District 1 6A Playoff Preview
Tagged under: District 1, News, Playoffs
Michael Pietrangelo | November 4, 2022
The Matchups
1 Garnet Valley vs 16 Quakertown
About the Jaguars: Garnet Valley heads into the playoffs as the number one seed in District One. The Jaguars offense relies on senior quarterback Matt Mesaros & tailback Jason Bernard, Mesaros has been able to do damage both on the ground and through the air this season. The quarterback has rushed for 372 yards & passed for 930 yards. Bernard has rushed for 518 yards & 9 TDs. seniors Drew Van Horn and Jack Westburg have been difference makers. Van Horn has amassed 378 receiving yards and seven touchdowns. Westburg has 284 rushing yards and 184 receiving, with 8 TDs. While the offense has been dominant, averaging 37 points per game, the Jaguar defense has come up huge making big stops in crucial situations. The Jaguar defense has only allowed 65 points all season which is 7.2 points per game.
About the Panthers: Quakertown finished 5-5 overall and 4-3 in conference action which is a far cry from the team who went 13-1 last season and exited the playoffs in the district semifinals against non-other than Garnet Valley 58-39. Garnet Valley is undefeated this season and the number 1 seed so the Panthers have an uphill battle. Look for the Panthers to rely on senior QB Vince Micucci who has thrown for over 1,091 yards & 12 TDs. On the ground he has accounted for 390 yards & an additional 3 scores. Senior running back John Eatherton has 397 yards on 89 carries & 5 TDs. He also has 281 yards receiving & 5 TDs. The offense is averaging 22.8 points per game and the defense is yielding 29.1 points per contest.
2 Perkiomen Valley Vs 15 Owen J Roberts
About the Vikings: Perk Valley won the PAC 10 championship beating Pope John Paul II in the crossover championship game last week, they finished the regular season 9-1. The Vikings defeated the Wildcats 20-13 in a week 5 tilt, the game ended with the Wildcats deep in PJPII territory. When the Vikings have the ball their triggerman will be sophomore QB Pat McDonald, his favorite targets is wideout Michael Poruban who has 508 yards on 31 receptions. The one two running attack of PV are Ryan Kilmek who has 475 yards and 8 TDs and Jake Stewart who also has 8 TDs while averaging almost 7 yards per carry. The heart of the PV team is its stingy defense that given up only 14.6 points per game. Linebackers Robbie Stuges and Carter Euker anchor the PV defense along with standout end Shane Nelson.
About the Wildcats: The Wildcats are fresh off a win over Pottsgrove that secured their spot in the playoffs, they finished the regular season at 6-4. Owen J’s hopes of moving on two round two will be very high coming off a regular season nail biting loss to PV, in week 5. The Wildcats offense features the PAC’s leading receiver Danny Cashman who has been teaming up with three year starting QB Mike Reed. The running game will be handled by Hunter Rhoades. The Wildcats defense revolves around their stout defensive line, led by UConn commit Brandon Kelly and Christian Gregory.
3 Pennsbury Vs 14 North Penn
About the Falcons: Pennsbury was the biggest surprise this season after losing 17 consecutive games which ended in week two of this year after a victory over William Tennent (35-0). 1st year head coach Galen Snyder who is back for a second stint with the program and his Falcons are now on a 9-game winning streak and are operating on all cylinders. The Falcons average 31.4 points per game on offense while the defense has given up an average of 14.1 per contest. Pennsbury’s offensive explosion is sparked by the legs of senior running back Galamama Mulbah who has rushed for over 1,530 yards. Pennsbury is a storied program within the Suburban One League and look to continue their winning ways as they push further into the playoffs.
About the Knights: North Penn find themselves the 14th seed after finishing 5-5 overall and 4-3 in the National Conference. They average 33.8 points per game on offense and have given up an average of 27.3 points per game. Senior quarterback Ryan Zeltt has thrown for 2,630 yards and 23 TDs with a 71% completion percentage. His favorite target was senior WR and UGA commit Yazeed Haynes who had 55 grabs for 1,212 yards & 13 TDs. Head coach Dick Beck leads his team into the playoffs after exiting in the second round after their loss to Ridley.
4 Downingtown West Vs 13 Conestoga
About the Whippets: The Whippets 8-1 have shared the Chesmont National title outright with Coatesville. Before the season, The Whippets were slated to have a down season and proved alot of people wrong. They lead the Chesmont in points per game with 39.8 and knocked off rival school, Downingtown East in the final game of the regular season after scoring 14 unanswered points in the fourth quarter. West will be without stud receiver Dean Hangey in the playoffs due to transfer eligibility rules, but the Quinn Hennicle and Jake Kucera connection have connected for 10 TD’s this year.
About the Pioneers: The Pioneers (6-4) are coming off a tough 49-3 loss against powerhouse Garnett Valley. They have only scored an average of 14.5 points per game this season making the lowest average in District 1. Heavily relying on the run, they have to establish the passing game against a tough Downingtown West team who gives up 111.7 passing yards per game.
5 Coatesville Vs 12 Downingtown East
About the Red Raiders: The Raiders led by head coach Matt Ortega finished the regular season (8-1) with their only loss via forfeit due to eligibility issues and a cancellation game vs Downingtown West a few weeks back. With that being said, they have been playing as a top team in the state. Coatesville’s offense anchored by senior QB Harrison Susi who has rushed for 688 yards in nine game and has a combined 26 touchdowns coming into the playoffs. Their defensive unit has only allowed a 135 total yards per game which can cause a problem for any offensive unit.
About the Cougars: The Cougars (7-3) led by head coach Mike Matta have been establishing the run game all season long. Their leading rusher, Bo Horvath has amassed 1,651 yards on the ground this year. Senior QB Jamy Jenkins missed three games due to a hand injury earlier in the season and has been finding his stride late in the regular season. The Cougars have scored 30.7 points per game , while allowing 16.5 points per game all season. They have their eyes set on a revenge game against Coatesville after suffering a loss to them in their week nine matchup.
6 Central Bucks East Vs 11 Central Bucks West
About the Patriots:The Patriots, coached by John Donnelly finished the regular season 8-2 overall and third in the Suburban One League-National conference at 5-2. Both losses came to conference foes Pennsbury (37-22) & Central Bucks West (21-14). The offense is averaging 27.8 points per game and the defense is yielding 16.0 per contest. Their offensive attack is led by senior running back Ethan Shine who has amassed 1,777 yards on 237 carries (7.5 Avg.) with 23 TDs. He also has 193 receiving yards & 2 TDs. Senior quarterback Pat Keller has thrown for over 1,200 yards & 7 TDs to go along with a 62% completion percentage. Defensively the Patriots have two studs in senior LB Ethan Shine & junior Dan Voglesong who have 152 total tackles, 25 TFL, & 4 sacks combined.
About the Bucks:The Bucks finished the regular season at 6-4 overall and second in the SOL-National behind Champion Pennsbury. They have losses to Garnet Valley (14-7), Upper Dublin (35-7), Pennsbury (26-21), & CB South (27-14). They beat Quakertown (56-14), North Penn (35-14), Abington (27-0), Neshaminy (22-0), Pennridge (27-8), & CB East (21-14). While CB West is more of a traditional running power, junior QB Ganz Cooper has thrown for 860 yards & 12 TDs. He also has 169 yards on the ground & 3 TDs. The rushing attack is spearheaded by senior running back Eli Boehm who has 1,060 yards & 11 TDs. Senior FB Vinny Cherubini has 479 yards & 4 TDs. The Bucks offense has averaged 23.7 points per game and there defense has surrendered and average of 15.2 points per. The Bucks and Head Coach look to make a deeper run this season after exiting in the district 1 quarterfinal game against Garnet Valley last year.
7 Souderton Vs 10 Central Bucks South
About the Indians: The Souderton offense is averaging a respectable 28.7 points and their defense is yielding slightly higher than two scores a game at 15.6 per. Offensively the Indians love to run the ball which they do behind the legs of senior running back No. 3 Chris Kerns who has 102 rushes for 638 yards & 7 TDs, senior quarterback No. 11 Jared Zimmerman-407 yards on 78 attempts for 5 TDs, & senior running back N0. 9 Shaun Purvy- 51 carries for 291 yards, 2 TDs. Purvy also has another 22 catches for 278 yards receiving & 2 more scores. Through the air Zimmerman has 8 TDs and 1,077 yards passing. Ahead of Purvy, junior wide receiver No. 6 Danny Dyches has hauled in 30 balls for 427yards & 3 scores. On the defensive side of the ball look for Junior defensive tackle No. 78 Kahlil Williams has 26 total tackles, 7 TFL, & 5 sacks to have a solid performance and will wreak havoc in the backfield if given the opportunity.
About the Titans:CB South and Head coach Tom Hetrick averages 26 points per game while their defense is yielding a little over 2 scores per at 16.8. They are currently on a 4-game winning streak, and they finished the regular season 7-3 overall and 4-3 in conference play. Senior QB Brett Szarko leads his team with 1,430 yards through the air & 14 TDs. Junior running backs Corey Moore & Anthony Leonardi have combine for 7 TDs & 841 rushing yards. Senior Tommy Donnelly leads all receivers with 43 catches for 660 yards & 7 TDs. On the defensive side of the ball look for junior Sean Moskowitz who leads his team in total tackles (92) & has 7 TFL, & 1 Sack to make an impact.
8 Spring-Ford Vs 9 Ridley
About the Rams: The Rams are coming off a 7-3 regular season, a second place finish in the PAC , which included a regular season ending crossover pasting of Phoenixville 56-0. This will be the first time the two teams will meet since the 2012 playoff game, a 28-26 barn burner. The Rams and their Coach Chad Brubaker are no strangers to the District 1 playoff. The Rams offense is triggered by QB Matt Zollers, his two favorite targets are his brother Zach Zollers and standout Gage Swanger. Will Fish will do the majority of the running for the Rams,
About the Green Raiders: Coach Dave Woods Geen Raiders will be making the long trek form Delco to the Chester/Montgomery County border. Ridley went 7-3 in the Central League and are on a four game winning streak . The Green Raiders QB Ryan Carrollwill be looking to get the ball to his speedy receivers Khameer Powell and Kimir Stevephenson. Running back Owen Bosak is a hard running down type back, who has been a solid weapon, smashing between the tackles..
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