Pennsbury, Neshaminy for Suburban One National crown
No. 8 Pennsbury (8-1, 6-0) at No. 7 Neshaminy (8-1, 6-0), tonight at 7. Heartbreak Ridge will be hoppin' tonight.
No. 8 Pennsbury (8-1, 6-0) at No. 7 Neshaminy (8-1, 6-0), tonight at 7.
Heartbreak Ridge will be hoppin' tonight.
Pennsbury and host Neshaminy meet in Langhorne to decide the Suburban One League National Conference championship.
The Falcons are seeking their first National Conference crown since 1993. The Redskins last won a title in 2005.
Pennsbury has won six straight games, including last week's 24-14 triumph over visiting Abington, since a 20-6 nonleague loss to Glen Mills on Sept. 12. Neshaminy has notched eight consecutive victories since losing at Souderton, 14-13, in its season opener.
Here is a look at the game:
Coaches.
Galen Snyder has a 51-24 record in eight seasons at Pennsbury. For Neshaminy, Mark Schmidt is 106-50 in 14 years.
Playoff seeding.
For the PIAA District I Class AAAA tournament, Neshaminy and Pennsbury are seeded No. 4 and No. 5, respectively, going into the weekend.
Ground games.
Both the Falcons, with their wing-T scheme, and Redskins like to pound the ball at foes. Pennsbury's rushing leaders are tailback Dante Devine, fullback Richie Applegate, and quarterback Brandon Pepper. Neshaminy relies on halfbacks Bryan Dean and Quilan Arnold and fullback Corey Majors.
X factor.
Pennsbury wingback Jordan Lollis, used mostly as a blocker this year, has been effective when used. Against Abington, the quick-footed senior totaled 123 yards on just four carries, including a 64-yard touchdown burst in the fourth quarter.
Air attack.
On average, the Falcons throw six times per game. Expect Neshaminy junior Brian Titus to pass between 10 and 15 times. His top targets are wideout Rick Brebner and Rutgers-bound tight end Paul Carrezola.
Analysis.
This one, not surprisingly, will be decided in the trenches. On defense, Neshaminy is powered up front by 6-foot-3, 275-pound tackle Dan Shirey and 6-2, 225-pound end Jay Colbert. Pennsbury's defensive line is spearheaded by end Pat Cantrell (6-2, 230) and tackle Josh Mitchell (6-1, 283). We think, with the edge in overall strength and experience, the Redskins will rally late and win a nail-biter.
Pick:
Neshaminy, 20-16.