Reporter/Times Herald/Montgomery Media Week 9 Football: Souderton, Upper Dublin battle for 1st place in SOL Continental

There’s a battle for the top spot in the Suburban One League Continental Conference, as Souderton travels to Upper Dublin Friday night for a key Week Nine matchup.

Kickoff is at 7 p.m.

Both teams bring matching 4-0 conference records into the showdown.

Big Red is 7-1 overall, coming off a 23-0 shutout of Council Rock South. The Cardinals are unbeaten at 8-0, fresh off a 44-14 rout of Truman.

It is also a matchup of two squads gearing up for the playoffs, as Souderton is currently sixth in District 1-6A and Upper Dublin is second in District 1-5A.

Said Souderton coach Ed Gallagher: “Upper Dublin has us circled on their calendar and we’ve had them circled on our calendar for months now.”

Souderton’s defense is coming off a tremendous showing.

Big Red’s defensive line and linebackers completely shut down the run last week against Rock South. The Golden Hawks only had two rushes of 10 or more yards and couldn’t sustain any drives throughout the game.

Souderton was also stellar against the pass, allowing just 18 yards through the air with an interception. Pressure up front and tight coverage in the back keyed the shutout.

Senior quarterback Jared Zimmerman weaved his way to a 68-yard touchdown run and kept finding senior Shaun Purvy, who had four second-half catches for 73 yards.

Upper Dublin had a similar result against CR South on Oct. 7, winning 16-0.

Said Cardinal receiver Griffin Pensabene after the win: “We’ve got Souderton (on Oct. 21). If we play like that, defensively we’ll be fine, but we’ve got to do something on offense for it to be a good game.”

Upper Dublin’s offense looked much more in sync last week, piling up 44 points against the Tigers. Quarterback Colin O’Sullivan continues to click with his receivers.

Last year, it was a defensive battle between the two perennial powers.

The Upper Dublin defense was there all the way to the end, coming through with two key stops in the fourth quarter to help produce a 10-7 victory over Big Red in a battle of defending District One Champions.

NORTH PENN AT PENNRIDGE
Time/Place: Friday, 7 p.m., at Pennridge.
On Twitter: @mpcabrey.
Records: The Knights are 3-5 overall and 2-3 in the SOL National. The Rams are 2-6 overall and 1-4 in the SOL National.
Last Week: North Penn fell 44-34 to Pennsbury. Pennridge lost 27-8 to CB West.
Players to Watch: Quarterback Ryan Zeltt was sharp last week for the Knights, making throws on the run and in crucial spots. Brennan Fisher continues to break big runs for the Rams – last week he had a 57-yard score.
Prediction: North Penn 21, Pennridge 14.

CENTRAL BUCKS WEST AT CENTRAL BUCKS SOUTH
Time/Place: Friday, 7 p.m., at Central Bucks South.
Records: The Bucks are 5-3 overall and 4-1 in the SOL National. South is 5-3 overall and 2-3 in the SOL National.
Last Week: West won 27-8 over Pennridge. The Titans were a 21-7 winner over Neshaminy.
Players to Watch: Eli Boehm had a pair of rushing touchdowns last week for the Bucks. Jack Carver contributed big on both sides of the ball last week for the Titans, at running back and outside linebacker.
Prediction: Central Bucks West 28, Central Bucks South 21.

CENTRAL BUCKS EAST AT NESHAMINY
Time/Place: Friday, 7 p.m., at Neshaminy.
Records: CB East is 7-1 overall and 4-1 in the SOL National. The Skins are 4-4 overall and 2-3 in the SOL National.
Last Week: The Pats won 31-6 over Abington. Neshaminy fell 21-7 to CB South.
Players to Watch: Both squads have a pair of solid tight ends that make key contributions – Jack Donnelly for East, Nick Buchys for the Skins.
Prediction: CB East 24, Neshaminy 14.

SOUDERTON AT UPPER DUBLIN
Time/Place: Friday, 7 p.m., at Upper Dublin.
On Twitter: @ADRobinson3.
Records: Big Red is 7-1 overall and 4-0 in the SOL Continental. The Cardinals are 8-0 overall and 4-0 in the SOL Continental.
Last Week: Souderton shut out Council Rock South 23-0. Upper Dublin routed Truman 44-14.
Players to Watch: Souderton’s Shaun Purvy, a speedy weapon on offense, also contributed big on defense, at defensive back. Colin O’Sullivan had another impressive game under center for the Cards last week.
Prediction: Upper Dublin 22, Souderton 21.

TRUMAN AT QUAKERTOWN
Time/Place: Friday, 7 p.m., at Quakertown.
Records: The Tigers are 2-6 overall and 1-4 in the SOL Continental. The Panthers are 4-4 overall and 3-1 in the Continental.
Last Week: Truman lost 44-14 to Upper Dublin. Quakertown won 49-19 over Council Rock North.
Players to Watch: Jaden Heard is part of a speedy backfield for the Tigers. Quarterback Vince Micucci has been getting it done with his arm and his legs for the Panthers.
Prediction: Quakertown 32, Truman 20.

WISSAHICKON AT PLYMOUTH WHITEMARSH
Time/Place: Friday, 7 p.m., at Plymouth Whitemarsh.
On Twitter: @emor09.
Records: The Colonials are 6-2 overall and 3-0 in the SOL American. The Trojans are 1-7 overall and 1-2 in the American.
Last Week: PW won 42-13 over Springfield Montco. Wiss got its first win, 28-3 over William Tennent.
Players to Watch: Luke Winterbottom, Vincent Storti and Tommy Hannon are part of a balanced running attack for the Colonials. Jaden Mclean, Gavin Myers, Jarret Federer and Julian Perkins all scored touchdowns last week for the Trojans in a diverse offensive display.
Prediction: Plymouth Whitemarsh 33, Wissahickon 21.

POPE JOHN PAUL II AT PHOENIXVILLE
Time/Place: Friday, 7 p.m., at Phoenixville.
Records: PJP is 8-0 overall and 4-0 in the PAC Frontier. The Phantoms are 6-2 overall and 4-0 in the PAC Frontier.
Last Week: The Golden Panthers shut out Pottstown 40-0. Phoenixville romped 48-8 over Upper Perk.
Players to Watch: Kiernan Myers rushed for 101 yards last week for PJP. Sam Moore rumbled for 173 yards and a score in a big win for the Phantoms in Week Seven.
Prediction: Pope John Paul II 27, Phoenixville 17.

POTTSTOWN AT UPPER MERION
Time/Place: Friday, 7 p.m., at Upper Merion.
Records: The Vikings are 3-5 overall and 1-3 in the PAC Frontier. The Trojans are 1-7 overall and 0-4 in the PAC Frontier.
Last Week: Upper Merion lost 27-21 to Pottsgrove. Pottstown lost 40-0 to Pope John Paul II.
Players to Watch: Upper Merion’s Zayd Etheridge is coming off a 17-for-30, 242-yard, two-touchdown performance. Quarterback Joniel Oister’s running ability adds a dimension for the Trojans.
Prediction: Upper Merion 22, Pottstown 12.

METHACTON AT OWEN J. ROBERTS
Time/Place: Friday, 7 p.m., at Owen J.Roberts.
Records: The Warriors are 4-4 overall and 2-2 in the PAC Liberty. The Wildcats are 4-4 overall and 1-3 in the PAC Liberty.
Last Week: Methacton lost 45-7 to Spring-Ford. Owen J. Roberts lost 34-21 to Boyertown.
Players to Watch: Wesley Conover had a kickoff return for a touchdown to give the Warrior special teams a boost. Michael Reed and Danny Cashman connected for touchdowns of 40 and 58 yards last week for OJR.
Prediction: Methacton 23, Owen J. Roberts 20.

NORRISTOWN AT SPRING-FORD
Time/Place: Saturday, 2 p.m., at Spring-Ford.
Records: The Eagles are 2-6 overall and 0-4 in the PAC Liberty. The Rams are 5-3 overall and 3-1 in the PAC Liberty.
Last Week: Norristown fell 32-13 to Perkiomen Valley. Spring-Ford won 45-7 over Methacton.
Players to Watch: Quadir Drummond and Kaedyn Singleton intercepted passes last week for the Eagles. Quarterback Matt Zollers threw for two touchdowns and ran for another in Week Eight.
Prediction: Spring-Ford 31, Norristown 20.

WEST CATHOLIC AT LANSDALE CATHOLIC
Time/Place: Friday, 7 p.m., at Wissahickon.
On Twitter: @khunter10.
Records: The Burrs are 3-5 overall and 2-3 in the PCL Blue. The Crusaders are 5-3 overall and 2-3 in the PCL Blue.
Last Week: The Crusaders lost 42-14 to Bonner-Prendie. West Catholic lost 23-6 to Archbishop Ryan.
Players to Watch: Ian Gramlich is part of a diverse attack for LC, as a runner and receiver. Rakiem Mills is a key contributor at both wide receiver and corner for the Burrs.
Prediction: Lansdale Catholic 21, West Catholic 14.

LA SALLE AT ROMAN CATHOLIC
Time/Place: Friday, 7 p.m., at Cardinal O’Hara.
Records: The Explorers are 3-4 overall and 1-1 in the PCL Red. Roman is 6-1 overall and 2-0 in the PCL Red.
Last Week: La Salle prevailed in OT, 6-3 over Archbishop Wood. Roman had a bye week.
Players to Watch: Chris Fileppo is a versatile runner for the Explorers. Mao Howell is a shifty runner for Roman.
Prediction: La Salle 24, Roman Catholic 21.

GERMANTOWN ACADEMY AT SCH ACADEMY
Time/Place: Saturday, 1 p.m., at SCH Academy.
Records: The Patriots are 5-1 overall and 0-1 in the Inter-Ac. The Blue Devils are 3-3 overall and 0-1 in the Inter-Ac.
Last Week: GA lost 49-7 to Episcopal Academy. Springside lost 28-7 to Haverford School.
Players to Watch: Tripp Capers has been a speedy weapon for the Patriots. Kirk Stensrud has been bringing pressure from his defensive end spot for the Blue Devils.
Prediction: Germantown Academy 31, SCH Academy 20.