Council Rock is part of key Bucks clashes

By Rick Fortenbaugh
For BucksLocalSports.com
While this week’s schedule is not as attractive as the last, there are some games that will still generate a lot of interest on the Lower Bucks County scholastic football slate.
Two of the bigger ones involve the Council Rock schools with Rock South looking to rebound from its first loss when it hosts Bensalem tonight and Rock North hoping to extend its three-game winning streak at Pennsbury’s Homecoming tomorrow night.
Also of interest are a pair of non-league games involving Morrisville and Bristol.

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Bensalem (2-2) at Council Rock South (3-1), tonight, 7 p.m.:

The Owls ended a two-game losing streak when they beat Truman last week, while Rock South suffered its first loss in an away game at Pennsbury. This has the potential to go down to the last minute. Bensalem’s offense is still not where coach Dan McShane would no doubt like it to be, but the Owls had a strong second half against Truman. Rock South, meanwhile, has just two touchdowns in its last two games, including the dramatic escape against Conwell-Egan. If Bensalem can stop the triple option and give its offense enough chances, a minor upset could very well result.

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Truman (1-3) at Neshaminy (3-1), tonight, 7 p.m.:

As if this wasn’t a tough enough assignment, John Iannucci’s Tigers will be up against a Neshaminy squad that will be looking to wash away the taste of its first defeat. That came at undefeated Abington, where a furious Redskins rally in the fourth quarter came up just short. Truman can play some defense, but it’s offense is still far from upper-tier Suburban One National League standards. It’s just hard to see much excitement on The Ridge tonight.

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Pennington (1-2 ) at Bristol (3-0) tonight, 7 p.m.:

George Gatto’s Warriors lost this game last year and you can be sure they’ve been reminded of that all week. Pennington has a nice passing game headed up by junior Keith Dearden (nearly 300 yards last week) and a decent running game featuring ex-Pennsbury back Malcolm Perry. A week ago, Pennington lost to Calvary Christian, 29-28, when it came up short on a gutsy attempt for a two-point conversion late in the fourth quarter. Most people consider Bristol to be superior to Calvary Christian, so that’s good for the Warriors. There will be some points tonight, but look for Bristol back Woodrow Vorters to make the difference.

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New Hope (0-3) at Morrisville (3-1) tonight, 7 p.m.:

Look for more offensive fireworks at the historic Robert Morris Stadium from Dawgie quarterback Matt Cookson and Co.. Morrisville lost its first game last week, but the setback came in a 33-26 thriller against Lower Moreland in one of the Dawgies’ best efforts in years. New Hope opened some eyes by playing Bristol tough in the first game in the history of its program, but it’s been back to reality for the Lions ever since. In that stretch was a loss to Princeton Day, which Morrisville hammered, 37-7.

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Council Rock North (3-1) at Pennsbury (4-0), tomorrow, 7 p.m.:

It’s Homecoming Night at Pennsbury and there’s sure to be a huge crowd unless the weather really stinks. The numbers tell the story of what the Indians are up against. Pennsbury has avalanched its four opponents by a combined score of 130-22 and its first-team defense has allowed just 10 points. Making matters worse for Rock North is the fact Pennsbury showed a nice run/pass balance last week. Rock has a strong passing game with quarterback Tyler Hamilton, but Pennsbury also has an excellent secondary. Throw in the depth factor and Rock North is a big underdog despite its record.

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Neumann-Goretti (0-3) at Conwell-Egan (2-2), tomorrow, 7 p.m:

Although the injury bug has continued to hit Conwell-Egan with standout wide receiver Ryan Bond the latest to get dinged up, the Eagles shouldn’t have many problems with this Saturday night foe at the Hank Morgan Stadium. Among Goretti’s losses was a setback to Cardinal Dougherty, which Egan just handled, 28-7, just last week. As Council Rock South can testify, Conwell-Egan does play some tough defense and it’s hard to throw on the Eagles.