HS FOOTBALL: Taking a look at area teams' 2013 schedules

Pennridge's Mike Class,25, races past Abington defenders for a huge gain during first half action of the Rams' District ONe Class AAAA playoff contest at Poppy Yoder Field on Friday, Nov. 9, 2012. (Mark C Psoras/The Reporter)

By MIKE CABREY
mcabrey@thereporteronline.com
Monday was the official start of high school football practice. And while having football is better than not having football, there's three weeks before the actual games are here.

So, with the need to talk about something until that happens, here's a look at the schedules for The Reporter's seven area teams.

North Penn
2012: 6-4, 5-2 SOL Continental

Date	Opponent	2012 Record	2012 Result
Aug. 31	@ La Salle	12-2	La Salle, 20-7
Sept. 6	Archbishop Wood	12-3	North Penn, 24-10
Sept. 14	@ St. Joseph's Prep	10-1	St. Joseph's Prep, 31-3
Sept. 20	CB East	4-5	North Penn, 42-7
Sept. 27	@ Quakertown	1-10	North Penn, 42-7
Oct. 4	@ CB South	10-2	CB South, 36-29
Oct. 11	@ Hatboro-Horsham	1-11	North Penn, 34-0
Oct. 18	Pennridge	12-2	Pennridge, 28-21
Oct. 25	@ CB West	5-5	North Penn, 48-28
Nov. 1	Souderton	7-4	North Penn, 11-10

Opponents' 2012 Combined Record: 74-46 (.617)
Breakdown: North Penn kicks off 2012 with easily one of the toughest 3-game opening stretch in Pennsylvania. La Salle made the 4A state semis, Wood reached the 3A state final and Prep's lone loss came to La Salle in the PCL 4A championship.
The Knights collected just one win over the Catholic League trio, something they no doubt want to improve in starting their run back to making the District One postseason.
North Penn also dropped conference games to CB South and Pennridge last season, with those two contests going a long way in deciding the Continental crown.

Lansdale Catholic
2012: 5-5, 1-2 PCL 3A Division

Date	Opponent	2012 Record	2012 Result
Aug. 31	@ Conwell-Egan	6-5	Did Not Play
Sept. 6	Germantown Academy	3-6	Did Not Play
Sept. 13	@ Morrisville	6-6	LC, 34-0
Sept. 21	@ Bishop McDevitt	1-8	LC, 35-0
Sept. 28	@ Neumann-Goretti	3-6	Neumann, 21-20
Oct. 4	Bonner-Prendergast	10-2	B-P 28-9; B-P 28-0
Oct. 12	Archbishop Wood	1-11	Wood, 28-14
Oct. 19	Archbishop Carroll	12-2	Did Not Play
Oct. 25	@ Cardinal O'Hara	5-5	LC, 33-28

Opponents' 2012 Combined Record: 44-51 (.463)
Breakdown: With only 3 division games, so it would be huge for the Crusaders to begin PCL 3A play with a win. Week 6 gives LC that chance against a Bonner-Prendie side that handed coach Tom Kirk's crew two losses in 2012 - the second defeat coming in the division semifinals
Lansdale Catholic also plays four of the five PCL 2A teams (West Catholic the lone omit) starting with a clash with Conwell-Egan Week 1 in Ocean City. Last year, the Crusaders started 4-0 before a 1-point loss to Neumann-Goretti. LC again meets the Saints in Week 5.

Souderton
2012: 7-4, 4-3 SOL Continental

Date	Opponent	2012 Record	2012 Result
Aug. 30	@ Pottsgrove	11-2	Did Not Play
Sept. 7	@ Unionville	8-3	Unionville, 29-23
Sept. 12	Neshaminy	9-4	Souderton, 18-7
Sept. 20	@ CB West	5-5	Souderton, 28-17
Sept. 27	CB South	10-2	CB South, 44-28
Oct. 4	Pennridge	12-2	Pennridge, 45-35
Oct. 12	@ CB East	4-6	Souderton, 37-0
Oct. 18	Quakertown	1-10	Souderton, 33-7
Oct. 25	Hatboro-Horsham	1-11	Souderton, 37-7
Nov. 1	@ North Penn	6-4	North Penn, 11-10

Opponents' 2012 Combined Record: 67-48 (.583).
Breakdown: After North Penn, Big Red has the toughest slate in the area. Five of the Indians' first six games - including all three non-conference tilts - are against teams that made the District One postseason in 2012.
Souderton started last season with a 35-0 romp over Methacton. The Indians again play a PAC-10 side Week1, but this time facing conference power Pottsgrove on the road. North Penn waits in Week 10, with last year's contest between the rivals ending with a one-point Knight win.

Pennridge
2012: 12-2, 7-0 SOL Continental

Date	Opponent	2012 Record	2012 Result
Aug. 30	Emmaus	5-6	Did Not Play
Sept. 6	@ Bensalem	3-7	Bensalem, 24-21 (OT)
Sept. 12	Council Rock South	2-8	Pennridge, 31-7
Sept. 20	@ Academy Park	10-2	Pennridge, 37-15
Sept. 27	CB West	5-5	Pennridge, 28-21
Oct. 4	@ Souderton	7-4	Pennridge, 45-35
Oct. 11	@ CB South	10-2	Pennridge, 21-10
Oct. 18	@ North Penn	6-4	Pennridge, 28-21
Oct. 25	CB East	4-6	Pennridge, 34-24
Nov. 1	@ Hatboro-Horsham	1-11	Pennridge, 54-14
Nov. 28	Quakertown	1-10	Pennridge, 28-13

Opponents' 2012 Combined Record: 54-65 (.454).
Breakdown: Is there a storyline of interest for the Rams' season opener? I guess if a coach coming back to face his old team a year after leading them to a conference title peaks you interest. That that's case for Pennridge, as Randy Cuthbert brings his Emmaus team into Poppy Yoder Aug. 30.
The defending SOL Continental champs, the Rams' title defense probably comes down to a three-week strentch in October when they hit the road for games against Souderton, CB South and North Penn. Pennridge went 3-0 during the same strech in 2012, but all of those wins were at home.

Central Bucks West
2012: 5-5, 3-4 SOL Continental

Date	Opponent	2012 Record	2012 Result
Aug. 30	@ Upper Dublin	6-4	CB West, 31-0
Sept. 6	William Tennent	4-6	CB West, 28-20
Sept. 12	@ Wissahickon	8-4	Wiss., 38-35 (2OT)
Sept. 20	Souderton	7-4	Souderton, 28-17
Sept. 27	@ Pennridge	12-2	Pennridge, 28-21
Oct. 4	CB East	4-6	CB West, 40-20
Oct. 11	Quakertown	1-10	CB West, 42-0
Oct. 18	@ Hatboro-Horsham	1-11	CB West, 31-14
Oct. 25	North Penn	6-4	North Penn, 48-28
Nov. 1	CB South	10-2	CB South, 34-14

Opponents' 2012 Combined Record: 59-53 (.527).
Breakdown: Wissahickon is West's lone non-conference opponent to make the postseason in 2012, reaching the district 4A quarters after upsetting top seed Downingtown East. Last year, the Trojans topped West in double OT to earn wins over the Bucks in back-to-back seasons.
West needs to find a win or two against the four teams that beat the Bucks in SOL Continental play last season. They get that chance early, opening conference action at home against Souderton before visiting defending champ Pennridge the next week. Getting North Penn and CB South to end the regular season is no easy task.

Methacton
2012: 6-5, 5-4 PAC-10

Date	Opponent	2012 Record	2012 Result
Aug. 31	West Cheter Rustin	8-3	Did Not Play
Sept. 6	@ Perkiomen Valley	8-3	Perk Valley, 35-6
Sept. 14	Boyertown	3-8	Methacton, 24-20
Sept. 20	@ Pottsgrove	11-1	Pottsgrove, 27-14
Sept. 28	Upper Perkiomen	0-10	Methacton, 35-6
Oct. 5	@ Pope John Paul II	1-9	Methacton, 35-13
Oct. 12	@ Spring-Ford	12-3	Spring-Ford, 31-7
Oct. 19	Owen J. Roberts	3-9	Methacton, 45-28
Oct. 25	@ Pottstown	6-6	Methacton, 45-27
Nov. 2	Phoenixville	7-5	Phoenixville, 37-10
Nov. 9	Norristown	1-10	Methacton, 31-16

Opponents' 2012 Combined Record: 60-67 (.472).
Breakdown: The Warriors' lone non-conference games has them hosting Ches-Mont side Rustin, which lost to Pennsbury in the first round of the District One 4A playoffs.
Methacton has gone 5-4 in PAC-10 play the past two seasons, losing to Perkiomen Valley, Phoenixville, Pottsgrove and Spring-Ford both years. Paul Lepre's teams gets an early chance to end that trend in starting its conference slate at Perk Valley Week 2.

Wissahickon
2012: 8-4, 5-2 SOL American

Date	Opponent	2012 Record	2012 Result
Aug. 30	@ William Tennent	4-6	Wissahickon, 43-7
Sept. 6	Archbishop Ryan	6-5	Ryan, 29-21
Sept. 12	CB West	5-5	Wiss., 38-35 (2OT)
Sept. 20	Upper Dublin	6-4	Wissahickon, 41-21
Sept. 27	@ Springfield (M)	5-6	Wissahickon, 27-13
Oct. 4	@ Plymouth Whitemarsh	9-2	PW, 35-21
Oct. 11	Cheltenham	8-4	Cheltenham, 20-6
Oct. 18	Upper Merion	2-9	Wissahickon, 49-22
Oct. 26	@ Norristown	1-10	Wissahickon, 42-13
Nov. 1	Upper Moreland	7-5	Wissahickon, 55-13

Opponents' 2012 Combined Record: 53-56 (.486).
Breakdown: Wissahickon has posted two straight winning seasons, last year making the District One playoffs for the first time since 2007 and becoming the third No. 16 seed to reach the 4A quarterfinals.
The Trojans have faced William Tennent, Ryan and CB West in non-conference play in that order the past three seasons, going 2-1 vs. Tennent at West (beating bother the last two years) and 0-3 against Ryan.
Plymouth Whitemarsh has also had Wissahickon's number the past three seasons, with the teams' SOL American clash coming on the Colonials' home turf Week 6.

H.S. FOOTBALL: Ten games to watch in 2012

Dan Gavertz of North Penn runs for a large gain in first quarter of game against Souiderton on Friday, Oct. 21, 2011.  Photo by Mark C. Psoras

By MIKE CABREY

mcabrey@thereporteronline.com

The wait is finally over as the high school football season gets under way this weekend. The 2012 is full of interesting storylines, from Tom Kirk taking over as head coach of Lansdale Catholic to any team in the Suburban One League Continental Conference finding a way to knock off North Penn.

So, just as a handy guide, here are 10 games that I think are the most interesting, from early-season clashes of state heavyweights to contest that determine league titles.

WEEK 1

Friday, Aug. 31

La Salle at North Penn, 7:30 p.m.

Last time the two teams were on the field together the Knights punched their first ticket to Hershey since 2003 as they bested the Explorers 21-14 in the last year’s PIAA 4A semifinals. This will be the third straight season the two teams have met in Week 1, with La Salle winning both of those early matchups.

Saturday, Sept. 1

Lansdale Catholic vs. Prep Charter, 3:15 p.m., at Ocean City HS (N.J.)

This is less about the teams playing than the historical significance regarding Lansdale Catholic. This will be the first time in 40-plus years that Jim Algeo is not coaching the Crusaders. Game One for new coach Tom Kirk is down the shore with LC facing the Huskies of the Philadelphia Public League.

WEEK 2

Saturday, Sept. 8

North Penn at Archbishop Wood, 7 p.m., at William Tennent

The second stage of its Philadelphia Catholic League tour has North Penn heading on the road against face Wood, which was absolutely dominant in claiming the 2011 Class AAA state crown. The Vikings averaged 48.7 points per game is they won their last 13 games, including a 52-0 victory over Bishop McDevitt of Harrisburg in the state championship.

The team' last meeting came in Week 1 of 2006 at Crawford Stadium with Wood coming away with a 25-18 win.

WEEK 3

Friday, Sept. 14

Souderton at Neshaminy, 7 p.m.

This is the fifth straight season the Indians and Redskins have met, with the previous for coming in Week 1. The Redskins have won the three in a row against the Indians, including a 20-13 victory last year at Heartbreak Ridge. 

A win by Souderton here would be a big boost for Big Red going into the SOL Continental schedule.

Pennridge at Council Rock South, 7 p.m., at Council Rock North

The Rams come into 2012 with some expectations, so a win on the road against the District One Class AAA finalist Golden Hawks will send the message Pennridge should be taken seriously.

A safety off a block punt provided CR South its only points as it survived Pennridge at Poppy Yoder a season ago. The Golden Hawks went on to make the District One 4A final, while the Rams won seven of their next nine.

Wissahickon at Central Bucks West, 7 p.m.

Wissahickon used a 17-play, 95-yard touchdown drive in the fourth quarter to knock off CB West 21-14 in last year’s Week 3 SOL non-conference contest. The Bucks moved to a spread offense in trying to better their 5-6 record in 2011, while the Trojans went 7-3.

WEEK 6

Friday, Oct. 5

Souderton at Pennridge, 7 p.m.

That start of the second half is a good time for two teams looking to be at the top of the SOL Continental – and also somewhere in the district playoff picture – to meet at Poppy Yoder Field. Mike Class ran for 141 yards and two touchdowns in a 27-7 Pennridge victory last season. Two years ago, the Indians own 10-7 on four-down TD in the final seconds.

Saturday, Oct. 6

Pottsgrove at Methacton, 1 p.m.

After three straight years losing to Pottsgrove by an average of 41 points, Methacton was a missed-two point conversion from taking the Falcons to overtime last season before ultimately falling 21-19.

Pottsgrove is also one of the three PAC-10 teams Methacton has not beaten since joining the conference in 2008 (Phoenixville and Perkiomen Valley are the other two).

WEEK 8

Friday, Oct. 19

North Penn at Pennridge, 7 p.m.

This is the end of a three-game home stretch that will probably determine how Pennridge finishes this seasson. Following visits from Souderton and CB South – both of which tied the Rams for second in the Continental last year – in comes the Knights, who blanked Pennridge 27-0 in the teams’ previous contest.

WEEK 10

Friday, Nov. 2

North Penn at Souderton, 7 p.m.

North Penn has dominated the rivalry since both have been in the SOL Continental, but this contest should have implications for both the conference race and the District One playoffs.

The Knights rolled 37-14 in 2011 at Crawford Stadium, yet there’s always a little more energy when NP and Big Red play in any sport.

OTHER GAMES TO WATCH: St. Joseph's Prep at North Penn (Friday, Sept. 14); Central Bucks West at Souderton (Friday, Sept. 21); Wissahickon at Upper Dublin (Friday, Sept. 21); Lansdale Catholic at Bonner-Prendergast (Saturday, Oct. 6); Central Bucks West at Central Bucks South (Friday, Nov. 2).

High School Football Standings

Final
SUBURBAN ONE LEAGUE
CONTINENTAL CONFERENCE

Team	Conference	Overall	PF	PA
North Penn	7-0	13-3	496	210
Pennridge	5-2	7-5	230	189
Souderton	5-2	6-5	274	289
Central Bucks South	5-2	8-4	488	307
Central Bucks West	3-4	5-6	198	263
Central Bucks East	1-6	1-9	149	311
Hatboro-Horsham	1-6	5-7	252	271
Quakertown	1-6	5-7	277	299

AMERICAN CONFERENCE

Team	Conference	Overall	PF	PA
Plymouth Whitemarsh	6-0	8-2	288	117
Upper Dublin	5-1	7-3	244	148
Wissahickon	4-2	7-3	240	161
Norristown	3-3	5-5	195	247
Cheltenham	2-4	5-7	211	260
Upper Moreland	1-5	2-10	162	421
Upper Merion	0-6	0-10	125	378

NATIONAL CONFERENCE

Team	Conference	Overall	PF	PA
Abington	6-1	10-2	383	169
Council Rock South	6-1	12-2	387	218
Pennsbury	5-2	9-4	301	205
Council Rock North	4-3	5-5	147	183
Neshaminy	4-3	8-4	289	161
William Tennent	2-5	4-7	171	270
Bensalem	1-6	3-7	148	198
Truman	0-7	1-10	113	384

PHILADELPHIA CATHOLIC LEAGUE
CLASS AA

Team	Division	Overall	PF	PA
West Catholic	4-0	10-4	394	181
Bishop McDevitt	2-2	5-5	219	237
Lansdale Catholic	2-2	2-7	157	264
Neumann-Goretti	2-2	4-7	180	289
Conwell-Egan	0-4	0-10	89	428

CLASS AAA

Team	Division	Overall	PF	PA
Archbishop Wood	3-0	14-1	699	124
Monsignor Bonner	2-1	6-5	258	270
Cardinal O'Hara	1-2	6-4	289	173
Archbishop Carroll	0-3	1-9	158	407

CLASS AAAA

Team	Division	Overall	PF	PA
La Salle	4-0	12-2	428	231
St. Joseph's Prep	2-2	7-4	348	244
Roman Catholic	2-2	8-4	339	189
Father Judge	2-2	7-4	358	233
Archbishop Ryan	0-4	5-6	210	256

PAC-10

Team	Conference	Overall	PF	PA
Spring-Ford	9-0	10-2	448	252
Pottsgrove	8-1	11-3	491	270
Methacton	5-4	6-5	223	194
Perkiomien Valley	5-4	6-5	234	261
Phoenixville	5-4	9-5	350	329
Pope John Paul II	4-5	5-6	254	284
Boyertown	3-6	6-6	343	257
Pottstown	3-6	4-8	288	290
Upper Perkiomen	3-6	5-7	279	359
Owen J. Roberts	0-9	1-11	131	351

District One Power Rankings

Through Week 9
Source: District One

Class AAAA
Top 16 teams qualify for postseason.

Team	Record	Points	Average
1. Council Rock South	8-1	1160	128.9
2. Abington	8-1	1130	125.6
3. Downingtown East	8-1	1090	121.1
3. Unionville	8-1	1090	121.1
5. Plymouth Whitemarsh	7-1	960	120
6. Garnet Valley	8-1	1070	118.9
7. West Chester Rustin	8-1	1060	117.8
8. Spring-Ford	8-1	1010	112.2
9. Coatesville	7-2	960	106.7
10. West Chester Henderson	7-2	950	105.6
11. North Penn	7-2	910	101.1
11. Pennsbury	7-2	910	101.1
11. Ridley	7-2	910	101.1
14. Central Bucks South	6-3	860	95.6
15. Upper Dublin	7-2	810	90
16. Downingtown West	6-3	770	85.6
17. Neshaminy	6-3	740	82.2
18. Conestoga	6-3	720	80
19. Souderton	5-4	690	76.7
20. Council Rock North	5-4	660	73.3
21. Norristown	5-3	570	71.3
22. Kennett	6-3	640	71.1
22. Wissahickon	6-3	640	71.1
24. Pennridge	5-4	610	67.8
25. Glen Mills	5-4	600	66.7
26. Haverford	5-4	560	62.2
26. Methacton	5-4	560	62.2
28. Central Bucks West	4-5	550	61.1
29. Perkiomen Valley	5-4	540	60
30. Quakertown	4-5	530	58.9
31. Great Valley	4-5	510	56.7
32. Cheltenham	5-4	470	52.2

Class AAA
Top eight teams qualify for postseason.

Team	Record	Points	Average
1. Pottsgrove	7-2	1030	114.4
2. Phoenixville	7-2	1020	113.3
3. Springfield (Delco)	7-2	1000	111.1
4. Marple Newtown	7-2	930	103.3
5. Strath Haven	6-3	760	84.4
6. Interboro	6-3	730	81.1
7. Pope John Paul II	5-4	720	80
8. Academy Park	6-3	690	76.7
9. Oxford	4-5	510	56.7
10. Harriton	4-5	500	55.6
11. Octorara	4-5	460	51.1

Class AA
District 1/12 subregional is a four-team tournament featuring Catholic League champ, Public League champ, District 1 champ and remaining team with best average.

Team	Record	Points	Average
1. Bok	7-0	950	135.7
2. Springfield (Montco)	9-0	1080	120
3. Imhotep Charter	6-2	840	105
4. Communications Tech	6-2	770	96.3
5. West Catholic	6-3	830	92.2
6. Bishop McDevitt	5-4	580	64.4

Class A
District 1/12 subregional is a two-team tournament. Top two teams based on point advance to postseason.

Team	Record	Points	Average
1. Delco Christian	7-1	940	117.5
2. Calvary Christian	7-2	900	100
3. Jenkintown	5-3	630	78.8

FOOTBALL: Souderton celebrates comeback win

The Souderton football team earned itself a little post-game revelry after rallying from a 14-point deficit in the fourth quarter to beat Hatboro-Horsham 28-27 in overtime Thursday night.

Quarterback Tanner Allem found Ry Yozallinas for a 19-yard touchdown with just 6.4 seconds left in regulation to tie the game at 21. An Allem one-yard TD run followed by Jeff Wolf's extra point gave the Indians a third straight win over the Hatters.

H.S. Football Wrap: Week Four

While the constant rain did not make last Friday night ideal for football, one condition did make it comfortable for Souderton.

The Indians were playing in a Suburban One League Continental Conference game.

After going 1-2 in its non-conference schedule, Souderton was able to bounce back to .500 in its Continental opener, scoring the first 21 points en route to a 34-14 road win over Central Bucks West.

“When league play comes around it’s a new season,” Souderton senior Tyler Scholl said. “And that’s how you have to look at it. It’s all in the past. Just start fresh. We’re 1-0 right now.”

Since the current eight-team SOL Continental has been together since 2008, Souderton has compiled a record of 15-7 in conference play, the second-best mark behind North Penn – which has won all 22 of its conference games following its 28-14 victory over CB South last Friday. Meanwhile, Souderton is just 5-8 in non-conference regular season games during that span.

More than half of the Indians’ Continental losses came in 2008 when they went 3-4, but Big Red has gone 13-3 since with the only defeats coming against North Penn (2009 and 2010) and Quakertown (2009).

“It’s nice. We always get rolling once it comes to our conference schedule,” Scholl said. “And one of these years we’re just going to have roll right past North Penn. It’s going to happen.”

■ North Penn’s win over CB South was its third straight over the Titans and made the Knights 5-1 in the teams’ matchup since South opened in 2004. The Titans lone victory so far in the series came in 2007 when they topped NP 41-27 to clinch the SOL National title.

Since Dick Beck became North Penn’ s coach in 2002, that loss has been the only one for the Knights against any Central Bucks team,  NP going a combined 15-1 against CB South, CB East and CB West.

North Penn hosts Central Bucks East Friday at Crawford Stadium, then welcomes in Central Bucks West on Thursday, Oct. 6.

The game with East is the Knights' first at Crawford since they defeated Downingtown East 49-33 in the District One Class AAAA quarterfinals on Nov. 19. Since then, North Penn has played three games at Plymouth Whitemarsh, two at Council Rock North and one each at Souderton and Central Bucks South.

■ Hatboro-Horsham went 0-7 in SOL Continental games last season, but the Hatters quickly ended any chance that was going to happen in 2011, rolling past CB East 40-14 in the conference opener for both teams.

Quakertown now has the longest Continental losing streak at five, with the Panthers trying to end that streak Friday in their conference opener at home against Hatboro-Horsham.

■ With St. Joseph’s Prep being blown out 42-7 by Archbishop Wood last Friday, the last five teams that have beaten North Penn have lost the week after that win.

In 2009, Ridley beat the Knights in the District One Class AAAA Final, then lost to La Salle in the state semifinals.

Last season, La Salle topped North Penn in Week 1 followed by a defeat to Bergen Catholic (N.J.). The Explorers then bested NP in the state semis, but fell to North Allegheny in the PIAA championship.

This year, La Salle again defeated North Penn in the season opener and once more lost to Bergen Catholic in Week 2.

Follow staff writer Mike Cabrey on Twitter @mpcabrey.

District One Final Video Wrapup

The North Penn football team is now looking towards its rematch with LaSalle in Saturday's PIAA Class AAAA state semifinal, but I've still got a couple of video clips left from the Knights' 42-6 victory in the District One final over Neshaminy last Friday.

The first two clips are North Penn celebrating on the field after defeating the Redskins to earn its second district title in three seasons and fifth overall under coach Dick Beck.





Next up is senior Gerard Wendowski picking off Neshaminy quarterback Charlie Marterella for the second time.



Finally, here is some bleacher action from the North Penn fans. I told them I was going to put it on the blog, and I'm a man of my word.

North Penn coach Dick Beck talks after Knights win District One title

The North Penn football team earned its second District One Class AAAA title in three years in impressive fashion last Friday, as the Knights blew out Neshaminy 42-6.

After the game at Council Rock North's Walt Snyder Stadium, NP head coach Dick Beck talk to reporters about the game, including the evolution of the Knights' defense this season.

North Penn now takes on LaSalle, which defeated the Knights in Week 1 27-17, in the PIAA Class AAAA Semifinals 1 p.m. Saturday at Plymouth Whitemarsh.

H.S. FOOTBALL: Something special about this NP squad

By Christiaan DeFranco

I've seen a lot of football games over the years. It's been a while since I've seen a performance as impressive as North Penn's in last week's district final against Neshaminy.

A 42-6 trouncing. And the 6 was an afterthought, with North Penn's starters out of the game and less than a minute on the clock.

When the Knights were up 14-0, people already were talking mercy rule. That's how dominant North Penn was — against a longtime rival and a premier program. Everybody could see that the rout was on, even before it showed up on the scoreboard.

It was something special, even by North Penn's high standards. 

Celebration

Win a championship like the North Penn football team did last Friday in topping Neshaminy 42-6 in the District One Class AAAA Final and you can enjoy it a little bit. Here is a bit of the postgame celebration with the Knights being joined by their fans and NP cheerleaders on the field at Council Rock North's Walt Snyder Stadium.

North Penn football coach Dick Beck talks after district semifinal victory

Reporter staff writer Kev Hunter took video of North Penn football coach Dick Beck talking to reporters following the Knights' 28-14 victory over Council Rock South in the District One Class AAAA semifinals last Friday at Council Rock North.



The win sends North Penn to its third consecutive district final and seventh in nine seasons under Beck. The Knights have won four District One titles since 2002, the most recent coming in 2008.

North Penn (12-1) goes for a fifth title 7:30 p.m. Friday back at Council Rock North against Neshaminy (12-1). The game is a rubber match of sorts between the two programs in terms of meetings in district finals. The Redskins downed the Knights 51-34 in 2004, while North Penn shut out Neshaminy 28-0 in '08.

Number Crunching

• Last Friday's district semifinal was the first road playoff game from North Penn since it lost to Neshaminy in the 2007 district quarters, with the Knights playing eight home contest and three neutral site contests ('08 district final at William Tennent, '08 state semis and '09 district final at Coatesville). Five of North Penn's home games have been at Crawford Stadium, two at Souderton ('09 first round and quarters) at one at Central Bucks West's War Memorial Field (2008 quarters).
• Since 2000, five teams have won the District One Class AAAA title. North Penn leads with four championships ('02, '03, '05, '08). Neshaminy ('01, '04) and Ridley ('07, '09), the only non-Suburban One League winner each have two, while Central Bucks West won in 2000 and Pennsbury claimed the crown in '06.
• With the win over Council Rock South, North Penn has won 27 straight games against fellow Suburban One League teams, the Knights' last loss coming to Neshaminy in the '07 districts.

Poeske, Hensel comment on CB West football's loss in district quarters

The Central Bucks West football team's first winning season since 2006 came to end last Friday night at Walt Snyder Stadium in Newtown, as the Bucks could not keep up with Council Rock South and fell in the District One Class AAAA quarterfinals 52-41.


Our first video is West junior running back Jake Poeske talking postgame about the loss to the Golden Hawks



The next video is Central Bucks West coach Brian Hensel also commenting on the game. The Bucks finished 9-3 in Hensel's second season, an eight-game improvement from 2009

H.S. FOOTBALL: North Penn advances; CB West done

Kev Hunter: North Penn routs Downingtown East here.

Mike Cabrey: CB West falls to Council Rock South here.

Christiaan DeFranco: Defense disappeared in CB West's defeat here.

Two big games tonight

The North Penn football team hosts Downingtown East, and CB West travels to play Council Rock South (at North) in the district quarterfinals tonight.

Check out Twitter @reportersports and @phillyscores for live updates. Christiaan DeFranco and Mike Cabrey will be at the Central Bucks West game, while Kev Hunter will be at North Penn along with the Times Herald, one of The Reporter's sister papers.

Also be sure to check TheReporterOnline.com late tonight for coverage, if you can't wait until tomorrow's newsstand edition. And look for follow-up coverage in print and online the coming days.

Algeo, Pinzka talk after LC's loss to Plymouth Whitemarsh

It was an offensive slugfest for two quarters Friday night between Lansdale Catholic and Plymouth Whitemarsh. The two sides racked up 49 points in the opening half, with a late Andrew Mandato touchdown pass to Matt Pinzka pulling the visiting Crusaders to within 28-21 at intermission.

But is was PW's attack that stated hot in the second half, scoring 21 straight points to earn a 49-27 victory and give coach Dan Chang - a former North Penn assistant - a winning record in his first year with the Colonials at 6-5.

After the game, LC coach Jim Algeo talked about his team's third-straight loss and also some thoughts about him being on the sidelines next year.



Lansdale Catholic senior Matt Pinzka was the Crusaders' top receiver this season, but had yet to score a touchdown. He made sure to rectify that by finding the end zone twice against the Colonials. Here is Pinzka talking after the game, including thoughts on his first score.

Wissahickon QB J.T. Crits

Wissahickon junior quarterback J.T. Crits discusses the loss to Cheltenham and the Trojans' rebuilding.

H.S. FOOTBALL: Official Class-4A Playoff Seedings

Find them here.

H.S. FOOTBALL: Week 10 Local Scoreboard

FRIDAY

Souderton 31
Quakertown 14

Pennridge 8 
North Penn 41

Hatboro-Horsham 20
CB West 42

Wissahickon 7
Cheltenham 35

Methacton 21
Boyertown 27

CB East 27 
CB South 38

Tennent 0
Abington 42

Pennsbury 14
Neshaminy 35

Upper Moreland 47
Lower Merion 8

CR North 25
CR South 27

Germantown Academy 7,
Malvern Prep 28

Truman 26 
Bensalem 31

Jenkintown 7 
New Hope 38

Class 4A PCL Playoffs  
Father Judge 7 
La Salle 34

Class 3A PCL Playoffs  
Carroll 7 
Wood 41

CB West coach Brian Hensel talks after Bucks top Hatboro-Horsham

Here is Central Bucks West coach Brian Hensel's postgame thoughts after the Bucks defeated Hatboro-Horsham 42-20 Friday night. West improved to 8-2 overall with the win as it heads into the District One Class AAAA playoffs for the first time since 2006.