Reporter/Times Herald/Montgomery Media Week 11 Football: Souderton hosts CB South in District 1-6A opener
Two old rivals are getting together in the first round of the District 1-6A playoffs Friday night when No. 10 Central Bucks South travels to No. 7 Souderton.
Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.
The Indians and the Titans competed against each other in the Suburban One League Continental Conference before a realignment in 2020. Souderton remains in the Continental Conference while CB South moved to the SOL National Conference. The rivals last played in 2019, when South won 24-14.
“We have had some great games with CB South in the past,” Souderton coach Ed Gallagher said. “(South coach) Tom (Hetrick) runs a great program, and I look forward to a competitive first-round matchup.”
“Over the years we have had some very competitive games with Souderton,” Hetrick said. “Ed Gallagher has been around a long time and runs a great program. They have a lot of tough kids. Their team this year also has a lot of very dynamic athletes. Everything they do is still rooted in the Wing-T that they have run for a while, but they have also figured out ways to get the ball to their athletes in space. It should be a great matchup Friday night.”
Souderton enters the game with an 8-2 record, coming off a 45-6 win over Bensalem. CB South is 7-3 and capped the regular season with a 32-23 win over Pennridge.
The Titans win over the Rams was their fourth straight victory after a midseason three-game losing streak against CB East, Pennsbury and North Penn had them sitting at .500 going into October.
“Those are some very good football teams,” Hetrick said. “We didn’t make dramatic changes. We just continued to commit ourselves to getting better. In the course of a football season, you can only worry about yourself. If you are getting better at what you do, good things will happen. The players were patient, they continued to work hard and then success breeds confidence. Finishing with four straight wins was just a product of that patience and commitment to improving.”
In the regular season finale, South ran for 273 yards on 48 attempts. Jack Carver led the way with 24 carries for 150 yards and two touchdowns. The ground attack will be key against Souderton, who allowed 299 rushing yards in their loss to CB East and 228 in their loss to Upper Dublin.
“We’ve struggled to stop the run in our only two losses, so it will be important to play sound run defense on Friday night against CB South to force them to pass more,” Gallagher said. “I like our secondary in coverage against them, so that would give us the best chance to win. South has very good linebackers, so we’ll need to find a way to move the ball offensively and score points. It could come down to the kicking game, and ours has been solid all year.”
Souderton’s offense starts with quarterback Jared Zimmerman. The senior can get it done with his legs and his arm, often connecting with classmate and decade-long teammate, Shaun Purvy.
Both teams will be looking to get off to fast starts Friday night. Big Red jumped out quickly against Bensalem last week to set the tone in their win. South has been a second half team, but wants to get things going quicker in the playoffs.
“We need to play four complete quarters Friday night in order to win,” Hetrick said. “We have been a second half team the past few games. During the playoffs you are playing with fire if you think you can come out in the second half and finish strong and come away with the win. We need to be efficient on offense and play ahead of the sticks. Defensively we need to try to limit their big play potential and not let their athletes splash on us.”
DISTRICT 1-6A FIRST ROUND
(16) Quakertown at (1) Garnet Valley
Time/Place: Friday, 7 p.m. at Garnet Valley
On Twitter: @csmith191919
Records: The Panthers are 5-5 overall and 4-2 in the SOL Continental. The Jaguars are 9-0 overall and 8-0 in the Central League.
Last Week: Quakertown lost to Upper Dublin 38-8. Garnet Valley beat Conestoga 49-3.
Players to Watch: Quakertown running back John Eatherton is tough to bring down between the tackles. Garnet Valley running back Jack Westburg can score from anywhere on the field.
Prediction: Garnet Valley 31, Quakertown 14
(10) Central Bucks South at (7) Souderton
Time/Place: Friday, 7 p.m., at Souderton
On Twitter: @mpcabrey
Records: The Titans are 7-3 overall and 5-2 in the SOL National. The Indians are 8-2 overall and 5-1 in the SOL Continental.
Last Week: CB South beat Pennridge 32-23. Souderton took care of Bensalem, 45-6.
Players to Watch: CB South’s Jack Carver ran for 150 yards and two touchdowns last week. Souderton’s Shaun Purvy is a threat with the ball in his hands on offense and in the secondary on defense.
Prediction: Souderton 24, Central Bucks South 21
(14) North Penn at (3) Pennsbury
Time/Place: Friday, 7 p.m., at Pennsbury
On Twitter: @khunter10
Records: The Falcons are 9-1 overall and 7-0 in the SOL National. The Knights are 5-5 overall and 4-3 in the SOL National.
Last Week: Pennsbury shutout Neshaminy, 35-0. North Penn handled Abington, 38-21.
Players to Watch: Pennsbury’s Galamama Mulbah ran for 364 yards and four touchdowns against North Penn earlier this season. North Penn receiver Yazeed Haynes had 160 receiving yards and two touchdowns last week.
Prediction: Pennsbury 34, North Penn 28
(11) Central Bucks West at (6) Central Bucks East
Time/Place: Friday, 7 p.m., at Central Bucks East
On Twitter: @ADRobinson3
Records: The Bucks are 6-4 overall and 5-2 in the SOL National. The Patriots are 8-2 overall and 5-2 in the SOL National.
Last Week: CB West won, 21-14, at CB East.
Players to Watch: West’s Vinny Cherubini ran for 100 yards and the game-winning touchdow against East last week. Liam Powers and the East offensive line get the ground game going.
Prediction: Central Bucks East 23, Central Bucks West 21
DISTRICT 1-5A FIRST ROUND
(16) Academy Park at (1) Upper Dublin
Time/Place: Friday, 7 p.m., at Upper Dublin
On Twitter: @emor09
Records: The Knights are 3-7 overall and 2-2 in the Del Val League. The Cardinals are 10-0 overall and 6-0 in the SOL Continental.
Last Week: Academy Park lost to Chester, 39-16. Upper Dublin beat Quakertown, 38-8.
Players to Watch: Academy Park quarterback Darrell Fields is tough to bring down with the ball in his hands. Upper Dublin quarterback Colin O’Sullivan has district playoff experience with a championship in 2020 and quarterfinal appearance in 2021.
Prediction: Upper Dublin 35, Academy Park 10
(9) Upper Moreland at (8) Great Valley
Time/Place: Friday, 7 p.m., at Great Valley
On Twitter: @MLineSports
Records: The Golden Bears are 8-2 overall and 4-1 in the SOL American. The Patriots are 7-3 overall and 5-2 in the Ches-Mont American.
Last Week: Upper Moreland lost to Plymouth Whitemarsh, 56-20. Great Valley lost to Kennett, 30-7.
Players to Watch: Upper Moreland’s Stephen Broderick had a 100-yard day on the ground in the regular season finale. Great Valley’s Braeden Melia threw for 178 yards last week.
Prediction: Upper Moreland 28, Great Valley 24
(13) Sun Valley at (4) Plymouth Whitemarsh
Time/Place: Friday, 7 p.m., at Plymouth Whitemarsh
On Twitter: @JackMcCaffery
Records: The Vanguards are 5-5 overall and 3-4 in the Ches-Mont American. The Colonials are 8-2 overall and 5-0 in the SOL American.
Last Week: Sun Valley edged Oxford, 15-14. Plymouth Whitemarsh handled Upper Moreland, 56-20.
Players to Watch: Sun Valley’s Todd Harper caught the game-winning touchdown last week. PW’s Gregory Feinberg intercepted two passes against Upper Moreland.
Prediction: Plymouth Whitemarsh 42, Sun Valley 20
(15) Upper Merion at (2) Strath Haven
Time/Place: Friday, 7 p.m., at Strath Haven
On Twitter: @DTMattSmith
Records: The Vikings are 4-6 overall and 3-5 in the PAC. The Panthers are 10-0 overall and 8-0 in the Central League.
Last Week: Upper Merion lost against Methacton, 42-35. Strath Haven beat Marple Newtown, 43-21.
Players to Watch: Upper Merion’s Nolan Clayton scored two touchdowns against Methacton. Strath Haven’s Bob Fooskas ran for 107 yards and three touchdowns last week.
Prediction: Strath Haven 35, Upper Merion 14
(11) Methacton at (6) Kennett
Time/Place: Friday, 7 p.m., at Kennett
On Twitter: @NeilMGeoghegan
Records: The Warriors are 5-5 overall and 4-4 in the PAC. The Blue Demons are 7-3 overall and 7-0 in the Ches-Mont American.
Last Week: Methacton edged Upper Merion, 42-35. Kennett beat Great Valley, 30-7.
Players to Watch: Methacton’s Wesley Conover posted 181 yards and three touchdowns on the ground against Upper Merion. Kennett’s Julian Sparacino ran for 311 yards and three touchdowns last week.
Prediction: Kennett 27, Methacton 17
DISTRICT 1-4A SEMIFINALS
Springfield Montco at Pope John Paul II
Time/Place: Saturday, 2 p.m., at Pope John Paul II
On Twitter: @dwellersportz
Records: The Spartans are 5-4 overall and 2-3 in the SOL American.The Golden Panthers are 9-1 overall and 5-1 in the PAC.
Last Week: Springfield beat William Tennent, 50-24. PJP lost to Perk Valley, 21-14.
Players to Watch: Springfield’s Dylan McKenzie can impact the game on offense, defense and special teams. PJP’s Boyd Skarbeck ran for 108 yards and a touchdown last week.
Prediction: Pope John Paul II 31, Springfield Montco 20
DISTRICT 1-1A FINAL
(2) Morrisville at (1) Jenkintown
Time/Place: Friday, 6 p.m., at Jenkintown
Records: The Bulldogs are 2-7 overall and 1-2 in the BAL. The Drakes are 6-4 overall and 1-4 in the BAL.
Last Week: Morrisville lost to Pennington Prep, 43-14. Jenkintown lost to Bristol, 34-20.
Players to Watch: Jenkintown’s Dan Ecker is a deep threat at wide receiver.
Prediction: Jenkintown 28, Morrisville 27
PCL PLAYOFFS
Father Judge at La Salle (PCL 6A Semifinals)
Time/Place: Friday, 7 p.m., at Wissahickon
Records: The Crusaders are 3-7 overall and 2-3 in the PCL Red. The Explorers are 4-5 overall and 2-2 in the PCL Red.
Last Week: La Salle beat Father Judge, 27-6.
Players to Watch: La Salle’s Chris Fileppo scored a 10-yard touchdown last week. Judge quarterback Tyler Yerkov can get things done on the ground and through the air.
Prediction: La Salle 31, Father Judge 14
Archbishop Wood at Roman Catholic (PCL 5A Final)
Time/Place: Saturday, 1 p.m., at Wissahickon
On Twitter: @khunter10
Records: The Vikings are 1-6 overall and 0-4 in the PCL Red. The Cahillites are 7-2 overall and 3-1 in the PCL Red.
Last Week: Archbishop Wood didn’t play. Roman lost to St. Joe’s Prep, 42-0.
Players to Watch: Wood’s Ryan Wilson is effective on the ground. Roman running back Jamir Robertson is a big play waiting to happen.
Prediction: Roman Catholic 28, Archbishop Wood 14
INTER-AC LEAGUE
Germantown Academy at Haverford School
Time/Place: Saturday, 2 p.m., at Haverford School
Records: The Patriots are 6-2 overall and 1-2 in the Inter-Ac. The Fords are 8-0 overall and 3-0 in the Inter-Ac.
Last Week: GA lost to Malvern Prep, 29-14. Haverford School edged Penn Charter, 16-13.
Players to Watch: GA’s Evan Spivey is a big-play receiver and big hitter at safety. Haverford’s Matt Brosko gets every yard he can on the ground.
Prediction: Haverford School 28, Germantown Academy 24
