Pennsbury, Conwell-Egan
set to renew their gridiron rivalry
By Rick Fortenbaugh
For BucksLocalSports.com
When the high school football season gets underway tonight, Pennsbury’s Falcon Field will be the site of something that hasn’t happened since 47 long years ago.
Namely, a game between Pennsbury and Conwell-Egan, which are located only a mile or so from each other, but have not met on a football field since 1962.
For the record, when the two teams last played it was Pennsbury prevailing by a score of 21-7. What will happen tonight remains to be seen, but it’s a welcome addition to the schedule and the start of a multi-year commitment between the schools.
Both teams are coming off successful seasons, but it’s Pennsbury that has returned more key players and is the solid favorite tonight.
On the flip side, Conwell-Egan can take some comfort in the knowledge that for whatever reason, Pennsbury has traditionally not played well offensively on opening night.
Even in the season in which it marched to a district title a few years ago, Pennsbury needed last-second heroics to beat Archbishop Ryan.
Heck, just last year Pennsbury beat Archbishop Ryan on a miracle last-second, Hail Mary pass. From there, Pennsbury went onto win nine games and Ryan stumbled home with a record of 0-10, including a loss to Conwell-Egan.
Although scrimmages are scrimmages and should be taken as just that, the bad news for Conwell-Egan is Pennsbury looked very good against highly-regarded La Salle last week.
In fact, the offense looked dynamite with junior quarterback Brandon Pepper (pictured above) completing pass after pass, including a touchdown bomb to Division I wideout/defensive back recruit Erik Williams.
Also look for a big year from Dante Devine, who has taken over at fullback from Richie Applegate and appears primed to be the big gun in Pennsbury’s potent running game.
Conwell-Egan will counter with an offense led by standout senior receiver Ryan Bond and the motivation that it would like nothing more than to stun its Fairless Hills neighbor.
***
Nueva Esperanza (0-0) at Morrisville (0-0), tonight, 7 p.m.: Getting much information on the Philadelphia Public school located on West Hunting Park Avenue isn’t easy. On the other hand, it can be reported Nueva Esperanza was 0-11 last year and was avalanched by a combined point total of 445-34. Barring a big influx of talent, which is very doubtful, it all adds up to a fun evening for the home team at the historic Robert Morris Stadium. Look for the Dawgs to come out throwing behind junior quarterback Matt Cookson and post some big offensive numbers in what promises to be an impoved season.
***
Bristol (0-0) at Kennedy-Kenrick (0-0), tonight, 7 p.m.: The Norristown area school has had some decent teams over the years, but usually doesn’t have much team speed and is one dimensional. Bristol beat Kennedy-Kenrick, 27-14, a year ago and will be anxious to get a promising season underway. It all adds up to big rushing numbers for senior Woodrow Vorters on an offense that is now in the capable hands of athletic senior quarterback Eric Wade.
***
Souderton (0-0) at Neshaminy (0-0), tonight, 7 p.m.: The worst thing working for the visitors is the fact they beat Neshaminy, 14-13, last year. You can be sure coach Mark Schmidt has reminded his Redskins of that all week long. After beating Neshaminy last year, Souderton then stumbled to a 5-6 record, including a loss to lowly Central Bucks West. Neshaminy, by contrast, advanced all the way to the PIAA District 1 Class AAAA finals. In that light, last year’s game has to be regarded as a bit of a fluke. Souderton is led by returning running back Derek Brown and middle linebacker Gave Stein. It won’t be enough against a rebuilt Neshaminy team that has a bunch of newcomers itching to make their mark.
***
Overbrook (0-0) at Bensalem (0-0), tonight, 6 p.m.: Overbrook was 5-7 last year and has traditionally not been one of the better teams in the Philadelphia Public League. According to pre-season reports, this year won’t be much different. Bensalem, which was a lot more than competitive than last year’s 4-7 record would indicate, is a bit different this year. By that we mean the Owls seemed to be more advanced along the lines than in the skill positions. This should pay off handsomely tonight because the one thing Philadephia public school’s usually struggle against is strong line play and a power running game. It all adds up to a happy night at “Death Valley.’’
***
Truman (0-0) at Cheltenham (0-0), tonight, 7 p.m.: It’s the debut of first-year Tiger coach John Iannucci, who had success in the New Jersey scholastic ranks and has also coached some in college. This game will be a good indicator of whether Truman has made progress during the pre-season. Cheltenham is nothing special and was 5-7 last season, but it does play a decent schedule and pounded Truman, 33-0, a year ago.
***
Council Rock North (0-0) at Father Judge (0-0), today, 3:30 p.m.: This remains a difficult opener for the Indians, who as usual, have some fine skill players, but also a lot of question marks on the lines. Father Judge took some serious graduation hits from last year’s 9-4 team, but it does return scatback Curtis Wortham and quarterback Tony Smith. Wortham piled up over 1,500 rushing yards last fall and scored 19 touchdowns. North is led by returning quarterback Tyler Hamilton, running back Lee Marvel and wideout Tyler Bostain. Scoring points, however, has not been North’s big problem. Stopping the opposition is the big concern and this won’t be easy against a Judge team that’s sure to have a physical line opening holes for Wortham.
For BucksLocalSports.com
When the high school football season gets underway tonight, Pennsbury’s Falcon Field will be the site of something that hasn’t happened since 47 long years ago.
Namely, a game between Pennsbury and Conwell-Egan, which are located only a mile or so from each other, but have not met on a football field since 1962.
For the record, when the two teams last played it was Pennsbury prevailing by a score of 21-7. What will happen tonight remains to be seen, but it’s a welcome addition to the schedule and the start of a multi-year commitment between the schools.
Both teams are coming off successful seasons, but it’s Pennsbury that has returned more key players and is the solid favorite tonight.
On the flip side, Conwell-Egan can take some comfort in the knowledge that for whatever reason, Pennsbury has traditionally not played well offensively on opening night.
Even in the season in which it marched to a district title a few years ago, Pennsbury needed last-second heroics to beat Archbishop Ryan.
Heck, just last year Pennsbury beat Archbishop Ryan on a miracle last-second, Hail Mary pass. From there, Pennsbury went onto win nine games and Ryan stumbled home with a record of 0-10, including a loss to Conwell-Egan.
Although scrimmages are scrimmages and should be taken as just that, the bad news for Conwell-Egan is Pennsbury looked very good against highly-regarded La Salle last week.
In fact, the offense looked dynamite with junior quarterback Brandon Pepper (pictured above) completing pass after pass, including a touchdown bomb to Division I wideout/defensive back recruit Erik Williams.
Also look for a big year from Dante Devine, who has taken over at fullback from Richie Applegate and appears primed to be the big gun in Pennsbury’s potent running game.
Conwell-Egan will counter with an offense led by standout senior receiver Ryan Bond and the motivation that it would like nothing more than to stun its Fairless Hills neighbor.
***
Nueva Esperanza (0-0) at Morrisville (0-0), tonight, 7 p.m.: Getting much information on the Philadelphia Public school located on West Hunting Park Avenue isn’t easy. On the other hand, it can be reported Nueva Esperanza was 0-11 last year and was avalanched by a combined point total of 445-34. Barring a big influx of talent, which is very doubtful, it all adds up to a fun evening for the home team at the historic Robert Morris Stadium. Look for the Dawgs to come out throwing behind junior quarterback Matt Cookson and post some big offensive numbers in what promises to be an impoved season.
***
Bristol (0-0) at Kennedy-Kenrick (0-0), tonight, 7 p.m.: The Norristown area school has had some decent teams over the years, but usually doesn’t have much team speed and is one dimensional. Bristol beat Kennedy-Kenrick, 27-14, a year ago and will be anxious to get a promising season underway. It all adds up to big rushing numbers for senior Woodrow Vorters on an offense that is now in the capable hands of athletic senior quarterback Eric Wade.
***
Souderton (0-0) at Neshaminy (0-0), tonight, 7 p.m.: The worst thing working for the visitors is the fact they beat Neshaminy, 14-13, last year. You can be sure coach Mark Schmidt has reminded his Redskins of that all week long. After beating Neshaminy last year, Souderton then stumbled to a 5-6 record, including a loss to lowly Central Bucks West. Neshaminy, by contrast, advanced all the way to the PIAA District 1 Class AAAA finals. In that light, last year’s game has to be regarded as a bit of a fluke. Souderton is led by returning running back Derek Brown and middle linebacker Gave Stein. It won’t be enough against a rebuilt Neshaminy team that has a bunch of newcomers itching to make their mark.
***
Overbrook (0-0) at Bensalem (0-0), tonight, 6 p.m.: Overbrook was 5-7 last year and has traditionally not been one of the better teams in the Philadelphia Public League. According to pre-season reports, this year won’t be much different. Bensalem, which was a lot more than competitive than last year’s 4-7 record would indicate, is a bit different this year. By that we mean the Owls seemed to be more advanced along the lines than in the skill positions. This should pay off handsomely tonight because the one thing Philadephia public school’s usually struggle against is strong line play and a power running game. It all adds up to a happy night at “Death Valley.’’
***
Truman (0-0) at Cheltenham (0-0), tonight, 7 p.m.: It’s the debut of first-year Tiger coach John Iannucci, who had success in the New Jersey scholastic ranks and has also coached some in college. This game will be a good indicator of whether Truman has made progress during the pre-season. Cheltenham is nothing special and was 5-7 last season, but it does play a decent schedule and pounded Truman, 33-0, a year ago.
***
Council Rock North (0-0) at Father Judge (0-0), today, 3:30 p.m.: This remains a difficult opener for the Indians, who as usual, have some fine skill players, but also a lot of question marks on the lines. Father Judge took some serious graduation hits from last year’s 9-4 team, but it does return scatback Curtis Wortham and quarterback Tony Smith. Wortham piled up over 1,500 rushing yards last fall and scored 19 touchdowns. North is led by returning quarterback Tyler Hamilton, running back Lee Marvel and wideout Tyler Bostain. Scoring points, however, has not been North’s big problem. Stopping the opposition is the big concern and this won’t be easy against a Judge team that’s sure to have a physical line opening holes for Wortham.
Labels: Conwell-Egan, Football, Pennsbury
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