Reporter/Times Herald Area Week 2 Football Previews
Quakertown looks to build on its season-opening victory over Central Bucks East while Souderton Area will be trying to even its record to 1-1 when the Panthers and Big Red meet in the annual “309 Bowl” on Friday night.
Kickoff is at 7 p.m. at Souderton Area.
The two teams have split the last two matchups, with Quakertown winning a defensive battle last fall, 16-13, over Big Red.
Quakertown got off to a fast start last week, building a 20-0 lead over East, and then held on with defense late to earn a 20-13 victory. It was a rough opener for the Indians against Penn Wood, as they fell 42-10.
Panther quarterback Brad Bryan is off to a tremendous start, having thrown for three touchdown passes in the win last week. Michael Terra made the most of his catches, scoring on seven- and 34-yard receptions to help the Panthers build their big halftime lead.
In all, Terra had three receptions for 56 yards for Quakertown.
The versatile threat also rushed 13 times for 104 yards, providing the game-clinching run. He broke free for 48 yards in the fourth quarter, putting the game away for the Panthers.
Souderton, meanwhile, would like to get the ball into the hands of one of its fast playmakers, wide receiver Tre Samuels. Andrew Vince anchors the secondary for the Indians, who look for a better game defensively after struggling to contain Penn Wood quarterback Desman Johnson Jr. (two passing TD’s, two rushing TD’s).
The winner of this contest takes a big step forward in its nonleague schedule.
Next week, Quakertown hosts Central Bucks West before beginning play in the Suburban One League American Conference. Souderton is at Hatboro-Horsham next before taking on its SOL Continental foes.
CENTRAL AT UPPER DUBLIN
Time/Place: Friday, 2 p.m., at Upper Dublin.
On Twitter: @khunter10.
Records: Central is 0-1 overall and 0-0 in Philadelphia Public League 4A. Upper Dublin is 1-0 overall and 0-0 in the SOL American.
Last week: Central was defeated 42-7 by Bishop McDevitt. Upper Dublin won 28-7 over Norristown.
Last meeting: The Cardinals prevailed, 27-8.
Players to watch: Upper Dublin quarterback Mike Slivka completed seven of 12 passes for 126 yards and two touchdowns last week. Central two-way lineman Kamryn Norman, a 290-pounder, is tough to move.
Prediction: Upper Dublin 23, Central 13.
UPPER MERION AT NORRISTOWN
Time/Place: Friday, 5 p.m., at Norristown.
On Twitter: @emor09.
Records: Norristown is 0-1 overall and 0-0 in PAC Division 1. Upper Merion is 0-1 overall and 0-0 in PAC Division II.
Last week: The Eagles lost 28-7 to Upper Dublin. The Vikings fell 31-23 to Radnor.
Last meeting: Norristown won 10-0 over the Vikings.
Players to watch: Daniel Watson threw for over 100 yards in the fourth quarter last week for the Eagles. Linebacker Mark Picariello made some key plays for the Viking defense last week.
Prediction: Norristown 21, Upper Merion 14.
GERMANTOWN ACADEMY AT SIMON GRATZ
Time/Place: Friday, 6:30 p.m., at Simon Gratz.
Records: GA is 0-0 overall and 0-0 in the Inter-AC. Simon Gratz is 0-1 overall and 0-0 in Philly Public League 4A.
Last week: GA was idle. Gratz was shut out 18-0 by Mastery North Charter.
Last meeting: Simon Gratz shut down GA 31-7 in the season opener a year ago.
Players to watch: Elijah Wroten is the cornerstone of a cohesive offensive line for the Pats. Tyrone Green is a 300-pounder for the Bulldogs, making a push on both lines.
Prediction: Germantown Academy 21, Simon Gratz 20.
POTTSGROVE AT METHACTON
Time/Place: Friday, 7 p.m., at Methacton.
Records: Methacton is 0-1 overall and 0-0 in PAC Division 1. Pottsgrove is 1-0 overall and 0-0 in PAC Division II.
Where they’re ranked: Pottsgrove is No. 13 in this week’s Papreplive.com Top 20.
Last week: The Warriors were shut out, 47-0, by Truman in their season opener. The Falcons edged West Catholic 15-14 in their opener.
Last meeting: Pottsgrove rolled, 56-0, last year.
Players to watch: Gary Knox is a solid linebacker for Methacton and helps lead the defense. Quarterback Jay Sisko helped engineer a comeback win for the Falcons last week.
Prediction: Pottsgrove 28, Methacton 14.
WAYNE VALLEY (N.J.) AT SPRING-FORD
Time/Place: Friday, 7 p.m., at Spring-Ford.
Records: Wayne Valley is 0-0 overall and 0-0 in the Super Football Conference. Spring-Ford is 1-0 overall and 0-0 in PAC Division I.
Where they’re ranked: Spring-Ford is No. 19 in this week’s Papreplive.com Top 20.
Last week: This is the season opener for the Indians. The Rams shut out CB South, 21-0.
Last meeting: The two teams did not play in 2017.
Players to watch: Danny Murphy is a two-way threat, a senior tight end and linebacker for the Indians. Stephen Brill scored a touchdown off an interception last week for the Rams.
Prediction: Spring-Ford 21, Wayne Valley 20.
LA SALLE AT NORTH PENN
Time/Place: Friday, 7 p.m., at North Penn.
On the air: The game will be broadcast live on WNPV, 98.5 FM, and live online at wnpv1440.com.
On Twitter: @khunter10.
Records: La Salle is 0-1 overall and 0-0 in Catholic League Red. North Penn is 1-0 overall and 0-0 in the SOL Continental.
Where they’re ranked: La Salle is No. 7 in this week’s Papreplive.com Top 20. North Penn is No. 4.
Last week: The Explorers fell 34-10 to Imhotep Charter. The Knights won 34-33 over Neshaminy in double overtime.
Last meeting: La Salle won a shootout, 41-28, over North Penn.
Players to watch: Dillon Trainer can cover a lot of ground at the linebacker spot for the Explorers. Julian White ran for three scores last week for the Knights.
Prediction: North Penn 24, La Salle 14.
WISSAHICKON AT COUNCIL ROCK NORTH
Time/Place: Friday, 7 p.m., at CR North.
Records: The Trojans are 0-1 overall and 0-0 in the SOL American. The Indians are 0-1 overall and 0-0 in the SOL National.
Last week: Wiss stumbled against MLK, falling 26-0. CR North was defeated 27-14 by West Chester East.
Last meeting: The two teams did not play in 2017.
Players to watch: Maurice Willis is a wide receiver to look out for in the Wiss passing attack. Quarterback Johnny Kane looks to get the North offense untracked this week.
Prediction: CR North 28, Wiss 14.
NESHAMINY AT PENNRIDGE
Time/Place: Friday, 7 p.m., at Pennridge.
On Twitter: @mpcabrey.
Records: Neshaminy is 0-1 overall and 0-0 in the SOL National. Pennridge is 1-0 overall and 0-0 in the SOL Continental.
Where they’re ranked: Neshaminy is No. 10 in this week’s Papreplive.com Top 20. Pennridge is No. 8.
Last week: The Skins fell in double overtime to North Penn, 34-33. The Rams aired it out in a 54-21 win over Delaware Valley.
Last meeting: The Skins won 23-14 over the Rams in 2017.
Players to watch: Quarterback Brody McAndrew can make plays with his arm and his legs for the Skins. Zak Kantor is coming off a big week of his own, throwing for over 300 yards in the opener.
Prediction: Pennridge 28, Neshaminy 27.
ABINGTON AT PLYMOUTH WHITEMARSH
Time/Place: Friday, 7 p.m., at PW.
Records: Abington is 0-1 overall and 0-0 in the SOL National. PW is 0-1 overall and 0-0 in the SOL American.
Last week: The Ghosts fell 20-0 to Northeast. The Colonials were beat 41-7 by Downingtown East.
Last meeting: Abington walloped PW, 44-0, a year ago.
Players to watch: Keith Hudoka is a hard-hitting safety for the Ghosts. Brian Dreshin will do some tough running for PW.
Prediction: Abington 27, PW 17.
COUNCIL ROCK SOUTH AT CENTRAL BUCKS WEST
Time/Place: Friday, 7 p.m., at CB West.
Records: The Golden Hawks are 0-1 overall and 0-0 in the SOL National. CB West is 1-0 overall and 0-0 in the SOL Continental.
Last week: CR South fell 14-0 to Cheltenham. West blanked Hatboro-Horsham 21-0.
Last meeting: The Bucks prevailed, 19-14, a year ago.
Players to watch: Tight end Nick Gallo is an inviting target for the Golden Hawks. On the other side, Luke Benson is a star tight end for the Bucks.
Prediction: CB West 27, CR South 16.
QUAKERTOWN AT SOUDERTON
Time/Place: Friday, 7 p.m., at Souderton.
On Twitter: @ADRobinson3.
Records: The Panthers are 1-0 overall and 0-0 in the SOL American. The Indians are 0-1 overall and 0-0 in the SOL Continental.
Last week: Quakertown held off CB East 20-13. Souderton fell to Penn Wood, 42-10.
Last meeting: The Panthers won last year’s “309 Bowl,” 16-13.
Players to watch: Quarterback Brad Bryan threw three touchdown passes for the Panthers last week. Tre Samuels is a speedy threat at wideout for Big Red.
Prediction: Quakertown 20, Souderton 14.
LANSDALE CATHOLIC VS. PENN CHARTER
Time/Place: Saturday, 10 a.m., at Ocean City High School.
Records: Penn Charter is 0-0 overall and 0-0 in the Inter-AC. Lansdale Catholic is 0-0 overall and 0-0 in PCL Blue.
Last meeting: Penn Charter took the season opener a year ago, 20-6 over LC.
Players to watch: Matt Brulenski can open up holes along the offensive line for the Crusaders. Edward Saydee is a senior running back and free safety that the Quakers rely on both ways.
Prediction: Lansdale Catholic 28, Penn Charter 21.
