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Thursday, September 27, 2012

NFL referee lockout over and more sports from last night

Friday, September 21, 2012

Wissahickon downs Upper Dublin



By TOM KERRANE
tkerrane@timesherald.com

UPPER DUBLIN – In the second quarter Friday night, it seemed as if every time Wissahickon High touched the football, the Trojans found the end zone.
The team was scoring touchdowns in rapid succession, four in the quarter, to be precise. They need just 10 offensive plays and one special teams play to do so.
In the second half, the defense also got in on the scoring, Wissahickon traveling to rival Upper Dublin and defeating the Cardinals, 41-21.
With less than two minutes gone in the game, the Trojans connected on a 63-yard scoring strike from Randy Frankenfield to Gordon Bentley to quickly light up the scoreboard. Bentley produced on all sides of the ball Friday. He would later return a punt 73 yards for a touchdown, and in the third quarter, it was Bentley’s strip of the ball and short turnover return, followed by his lateral to teammate Khalil Byrd, which resulted in a defensive touchdown for Wissahickon.
“We have a lot of threats on this team,” Bentley said, “and when you have that, anyone is capable of making a big play.
“I stripped the ball (on the Trojans’ defensive score). My big linemen were helping me down the field and I saw Khalil Byrd wide open right next to me. I just pitched the ball to him. He did the rest.”
Byrd would go for the remaining 62 yards into the end zone, at the time giving the Trojans (3-1 overall, 1-0 Suburban One American Conference) a 41-14 lead.
This was a 7-6 game after the first quarter, Bentley’s long reception answered late in the quarter when UD’s Mike Lee went in from a yard.
In the second quarter, however, it was all Wissahickon. Frankenfield hit Jared Reed, who jumped up and pulled down a pass for a 29-yard touchdown. Dave Stellato took a direct snap out of the wildcat formation and went 32 yards for a 20-6 lead. After a three-and-out on defense, Bentley had his long punt return across the goal line before Dan Murphy added a six-yard TD with 2:27 left before the half. Just like that, it was 34-6.
“You’re trying to catch the defense off-guard, do something different,” Stellato said of the wildcat, the junior somewhat of a secret weapon Friday as he had missed the first three weeks of the season with mononucleosis. “They had never seen me on film at all since I had not played yet – well, I played in one scrimmage. They had not seen that wildcat play from us.”
UD was caught off-guard on that play. But it was certainly not as if the Cards were so outmatched to be down 34-6 at the intermission.
“It was the house of cards falling down then,” UD head coach Bret Stover said of the second quarter. “We did it to Truman, so we were on the other side of it before.
“There was no way to stop it. But we kept compounding it by our mistakes.”
Upper Dublin (2-2 overall, 0-1 league) was often a victim of poor field position Friday, on offense and for its defense. Before Murphy scored his TD late in the second, another lengthy punt return had given the Trojans the ball at the Cards’ 14, that score taking just two plays.
“We made a point to focus on our offense, our defense and our special teams, and we scored on all of three of them,” Wissahickon head coach Jeff Cappa said. “We made mistakes (Friday). We also had a lot of players make some plays.”
UD took the opening kickoff of the second half and put together a 14-play drive – just three plays fewer than Wissahickon’s offense had run the whole first half – before Khalid Weems took it in the final yard.
Then came the strangest couple plays of the night, however, as the Trojans fumbled the ball away on their own 35. UD took over, ran one play, gained 15 yards up the middle and fumbled it right back as Bentley took the strip at the 20. The play ended 80 yards in the other direction with a completely different player in possession of the ball.
The Cardinals’ faithful got one last thrill as Lee took the ball 90 yards for a TD at the 1:34 mark to cap off the scoring. That play, however, was lost among the many big plays Wissahickon produced on the night.  

Thursday, September 20, 2012

Here's a look at this week's match ups

BISHOP MCDEVITT AT LANSDALE CATHOLIC TIME: Friday, 7:00 p.m., Wissahickon High School RECORDS: Bishop McDevitt is 1-2 after defeating Edison, 36-18. Lansdale Catholic is 3-0 after defeating Morrisville, 39-0. LAST SEASON’S GAME: McDevitt won, 14-12. OUTLOOK: Through its three-game win string to open the season, much has been made of the Crusaders’ offense, that features James Ward (23 carries, 170 yds. this season, two punt-return touchdowns last week) and RB Joe Schmid (19 carries, 116 yds.). But LC’s defense has been more than respectable, allowing just 173 yards per contest and a total of 40 points through those three contests. LC may be facing its most explosive foes in the Lancers, who boast QB Christian Connor (19-for-49, 398 yds., 5 TDs), RB Gerald Fuller (40 carries, 180 yds., including 120 last week) and playmaker Tymere Wilder, who not only has 125 yards rushing and two touchdowns, but nine catches for 238 yds. and three scores.

NORTH PENN AT CENTRAL BUCKS EAST TIME: Friday, 7:00 p.m., War Memorial Field RECORDS: North Penn is 1-2 after losing to Saint Joseph’s Prep, 31-3. Central Bucks East is 2-1 after losing to Abington, 21-6. LAST SEASON’S GAME: North Penn won, 35-0. OUTLOOK: For those doomsayers jumping up and down over the Knights’ 1-2 start, keep in mind that was how they began last year – and how much did that affect the outcome of their season? Anyway, North Penn opens its SOL Continental slate having never lost as a member of the conference (28-0) and faces an improved Patriots team that has already doubled last year’s win total and appeared to be on a legitimate roll until being shut down by Abington last week. East’s forte is running the ball, but its top two backs, Vince Thompson and Chris Burian, were held to a combined 30 yards a game ago. QB Zach Nelson popped off the bench last week to finish 6-for-8 for 124 yards. East’s main target in the passing game is Vince Careghini (7 catches, 147 yds.). Meanwhile, the injury-riddled Knights, who were held to 112 yards and five first downs last week, are looking to rebound from their worst loss since a 35-0 setback to Neshaminy in the 2007 district playoffs.

WISSAHICKON AT UPPER DUBLIN TIME: Friday, 7:00 p.m., Upper Dublin High School RECORDS: Wissahickon is 2-1 after defeating Central Bucks West in double overtime, 38-35. Upper Dublin is 2-1 after defeating Abraham Lincoln, 42-20. LAST SEASON’S GAME: Upper Dublin won, 17-10. OUTLOOK: See Sideline Insider

UPPER PERKIOMEN AT SPRING-FORD TIME: Friday, 7:00 p.m., Spring-Ford Middle School RECORDS: Upper Perkiomen is 0-3, 0-2 after losing to Pottsgrove, 56-7. Spring-Ford is 3-0, 2-0 after defeating Pope John Paul II, 56-31. LAST SEASON’S GAME: Spring-Ford won, 52-7. OUTLOOK: While the Rams can’t get caught looking forward to next weekend’s early-season showdown with Pottsgrove, the Indians seem to be just what the doctor ordered. Upper Perk has the PAC’s worst run defense (354 yds./game), and Spring-Ford would like nothing better than to hand the ball to Jarred Jones (34 carries, 341 yds.) and Yousef Lundi (24 carries, 255 yds.) and get out of Dodge with a win before preparing for the loaded Falcons. Upper Perk is led by QB Dylan Wesley (21-for-52, 237 yds.), the running of Aidan Schaffer (41 carries, 245 yds.) and big-play receiver Robbie Hinson (9 catches, 133 yds.)

PLYMOUTH WHITEMARSH AT UPPER MORELAND TIME: Friday, 7:00 p.m., Upper Moreland High School RECORDS: Plymouth Whitemarsh is 2-1 after losing to West Chester Henderson, 21-13. Upper Moreland is 2-1 after losing to Interboro, 27-21. LAST SEASON’S GAME: Plymouth Whitemarsh won, 31-0. OUTLOOK: The Colonials not only lost a game last weekend, they lost a number of players to injury. “We’re as depleted as we’ve been in a while,” said PW head coach Dan Chang, who added there would be a number of new faces in the Colonials lineup. For their SOL American opener, PW faces a Bears team that relies heavily on running backs Robert Knox (65 carries, 399 yds.) and Chris Kitchen (35 carries, 187 yds.). “Knox is a real hard-nosed runner, and (Upper Moreland’s) offensive line is probably the best drive-blocking line we’ve seen so far this year,” Chang said. “Their offense is patient, they’ll take three, four yards at a time.” As for PW’s MIA, they include OL Steve Kovacic and RB Brian Afflick, who Chang said would each miss a couple of weeks. “We’ve had a pretty good week of practice for the number of new guys stepping in,” Chang said. “We have to limit our mistakes this week and make them beat us.”

PERKIOMEN VALLEY AT POTTSTOWN TIME: Friday, 7:00 p.m., Pottstown High School RECORDS: Perkiomen Valley is 2-1, 2-0 after defeating Owen J. Roberts, 35-13. Pottstown is 2-1, 1-0 after defeating Boyertown, 51-47. LAST SEASON’S GAME: Perkiomen Valley won, 29-21. OUTLOOK: Like the rest of the PAC head coaches, Perk Valley’s Scott Reed saw Pottstown’s record-setting offensive show last week, when RB Monroe Hampton’s 306 rushing yards keyed an attack that rolled up a PAC-record 664 yards and 28 first downs. “They’re pretty darn good on offense,” Reed said. “They have a nice quarterback (Sage Reinhart) and some good athletes. And Hampton’s kind of in the mold of (Malik) Brinkley and (Corey) Baker.” Reed added he doesn’t want to get into a scoring battle with the Trojans, and is confident in the PV defense to slow Pottstown down. As for PV QB Rasaan Stewart, who missed last week’s game due to an injury suffered against Methacton two weeks ago, Reed said that he was questionable, pending an MRI on “a back or shoulder” injury. The coach also said he has no problem if Dakota Clanagan, who filled in for Stewart last week, has to do it again. “He did a nice job for us, and he’s prepared if he has to go again,” Reed said.

POPE JOHN PAUL II AT METHACTON TIME: Saturday, 1:00 p.m., Methacton High School RECORDS: Pope John Paul is 0-3, 0-2 after losing to Spring-Ford, 56-31. Methacton is 0-3, 0-2 after losing to Phoenixville, 37-10. LAST SEASON’S GAME: Methacton won, 31-21. OUTLOOK: Two 0-3 teams who are looking for answers. In PJP’s case, the Panthers have played three teams (Berks Catholic, Pottsgrove, Spring-Ford) who are a collective 9-0 this year, although head coach Mike Santillo said he felt his team should have been more competitive in those losses. Add to that a rising list of injuries, which will see two-way back Nick DiPrinzio and Dylan Algeo miss this week’s game and valuable RB/WR Chris Veisbergs (very questionable) and center Ryan Brennan (game-time decision) likely joining them on the sidelines, and the prospect of seeing Warriors QB Brandon Bossard again (“Methacton has handed it to us the last couple years and Bossard’s been the best quarterback we’ve played in that time”), and it’s no wonder Santillo looking to the sky. As for Methacton head coach Paul Lepre, he said he and his staff are “grasping at straws right now. “Offensively, we just can’t put enough plays together to hang on to the ball. Our last good, sustained drive came in the opener against Souderton. Defensively, we’re not able to get off the field. “We’ve had injuries – (FB) Nico Williams and Dustin Keim, who is our only returning lineman, are concussed, but injuries aren’t what’s hurting us.”

UPPER MERION AT NORRISTOWN TIME: Saturday, 1:00 p.m., Norristown High School RECORDS: Upper Merion is 0-3 after losing to William Tennent, 47-30. Norristown is 0-3 after losing to Central Bucks South, 42-0. LAST SEASON’S GAME: Norristown won, 34-6. OUTLOOK: Outside of the two programs, everyone is excited about Norristown opening its first on-campus football facility. Inside the two teams, the game’s location has barely come up in conversation. “It doesn’t matter to us,” said UM head coach Harold Smith, who works at Norristown. “I don’t think it matters to E.J. (Eagles head coach E.J. Smith) either. We just want to play the game and try and get that first win.” As for the Vikings’ troubles, which have seen the team extend its three-year losing streak to 23 games while allowing 133 points in three games, Smith said the Vikings coaching staff is at a loss. “Honestly, we just haven’t been disciplined and we’re still having problems tackling,” the coach lamented. “ We’re working on it, but it’s true – you really do have to learn how to win.”

ARCHBISHOP CARROLL AT CARDINAL O’HARA TIME: Saturday, 2:00 p.m., Cardinal O’Hara High School RECORDS: Archbishop Carroll is 1-2 after losing to Del-Val Charter, 28-17. Cardinal O’Hara is 2-1 after losing to La Salle, 38-6. LAST SEASON’S GAME: Cardinal O’Hara won, 60-24. OUTLOOK: Carroll, still licking its wounds after losing to D-V Charter, finds itself in the middle of a hot plate with a trip down Rte. 320 to face the Lions. O’Hara took it tough against La Salle last weekend, but Dan Algeo’s team is a very good one, led by RB Thaddius Smith (30 carries, 195 yds., 7 catches, 62 yds.) and elusive QB Dashawn Darden (27-for-50, 271 yds.). The Patriots got Shawn Springs out of sick bay last week, and he rushed for 65 yards. Evan Harvey (10 catches, 115 yds.) is rapidly becoming QB Sal Bello’s favorite target.

PEDDIE SCHOOL AT GERMANTOWN ACADEMY TIME: Saturday, 2:00 p.m., Germantown Academy RECORDS: Peddie School is 0-1 after losing to Poly Prep (Brooklyn, NY), 20-6. Germantown Academy is 1-0 after defeating The Hill School, 7-6. LAST SEASON’S GAME: Did not play. OUTLOOK: The Falcons haven’t been playing football quite as long as the Patriots, but this is their 126th season as a football program, and they should give GA all it can handle for its home opener. Peddie has but 27 players on its roster, but most are returning starters, including running backs Cal Parker and Rory Merklinger and fullback Brandon Louth, who is getting some Division One looks. Peddie has a big and experienced front, headed by Dylan Nir and Dave Ryslik. The Patriots came up big defensively in their opener, limiting the Hill School to just 164 yards. Offensively, QB Hayes Nolte was 14-for-25 for 139 yards, with Lou Stevens hauling in five passes for 63 yards.

LA SALLE AT MALVERN PREP TIME: Saturday, 2:00 p.m., Malvern Prep RECORDS: La Salle is 3-0 after defeating Cardinal O’Hara, 38-6. Malvern Prep is 2-1 after defeating Archbishop Carroll (D.C.), 42-7. LAST SEASON’S GAME: Did not play. OUTLOOK: La Salle head coach Drew Gordon can’t help but be impressed with the Friars, who are off to a solid start. “They’re well-coached, disciplined and they have good athletes,” he said. “They look strong, but a lot of that has to do with execution – they just don’t make mistakes.” Gordon admits his Explorers still have a ways to go, but he’s happy with the team’s quick start. “Our guys are doing real well offensively,” said Gordon, “and defensively, our guys are getting better each week.” As for the principals, La Salle has been led by QB Chris Kane (41-for-63, 665 yds., 9 TDs) and WR Sean Coleman (16 catches, 299 yds.) while Malvern is paced by QB Billy Ford (20-for-47, 335 yds.) and RB Eric Purnell (27 carries, 246 yds., 4 TDs). — DENNIS C. WAY

Friday, September 14, 2012

Match ups for Sept. 14


MORRISVILLE AT LANSDALE CATHOLIC
TIME: Friday, 7 p.m. at Wissahickon High School
RECORDS: Morrisville is 1-1 after losing to New Hope-Solebury, 21-14. Lansdale Catholic is 2-0 after defeating Upper Merion, 38-14.
LAST SEASON’S GAME: Did not play
OUTLOOK: The Bulldogs suffered one of the all-time heartbreaking losses a week ago. Down at the New Hope 1-yard line, in a tied game, with under a minute on the fourth-quarter clock, the Dogs wound up losing on a 91-yard interception return with 19 seconds left.
Can they bounce back against the Crusaders, who have stunned many with a 2-0 start? They certainly have the horses to do it, especially RB Jimmie Miller, who rushed for 171 yards and scored on a 95-yard kickoff return in the New Hope loss.
“They’re similar to us, in terms of roster size,” said LC head coach Tom Kirk. “They’re an aggressive team, they’re going to come right after you, and they have a lot of speed. They’re also bigger than us, but most teams are.”
LC QB Patrick Duggan is a sizzling 12-for-19 through the air for 215 yards after two games.

METHACTON AT PHOENIXVILLE
TIME: Friday, 7 p.m. at Phoenixville High School
RECORDS: Methacton is 0-2, 0-1 after losing to Perkiomen Valley, 35-6. Phoenixville is 1-1, 0-0 after defeating Exeter Twp., 28-20.
LAST SEASON’S GAME: Phoenixville won, 32-28.
OUTLOOK: The Warriors are off to a sluggish start, with an offense that is averaging just a little over 100 yards per game and a defense that has yielded just below 400 yards per start.
They’ll look to shore things up against the Phantoms, the returning District One Class AAA finalists, who present a productive offense headed by RBs Sean Hesser (11 carries, 118 yds.) and Ryan Yenchick (21 carries, 81 yds), tight end Ryan Pannella (5 catches, 148 yds.) and QB Chris Demey (10-for-14, 237 yds.).
Methacton QB Brandon Bossard, an Eastern Michigan recruit, is 16-for-40 through the air for 121 yards.

WISSAHICKON AT CENTRAL BUCKS WEST
TIME: Friday, 7 p.m. at War Memorial Field, Doylestown
RECORDS: Wissahickon is 1-1 after losing to Archbishop Ryan, 29-21. Central Bucks West is 2-0 after defeating William Tennent, 28-20.
LAST SEASON’S GAME: Wissahickon won, 21-14.
OUTLOOK: The Bucks are 2-0, although they had to overcome a scare from William Tennent a week ago.
However, while the score was close, West put up impressive numbers, including 227 rushing yards by Sherrod Higginbotham and a combined 238 (135 passing) by QB Cody Riemenschneider.
The Bucks’ spread will present a challenge to the Trojans, although Wissahickon’s offense has been pretty potent behind the 1-2 punch of QB Randy Frankenfield (11-for -21, 239 yds., 98 rush yds.) and RB Dan Murphy (20 carries, 195 yds.).
The Trojans will also be up against the dreaded East-West mojo. The six schools in District One with either “East” or “West” in their names have gone a combined 11-1 through two weeks. (West Chester East, at 1-1, has dropped the only game).

NORRISTOWN AT CENTRAL BUCKS SOUTH
TIME: Friday, 7 p.m. at Central Bucks South High School
RECORDS: Norristown is 0-2 after losing to Central Bucks East, 20-15. Central Bucks South is 2-0 after defeating Council Rock North, 58-21.
LAST SEASON’S GAME: Central Bucks South won, 49-9.
OUTLOOK: South handed it to the Eagles last year, and have the personnel to do it again.
Through two games the Titans have amassed 999 total yards and 100 points, with the key figure being sophomore running back Josh Adams, who rushed for 250 yards and six TDs last week and has 433 yards and 10 touchdowns in two games.
“The first thing you notice when you watch them is (Adams),” said Norristown head coach E.J. Smith. “And he’s for real.”
QB Jon Pileggi (26-for-31, 320 yds.) is another threat, along with two-way back Steve Veal, who is also standout defensively.
If things weren’t stacked against the young Eagles enough, they’ll be without FB/LB Robert Parker, due to an ankle injury.
“Last year’s team was good,” Smith said of South, “this one is just as good.”

WEST CHESTER HENDERSON AT PLYMOUTH WHITEMARSH
TIME: Friday, 7 p.m. at Plymouth Whitemarsh High School
RECORDS: West Chester Henderson  is 2-0 after defeating Springside Chestnut Hill Academy, 42-6. Plymouth Whitemarsh is 2-0 after defeating Abington, 45-17.
LAST SEASON’S GAME: Plymouth Whitemarsh won, 20-0.
OUTLOOK: The Colonials are 2-0 for the first time under head coach Dan Chang, but will have some tough sledding to make it to 3-0.
Last year PW used the Henderson game to springboard to a terrific season, a league title and a district playoff berth. This year, the Colonials will have to get past their mirror image once more.
The Warriors, who feature the same option offense run by PW, have a potent ground game led by Garrett Girafalco, who scored three TDs last week, and QB James Bady.
Equally impressive has been their defense, which has allowed just six points in two games and only 70 total yards last week.
“(Henderson) has some very explosive players,” said Chang. “They want to run the ball, wear you down with that option, and then hit the big pass out of play-action.”
Chang has also been impressed with his young team’s quick bolt out of the gate.
“These guys, who are stepping into their first year of varsity football, have been executing our game plan and playing good defense,” Chang said. “And our offensive line is getting better every week. It’s a credit to these guys.”

LINCOLN AT UPPER DUBLIN
TIME: Friday, 7 p.m. at Upper Dublin High School
RECORDS: Lincoln is 0-2 after losing to Northeast, 26-6. Upper Dublin is 1-1 after defeating Truman, 28-7.
LAST SEASON’S GAME: Did not play.
OUTLOOK: The Cardinals welcome the Rail Splitters, who come in having totaled just 156 yards (109 passing)and one offensive touchdown in their two losses.
Running back Donnell Dixon and QB Miguel Sanchez (10-for-23) lead that offense, while Dixon has also collected a pair of interceptions on defense.
“They’ve had some big plays,” said UD head coach Bret Stover, “but they’ve had some trouble protecting their quarterback. They’re like us in that we keep shooting ourselves in the foot, too.”
Through two games, Stover has been pleased with his defense, particularly the linebacker play of Ben Winebrake and Reed Rapine, but injury and depth have hurt the offensive line. The Cardinals were without three starters there last week, and this week will start a freshman up front.


OWEN J. ROBERTS AT PERKIOMEN VALLEY
TIME: Friday, 7 p.m. at Perkiomen Valley High School
RECORDS: Owen J. Roberts is 0-2, 0-0 after losing to Bayard Rustin, 49-7. Perkiomen Valley is 1-1, 1-0 after defeating Methacton, 35-6.
LAST SEASON’S GAME: Perkiomen Valley won, 31-12.
OUTLOOK: Two PAC teams that know how to gain yardage meet in this early-season tussle.
The Wildcats have gotten a lot of mileage out of their passing game, with QB Jarrad Pinelli (19-for-32, 305 yds.) and Matt Raymond (9 catches, 203 yds.) developing into one of the conference’s top big-play combos.
But look for PV to go up top a lot, too, considering OJR has allowed a PAC-worst 286 passing yards in two games. The Vikings have the guns to do it in QB Raasan Stewart (27-for-43, 295 yds., 143 rushing yds.) and his favorite target, Clay Domine (15 catches, 195 yds.)
PV can do it on the ground also, primarily behind Mark Bonomo (28 carries, 209 yds.).

WILLIAM TENNENT AT UPPER MERION
TIME: Friday, 7 p.m. at Upper Merion Middle School
RECORDS: William Tennent is 0-2 after losing to Central Bucks West, 28-20. Upper Merion is 0-2 after losing to Lansdale Catholic, 38-14.
LAST SEASON’S GAME: William Tennent won, 42-21.
OUTLOOK: After getting hammered by Wissahickon in Week One, the Panthers took a five-point lead into the fourth quarter last week before falling to C.B. West.
Which Tennent team will show up this week against the Vikings?
For the Vikings’ sake, they’re hopeful the Tennent defense that has yielded 636 rushing yards in two games will emerge, giving UM RB Hassan Gardner (41 carries, 152 yds.) the opportunity to get untracked. If not, QB Carmen Fortino (23-for-59, 486 yds., 6 TDs)will hope to crack the Panthers pass defense.
Meanwhile, the Vikings, who have been scorched for 86 points in their first two starts, are hopeful of corralling WT RBs Cameron Jenkins (8 carries, 100 yds.) and Jeff Ledford (11 carries, 120 yds.) and QB Joe Lutz (7-for-20, 114 yds.).

ARCHBISHOP CARROLL AT DELAWARE VALLEY CHARTER
TIME: Friday, 7 p.m. at Radnor High School
RECORDS: Archbishop Carroll is 1-1 after losing to Monsignor Bonner, 35-0. Delaware Valley Charter is 0-2 after losing to Prep Charter, 22-6.
LAST SEASON’S GAME: Did not play.
OUTLOOK: It hasn’t been easy for the Patriots over the past season-plus. Already dealing with diminished numbers, Carroll will play the season without standout RB Eric Massenburg, who re-injured his surgically repaired knee in a scrimmage and is facing a second surgery.
On the positive side, Carroll gets back both playmaker Shawn Springs (ankle) and linebacker/receiver Tyler Rongione (hamstring) who missed last week’s game.
As for Del-Val Charter, the Warriors committed 13 penalties and gave up six sacks in last weekend’s loss, but still have some dangerous players in QB Bysil Northern, WR Rasheed Cade and LB Donte Walker (11 tackles, sack last week).
“They’re a very athletic team that can hurt you with their speed,” said AC head coach Joe Powel. “This week we’ve been concentrating on getting our run game going.”

SAINT JOSEPH’S PREP AT NORTH PENN
TIME: Friday, 7:30 p.m. at North Penn High School
RECORDS: Saint Joseph’s Prep is 2-0 after defeating Gonzaga (D.C.), 28-14. North Penn is 1-1 after defeating Archbishop Wood, 24-10.
LAST SEASON’S GAME: Saint Joseph’s Prep won, 51-33.
OUTLOOK: See Sideline Insider

SPRING-FORD AT POPE JOHN PAUL II
TIME: Saturday, 1 p.m. at Pope John Paul II High School
RECORDS: Spring-Ford is 2-0, 0-0 after defeating Daniel Boone, 39-0. Pope John Paul is 0-2, 0-1 after losing to Pottsgrove, 53-14.
LAST SEASON’S GAME: Spring-Ford won, 33-21.
OUTLOOK: This duel between PAC rivals located about five minutes apart looks like a mismatch on paper. The Rams have picked up where they left off a season ago, racking up two impressive wins, last week’s without the services of junior RB Jarred Jones, who was out with a collarbone injury.
Meanwhile, the Golden Panthers have the PAC’s leader in passing yardage in junior QB James Bleming (32-for-64, 524 yds., 5 TDs) but 92 percent of their yardage through two games has come through the air, and that’s not the balance they’re seeking.
No matter what the Panthers’ mode of attack this week, they’ll be up against a Spring-Ford defense that has only allowed 210 yards per game and which accounted for two defensive touchdowns a week ago.

CARDINAL O’HARA AT LA SALLE
TIME: Saturday, 3 p.m. at Springfield (M) High School
RECORDS: Cardinal O’Hara is 2-0 after defeating Haverford School, 13-12. La Salle is 2-0 after defeating Monsignor Farrell, 37-20.
LAST SEASON’S GAME: Did not play.
OUTLOOK: The Explorers play their first of only two home games this season (the second is set for Oct. 19 against Roman Catholic), and have their hands full against a Lions team that is expected to challenge Archbishop Wood this season for PCL AAA supremacy.
O’Hara, coached by Dan Algeo, the son of Lansdale Catholic legendary former head coach Jim Algeo, pulled one out of coals last week, forcing two turnovers that led to a pair of fourth-quarter touchdowns, less than 5:00 apart, to shock Haverford School. The Lions are led by RB Thaddius Smith, who paces the team in rushing (22 carries, 145 yds.) and receiving (7 catches, 62 yds.). QB Dashawn Darden (212 passing yds., 73 rushing yds.) also must be contained. Linebacker Nolan Cummings (eight tackles, fumble-recovery TD last week) spearheads the defense.
Meanwhile, the Explorers have been nothing less than impressive through two weeks, with Jared Herrmann (20 carries, 110 yds.) taking care of the rushing and QB Chris Kane (30-for-44, 491 yds., 7
TDs) and WR Sean Coleman (13 catches, 249 yds.) heading up the air attack.

GERMANTOWN ACADEMY AT THE HILL SCHOOL
TIME: Saturday, 2:30 p.m. at the Hill School
RECORDS: Germantown Academy and The Hill School are both playing their season openers.
LAST SEASON’S GAME: Germantown Academy won, 23-20.
OUTLOOK: The Patriots begin the Matt Dence Era on the road against a very formidable Blues team that features six returning starters on each side of the ball, including standout receiver/free safety Adam Regensburg, who set the school single-season record for receptions (40) last year, while adding eight interceptions on defense. Junior Grant Smith is a returning starter at quarterback.
GA, which has taken its lumps over the last couple of seasons, has a returning starter of its own at QB in Hayes Nolte (56-for-115, 527 yds. last year) and two standout linebackers in Rob Gorman and Lou Stevens.