The Reporter 2011 Best Sports Photos

With 2012 just a few days away, what better time to share some of the sights from last year's area sports scene.

From swim meets in January to American Legion baseball in the hot summer months to the North Penn football team reaching the state final in December, 2011 had its share of interesting and exciting moments. So, go ahead and look back at it in picture form.

Take Five: North Penn vs. Central Dauphin PIAA 4A Final

North Penn takes the field for their playoff contest against LaSalle. Photo by Mark C. Psoras

The North Penn football team looks for its second PIAA Class AAAA title in its history when it faces Central Dauphin in the state final 6 p.m. Saturday at Hersheypark Stadium. And if you're looking for a little info on both the Knights and Rams, you're in luck. Here's five facts on each team before their clash for the championship.

North Penn
1) North Penn is 13-2 and has won its last 12 games. The Knights have scored 32.6 points per game and have allowed 14.0 points per game. In its five postseason games, North Penn has scored 30.2 points per game and allowed 11.8 points per game.

2) This is Dick Beck’s 10th season as head coach of North Penn. He is 119-20 overall and 32-8 in the postseason.  The Knights have won six District One 4A titles under Beck – 2002, 2003, 2005, 2008, 2010 and 2011 – and one PIAA title (2003).

North Penn has reached double-digits in win totals in nine of Beck’s seasons. This is the fourth consecutive year the Knights have won at least 13 games.

3) The Knights are the first District One 4A team to reach the state final since Neshaminy lost to Pittsburgh Central Catholic 49-14 in 2004.

North Penn defeating Central Catholic 37-10 in the ’03 final was the last time a District One 4A school won states. The last time any district team won states was when Lansdale Catholic defeated Grove City 40-17 in the 2004 Class 2A final.

Garnet Valley is the last District One team to reach Hershey, the Jaguars fell to Thomas Jefferson 28-3 in the 2007 3A championship.

4) North Penn senior Ralph Reeves is scoring a touchdown on 37-percent of his runs this postseason, as the senior has found the end zone 10 times on 27 carries in the five playoffs games. The Knights’ defense, meanwhile, has allowed a total of eight touchdowns in the postseason.

5) North Penn is the third 4A team since 2005 to enter the state championship with two losses. In 2005, McKeesport entered the final 13-2 and defeated Bethlehem Liberty 49-10. State College went into the 2009 championship 12-2 and fell to La Salle 24-7.

Central Dauphin
1) Central Dauphin is 14-1 and has won its last 13 games. The Rams have scored 31.3 points per game and have allowed 14.4 points per game. In its five postseason games, Central Dauphin has scored 28.0 points per game and allowed 18.8 points per game.

2) The Rams’ only loss was to Bishop McDevitt of Harrisburg Week Two. McDevitt is playing Archbishop Wood in the state 3A final Friday.

3) This is Glen McNamee’s sixth season as coach of Central Dauphin. He is 57-18 overall and 10-5 in the postseason. The Rams’ District Three title this season was the first under McNamee and the first for the Rams since 2002.

Central Dauphin has improved on its win total in each of the last four seasons. The Rams went 7-4 in 2008, 9-3 in 2009, 10-3 last year and currently sits at 14-1 going into Saturday’s 4A final.

4) The Rams are the first District Three Class 4A team to make the state final since Lower Dauphin lost to Penn Hills 35-14 in 1995. The last 4A team from the district to win a state title was Cumberland Valley, who defeated Upper St. Clair in 28-12 in 1992.

5) Central Dauphin has won three of its past four games by three points. In the District Three quarters, the Rams beat Cedar Cliff 35-32, then topped Wilson-West Lawn in the district final 24-21. CD made it to Hershey by knocking off defending 4A champ North Allegheny 23-20 in the state semifinals.

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 2011 Fall Postseason

BOYS SOCCER

Class AAA

Four teams advance to states

First Round
Last Tuesday
(17) Owen J. Roberts 3, (16) Abington 1 STORY (Montgomery News)
(8) North Penn 3, (25) Radnor 0 STORY (The Reporter)
(9) Downingtown West 3, (24) Pennsbury 2 STORY (Daily Local)
(13) Strath Haven 3, (20) Avon Grove 0 RECAP (Delco Times)
(5) West Chester Rustin 6, (28) Penn Wood 0 RECAP (Daily Local)
(12) Central Bucks South 2, (21) West Chester Henderson 0
(18) Springfield (D) 2, (15) Boyertown 1 (OT) STORY (The Mercury)
(26) Kennett 3, (7) Neshaminy 2 STORY (Phillyburbs.com)
(23) Souderton 3, (10) Wissahickon 2 STORY (The Reporter)
(14) Council Rock South 3, (19) Marple Newtown 0 STORY (Bucks Local News)
(6) Council Rock North 2, (27) Hatboro-Horsham 0 STORY (Montgomery News)
(22) Central Bucks West 4, (11) Great Valley 3
Second Round
Last Thursday
(1) Conestoga 3, (17) Owen J. Roberts 0 STORY (The Mercury)
(8) North Penn 1, (9) Downingtown West 0 STORY (The Reporter)
(13) Strath Haven 1, (4) Unionville 0 RECAP (Delco Times)
(12) Central Bucks South 2, (5) West Chester Rustin 1
(2) Central Bucks East 1, (18) Springfield (D) 0 STORY (Phillyburbs.com)
(23) Souderton 1, (26) Kennett 0 STORY (The Reporter)
(14) Council Rock South 2, (3) Lower Merion 1 (OT)
(6) Council Rock North 2, (22) CB West 1 (OT) STORY (Phillyburbs.com)
Quarterfinals
Monday
(1) Conestoga 0, (8) North Penn 0 (Conestoga wins 4-2 on PKs) STORY (The Reporter)
(6) Council Rock North 1, (14) Council Rock South STORY (Phillyburbs.com)
Tuesday
(12) Central Bucks South 3, (13) Strath Haven 2 (OT) STORY (Delco Times)
(2) Central Bucks East 3, (23) Souderton 0
Semifinals
Wednesday, at Harriton
(1) Conestoga 2, (12) Central Bucks South 1 STORY (Daily Local)
(6) Council Rock North 2, (2) Central Bucks East 1 STORY (Phillyburbs.com)
Final
Saturday, at Harriton
(1) Conestoga 2, (6) Council Rock North 1 STORY (Daily Local)
Third Place Consolation
Saturday, at Harriton
(2) Central Bucks East 2, (12) Central Bucks South 1 (OT) RECAP (Phillyburbs.com)

Class AA

One team advances to states

First Round
Last Wednesday
(4) Octorara 1, (5) Phoenixville 0
Semifinals
Tuesday, at West Chester East
(1) Holy Ghost Prep 5, (4) Octorara 0 STORY (Daily Local)
(3) Upper Moreland 1, (2) Harriton 0 STORY (Montgomery News)
Final
Thursday, at Central Bucks West
(1) Holy Ghost Prep 3, (3) Upper Moreland 1 STORY (Montgomery News)

Class A

One team advances to states

Quarterfinals
Last Wednesday
(1) Christopher Dock 4, (8) Calvary Christian 0 STORY (Montgomery News)
(4) Delco Christian 1, (5) Plumstead Christian 0 STORY (Delco Times)
(2) Faith Christian 2, (7) Church Farm 1 (OT) STORY (Montgomery News)
(3) New Hope-Solebury 2 (6) Devon Prep 1 STORY (Phillyburbs.com)
Semifinals
Tuesday, at Truman
(4) Delco Christian 2, (1) Christopher Dock 1 STORY (The Reporter)
(3) New Hope-Solebury 3 (2) Faith Christian 1 STORY (Montgomery News)
Final
Thursday, at Central Bucks West
(3) New Hope-Solebury 2, (4) Delco Christian 1 STORY (Phillyburbs.com)

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

VIDEO: Flyers' Chris Pronger suffers eye injury

Two goals each by Jaromir Jagr and Scott Hartnell gave the Flyers a 4-2 home win over Maple Leafs Monday night, but the bigger story coming out of the game was the right eye injury suffered by All-Star defenseman and team captain Chris Pronger.

The injury, shown in the video above, occurred in the first period as the strick of the Maple Leafs' Mikhail Grabovski hit Pronger's eye as Grabovki's follow through on his shot.

According to Anthony J. Sanfilippo's game story, Pronger will be on bed rest for the next four days and will see an eye specialist during that time. The expectation is he will be back playing in three weeks.

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.

Whoa, this is heavy. Nike makes shoe from Back to the Future

Saw this first at iamagm.com, and while you might have to wait a few more years for power laces, it's still pretty cool. The Nike Mag, a replica of the shoe featured in Back to the Feature Part II has been made by Nike with 1500 pairs being auctioned on eBay to raise money for the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research.

The commercial for the shoe features Kevin Durant, Saturday Night Live's Bill Hader and Doctor Emmett Brown himself, Christopher Lloyd.



And of course, the inspiration for the shoes.

Former Phillie Jim Thome hits 600th home run

Monday night, Jim Thome became just the eighth player in Major League Baseball history hit 600 career home runs when the 40-year-old slugger homered twice in the Twins' 9-6 road victory over the Tigers.

Above is the video from MLB.com. And below is another video of No. 600 from the upper decks of Comerica Park. Hard to actually see the ball leaving the yard in that one, but it does shows the fans reaction afterwards.



During his three-year stint with the Phillies from 2003-2005, Thome hit 96 home runs, which account for 16-percent of his career total. Thome's 47 homers in 2003 is tied for fourth in franchise history (Ryan Howard matched the mark in '07) while his 42 in 2004 is the ninth-most by a Phillie.