judge has always been a tough hard-nosed team. Last year the Crusaders were 6-5, which is pretty good considering the strength of their schedule. Rock South must put the clamps on all-league wide receiver Justin Gies. Judge’s senior quarterback Rob King threw for nearly 900 yards runs last season and also led the team in rushing.

Steelton-Highspire at Morrisville, tonight, 7 p.m.

The Dawgies face a tough task at their historic Robert Morris Stadium. The Rollers from the Harrisburg area were 5-6 last year, but they have a lot back and are ranked fifth among Eastern Pennsylvania’s Class A schools on one website. Junior Roller quarterback Milachi Young is sure to challenge and stretch the Mo’ville defense. Bruising 220-pound junior fullback Jayshun Ramsey will also make things difficult for the Dawgs.