North Penn kicks off season against familiar foe Neshaminy
Two old friends and fierce rivals will get it started for 2019, as Neshaminy travels to North Penn Friday night for a Suburban One League non-conference battle.
Kickoff is at 7 p.m. at Crawford Stadium.
The game is a rematch of last year’s District 1-6A quarterfinal, in which the Knights put the game away in dramatic fashion when Evan Spann returned an interception 30 yards for a touchdown to lock up a 13-6 victory.
Spann is one of the featured returners for the Knights, on both defense and as a wide receiver on offense.
Spann, an all-conference honorable mention at receiver in 2018, was second on the team in receptions (13) and receiving yards (291).
Said Spann: “I feel we (have) a good vibe, because we can pass the ball and we can run the ball. We’ve got a new quarterback and he’s willing to take chances deep or run the ball himself. So I’m just excited with the whole aspect of the offense.”
Senior Kolby Barrow is set to take over the quarterback spot while coach Dick Beck has also been impressed by freshman Ryan Zeltt.
The Skins, meanwhile, also have some nice pieces to build around on the offensive side of things.
Senior quarterback Brody McAndrew enters his third season and directs a balanced attack. McAndrew has passed for over 3,300 yards and 33 touchdowns in his career as a Skin.
The backfield makes his job easier.
Junior running back Chris James is back, having racked up 1,400 rushing yards in 2018. Senior center Zack Magdelinskas anchors an experienced offensive line, which also includes juniors Kenny Monaco and Nik Soska, who are both returning starters.
Two squads used to meeting in the postseason get it all started this time around in 2019.
Central Bucks West at Hatboro-Horsham
Time/Place: Friday, 7 p.m. at Hatboro-Horsham.
On Twitter: @ADRobinson3.
Records: The Bucks are 0-0 overall and 0-0 in the SOL Continental. The Hatters are 0-0 overall and 0-0 in the SOL American.
Players to Watch: Jack Fallon is a bruising runner for the Bucks. Freshman quarterback Colin O’Sullivan makes his debut for the Hatters.
Prediction: Hatboro-Horsham 21, Central Bucks West 14.
Pennridge at Delaware Valley
Time/Place: Friday, 7 p.m., at Delaware Valley.
Records: The Rams are 0-0 overall and 0-0 in the SOL Continental. The Warriors are 0-0 overall and 0-0 in the Lackawanna Football Conference, Division 1.
Players to Watch: Josh Balcarcel is a tough runner for Del Val. Shane Hartzell is one of the best linebackers around for the Rams.
Prediction: Pennridge 38, Delaware Valley 30.
Pottsgrove at Souderton
Time/Place: Friday, 7 p.m., at Souderton.
On Twitter: @khunter10.
Records: The Falcons are 0-0 overall and 0-0 in the Pioneer Athletic Conference, Frontier Division. Big Red is 0-0 overall and 0-0 in the SOL Continental.
Players to Watch: The Falcons’ air attack is piloted by Joe Silvestri. DeAndre Wakefield is a touchdown machine for Big Red in the Wing-T attack.
Prediction: Souderton 27, Pottsgrove 20.
Neshaminy at North Penn
Time/Place: Friday, 7 p.m., at Crawford Stadium, North Penn.
On Twitter: @mpcabrey.
Records: The Skins are 0-0 overall and 0-0 in the SOL National. The Knights are 0-0 overall and 0-0 in the SOL Continental.
Players to Watch: Senior quarterback Brody McAndrew directs the Skins attack. Evan Spann, an all-conference honorable mention at receiver, was second on the team in 2018 in receptions (13) and receiving yards (291) and is a tremendous target for the Knights.
Prediction: North Penn 21, Neshaminy 13.
Penncrest at Wissahickon
Time/Place: Friday, 7 p.m., at Wissahickon.
Records: The Lions are 0-0 overall and 0-0 in the Central League.
Players to Watch: David Cage is a threat at the wideout position for Penncrest. Junior Quarterback Nick Santo is a solid signal caller for Wiss.
Prediction: Penncrest 28, Wissahickon 20.
Methacton at Harriton
Time/Place: Friday, 7 p.m., at Harriton.
Records: The Warriors are 0-0 overall and 0-0 in the PAC Liberty. The Fighting Rams are 0-0 overall and 0-0 in the Central League.
Players to Watch: Offensive lineman Ryan Eckman is part of a determined senior class for the Warriors. Senior Max Copley is a versatile runner for the Rams.
Prediction: Harriton 17, Methacton 10.
Norristown at Upper Dublin
Time/Place: Friday, 7 p.m., at Upper Dublin.
On Twitter: @emor09.
Records: The Eagles are 0-0 overall and 0-0 in the 0-0 in the PAC Liberty. The Cardinals are 0-0 overall and 0-0 in the SOL American.
Players to Watch: Steven Haschak gives the Eagles some punch in the ground game. Mike Slivka provides continuity at quarterback for the Cardinals.
Prediction: Upper Dublin 30, Norristown 14.
Lower Merion at Upper Merion
Time/Place: Friday, 7 p.m., at Upper Merion.
Records: Lower Merion is 0-0 overall and 0-0 in the Central League. Upper Merion is 0-0 overall and 0-0 in the PAC Frontier.
Players to Watch: Dale Clayton takes over at QB for the Vikings and aims to keep the attack firing. Rodger Roberts is a mobile quarterback for Lower Merion.
Prediction: Upper Merion 24, Lower Merion 20.
Plymouth Whitemarsh at William Tennent
Time/Place: Friday, 7 p.m., at William Tennent.
Records: The Colonials are 0-0 overall and 0-0 in the SOL American. The Panthers are 0-0 overall and 0-0 in the SOL Continental.
Players to Watch: Larry McLaughlin is under center for the Colonials as they build towards a resurgence this fall. Drew Forr hits hard at linebacker for Tennent.
Prediction: Plymouth Whitemarsh 20, William Tennent 19.
Central Bucks South at Spring-Ford
Time/Place: Friday, 7 p.m., at Spring-Ford.
Records: The Titans are 0-0 overall and 0-0 in the SOL Continental. The Rams are 0-0 overall and 0-0 in the PAC Liberty.
Players to Watch: The Rams return eight starters on offense, including first team all-area QB Ryan Engro. Sean Smith can make some tough catches for South at the wideout position.
Prediction: Spring-Ford 33, Central Bucks South 20.
Father Judge at Lansdale Catholic
Time/Place: Saturday, 1 p.m., at Wissahickon.
On Twitter: @ADRobinson3.
Records: Judge is 0-0 overall and 0-0 in the Philadelphia Catholic League Red Division. The Crusaders are 0-0 overall and 0-0 in the PCL Blue.
Players to Watch: Leading receiver Shane McGovern (35 catches) is back for Judge. Seniors Kevin Gianoni, Nick Scheetz, Jack Kelly and Mike Evangelista provide an experienced wall along the offensive and defensive lines for LC.
Prediction: Lansdale Catholic 25, Father Judge 20.
Roman Catholic at Pope John Paul II
Time/Place: Saturday, 2 p.m., at Pope John Paul II.
Records: Roman is 0-0 overall and 0-0 in the PCL Red. PJP is 0-0 overall and 0-0 in the PAC Frontier.
Players to Watch: Senior Brian Burton is a solid two-way player for Roman at running back and middle linebacker. Seniors Andrew McDonald and Daylin Gooden look to power the ground game for PJP.
Prediction: Pope John Paul II 19, Roman Catholic 12.
Imhotep Charter at La Salle
Time/Place: Saturday, 6:30 p.m. at Germantown Supersite.
Records: Imhotep is 0-0 overall and 0-0 in the Philadelphia Public League, 3A. The Explorers are 0-0 overall and 0-0 in the PCL Red.
Players to Watch: Senior quarterback Jack Machita can get it done for the Explorers. Miykeal Matthews can bring it at linebacker for Imhotep.
Prediction: La Salle 18, Imhotep Charter 17.
Pope John XXIII (N.J.) at Archbishop Wood
Time/Place: Saturday, 7 p.m., at William Tennent.
Records: Pope John is 0-0 overall and 0-0 in the Northwest Jersey Athletic Conference. The Vikings are 0-0 overall and 0-0 in the PCL Red.
Players to Watch: The Vikings have some experienced standouts in OL/DE Charlie Mininger (captain), RB/S Ryan DiVergilis (captain) and WR/DB Cardel Pigford. Nafis Matthews provides some speed at the RB position for Pope John.
Prediction: Archbishop Wood 23, Pope John XXIII 17.
