Reporter/Times Herald Area Week Two Football Previews

Two old area rivals will do battle in Week Two of the high school football season, as Plymouth-Whitemarsh travels to Methacton Friday night.

Kickoff is at 7 p.m.

The Warriors got their season off to a strong start last week with a rousing 38-8 victory over Harriton.

Said coach Brian Kennedy, after winning his debut game with the program: “It helps to have good kids. When you’re ahead, it’s easy to keep the momentum. There was no letdown. They took care of business.”

The Warriors ran for 232 yards and gained another 101 through the air last week in starting the season at 1-0, still 0-0 in the Pioneer Athletic Conference Liberty Division.

Tyler Weil-Kasper had a prolific night on the ground, gaining 163 yards and scoring two first-half touchdowns. In addition, Methacton balanced out its offense with quarterback Dan Brandi, who threw 15 passes and completed seven of them for 101 yards and a touchdown.

The versatile QB also scored on runs of five and two yards.

Tyler Ready booted a 25-yard field goal last week for Methacton to help get the special teams off to a solid start.

The Colonials come into this one at 0-1 overall, still 0-0 in the Suburban One League American Conference.

PW lost a tough one, 35-27 to Central Bucks South. The Colonials did, however, get a promising performance from Chris McLaughlin at tailback.

Greg Feinberg, Aiden O’Brien and Nate Kern all contributed in the ground game, which piled up 268 yards.

It’s a matchup of two big ground games and two old rivals, who used to play an inter-division game each season as part of the Suburban One League American Conference.

Simon Gratz vs. Germantown Academy
Site/Time: Friday, 12 p.m., at Ocean City (N.J.).
Records: GA is 0-0 overall and 0-0 in the InterAC. Gratz is 1-0 overall and 0-0 in the Philly Public League, Independence.
Last week: The Patriots were idle. Gratz won 28-24 over Mastery North Charter.
Players to watch: Lacey Snowden is a speedy running back for the Pats. Kayenne Barley applies pressure from the defensive end spot for Gratz.
Prediction: Germantown Academy 31, Gratz 24

La Salle vs. Malvern Prep
Site/Time: Friday, 6 p.m., at Ocean City (N.J.).
Records: The Explorers are 1-0 overall and 0-0 in the PCL Red. Malvern Prep is 0-0 overall and 0-0 in the InterAC.
Last week: La Salle won 21-0 over Bishop McDevitt of Harrisburg. Malvern was idle.
Players to watch: Stevie Davis scored a pair of rushing touchdowns last week for the Explorers. Coltin Deery is part of a big front for Malvern.
Prediction: La Salle 24, Malvern Prep 10

Abington at North Penn
Site/Time: Friday, 7 p.m., at NP.
On Twitter: @khunter10
Records: North Penn is 1-0 overall and 0-0 in the SOL National. Abington is 1-0 overall and 0-0 in the SOL National.
Last week: The Knights won 42-27 over rival Souderton Area. The Ghosts prevailed 19-7 over Cheltenham.
Players to watch: Levi Carroll scored on a 34-yard touchdown reception and on a 97-yard kickoff return last week for the Knights. Tamir Berthaur broke loose for a 45-yard touchdown run last week for the Ghosts.
Prediction: North Penn 28, Abington 14

Central Bucks South at Central Bucks West
Site/Time: Friday, 7 p.m., at CB West.
On Twitter: @ADRobinson3
Records: West is 0-1 overall and 0-0 in the SOL National. South is 1-0 overall and 0-0 in the SOL National.
Last week: The Bucks lost 35-14 to Coatesville. South was a 35-27 winner over PW.
Players to watch: Eli Boehm looks to break loose in the ground game for West. Cole Maholtz scored three rushing TD’s last week for the Titans.
Prediction: CB South 27, CB West 20

Pennsbury at Pennridge
Site/Time: Friday, 7 p.m., at Pennridge.
On Twitter: @mpcabrey.
Records: The Rams are 0-1 overall and 0-0 in the SOL National. Pennsbury is 0-1 overall and 0-0 in the SOL National.
Last week: Pennridge fell 14-7 to Downingtown East. Pennsbury lost 42-0 to Academy Park.
Players to watch: Adam Mossbrook’s speed was on display last week for the Rams, both on special teams and on offense. He took the opening kickoff back for a TD for Pennridge. Jonathan Schmitt helps lead a young Falcon squad, at wide receiver and corner.
Prediction: Pennridge 21, Pennsbury 7

Plymouth Whitemarsh at Methacton
Site/Time: Friday, 7 p.m., at Methacton.
On Twitter: @emor09
Records: PW is 0-1 overall and 0-0 in the SOL American. Methacton is 1-0 overall and 0-0 in the PAC Liberty.
Last week: The Colonials lost 35-27 to CB South. The Warriors triumphed 38-8 over Harriton.
Players to watch: Chris McLaughlin shined at tailback last week for the Colonials. Tyler Weil-Kasper also racked up a lot of yards last week in the ground game for the Warriors.
Prediction: Plymouth Whitemarsh 28, Methacton 21

Souderton at Truman
Site/Time: Friday, 7 p.m., at Truman.
Records: Souderton is 0-1 overall and 0-0 in the SOL Continental. Truman is 0-1 overall and 0-0 in the SOL Continental.
Last week: Big Red fell 42-27 to North Penn. Truman was defeated 15-9 by Chichester.
Players to watch: Shaun Purvy had a touchdown reception and returned an interception for a touchdown last week for Big Red. Azijon Paxton helps man the secondary for the Tigers.
Prediction: Souderton 24, Truman 14

Wissahickon at Owen J. Roberts
Site/Time: Friday, 7 p.m., at OJR.
Records: Wiss is 0-1 overall and 0-0 in the SOL American. Owen J. Roberts is 0-1 overall and 0-0 in the PAC Liberty.
Last week: The Trojans lost 43-0 to Upper Dublin. The Wildcats fell 17-14 to Conestoga in overtime.
Players to watch: Chase Bethea is a speedy slot receiver and tough safety for the Trojans. Avrey Grimm scored on a 94-yard touchdown run last week for OJR.
Prediction: Owen J. Roberts 21, Wiss 14

Lansdale Catholic vs. Pottsgrove
Site/Time: Saturday, 11 a.m., at Ocean City (N.J.).
Records: LC is 0-1 overall and 0-0 in the PCL Blue. Pottsgrove is 0-0 overall and 0-0 in the PAC Frontier.
Last week: The Crusaders fell 21-7 to Father Judge. Pottsgrove was idle.
Players to watch: Danny Herman is a key left tackle and middle linebacker for the Crusaders. Fullback Shane Caffrey leads a tough senior class for the Falcons.
Prediction: Lansdale Catholic 22, Pottsgrove 20

Norristown at Upper Merion
Site/Time: Saturday, 11 a.m., at Upper Merion.
On Twitter: @khunter10
Records: Norristown is 0-1 overall and 0-0 in the PAC Liberty. Upper Merion is 0-1 overall and 0-1 in the PAC Frontier.
Last week: The Eagles lost 28-20 to Bensalem. The Vikings fell 25-13 to Conwell Egan.
Players to watch: Kaden Cruz ran for 289 yards last week for the Eagles. Quarterback Nolan Clayton made plays with his legs and his arm last week for the Vikes.
Prediction: Norristown 19, Upper Merion 14

New Hope-Solebury at Pope John Paul II
Site/Time: Saturday, 1 p.m., at PJP.
Records: PJP is 1-0 overall and 0-0 in the PAC Frontier. New Hope is 0-1 overall and 0-0 in the SOL American.
Last week: The Golden Panthers won 43-14 over Archbishop Carroll. The Lions were shut out 30-0 by Council Rock North.
Players to watch: Josh Little rushed for 202 yards last week for the Golden Panthers. Ryan Sullivan is a versatile tight end and linebacker for the Lions.
Prediction: Pope John Paul II 30, New Hope-Solebury 20.

Upper Dublin at Council Rock South
Site/Time: Saturday, 1 p.m., Walt Snyder Stadium, Council Rock North 
Records: Upper Dublin is 1-0 overall and 0-0 in the SOL Continental. CR South is 0-1 overall and 0-0 in the SOL Continental.
Last week: The Cardinals won 43-0 over Wissahickon. The Golden Hawks fell 21-7 to Upper Moreland.
Players to watch: Quarterback Colin O’Sullivan tossed three touchdown passes last week for Upper Dublin. Tom Woloshyn is a bruising runner for the Golden Hawks.
Prediction: Upper Dublin 24, Council Rock South 17