The Reporter Week 8 Preview Capsules

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Here is a look at the seven games on the local high school football schedule for Week Eight.

North Penn at Pennsbury
Time/Place: Friday, 7 p.m., at Pennsbury High School
On the Air: The game will be broadcast live on 1440 AM and live on the internet at wnpv1440.com.
On Twitter: @mpcabrey.
Records: The Knights are 5-2 overall and 4-0 in the Suburban One League National Conference. The Falcons are 6-1 overall and 4-0 in the SOL National.
What’s at Stake: The winner takes over sole possession of first place in the conference, with two games to go.
Last Week: North Penn rolled on the road, 55-20 over Bensalem. The Falcons held on to beat Pennridge, 38-32.
Last Year: The Knights won 24-21 over the Falcons at Crawford Stadium.
Players to Watch: The Falcons’ long tradition with the running game is alive and well, and comes in the form of backs Dalton Hose and Chris Rupprecht. Quarterback Mike Alley also contributes to the ground game in the run-oriented attack. North Penn’s offense has opened it up in recent weeks, and quarterback Reece Udinski, along with an improving offensive line, look to stay on a roll.
Prediction: North Penn 28, Pennsbury 21.

Central Bucks South at Pennridge
Time/Place: Friday, 7 p.m., at Helman Field, Pennridge High School.
On Twitter: @khunter10.
Records: The Titans are 3-4 overall and 2-2 in the SOL National. The Rams are 4-3 overall and 2-2 in the SOL National.
Last Week: South won 34-25 over Abington. The Rams came back in the second half but fell 38-32 to Pennsbury.
Last Year: The Titans were a 28-21 winner over the Rams.
Players to Watch: The South ground attack benefits from the tough running of Nate Norris. Quarterback Devon Balmer nearly brought the Rams all the way back last week and aims to get Pennridge back over .500 in the conference.
Prediction: Pennridge 31, CB South 21.

Abington at Souderton Area
Time/Place: Friday, 7 p.m., at Souderton Area High School
On Twitter: @ADRobinson3.
Records: Big Red comes into this one 3-4 overall and 1-3 in the SOL National. The Ghosts are still in search of their first win, now 0-7 overall and 0-4 in the SOL National.
Last Week: The Ghosts made it close but fell 34-25 to CB South. Big Red lost a tough one to Neshaminy, 21-10.
Last Year: The Ghosts earned a 28-0 shutout over Big Red in 2014.
Players to Watch: Blake Gular will carry the football for Big Red as they try to get back to .500 with a couple games to go. Abington quarterback David Kretschman had a big game last week despite the loss, throwing four touchdown passes.
Prediction: Souderton Area 27, Abington 20

Archbishop Carroll at Lansdale Catholic
Time/Place: Friday, 7 p.m., at Wissahickon High School.
On Twitter: @srichards31.
Records: The Patriots are 3-4 overall and 0-2 in the Philadelphia Catholic League Class AAA. The Crusaders are 5-2 overall and 2-1 in the PCL Class AA.
Last Week: LC put away Conwell-Egan in the fourth quarter, winning 34-21. The Patriots lost 42-6 to Archbishop Ryan.
Last Year: The Crusaders earned a 28-7 win over the Patriots in 2014.
Players to Watch: Timely passing by Michael Basilii gave the LC attack an extra boost last week, as backs Ryan Quigley and Marlen Fenstermacher continue to overwhelm defenses in the ground game. Carroll needs a big performance from running back Rahsul Faison and the offensive line.
Prediction: Lansdale Catholic 24, Archbishop Carroll 7.

Council Rock North at Central Bucks West
Time/Place: Friday, 7 p.m., at War Memorial Field, Central Bucks West High School
Records: The Indians are 4-3 overall and 3-1 in the SOL Continental. The Bucks are 2-5 overall and 2-2 in the SOL Continental.
Last Week: Rock North won 34-15 over Truman. The Bucks fell 28-7 to Quakertown.
Last Year: The Indians won 39-14 over the Bucks a year ago.
Players to Watch: Quarterback Eddie Shields directs the West attack, which looks to get back into form. QB Brandon McIlwain likes to spread the ball around for the Indians.
Prediction: Council Rock North 29, Central Bucks West 14.

Wissahickon at Cheltenham
Time/Place: Friday, 7 p.m., at Cheltenham High School
Records: The Trojans are 1-6 overall and 0-4 in the SOL American. The Panthers come into this one 3-4 overall and 2-2 in the SOL American.
Last Week: Wiss was on the wrong end of a 42-20 decision against Hatboro-Horsham. Cheltenham won 26-7 over Springfield-Montco.
Last Year: The Panthers won a defensive battle, 14-2 over Wiss.
Players to Watch: Wiss’ Marlyn Johnson is a tough one to cover in the passing game, while Panthers QB Brandon Mack can challenge defenses with his arm and his legs.
Prediction: Cheltenham 35, Wissahickon 20.

Owen J. Roberts at Methacton
Time/Place: Saturday, 2 p.m., at Methacton High School.
Records: The Wildcats are 3-4 overall and 3-2 in the Pioneer Athletic Conference. The Warriors are 0-7 overall and 0-6 in the PAC 10.
Last Week: Owen J. lost 35-14 to Spring-Ford. Methacton lost 51-7 to Pottsgrove.
Last Year: The Warriors defeated the Wildcats 32-6 a year ago.
Players to Watch: Methacton quarterback Jason Eckman looks to direct the Warriors to a win on Homecoming, while the Wildcats will counter with the passing connection of Dawson Stewart-to-Mitch Bradford.
Prediction: Owen J. Roberts 30, Methacton 23.

Kev Hunter

Kevin Hunter
Kev Hunter is a sports reporter for Montco Media. He has been a staff writer for The Reporter Newspaper in Lansdale since 2000. Prior to that, he covered sports for The Day Newspaper in New London, Conn. He began his writing career at The Courier-Post in South Jersey, along with covering prep football in Pa. for The Philadelphia Inquirer.

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