Neshaminy hosts North Penn in marquee Week 1 clash
The high school football season gets underway with a real bang Friday night, highlighted by a collision between two of the top programs in all of Southeastern Pennsylvania.
North Penn at Neshaminy, to be exact, in a match-up of two long-time Suburban One and Class 6A powerhouse teams.
Ever since North Penn replaced Central Bucks West as the dominant force in District 1’s largest school division, Neshaminy has been one of the few teams to enjoy any kind of success (albeit limited) against the Knights,.
This year the team to beat in District 1 Class 6A appears to be defending champion Coatesville, but you can take it to the bank North Penn and Neshaminy will qualify and be ready for postseason battle.
For what it’s worth, it’s interesting to note the PIAA has changed the 6-A bracket and the District 12 winner is now in the western half of the draw. This mean’s a potential rematch of St. Joe Prep’s incredible 53-49 semifinal win over Coatesville last year could not happen until the state final.
Anyway, it will be interesting to see how things unfold on Neshaminy’s Heartbreak Ridge Friday night.
Neshaminy (10-2 last year) has returned its entire defensive backfield and nearly all its skill players. These include junior quarterback Brody McAndrew (1,800 yards, 17 touchdowns, four interceptions), wide receiver Cory Joyce and all-purpose back Oleh Manczyk.
North Penn (9-3) has had to largely rebuild its offense, although it does return running back Shamar Edwards and receiver/defensive back Jon Haynes. Both teams have basically had to replace virtually their entire offensive lines.
It should be fun to watch. Neshaminy will hit the field running with a high-powered passing attack, while North Penn will counter with its always physical play up front.
ACADEMY PARK (0-0) AT PENNSBURY (0-0), FRIDAY, 7 P.M. » With hardly any returning starters, Pennsbury will be hard pressed to repeat last year’s tight victory over the Delaware County team. Coming off a 7-4 season in which it was a Class 5A qualifier, Academy Park has won an impressive 41 games in the last four years. It has a very productive quarterback in three-year starter Skylor Fillis (6-2), athletic receivers and a lot of returnees on the line. Pennsbury (10-3, district semifinalist last season) has traditionally not been all that great on opening night so a win here would be a very encouraging sign.
COUNCIL ROCK SOUTH (0-0) AT CHELTENHAM (0-0), FRIDAY, 7 P.M. » Vince Bedesem’s team blasted Cheltenham, 28-0, last year and more of that domination should be in the works. Rock South has a host of returning starters and there’s lot of optimism in Holland. Cheltenham was 2-8 last year and although it will probably be better, it’s doubtful it has improved enough to take down a Hawk team that has its sights set on a 6A playoff berth.
WEST CHESTER EAST (0-0) AT COUNCIL ROCK NORTH (0-0), 7 P.M. » This game represented Rock North’s only win last season when it eked out a 14-13 road win. The Indians seem upbeat heading into the season, but so is West Chester East after returning its entire front seven on defense along with quarterback Ryan Cassidy and receiver Michael Cray (48 catches, 529 yards). Flip a coin.
FRANKFORD (0-0) AT BENSALEM (0-0), FRIDAY, 7 P.M. » Frankford isn’t the Philadelphia Public league power it used to be and lost to the Owls by the score of 20-14 in last year’s 5-4 campaign. Bensalem got hit hard by graduation, but does have some good size up front and will hope to rule the night with a power running game.
METHACTON (0-0) AT TRUMAN (0-0), FRIDAY, 7 P.M. » Look for the bigger and stronger Tigers to get things off to a roaring start after winning seven games last year and earning their first ever playoff berth. Truman won this game 48-0 last year in a season in which Methacton went 0-10. ‘Nuff said? SHENANDOAH VALLEY (0-0) AT MORRISVILLE (00), FRIDAY, 7 P.M. » Upstate Shenandoah Valley plays in a tough league and has a Pennsylvania Hall of Fame coach, but it also went 1-9 last season. Things are looking up at Morrisville under first-year coach Steve Schweiker with 10 returning starters, improved numbers and two quarterbacks who present different problems for the defense. That long ride won’t help the visitors either.
ROMAN CATHOLIC (0-0) AT CONWELL-EGAN (0-0), SATURDAY, 7 P.M. » This has the potential to be a really good game. While Roman Catholic won just three games a year ago, keep in mind it plays in the Philadelphia Catholic League’s Red Division, which is arguably the toughest in the state. It also played Neshaminy tough in a 14-7 loss last year on opening night. With a talented backfield led by Boston College running back recruit Pat Garwo, Conwell-Egan has high hopes this can be a bust-out type of season. You can be sure Roman Catholic will have the horses up front to test the Eagle lines.