Conwell-Egan, Morrisville both aim for 2-0 starts PROGNOSTICATOR TRIES TO BOUNCE BACK FROM ROUGH FIRST WEEK
While Pennsbury and Neshaminy are nearly always the biggest stories in Lower Bucks County football, it was interesting to note how several other teams made lots of noise on the opening week of play.
On a weekend it which Pennsbury and Neshaminy both lost, Truman, Conwell-Egan and Morrisville all kicked butt. That’s right, Morrisville, which posted what almost certainly was its most lopsided victory of the 21st Century by crushing Shenandoah Valley, 41-8.
It will be interesting to see how things play out from here. After Neshaminy came up just short when it rolled the dice by going for two and was stopped just short of the goal line in a double overtime loss to North Penn, the Redskins face another stiff test Friday night at Pennridge.
Pennsbury also wasn’t that far away from winning its opening game against Academy Park, but the Falcons are clearly going to have to improve and face a very stiff challenge Friday night at Penn Wood.
Looking over the rest of the schedule, keep your eye on Council Rock South. The Hawks entered the season with a lot of optimism, but stumbled in a 14-0 loss against a Cheltenham team it had easily handled the year before. Things won’t get any easier for Rock South Friday night when it travels to Central Bucks West.
Truman hosted Avon Grove on Thursday night. PENNSBURY (0-1) AT PENN WOOD (1-0), FRIDAY, 7 P.M. » Penn Wood looked strong last week in a 42-10 destruction of Souderton and will be looking to avenge last year’s loss to the Falcons. A 6-A playoff qualifier last season, Penn Wood is the defending Delaware Valley League champion and is looking for a monster season after dropping down to 5-A. Pennsbury will once again be up against a formidable quarterback. In this case, junior Desman Johnson, who stands 6-2, weighs 240, and passed for 2,200 yards and 20 touchdowns last year. The Falcons are not particularly big on defense by their standards and also had trouble with Academy Park’s speed in a game in which they did not do a good job of tackling. NESHAMINY (0-1) AT PENNRIDGE (1-0), FRIDAY, 7 P.M. » While Neshaminy was learning why it’s home field is called Heartbreak Ridge in reverse, Pennridge was rolling past Delaware Valley, 54-21. Pennridge is a tough road assignment. It’s a long ride to Perkasie and the Rams receive a lot of support. Pennridge also usually has good size and has returned its top running back from last year in Ryan Garner. Look for Neshaminy’s athletic talent and high-octane passing game to get it done. COUNCIL ROCK SOUTH (0-1) AT CENTRAL BUCKS WEST (1-0) FRIDAY, 7 P.M. » Rock South could not get its offense going in the surprising loss to Cheltenham. C.B West, meanwhile, came out with a solid performance over Hatboro-Horsham. A 19-14 winner of this game last year and a playoff qualifier, the Bucks are led by tight end Luke Benson, who is receiving a lot of D-1 interest. This will be a difficult game for Rock South to get its offense untracked.
COUNCIL ROCK NORTH (0-1) AT WISSAHICKON (0-1), FRIDAY, 7 P.M. » It’s the exact opposite for Rock North as opposed to Rock South because it is facing a Wissahickon team that opened with a 26-0 loss against Martin Luther King after winning just two games a year ago. Coming off a close loss to West Chester East, you have to like the Indians’ chances against arguably the weakest team on its schedule. CONWELL-EGAN (1-0) VS. SALEM (0-0), IN WILDWOOD, FRIDAY, 4 P.M. » The high-powered Eagles showed they are a lot more than a one-man show in an impressive 38-20 win over Roman Catholic. In addition to standout Pat Garwo, who had TD runs of 66 and 43 yards, the Eagles got three TDs in the first half from Terome Mitchell, including one on an electrifying 70-yard punt return. Salem is a solid program and won eight games last year, but it’s a Group I and not used to facing fire power like this.
WILLIAM TENNENT (1-0) AT BENSALEM (1-0), FRIDAY, 7 P.M. » Tennent is coming off a win over Upper Moreland to end a 27-game losing streak while the Owls opened with a 28-27 victory over Frankford in which it kicked a field goal in the last few seconds. Bensalem sophomore quarterback Tyler Berry threw for over 100 yards. Getting to 2-0 would be big for the Owls with the tough SONL schedule on the horizon.
MORRISVILLE (1-0) AT VALLEY FORGE MILITARY ACADEMY (0-1), FRIDAY, 3:30 P.M. » The Dawgs came out roaring with a 33-point win under new coach Steve Schweiker. New quarterback Bennett Waters passed for two TDs and ran for two more while piling up 246 total yards. Former quarterback Felix Feliciano ran for over 100 out of his new tailback position. The Forge, meanwhile, lost to Harriton, 24-0. Can anyone say 2-0?
BRISTOL (0-0) AT ACADEMY OF THE NEW CHURCH (0-0), SATURDAY, 1 P.M. » It’s the season opener for both teams, so who really knows? The good news is Bristol was up to over 20 players at a recent practice. New Church was 1-8 last year, but did play Bristol fairly tough in a 13-point loss.
FRIDAY PENNSBURY at Penn Wood: With a game at North Penn next week, this already borders on a must win.
NESHAMINY at Pennridge: At least they know longer use that downtown dump known as Poppy Yoder Field.
Council Rock South at CENTRAL BUCKS WEST: When talking Buck football you can’t help but remember Mike Pettine’s mind-boggling 326-42-4 record. CONWELL-EGAN vs. Salem (in Wildwood): Eagles biggest story at the Jersey Shore since 1916 shark attacks.
COUNCIL ROCK NORTH at Wissahickon: The only thing Wissahickon is known for is mountain spring water. William Tennent at BENSALEM: Doesn’t get much bigger than the Battle of Street Road. MORRISVILLE at Valley Forge: You read it here first. Dawgies are for real. Camden Catholic at RANCOCAS VALLEY: Camden Catholic still reeling from last spring’s controversy. Cedar Creek at WILLLINGBORO: There hasn’t been this much excitement in the ‘Boro since Carl Lewis was around.
SATURDAY BRISTOL at Academy of New Church: John Greiner will find a way.