Reporter/Times Herald Area Week Five Football Previews

Pennridge has a chance to clinch the Suburban One League National Conference on Friday when Abington visits Helman Field for the regular-season finale.

Kickoff is at 7 p.m.

The Rams come into the contest a perfect 4-0 in the conference while the Ghosts, 3-1 in the National, aim for a win and a share of the top spot.

“Coach (Cody Muller) says let’s go 1-0 every week,” Rams quarterback Bobby Croyle said after last week’s win over Central Bucks South. “We’re onto Abington. We’ll game plan all week.

“We have sights on bigger and better things this year because we know we can really go far. But we wanna go 1-0 this week. We don’t dwell on the past. We dwell on the future.”

In addition to conference glory, the Rams are also looking to solidify their positioning for the four-team District 1-6A Playoffs.

Croyle led a balanced attack for the Rams last week, showcasing his abilities with his arm and his legs.

The defense also had its third straight shutout and fourth of the season.

“The defense is amazing,” Croyle said. “It makes my job so much easier.”

The defense will look to limit the production of running back Oreck Frazier, who offers breakaway speed for the Ghosts, and quarterback Johnny Dzielawa, who leads a senior-dominated group.

Abington at Pennridge
Day/Time: Friday, 7 p.m., at Pennridge.
On Twitter: @khunter10.
Records: Pennridge is 4-0 overall and 4-0 in the SOL National. Abington is 3-1 overall and 3-1 in the SOL National.
Last Week: The Rams stayed perfect with their third straight shutout, 32-0 over CB South. The Ghosts won 35-14 over Pennsbury.
Players to Watch: Quarterback Bobby Croyle is now also a running threat for the Rams. Johnny Dzielawa provides tremendous senior leadership under center for the Ghosts.
Prediction: Pennridge 21, Abington 7.

Central Bucks South at North Penn
Day/Time: Friday, 7 p.m., at North Penn.
On Twitter: @mpcabrey.
Records: The Knights are 3-1 overall and 3-1 in the SOL National. The Titans are 2-2 overall and 2-2 in the SOL National.
Last Week: North Penn rolled, 42-7, over CB East. CB South lost 32-0 to Pennridge.
Players to Watch: Levi Carroll had three receiving touchdowns for the Knights last week. Jason Christiansen runs hard for the Titans.
Prediction: North Penn 28, CB South 14.

Central Bucks East at Central Bucks West
Day/Time: Friday, 7 p.m., at CB West.
Records: The Patriots are 1-3 overall and 1-3 in the SOL National. The Bucks are 0-4 overall and 0-4 in the SOL National.
Last Week: CB West lost to Neshaminy, 21-0. CB East fell to North Penn, 42-7.
Players to Watch: Ethan Shine rushed for 101 yards last week for the Pats. Donte Mancini can pile up touchdowns in the ground game for the Bucks.
Prediction: CB West 28, CB East 21.

Souderton at Bensalem
Day/Time: Friday, 7 p.m., at Bensalem.
Records: Big Red is 4-0 overall and 4-0 in the SOL Continental. The Owls are 0-4 overall and 0-4 in the SOL Continental.
Last Week: Souderton blew past Hatboro-Horsham, 36-13. Bensalem fell to Quakertown, 52-7.
Players to Watch: Jalen White scored three rushing touchdowns last week for Big Red, which can clinch the conference title with a victory. Richard Deshield contributes at wide receiver and corner for the Owls.
Prediction: Souderton 35, Bensalem 14.

Hatboro-Horsham at Upper Dublin
Day/Time: Friday, 7 p.m. at Upper Dublin.
On Twitter: @ADRobinson3.
Records: The Cardinals are 3-1 overall and 3-1 in the SOL Continental. The Hatters are 0-4 overall and 0-4 in the SOL Continental.
Last Week: Upper Dublin won 21-6 over Council Rock North. Hatboro-Horsham lost 36-13 to Souderton Area.
Players to Watch: Defensive back Micah Bootman is a key part of a tough defense for the Cardinals. Omar Ali is a tough linebacker for the Hatters.
Prediction: Upper Dublin 33, Hatboro-Horsham 19.

Plymouth Whitemarsh at Wissahickon
Day/Time: Friday, 7 p.m., at Wissahickon.
On Twitter: @emor09.
Records: The Trojans are 3-1 overall and 2-0 in the SOL American. The Colonials are 1-3 overall and 0-2 in the SOL American.
Last Week: Wiss won 20-13 in overtime over William Tennent. PW lost 63-35 to Upper Moreland.
Players to Watch: Jackson Intrieri had a pair of interceptions for the Wissahickon defense last week. Aiden O’Brien had 83 yards rushing against Upper Moreland for PW.
Prediction: Wissahickon 22, PW 12.

Cumberland Valley at Spring-Ford
Day/Time: Friday, 7 p.m., at Spring-Ford.
Records: The Rams are 5-0 overall and 5-0 in the PAC. Cumberland Valley is 1-4 overall and 1-3 in the Mid-Penn Commonwealth.
Last Week: PAC Champ Spring-Ford shut out Owen J. Roberts 28-0. Cumberland Valley lost 20-10 to Chambersburg.
Players to Watch: Spring-Ford running back Harry Adieyefeh had 112 yards rushing for the Rams last week. J.D. Hunter ran tough for CV in the loss to Chambersburg.
Prediction: Spring-Ford 35, Cumberland Valley 14.

Pottsgrove at Methacton
Day/Time: Friday, 7 p.m., at Methacton.
Records: Methacton is 2-3 overall and 2-3 in the PAC. Pottsgrove is 2-0 overall and 2-0 in the PAC.
Last Week: Methacton lost 27-14 to Perk Valley. Pottsgrove won 17-7 over Phoenixville.
Players to Watch: Tom Chapman makes big catches for the Warriors. Rylee Howard made breakaway plays on defense and on the special teams a week ago for the Falcons.
Prediction: Methacton 17, Pottsgrove 14.

Pope John Paul II at Perkiomen Valley
Day/Time: Friday, 7 p.m., at Perk Valley.
Records: PJP is 2-0 overall and 1-0 in the PAC. Perk Valley is 4-1 overall and 4-1 in the PAC.
Last Week: PJP won 50-14 over Upper Merion. PV won 27-14 over Methacton.
Players to Watch: Golden Panthers quarterback Rocco DiRico was on point last week. Ethan Kohler did his part under center a week ago for the Vikes.
Prediction: Perk Valley 29, Pope John Paul II 22.

Owen J. Roberts at Upper Merion
Day/Time: Friday, 7 p.m., at Upper Merion.
Records: Upper Merion is 0-2 overall and 0-2 in the PAC. OJR is 2-3 overall and 2-3 in the PAC.
Last Week: The Vikings lost 50-14 to Pope John Paul II. The Wildcats were blanked 28-0 by Spring-Ford.
Players to Watch: Aaron Anderson is a speedy wide receiver for the Vikings. Avrey Grimm leads the rushing attack for the Cats.
Prediction: Owen J. Roberts 22, Upper Merion 17.

Roman Catholic at La Salle
Day/Time: Saturday, 1 p.m., at Wissahickon.
Records: The Explorers are 3-1 overall and 0-1 in the PCL Red. Roman Catholic is 0-2 overall and 0-1 in the PCL Red.
Last Week: La Salle was idle. Roman lost 28-7 to Archbishop Wood.
Players to Watch: Noah Kensey is a key part of the secondary for Roman. Sam Brown is a dangerous running and receiving threat for La Salle.
Prediction: La Salle 33, Roman 14.

Archbishop Wood vs. St. Joseph’s Prep
Day/Time: Saturday, 1 p.m., at William Tennent.
On Twitter: @khunter10.
Records: The Vikings are 2-0 overall and 1-0 in the PCL Red. St. Joe’s is 2-0 overall and 1-0 in the PCL Red.
Last Week: Wood defeated Roman Catholic 28-7. St. Joe’s was idle.
Players to Watch: Ryan Woertz is key on both sides of the ball for the Vikes, at free safety and wide receiver. Noble House is a big-play running back for the Hawks.
Prediction: St. Joe’s 28, Wood 14.

Lansdale Catholic at Bonner & Prendergast
Day/Time: Friday, 7 p.m., at Bonner.
Records: LC is 0-1 overall and 0-1 in the PCL Blue. Bonner is 2-0 overall and 1-0 in the PCL Blue.
Last Week: The Crusaders lost 21-14 to Conwell Egan. Bonner prevailed 42-7 over Ryan.
Players to Watch: L.J. Phillips was a threat with his arm and his legs last week for LC. Bonner’s Gaven Hunt brings speed to the running game.
Prediction: Lansdale Catholic 19, Bonner 14.