Reporter/Times Herald Area Week Nine Football Previews

It’s a battle for the top spot in the Suburban One League American Conference, as Upper Moreland travels to Plymouth Whitemarsh Friday night.

Kickoff is at 7 p.m.

The Bears are coming off a 28-21 victory over Springfield Montco and are now 7-1 overall and 4-1 in the SOL American. The Colonials, fresh off a 35-14 win over William Tennent, are 6-1 overall and 4-0 in the SOL American.

The Colonial offense had a nice mix between run and pass in the win last week, with Zion East and Devon Orensky each scoring rushing touchdowns, and Phil Taormina catching a pair of touchdown passes from quarterback Aiden O’Brien.

“They’re the defending champs and they brought back all their guys,” Colonials coach Dan Chang said of Upper Moreland. “They’re dangerous at every position and we’re gonna have to have a great week of practice.”

The Colonial defense also contributed greatly to the win last week.

“Our defense has been pretty solid, game in and game out,” Chang said. “I was happy with our aggressiveness on defense and staying with our responsibilities.”

The Byron Hopkins-to-Ryan Olexa connection has been an explosive one for the Bears, who are going for their fourth straight win.

PW is trying to win its seventh straight.

The Colonials are currently ranked sixth in District 1-5A and Upper Moreland holds the top spot in District 1-4A.

Central Bucks East at North Penn
Time/Site: Friday, 7 p.m., at North Penn.
On Twitter: @mpcabrey.
Records: The Knights are 8-0 overall and 4-0 in the Suburban One League National Conference. The Patriots are 6-2 overall and 4-1 in the SOL National.
Last Week: North Penn beat CB West 28-14. East fell to Pennridge, 24-7.
Players to Watch: Khalani Eaton ran for 240 yards last week for NP. Ethan Shine is a tough runner for East.
Prediction: North Penn 31, Central Bucks East 17.

Pennridge at Central Bucks South
Time/Site: Friday, 7 p.m., at Central Bucks South.
On Twitter: @ADRobinson3.
Records: The Rams are 5-3 overall and 3-2 in the SOL National. The Titans are 6-2 overall and 3-2 in the SOL National.
Last Week: Pennridge defeated CB East 24-7. South topped Pennsbury 28-14.
Players to Watch: Brayden Landherr racked up 135 yards rushing for the Rams last week. Cole Maholtz runs hard for South.
Prediction: Pennridge 24, Central Bucks South 20.

Central Bucks West at Neshaminy
Time/Site: Friday, 7 p.m., at Neshaminy.
Records: The Bucks are 6-2 overall and 4-1 in the SOL National. The Skins are 1-7 overall and 0-5 in the SOL National.
Last Week: The Bucks fell to North Penn, 28-14. Neshaminy lost to Abington, 31-21.
Players to Watch: Vinny Cherubini did some solid running last week for West. Jaydon Wilson is a versatile runner for the Skins.
Prediction: Central Bucks West 30, Neshaminy 14.

Souderton at Cheltenham
Time/Site: Friday, 7 p.m., at Cheltenham.
On Twitter: @emor09.
Records: Souderton is 4-4 overall and 3-2 in the SOL Continental. Cheltenham is 4-4 overall and 3-1 in the SOL American.
Last Week: Souderton lost to Upper Dublin 10-7. Cheltenham won 35-20 over Wissahickon.
Players to Watch: Brayden Porter continues to be a major ground force for Big Red. Zaheim Welton-Salahuddin is a breakaway back for the Panthers.
Prediction: Souderton 28, Cheltenham 21.

Upper Dublin at Council Rock North
Time/Site: Saturday, 12 p.m., at CR North.
Records: The Cardinals are 6-2 overall and 4-1 in the SOL Continental. CR North is 2-6 overall and 1-4 in the SOL Continental.
Last Week: Upper Dublin edged Souderton, 10-7. CR North lost 21-7 to Truman.
Players to Watch: Nyfise McIntyre was a key to the ground game last week for the Cards. Sawyer Koza is a nice target downfield for Rock North.
Prediction: Upper Dublin 28, CR North 14.

Upper Moreland at Plymouth Whitemarsh
Time/Site: Friday, 7 p.m., at Plymouth Whitemarsh.
On Twitter: @khunter10.
Records: The Colonials are 6-1 overall and 4-0 in the SOL American. The Bears are 7-1 overall and 4-1 in the SOL American.
Last Week: PW beat William Tennent 35-14. Upper Moreland won 28-21 over Springfield Montco.
Players to Watch: Quarterback Byron Hopkins and wide receiver Ryan Olexa have been tough to stop for Upper Moreland. Zion East has been rolling in the running game for PW.
Prediction: Plymouth Whitemarsh 28, Upper Moreland 27.

William Tennent at Wissahickon
Time/Site: Friday, 7 p.m., at Wissahickon.
Records: The Panthers are 0-7 overall and 0-4 in the SOL American. The Trojans are 2-6 overall and 1-3 in the SOL American.
Last Week: Tennent lost 35-14 to PW. Wiss fell 35-20 to Cheltenham.
Players to Watch: Quarterback Aidan Defeo is having a solid season for the Trojans. Quarterback Tim Lawson got the Panther offense going in the second half last week.
Prediction: Wissahickon 20, William Tennent 14.

Pottsgrove at Pope John Paul II
Time/Site: Saturday, 1 p.m., at PJP.
Records: PJP is 6-2 overall and 4-0 in the PAC Frontier. Pottsgrove is 6-1 overall and 4-0 in the PAC Frontier.
Last Week: The Golden Panthers shut out Pottstown 28-0. The Falcons routed Upper Perk, 42-14.
Players to Watch: Sophomore Bryce Caffrey and junior Amir Brunson each rushed for over 100 yards last week for Pottsgrove. Quarterback D.J. Clarke has the Golden Panther offense rolling.
Prediction: Pope John Paul II 28, Pottsgrove 20.

Methacton at Perkiomen Valley
Time/Site: Friday, 7 p.m., at Perk Valley.
Records: Methacton is 4-4 overall and 1-3 in the PAC Liberty. PV is 6-2 overall and 4-0 in the PAC Liberty.
Last Week: The Warriors were shut out, 39-0, by Spring-Ford. The Vikings shut out Boyertown 38-0.
Players to Watch: Quarterback Dan Brandi looks to get the Methacton offense going. Ethan Kohler aired it out last week for PV.
Prediction: Perkiomen Valley 31, Methacton 17.

Boyertown at Norristown
Time/Site: Friday, 7 p.m., at Norristown.
Records: Norristown is 0-8 overall and 0-4 in the PAC Liberty. Boyertown is 3-5 overall and 1-3 in the PAC Liberty.
Last Week: The Eagles lost 35-14 to Owen J. Roberts. The Bears were shut out 38-0 by Perk Valley.
Players to Watch: Boyertown’s Leo Egbe is tough to bring down. Rashad Triplett is a speedy runner for Norristown.
Prediction: Boyertown 24, Norristown 14.

Upper Merion at Upper Perkiomen
Time/Site: Friday, 7 p.m., at Upper Perkiomen.
Records: Upper Merion is 3-4 overall and 1-3 in the PAC Frontier. Upper Perk is 2-6 overall and 1-3 in the PAC Frontier.
Last Week: The Vikings lost 41-24 to Phoenixville. Upper Perk lost 42-14 to Pottsgrove.
Players to Watch: Nolan Clayton is a solid receiver for the Vikes. Logan Simmon has breakaway speed for Upper Perk as a runner and receiver.
Prediction: Upper Merion 22, Upper Perkiomen 17.

La Salle at Father Judge
Time/Site: Friday, 6 p.m., at Ramp Athletic Complex.
Records: The Explorers are 6-1 overall and 1-1 in the PCL Red. Judge is 6-2 overall and 1-2 in the PCL Red.
Last Week: La Salle was idle. Judge won 21-20 over Roman Catholic.
Players to Watch: Sam Brown can break a game open as a runner or receiver for La Salle. Jordan Rhinehart is a nice target in the passing game for Judge.
Prediction: La Salle 28, Judge 17.

Lansdale Catholic at Conwell-Egan
Time/Site: Friday, 7 p.m., at Truman.
Records: Lansdale Catholic is 0-8 overall and 0-4 in the PCL Blue. Egan is 6-2 overall and 3-2 in the PCL Blue.
Last Week: The Crusaders lost 40-6 to Bonner-Prendie. The Eagles won 32-14 over Cardinal O’Hara.
Players to Watch: Cole Meehan will try to get the passing attack going for the Crusaders. Mekhi Harper can get open downfield for Egan.
Prediction: Conwell-Egan 24, Lansdale Catholic 17.

Springside-Chestnut Hill Academy at Germantown Academy
Time/Site: Saturday, 1 p.m., at GA.
Records: The Patriots are 3-2 overall and 0-1 in the InterAC. Springside is 3-3 overall and 0-1 in the InterAC.
Last Week: GA was edged 29-28 by Episcopal Academy. The Blue Devils lost 31-28 to Haverford School.
Players to Watch: Brian Allen is a fierce runner for GA. R.J. Moore is a tough linebacker for Springside.
Prediction: Germantown Academy 24, Springside-Chestnut Hill 19.