Sunday, November 24, 2013

All-Area High School Football Team

By Andrew Marcus
Sportswriter for The Lansdale Reporter
Follow me on Twitter @amarcus515

















The All-Area team is picked by me and based on what I have seen and read. This is NOT affiliated with The Lansdale Reporter. It is given the title of "All-Area" based on the requirement of needing to play in the Lansdale Reporter, Montgomery Media, Times Herald, or The Mercury's coverage area.

I am aware Saint Joseph's Prep, Neshaminy, and Archbishop Ryan have had some stellar seasons from stellar athletes, but there is no Jawan McAllister, D'Andre Pollard, or Samir Bullock on these teams.

Without further adieu...



OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
FIRST TEAM QUARTERBACK: Rasaan Stewart (Perkiomen Valley) - This would have been my pick before he orchestrated a 60-20 win in the District One quarterfinals. Forget about the defense he plays at safety, a position he will play at the next level, and admire the stats he gained as the signal caller for the Vikings. Stewart capped off an impressive career with a standout senior season. A 2,000/1,000 year for a team that won 10 games makes him the easy choice my the Area Player of the Year. My apologies to LaSalle's Kyle Shurmur and Abington's Craig Reynolds.





SECOND TEAM QUARTERBACK: Kyle Shurmur (LaSalle)
THIRD TEAM QUARTERBACK: John Fitz (Central Bucks West)
HONORABLE MENTION QUARTERBACK: Connor Hanlon (Plymouth-Whitemarsh)

FIRST TEAM RUNNINGBACK:  Craig Reynolds (Abington) - A midst a quarterback change due to injury the Galloping Ghosts never quit. Reynolds, the senior never quit moving his legs and the most important piece to Tim Sorber's squad. He eclipsed 1,600 yards and 25 scores for one of the final four teams standing in District One.

SECOND TEAM RUNNINGBACKBACK: Mike Class (Pennridge)
THIRD TEAM QUARTERBACK: Jarred Jones (Spring-Ford)
HONORABLE MENTION RUNNING BACK: Jarrett McClenton (Archbishop Wood)

FIRST TEAM FULLBACK:  Luke Berry (North Penn) - If there is any reason the North Penn football team is not afraid to run right at you it is the powerful season. He never goes down on first contact and he picks up first downs on regularity. Berry can open a hole for his tailback with the best of them and is captain in every sense of the word.

SECOND TEAM FULLBACK: John Lee (Upper Dublin)
THIRD TEAM FULLBACK: Brian Afflick (Plymouth-Whitemarsh)
HONORABLE MENTION FULLBACK:  Josh Messina (Archbishop Wood)

FIRST TEAM OFFENSIVE LINE: Ryan Bates (Archbishop Wood) - He is unmovable object and the reason the Vikings can get creative on offense. Forget about a pass rush against Bates and with him at tackle they could put almost any one at running back they would run for 1,000 yards. McClenton won AAA PCL MVP this season, but with three first team offensive lineman, led by Bates, the honor could have gone to him.

SECOND TEAM OFFENSIVE LINE: Frank Tranzilli (North Penn)
THIRD TEAM OFFENSIVE LINE:  Pat Finn (Pottsgrove)
HONORABLE MENTION OFFENSIVE LINE:  Ian Bates (Lansdale Catholic)

FIRST TEAM WIDE RECEIVER  John O'Malley (Hatboro-Horsham) - It was not the best year for the Hatters, but at least the fans got to watch O'Malley in action each week. He did some of his biggest tricks on the deep ball from his sophomore quarterback Casey Walsh, but he also ran the ball with authority when needed. The Hatters should be thankful to have his skills coming back for another season. He is as dangerous as they come.

SECOND TEAM WIDE RECEIVER: Jimmy Herron (LaSalle)
THIRD TEAM WIDE RECEIVER: Micah Stutzman (Pennridge)
HONORABLE MENTION WIDE RECEIVER: Manny Nieves (Souderton)

FIRST TEAM TIGHT END: Alex Eppinger (North Penn) - The Knight overcame injuries and illness to solidify the run game of the Suburban One Continental Conference champs. Once a true lineman, he switch to a blocking tight end and was terrific. Him and his partner in crime Nick Wright made a stellar one-two punch for coach Dick Beck's smash mouth offense.

SECOND TEAM TIGHT END:  Zach Talley (Lansdale Catholic)
THIRD TEAM TIGHT END: Marc Conran (Upper Dublin)
HONORABLE MENTION TIGHT END:  Shayne McCurdy (Academy New Church)


ALL-AREA MEDIA KICK:  Matt Ammendola (North Penn)
ALL-AREA MEDIA PUNTER:  Peter Psomiadis (Pennridge)


DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR:
FIRST TEAM DEFENSIVE LINEMAN: Mason Romano (Spring-Ford) - When you saw the Rams on the schedule you knew it was paramount to make most of the limited opportunities you received. Led by the senior defensive end the Rams played in their share of low-scoring affairs. His pass rush gave opposing quarterbacks fits and was one of the rare teams and players to slow down Perk Valley's Rasaan Stewart, a 14-7 win. Romano is my Area Defensive Player of the Year. My apologies to Pottsgrove's Michael Fowler and LaSalle's Zaire Franklin.

SECOND TEAM DEFENSIVE LINEMAN: Josh Beare (Pennridge)
THIRD TEAM DEFENSIVE LINEMAN:  Grant Udinski (Central Bucks West)
HONORABLE MENTION DEFENSIVE LINEMAN:  Nick Wright (North Penn)

FIRST TEAM LINEBACKER: Zaire Franklin (LaSalle) - The Syracuse commit meant so much to the Explorers this season, both on offense as a tackle and certainly on defense. It is a shame that their season gets cut off at the league title game against Prep. Both the Hawks and Franklin's Explorers deserve to be playing deep into the postseason.

SECOND TEAM LINEBACKER:  Michael Cassidy (Methacton)
THIRD TEAM LINEBACKER:  Joe Leventhal (Lower Moreland)
HONORABLE MENTION LINEBACKER: Jude Coughlin (Lansdale Catholic)

FIRST TEAM DEFENSIVE BACK: Michael Fowler (Pottsgrove) - The Falcons continued to churn out league titles and be one of the best team's in Class AAA. Fowler fearless cover skills combined with his tackling ability help limit the big plays and always keep the PAC-10 powerhouse in control of the clock and dominating the scoreboard.




SECOND TEAM DEFENSIVE BACK: Joe Ramos (Central Bucks West)
THIRD TEAM DEFENSIVE BACK: Kendall Singleton (Archbishop Wood)
HONORABLE MENTION DEFENSIVE BACK: Kurran Holland (Perkiomen Valley)



Thursday, November 7, 2013

Crystal Ball: District 1 Playoffs, PCL Championships, Wk 11 NCAA, & Week 10 NFL Predictions

By Andrew Marcus
Sportswriter for The Lansdale Reporter
Follow me on twitter @amarcus515
















High School Football Predictions (winner in yellow)
District 1 AAAA
(16) Council Rock North at (1) Garnet Valley
Rasaan Stewart & PV has upset on the brain
(9) Upper Dublin at (8) Abington - It is shame that the Flying Cardinals spent most of their season undefeated to lost late to P-W and get matched up against the running stylings of Craig Reynolds. Not sure their was back like the Ghosts' senior in the American Conference.
(13) Unionville at (4) Neshaminy
(12)Spring-Ford at (5) Downingtown West - Taking the down the Chest-Mont champs will be no easy task, but the Rams are playoff tested from last year and have a dynamite defense. Not only if they had a consistent option under center.
(15) Perk Valley at (2) WC Rustin - Rustin started the year in a close game in Week One against P.V. rival Methacton and while a lot has changed, the Vikings have the ability to pull out a gigantic upset. Senior quarterback Rasaan Stewart could take over in this one. The PAC-10 team wins a shootout, loses a low scoring, defensive struggle.
(10) Plymouth-Whitemarsh at (7) Central Bucks West - A toss up if I ever heard of one, I tend to lean toward Connor Hanlon and the Colonials. Some many running options in Vega and Afflick. If they can keep the Bucks' Fitz from finding his three receivers it could go the underdog's way.
(14) Upper Darby at (3) Pennsbury
(11) North Penn at (6) Coatesville - The defending champs would probably beat most first round opponents by double-digits in this year's tournament, one that will give them fits is the Knights. The Continental Conference champs may not knock out the defending state runner-ups, but they certainly have a good shot.
District 1 AAA
Phoenixville at Pottsgrove
Interboro at Academy Park
Springfield (D) at Glen Mills
Bishop Shanahan at WC Henderson
District 1 AA
Springfield (M) at Imhotep Charter
New Hope Solebury at West Catholic
PCL AAAA FINAL
LaSalle vs St. Joe's Prep
PCL AAA FINAL
Archbishop Wood vs Monsignor Bonner
LAST WEEK: 16-1
SEASON RECORD: 156-44


Week 11 NCAA Predictions (winner in yellow)
Air Force at New Mexico
Penn State at Minnesota
LSU looks to crush title dreams
Vanderbilt at Florida
(7) Auburn at Tennessee
Kansas State at (25) Texas Tech
Virginia at North Carolina
Illinois at Indiana
Nebraska at Michigan
BYU at (21) Wisconsin
Boston College at New Mexico
Mississippi State at (11) Texas A&M
Nevada at Colorado State
(23) Arizona State at Utah
Virgina Tech at (14) Miami (FL)
Houston at (19) UCF
(24) Notre Dame at Pittsburgh
Utah State at UNLV
(10) LSU at (1) Alabama
(16) UCLA at Arizona
San Diego State at San Jose State
LAST WEEK: 12-8
SEASON RECORD: 144-62


Week 10 NFL Predictions (winner in yellow)
Redskins at Vikings
Seahawks at Falcons
Cutler back for the Bears
Lions at Bears
Eagles at Packers
Jaguars at Titans
Rams at Colts
Raiders at Giants
Bills at Steelers
Bengals at Ravens
Panthers at 49ers
Texans at Cardinals
Broncos at Chargers
Cowboys at Saints
Dolphins at Buccaneers
LAST WEEK: 9-4
SEAOSN RECORD: 85-48

Monday, November 4, 2013

Stats, Scores Week 10 High School Football

By Andrew Marcus
Sportswriter for The Lansdale Reporter
Follow me on Twitter @amarcus515














GAME OF THE WEEK: Perkiomen Valley 28, Upper Perk 7  - A lot was riding on the game for the Vikings. A win and they were in the Class AAAA District One field. But if the Indians found a way to upset the Rasaan Stewart led bunch, then it would be tears all over Skippack. Stewart thew three touchdown passes and the Vikings, now the 15-seed in the playoffs, broke away in the second half. READ THE GAME STORY




PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Craig Reynolds (Abington) Abington 33, William Tennent 12 - As the high school career of Craig Reynolds winds down, he is not opposed to using every last ounce of anergy left in the body to help the Ghosts go to new heights. He carried 29 times of Senior Night to help his team prevail over the Panthers. He scored four times and rushed for 226 yards.  READ THE GAME STORY






AROUND THE AREA:
North Penn 44, Souderton 14 READ THE GAME STORY
Pennridge 35, Hatboro-Horsham 7 READ THE GAME STORY
Central Bucks West 45, Central Bucks South 7 READ THE GAME STORY
Plymouth-Whitemarsh 27, Springfield 12 READ THE GAME STORY
Cheltenham 35, Norristown 14 READ THE GAME STORY
Wissahickon 27, Upper Moreland 20 READ THE GAME STORY
Upper Dublin 34, Upper Merion 14 READ THE GAME STORY
Spring-Ford 49, Pottstown 7 READ THE GAME STORY
Methacton 48, Phoenixville 14 READ THE GAME STORY
Pottsgrove 62, Boyertown 29 READ THE GAME STORY
Owen J. Roberts 26, Pope John Paul II 14 READ THE GAME STORY
Archbishop Wood 49, Lansdale Catholic 26 READ THE GAME STORY
LaSalle 35, Father Judge 0 READ THE GAME STORY
Germantown Academy 41, Springside Chestnut Hill 23 READ THE GAME STORY
New Hope Solebury 24, Lower Moreland 21 READ THE GAME STORY
Week Three Prediction Record: 16-1
Season Prediction Record: 156-44


STAT LEADERS FOR WEEK TEN

100+ yard rushers
Marquis Barefield (Pottsgrove) 294, 4 TDs
Craig Reynolds (Abignton) 226, 4 TDs
Jose Vega (Plymouth-Whitemarsh) 195, 4 TDs
Mike Class (Pennridge) 195, 2 TDs
Marvin Todd (Central Bucks West) 165, 3 TDs
Riley Kordek (Germantown Academy) 145, TD
Tyler Whitmore (Upper Moreland) 137, TD
Mark Bonomo (Perk Valley) 135, TD
Jarred Jones (Spring-Ford) 135
Ryan Killion (Lower Moreland) 109, 2 TDs
Michael Cassidy (Methacton) 109, TD
Greg Morris (Cheltenham) 103, TD

125+ yard passers
Kyle Shurmur (LaSalle) 258, 5 TDs
Rasaan Stewart (Perk Valley) 257, 3 TDs
Isiah Graham-Mobley (Upper Merion) 202, TD
Hayes Nolte (Germantown Academy) 198, 4 TDs
Perry Breyer (Upper Perk) 191, TD
Austin Shearer (North Penn) 175, TD
Mike Marino (Wissahickon) 143, TD
Tom Garlick (Archbishop Wood) 141, 2 TDs
Riley Michaels (Pottsgrove) 132, 2 TDs

100+ yard receivers
Travis Kline (Upper Perk) 185, TD
Jimmy Herron (LaSalle) 167, 3 TDs
Jared Reed (Wissahickon) 112, TD
Matt Thorton (Upper Merion) 105, TD
Clay Domine (Perk Valley) 104, 2 TDs


PENNRIDGE SEASON STATISTICS (7-3, 3-3)
RUSHING -Mike Class 173-1427, 18 TDs;   Matt Pasquale 61-196, 5 TDs; Imeir Simmons 16-136, 2 TDs;  Ryan Sterling 36-124, TD; Devon Balmer 14-119; Joe Unangst 20-126, 2 TDs; Judens Desrosiers 9-40, TD;  Ryan Gordon 2-10; Sifee Good 6-10;Austin Knepp 6-15; Logan Tuerke 10-51, 3 TDs; Justin Moldovayni 3-7; Tyler Bigam 1-4; Brian Walsh 1-1; Luke Williams 1-1; Jordan Garis 1-(-2)
PASSING -Matt Pasquale 79-118-4 -1404, 13 TDs; Devon Balmer 1-4-0 - 21
RECEIVING -Micah Stutzman 41-697, 7 TDs; Mike Class 28-373, 2 TDs; Mike Tatarowicz 5-213, 2 TDs; Joe Unangst 7-82, TD; Regan 1-21; Ryan Sterling 3-18, TD; Imeir Simmons 1-6
SACKS - Josh Beare (7), Imeir Simmons (4), Ryan Sterling (4), Zach Hockman (2), Ryan Anton, Ezra Outlaw, Mike Class, Ian Mosser, Sifee Good
INTERCEPTIONS - Micah Stutzman (4), Mike Class (3), Joe Unangst (2), Ryan Sterling, Devon Balmer

SOUDERTON SEASON STATISTICS (2-8, 2-5)
RUSHING - Blake Gular 121-605, TD;  Nate Landes 66-311, 4 TDs; Marcus Miller 31-176, 2 TDs; AJ.Curotto 66-1 163 TDs; Taz Smith 26-126, TD; Micah Boscio 8-39; Jamar White 35-120, 2 TDs; Matt Pierce 1-7; Austin Malloy 1-1; Ben Yerk 5-11; Manny Nieves 8-36; Kyle Murphy 13-30; Jeb Burliegh 1-5
PASSING -AJ Curotto 74-120-4 921, 6 TDs; Joe Curotto 4-17-1 -76
RECEIVING -Manny Nieves 43- 697, 5 TDs; Nate Landes 6-62, TDsTaz Smith 5-36; Micah Bosico 3-18; Markeem Graham 11-75, TD; Jamar White 4-60, TD; Jake Smerecki 3-24; Josh Lister 1-15; Marcus Miller 1-7; Blake Gular 6-24; Kyle Murphy 1-5
SACKS - Blake Gular (2), Matt Pierce (2), Adrian Carbone (2)
INTERCEPTIONS -Manny Nieves (2), AJ Curotto, Taz Smith

NORTH PENN SEASON STATISTICS (7-3, 7-0)
RUSHING -Nyfease West 123-930, 6 TDs; Luke Berry 100-704, 9 TDs; Kris Akins 22-115, 3 TDs; Nick Wright 10-27;  Lewis Dickinson 20-110, 4 TDs; John Posavec 20-77; Anthony Cameron 15-104; Connor Gill 2-10; Justin Hudimac 12-145, 2 TDs; Chris Jeffries 2-(-2); Spencer Jones 7-(-13); Austin Shearer 36-7, 3 TDs
PASSING - Austin Shearer 72-129-4 - 955, 7 TDs; Kris Akins 1-1-0 34, TD; Colby Beck 0-1-0 - 0; Spencer Jones 0-1-0 - 0
RECEIVING - Justin Hudimac 23-289, 3 TDs; Kris Akins 4-37; John Posavec 2-32; Nick Wright 12-233, 3 TDs; Jason Steltz 1-23; Cody Beck 2-25; Luke Berry 11-60; Lewis Dickinson 6-60; Brandon Quinn 3-37; Nyfease West 1-11; Deion Robinson 1-7
SACKS -Kevin Vandenplas, Connor Gill, Tyler Loux
INTERCEPTIONS -Michael Liddy (5), Lewis Dickinson, Zach Brandis, Isiah Swint