Mayhem’s Game of the Week: CB West @ CB South
Tagged under: District 1, Gameday Hub, News, pfn
Michael Pietrangelo | September 19, 2024
Central Bucks West @ Central Bucks South
Friday, September 20, 2024
Kickoff: 7 pm
Titan Stadium
1100 Folly Rd, Warrington Pa, 18976
Team Details:
Head Coach: Robert Rowan (6th Season)
League: Suburban One League-National Conference (6A)
Season Record: (3-1) overall (1-0) Conference
Last Week: Won 38-6 over Abington
Buck Notables: The Bucks have won three of four to date. Their only loss came at the hands of Souderton two weeks ago in a very close battle. The Bucks look to continue their dominance They are currently averaging 26.75 points per game on offense and surrendering 13 points per game on the defensive side of the ball. Their offense is paced by senior quarterback Noah Miller who has combined for 637 yards (320 passing & 317 rushing) & six touchdowns. Senior running back Ryan Clemens is the Bucks leading rusher with 382 yards on 59 attempts (6.4 ypc) & 3 rushing touchdowns. He also leads the team in receiving yards with 141 on only 5 catches & 1 score. Vance Morelli has 3 catches for 104 yards & 2 touchdowns. On the defensive side, Clemens leads his team in tackles with 29. He is followed by Gavin Todd (26), Matt Berman (20), & Ethan Sunderland (17). Jeff Cappa leads all defenders with 6.5 sacks. Vance Morelli leads the secondary with two interceptions. I spoke with Head Coach Rob Rowan briefly this week, and this is what he had to say about his Friday matchup versus the Titans.
Coach Mayhem: “You guys are (3-1,1-0) and head into hostile territory this week against the defending District 1 champion, CB South, who is undefeated to date and seems to be rolling on all cylinders, how are you stopping such a potent offense (30.75 ppg) and stout defense (7 ppg)?”
Coach Rowan: “South is a well-coached team, with very talented players who execute their system at a high level. Our focus is on playing team defense and guys doing their job. No more no less. We’ll need a great effort defensively from all 11 and tackling at the POA will be a critical variable. On the defensive side of the ball, they are strong at all levels of the defense from front to back. For us it really boils down to consistency in execution and that will always remain our focus. Many people like to complicate the game in many ways, but it usually boils down to who blocks and tackles better. We’re going to do our best to excel in those two areas.”
Coach Mayhem: “Your offense is averaging (27.75 ppg) while the defense is yielding just under two scores a game at (13 ppg), what can the fans expect from your squad Friday night at Titan Stadium?”
Coach Rowan:“Fans can expect a group of young men that will play with tremendous positive energy, relentless effort and will look to execute to their best of their ability. Most importantly they will play together for each other. Playing in games with great excitement is a privilege and we’re looking to forward to a great test on Friday night.”
Coach Mayhem: “Which student-athlete do you nominate as my preview article and Gameday Edit Featured player and why?”
Coach Rowan: “Ryan Clemens. He is a throwback high school football player who does it all. He has a vast array of skills and a high football IQ. He is the embodiment of toughness on the field and represents our program the right way on and off the field.”
After speaking with Coach Rowan, I finally got up with Ryan. This week he had tests in AP Statistics and AP Psychology as well as preparing for this week’s clash with the Titans.
Coach Mayhem: “Heading into your matchup, the Titans are undefeated and seem to be operating on all cylinders, what does your team have to do offensively and defensively to stop them and get outta there with the dub?”
Ryan: “Stoping them offensively comes down to reading our keys every play and playing fast and physical. On offense we have to stay on blocks and be consistent.”
Coach Mayhem: “Between last year’s split (1-1)people are excited to see this game, what can fans expect from you and your squad Friday night?”
Ryan: “Fans can expect a fast and physical game all around with lots of energy.”
Coach Mayhem: “Do you have a pregame routine and if so what is it?”
Ryan: “I don’t really have a pre game routine. I just make sure I’m locked in all day and hydrate.”
Head Coach: Tom Hetrick (10th Season)
League: Suburban One League-National Conference (6A)
Season Record: (4-0) overall (1-0) Conference
Last Week: Won 35-14 over CB East
Titan Notables: The Titans are averaging 30.75 points per game on offense and only yielding 7 points per contest on the defensive side of the ball. Senior quarterback Owen Pinkerton leads The Titan offensive attack with 450 passing yards and another 434 yards on the ground. The dual-threat quarterback has accounted for 11 (7 passing & 4 rushing) total touchdowns. The Titans’ rushing attack is rounded out by senior Kaden Kube (42-258-2 TDS) and sophomore Gavin Graham (26-131-3 TDs), respectively. Pinkerton’s favorite targets through the air are seniors Danny Gies (7-197-4 TDs), Matt Harmon (6-140-1 TD), & Dan McCusker (3-54-1 TD). On the defensive side of the ball, the Titans are led by senior defensive end Eddie Bowen, who is in a three-way tie for most total tackles on the team with 24. He is tied with juniors Jack Bartolillo and Brandon Zubyk. Senior linebacker Jim Wade is second on the team with 18. Bowen and senior Reid Ermigiotti have led the team with two sacks a piece. Pacing the secondary for the Titans is senior defensive back Matt Harmon, who has nine total tackles and an interception. Juniors Cade Crim & Brandon Zubyk each have an interception as well. I caught up with head coach Tom Hetrick and found out his thoughts on the impending matchup.
Coach Mayhem: “You guys are (4-0,1-0) and continue to dominate the competition. Last season the Bucks spoiled your perfect regular season, but you got the last laugh in the district semifinals in a 42-14 rout, is the CB Cup yours this season and did that regular season loss leave a chip on the team’s shoulder?”
Coach Hetrick: “That week 9 game was a big turning point in our season last year. West played a great game. We were hoping that as we entered the playoffs, we would have a chance at a rematch.” Hetrick continued, “I wouldn’t say it put a chip on our shoulder, but it was another reminder that when you play in District 1, if you are not getting better you are getting worse. We knew we just needed to keep getting better.”
Coach Mayhem: “You guys seem to have not skipped a beat since last season, you are averaging just over 30 points per game on offense and only yielding 7 ppg through your first 4 contests, what can the fans at Titan Stadium expect to see from you and your squad come Friday night as the Bucks come to town?”
Coach Hetrick: “These are two very similar teams. CB West is extremely well-coached, and they play a very tough brand of football. They are one of the most relentless teams we play each season. We need to be able to match that and execute our game plan.”
Coach Mayhem: “Lastly, Who would you select to be featured on my GameDay edit and preview, and why?”
Coach Hetrick: “Eddie Bowen has done some great things for us on both sides of the ball. (H-back and DE) He plays with a motor that never seems to slow down. He is doing a lot of things away from the ball on offense that doesn’t get him the headlines. He sets the standard of how we want all of our players to play.”
After speaking with Coach Hetrick, I went and spoke with Eddie. This was our encounter.
Coach Mayhem: “You guys seem to have picked up right where you left off last season and are moving on all cylinders, what has been key to your team’s success to this point?”
Eddie: “I think that our team is determined this year to continue what we accomplished last year. We knew we had some big losses on the team going into this season and we knew some players were going to have to step up and we saw that happen these first few games. Also I want to give some props to the coaches as they come up with great game plans each week and have coached us very well these past few years which is why we’ve seen success. Our players and coaches also don’t get too high and too low during the game, and we treat each game the same as all the other games. One Win at a time each week.”
Coach Mayhem: “Last season you split the series (1-1) against the Bucks which ruined your perfect season but did get the dub in the playoffs, does last year’s loss factor into preparation for tomorrow night?”
Eddie: “I think we ended up getting that revenge during playoffs after that loss, and I feel that we are going into this game knowing that they are obviously a big rival to us. I think the bigger thing for us is that if we win the game this week, we will win the CB Cup, which we haven’t won in a while. I’m really looking forward to the matchup this Friday.”
Coach Mayhem: “Okay my guy last question before you go, do you have a pregame routine and if so what is it?”
Eddie: “Once we get through our pregame stuff with the team after school we get to the locker room. I like to chill out for 15-20 minutes to get my mind right. After that I normally go out to the field to stretch out and get my body loose and then I go back inside until we have to go out for pregame. Right before we come out the locker room I like to pray with my pop-pop who was my biggest supporter from day 1 before he passed.”
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