The Trentonian (Trenton, NJ)

Look ahead to WJFL and Bucks action

- By Rick Fortenbaug­h rfortenbau­gh@trentonian.com @RickFort7 on Twitter

Just call it one of the biggest games in the history of the longdorman­t Harry S Truman High School football program.

With a coaching staff largely imported from Pennsbury, everyone knows Truman is a vastly improved team this year.

Now we’ll find out of if it is ready to become one of the big boys in the Suburban One National League when Truman (4-0) travels to Neshaminy (3-1) this Saturday for an afternoon game.

To date Truman has been absolutely dominant while getting off to its fastest start in memory.

Consider in those four games Truman has avalanched the opposition by a combined margin of 15612.

Consider the Truman defense under the direction of former Pennsbury head coach Galen Snyder has recorded three shutouts.

Consider Truman’s newly installed Wing-T offense modeled after Pennsbury’s legendary Ground and Pound has churned out ridiculous amounts of rushing yards behind the hard running of powerful David Akinwande and Pennsylvan­ia sprint champion Sayyid Saunders.

Directing the Truman offense are head coach Mike LaPolombar­a and offensive coordinato­r Dave Sanders. LaPolombar­a was a long-time offensive coach at Pennsbury, while Sanders was the offensive coordinato­r for Snyder at Pennsbury for a number of years.

Although Truman is 4-0, truth be told it has not exactly played rugged competitio­n. Perhaps its best win came last week when it crushed Council Rock South.

The fact the Tigers beat Rock South was not unexpected. The fact the score was 42-0 in a game against a Rock South team that had played undefeated Central Bucks South tough the week before was eye opening.

In Neshaminy the Tigers will be facing by far the toughest team they have seen yet. Other than a stumble against Downingtow­n West, Neshaminy’s defense has been excellent. The Redskin offense has also Truman senior Sayyid Saunders (10) rushed for over 90 yards and a pair of touchdowns in the Tigers’ win over Council Rock South last Friday.

been producing under the direction of constantly improving sophomore quarterbac­k Brody McAndrew.

Long-time Sub One and district power Neshaminy will also be at home and has by far the more biggame experience. It will be very interestin­g to see how this unfolds and should Truman find a way to beat Neshaminy it will set up an even bigger game in two weeks when Pennsbury travels to Bristol Township.

MORRISVILL­E (3-1) AT PERRYVILLE (2-1) TONIGHT, 7 P.M. » This is one of those mystery games with the surging Dawgs taking on a Maryland opponent. A winner of three in a row, Mo’ville is coming of a victory over Delaware County Christian in which it only threw for 14 yards, but managed to rush for 209. Quarterbac­k Felix Feliciano led the ground game with 82 yards on 12 carries and Amir Pack ran for 58 on eight attempts. Pack also again led the team in tackles with 14, followed by sophomore Colin Sprague’s 10. The Morrisvill­e defense has been strong. Perryville was just crushed, 52-6, by a Maryland team, but how do you judge that?

CONWELL-EGAN (1-3) AT SCHUYKILL VALLEY (2-2), TONIGHT 7 P.M. » The Eagles have lost three in a row, but this looks like a good chance to get back on track. After winning its first two games, Schuykill Valley has given up 95 points in its last two outings and it was blasted by Conwell-Egan by the score of 49-14 last year. Look for Pat Garwo and Co. to run wild. This sure beats going up against the West Catholic defense. BRISTOL (2-1) AT ACADEMY OF PALUMBO (1-2), TONIGHT, 6:30 P.M. » Bristol is coming off its first loss after getting ripped by New Hope, while Palumbo posted its first victory last week with a win over Dobbins Tech. Bristol should be able to get things rolling again. The South Philly team was blasted by Trenton, 40-0, a few weeks ago in a game that could have been a lot more lopsided than that. Look for Eric Bell to reach the end zone at least three times.

COUNCIL ROCK NORTH (1-3) AT PENNSBURY (3-1), TOMORROW, 1 P.M. » The Falcons were in a bit of an offensive lull last week with only 24 points in a victory over William Tennent, but the defense was again solid. Rock North is struggling. A 32-0 loser to Neshaminy last week, the Indians have scored just two touchdown in their last three games and only four for the year. Making matters worse is Pennsbury well remembers last year when it lost to Rock North for the first time since way back in 1999. It all adds up to lots of smiles on Falcon Football Reunion Legacy day.

CENTRAL BUCKS WEST (3-1) AT BENSALEM (4-0), TOMORROW, 7 P.M. » The amazing Owls did it again last week by storming back from a 12-0 deficit with a whopping six touchdowns in the second half to beat Abington, 41-18. It’s true Abington was a bit shorthande­d because of player suspension­s, but what the heck. The bottom line is Bensalem is 4-0 and when was the last time it could say that. This won’t be easy. C.B. West owns a victory over Council Rock South and its only loss was by a respectabl­e 28-14 score against North Penn.

ABINGTON (2-2) AT COUNCIL ROCK SOUTH (1-3), TOMORROW, NOON » Here’s yet one more game that is difficult to predict. Abington will be looking to atone for last week’s meltdown against Bensalem. Ditto for Rock South after it got crushed by Truman by 42 points. Rock South’s offense just hasn’t been consistent, but there’s an opportunit­y here. On the other hand, it’s the Ghosts who have the advantage in the speed department.

 ?? JS GARBER — 21ST CENTURY MEDIA ??
JS GARBER — 21ST CENTURY MEDIA

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