North Penn-Neshaminy kicks things off
The season is finally here, and North Penn-Neshaminy is a pretty good way to get things started.
The two longtime rivals square off in the season opener at Neshaminy High School Friday night, this time as Suburban One League National Conference foes.
Kickoff is at 7 p.m.
“We have a good game plan for Neshaminy so we should be good going into the game,” middle linebacker D.J. Fisher said before a Knights practice last week.
North Penn hopes to duplicate its effort from a year ago against the Skins, when the team enjoyed a 55-34 victory. NP racked up 432 yards on the ground in the August season opener last year, with 280 of those yards supplied by Khalani Eaton.
Eaton will be a big part of the NP offense once again. Ryan Zeltt is a year more mature and experienced for the Knights under center.
The team also likes the bond that it built during the rough spring and summer.
“It’s a brotherhood,” Fisher said.
Neshaminy is big on both lines again, and has 6-foot-4 Jarrett Lippincott to open up holes on the offensive side of things.
Realignment thrust the two teams back into the same conference once more, and it’s a fitting way to start off 2020.
Said Knights coach Dick Beck of the schedule: “We have Neshaminy and Pennsbury and then the three CB’s, which will be nice because they’re not too far away. Hopefully we can have some success.”
Week One Preview Capsules
North Penn at Neshaminy
When/Where: Friday, 7 p.m. at Neshaminy.
Records: North Penn is 0-0 overall and 0-0 in the SOL National. Neshaminy is 0-0 overall and 0-0 in the SOL National.
Players to Watch: Khalani Eaton is a powerful runner for the Knights and can also break the big one. The Skins have some size up front, including 6-foot-4 offensive lineman Jarrett Lippincott.
Prediction: North Penn 28, Neshaminy 21.
Pennridge at Central Bucks West
When/Where: Friday, 7 p.m. at War Memorial Field, CB West.
Records: Pennridge is 0-0 overall and 0-0 in the SOL National. CB West is 0-0 overall and 0-0 in the SOL National.
Players to Watch: Jack Fileppo brings a dose of speed to the West Wing-T. Bobby Croyle is back under center for the Rams.
Prediction: Central Bucks West 24, Pennridge 17.
Quakertown at Souderton
When/Where: Friday, 7 p.m. at Souderton Area.
Records: Quakertown is 0-0 overall and 0-0 in the SOL Continental. Souderton Area is 0-0 overall and 0-0 in the SOL Continental.
Players to Watch: Jacob Horton is a solid linebacker for Big Red. Tyler Merwarth contributes at wide receiver and at strong safety for the Panthers.
Prediction: Souderton 20, Quakertown 13.
Upper Dublin at Wissahickon
When/Where: Friday, 7 p.m. at Wissahickon.
Records: Upper Dublin is 0-0 overall and 0-0 in the SOL Continental. Wiss is 0-0 overall and 0-0 in the SOL American.
Players to Watch: At wide receiver and corner, the Cardinals have a versatile senior in Liam Roberts. Tommy Quinn is a speedy wideout for the Trojans.
Prediction: Upper Dublin 33, Wissahickon 24.
Plymouth Whitemarsh at Wyomissing
When/Where: Saturday, 2 p.m.. at Wyomissing.
Records: Wyomissing is 2-0 overall and 2-0 in Berks Inter-County 2. PW is 0-0 overall and 0-0 in the SOL American. Dylan Duran is a force for PW at defensive end and tight end.
Last Week: Wyomissing routed Fleetwood 49-9.
Players to Watch: Jordan Auman had a long touchdown run and intercepted a pass last week for Wyomissing.
Prediction: Wyomissing 27, Plymouth Whitemarsh 20.
Owen J. Roberts at Methacton
When/Where: Friday, 7 p.m. at Methacton.
Records: OJR is 1-0 overall and 1-0 in the PAC. Methacton is 1-0 overall and 1-0 in the PAC.
Last Week: OJR rolled, 37-7 over Boyertown. Methacton was an 18-12 winner over Upper Perk.
Players to Watch: Senior wideout Christian Grossi had a 45-yard touchdown run for the Wildcats last week. Mike Merola’s 14-yard TD pass to Justin Gumienny saved the day last week for Methacton in the final minute.
Prediction: OJR 24, Methacton 18.
Spring-Ford at Boyertown
When/Where: Friday, 7 p.m., at Boyertown.
Records: Spring-Ford is 1-0 overall and 1-0 in the PAC. Boyertown is 0-1 overall and 0-1 in the PAC.
Last Week: The Rams ran past Perk Valley, 27-13. Boyertown lost to OJR, 37-7.
Players to Watch: Donnie Nicoline had two sacks last week for Spring-Ford. Leo Egbe did some productive running last week for the Bears.
Prediction: Spring-Ford 29, Boyertown 20.
La Salle at Delaware Valley
When/Where: Friday, 7 p.m. at Delaware Valley.
Records: La Salle is 1-0 overall and 0-0 in the PCL-Red. Delaware Valley is 0-0 overall and 0-0 in Lackawanna 1.
Two weeks ago: La Salle won 35-27 over Manheim Township.
Players to Watch: Sam Brown is dangerous as a runner and receiver for La Salle. Mark Callanan contributes on both sides for Del Val, at wide receiver and d-back.
Prediction: La Salle 17, Delaware Valley 10.
