FOOTBALL PREVIEW: Numbers show grim start for Bucks County teams
The numbers continue to tell the story for what has not exactly been a scintillating beginning of the year for Lower Bucks County high school football teams.
With the exception of Neshaminy’s undefeated start against three quality opponents, things have otherwise been pretty bleak through the first three weeks of the season.
Heading into Friday night’s play, the locals are a combined 4-15 — if you don’t include Neshaminy (3-0). What’s more, Pennsbury, Truman and the two Council Rocks have been outscored by a staggering margin of 369-86. And 30 of those 86 points came in Truman’s victory over winless William Tennent.
The good thing, of course, is there’s still time to turn this around. Starting Friday, there will be more local match-ups, meaning some teams will begin picking up some wins in order to possibly qualify for the now watered-down playoff berths.
Council Rock North (0-2) at Neshaminy (3-0), Friday night, 7 p.m.
Barring something really unexpected, this will not be competitive. Rock North got blasted by Coatesville last week in a game in which one of its top running backs was injured. Neshaminy, meanwhile, impressively rolled over Dowingtown West when Will Dogba ran over 140 yards, quarterback Mason Jones threw for three TDs and 280 yards, and Zach Treadway caught six passes for 120 yards. Rock North will be very hard pressed to slow that explosive group down.
Truman (1-2) at Council Rock South (0-3) Friday night, 7 p.m.
The Tigers got in the win column by beating William Tennent, 30-21. David Akinwande led the running game with three TDs and 168 rushing yards, while quarterback Jordan Freeman threw two TD passes. Rock South’s offense continued to struggle in a 39-13 loss to Central Bucks South. Especially when you consider one of its touchdowns was on a blocked punt return. If Rock South is going to turn this around, it has to start here.
William Tennent (0-3) at Pennsbury (1-2), Friday night, 7 p.m.
Pennsbury has scored just one touchdown in three games and has struggled mightily on offense. The two losses, however, were to two powerhouses in La Salle and North Penn. Tennent just fell to Truman, 30-21, and is undersized. This should provide a much-needed confidence booster for a Falcon squad that was expected to be 1-2 at this point anyway.
Bensalem (1-1) at Abington (1-2), Friday night, 7 p.m.
The Galloping Ghosts have not exactly been lighting up the scoreboard, but they have come up with three strong defensive efforts in a row and have given up just 20 points. Bensalem was off last week after its game against Abraham Lincoln was canceled for weather related reasons. That was a bad break because it looked like a game the Owls could win. Although Bensalem has a shot here, it’s also easy to see the Abington defense dominating the action.
West Catholic (1-2) at Conwell-Egan (1-1), Friday night, 7 p.m.
For the first time in a very long time, the Eagles can take to the field against West Catholic knowing they have a shot to beat the West Philadelphia team. West Catholic isn’t nearly the team it used to be and just lost to the Haverford School. Conwell-Egan is coming off a 30-22 loss to Episcopal in a game in which it kind of beat itself with six turnovers. A win here would really set up a promising season.
Bristol (1-1) at George School (1-0), Saturday, 2 p.m.
Although it lost to Pennington Monday, Bristol looked pretty good. Quarterback Parker Kelley can make things happen and the team has other weapons such as running back Eric Bell. John Greiner’s team will also hit you. George barely got past Morrisville last week and Bristol is on a much higher level than Morrisville.
Lower Moreland (1-1) at Morrisville (0-3), Saturday, 1:30 p,m.
The Lower Moreland win was actually a forfeit victory after Springfield-Montco shut down its program. Mo’ville just lost to George, but got a strong defensive effort by giving up only one TD. The Lions are led by returning quarterback Mike Parrise. Both teams won two games a year ago with Lower Moreland topping the Dawgies, 10-7. This is one of the more winnable game on the Morrisville schedule.
Contact Rick Fortenbaugh at rfortenbaugh@trentonian.com, or @RickFort7 on Twitter
