Pennridge travels to Quakertown for Thanksgiving Day battle
Two old friends and rivals will get Thanksgiving Day started together, as Pennridge travels to Alumni Field at Quakertown High School to take on the Panthers in their annual Turkey Day battle.
Kickoff is at 10:15 a.m.
The Rams, 6-1 overall and 5-0 in the Suburban One League National Conference this season, suffered their first loss of the year in the District 1-6A Final, falling to rival Souderton Area, 31-17.
The Panthers, 5-2 overall and 3-1 in the SOL Continental this fall, lost to Perkiomen Valley, 35-28, in their last outing.
Pennridge would love to continue its success on the ground.
Dillon Powles rushed for 118 yards and a score for the Rams in the district final. Bobby Croyle has been a mobile threat at quarterback all season for Pennridge.
The defense, rock-solid all fall, is led by linebacker Shane Hartzell.
That Pennridge defense will try to limit the production of a balanced Quakertown attack.
Brady Williams is coming off a 100-yard rushing effort while quarterback Will Steich is coming off a 200-yard performance through the air. Two of his favorite targets are Tyler Merwarth and Zach Fondl.
Pennridge looks to win the contest for the fifth year in a row while Quakertown seeks its first victory in the annual battle since 2015.
History >> This is the 91st Annual Thanksgiving Day battle between Pennridge and Quakertown.
The first contest was on Nov. 27, 1930. Pennridge leads the all-time series, 57-28-5.
The longest win streak between the two is seven games, set by Pennridge, from 1972-’78. Quakertown did, however, have an unbeaten streak of eight games between the two, spanning from 1945-’52.
Panthers coach George Banas coaches Quakertown for the 11th time in this contest while Cody Muller coaches the Rams for the third time on Thanksgiving Day.
Pennridge at Quakertown
Day/place: Thursday, 10:15 a.m., at Quakertown.
On Twitter: @khunter10.
Records: Pennridge is 6-1 overall and 5-0 in the SOL National. Quakertown is 5-2 overall and 3-1 in the SOL Continental.
Last Week: Pennridge lost to Souderton Area 31-17 in the District 1-6A Final on Nov. 13. Quakertown lost to Perkiomen Valley 35-28 on Nov. 13.
Players to Watch: Dillon Powles rushed for 118 yards and a touchdown the last time the Rams took the field. Brady Williams had similar success for the Panthers in their last contest, rushing for 111 yards.
Prediction: Pennridge 28, Quakertown 21.
