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Mayhem’s Game of the Week: Cheltenham @ Central Bucks East (Week2)

Tagged under: District 1, Gameday Hub, News, pfn

| August 29, 2024


The Game:

Cheltenham Panthers @ Central Bucks East Patriots

Friday, August 30, 2024

Kickoff: 7 pm

First Lt. Colby Umbrell Field at Patriot Stadium

2804 Holicong Rd, Doylestown, PA 18901

The Teams:

 

 

 

 

Cheltenham Panthers

Head Coach: Troy Gore (3rd Season)

League: Suburban One League-Continental Conference (6A)

Season Record: (0-1) overall (0-0) Conference

Last Week: Lost 20-28 to Wilson West Lawn (District 3)

 Panther Notables: Despite the loss, there was plenty of good to take away from this young Panther squad. Sophomore quarterback Kendell Jackson started his first game under center as QB1 and he made it a memorable one. He completed 70% of his passes for a School-Record 255 yards & 2 passing TDs. He contributed 37 yards on the ground and a rushing TD. Sophomore Carsen Giddiens hauled in 5 passes for 75 yards-2 TDs and Junior wide receiver Ahsaiah “Zeke” Upchurch led all receivers with 5 catches for 94 yards. On the defensive side of the ball senior defensive lineman Isaiah Brooks and junior DB Maqui Fairel, & sophomore DB Carsen Giddiens led the team with 7 total tackles each. Brooks also, & led the team in sacks with 2, followed by juniors OLB Jordan Elmine & defensive lineman Elijah “Eli” Burnley with 1 a piece. Junior linebacker and Captain Sean Alston contributed 6 total tackles and an interception, which he took back almost 32 yards to the house. I caught up with the head ball coach Troy Gore and we talked about this past week and his next opponent.

Mayhem: “Last week you guys battled District 3 perennial power Wilson West Lawn to the very end but came up short, Does the loss provide motivation and or excitement heading into your league schedule?”

 Coach Gore: “It provided motivation. We teach our players losses are gains because we will learn from our mistakes. We started 2 seniors on offense and 2 on defense so we have a very young but strong program that will benefit from the Wilson learning experience. Wilson is a tough program, and we thank them for sharpening us.”

 Mayhem: “This week, you guys head into hostile territory to face off against another pretty successful program in CB East that’s coming off a tough loss, tell us what the fans can expect from your squad.”

 Coach Gore: “The fans can expect a team that will be laser focused. We can’t wait to meet everyone.”

 Mayhem: “Last question Coach, who would you choose from your program to represent you as my featured athlete in my preview and why are you selecting them?”

 Coach Gore: “This is an extremely hard choice because they all are doing an awesome job, but I would select my captain junior inside linebacker/ tight end Sean Alston. He represents everything we stress and motivate a Cheltenham Football player to be. Grades, plays, and character display.”

 Naturally, I then chatted it up with Sean and asked him about last week and what’s to come this week.

Mayhem: “Last week you guys lost a tough one to Ridley, what did you and your team learn about yourselves in that game?”

 Sean: “After our loss against Wilson, My team and I watched film, evaluated all of our mistakes, talked about what we need to improve on, and we also learned that even with our minor mistakes we have the ability to compete with the top teams in our area.”

Mayhem: “This week you face off with CB East who is a consistent 6A playoff team, what can the fans expect to see Friday night from you and your team?”

 Sean: “This Friday, I expect to see a very electrifying defensive with an outstanding defensive line with Isaiah Brooks and Elijah Burnley plus many more, able to shed blocks no matter who’s in front of them. An offensive attack with many weapons such as our elusive quarterback Kendall Jackson and two of our many receivers, Ahsaiah ‘Zeke’ Upchurch and Micheal Dunn, who can create separation with ease.”

 Mayhem: “Do you have a pregame routine, and if so, what is it?

 Sean: “My pregame routine is pretty simple. I listen to music to get focused. Then I make sure my team is focused and everybody knows the game plan, so we’re able to execute and win.”

 

 

 

 

 

Central Bucks East Patriots

Head Coach: John Donnelly (14th Season)

League: Suburban One League-National Conference (6A)

Season Record: (0-1) overall (0-0) Conference

Last Week: Lost 7-20 to Ridley (Central League-6A)

Patriot Notables: Head coach John Donnelly has had quite a successful program at East over the last 13 seasons. As he enters his 14th year at the helm, he has a young team but one that shows promise and has heart. Last week these young Patriots battled an experienced-laden Central League power, Ridley to a two-score game. There were some positives that I saw from the tape. Senior quarterback Logan Simkiss got the nod under center and combined for 174 yards (81-passing 93 -rushing) and the lone rushing score. On the defensive side of the ball, senior linebacker Connor Simkiss led the team in total tackles with 10 followed by brother Logan and senior cornerback Matt Karpinski with 7 each. Connor & Logan each contributed a sack as well as junior defensive end Magnus Figueroa. Conor also reeled in an interception.

 Mayhem: “You guys faced a very tough Challenge in a stout Ridley team. What are some things you took away from the game dispute the loss and your team’s performance?”

 Coach Donnelly: “Going into last week’s game, we had only one player with a varsity reception, so a lot of guys grew up last week. As you know, Ridley is always tough and well-coached and they had a linebacker that’s a 4-year starter, a quarterback who was a 3-year starter, so they had some experience guys, and if you look at the total yardage there was only a difference of 30 yards. We had two trips to the red zone.  The first drive of the first half and the first drive of the second half went deep into the red zone and we came away with no points. We did some good things but there is still a lot to improve upon. I think the signs of a good team are the strides you make between week one and week two.”   

 Mayhem: “Next up is a cross-conference battle with Cheltenham who is also coming off a loss, what can we expect from your team this week against Troy Gore and his Panthers?”

 Coach Donnelly: “We got to see them live on Saturday because of a situation with their field, so they had to move their game to Upper Merion Saturday afternoon, so we got to scout them live. Troy does a great job. I had the pleasure of coaching with him at the PSFCA East/West All-Star Game and we are both reps within the PSFCA, so I’ve gotten to know him and have a lot of respect for what he has done. They got a lot of speed, they’re big up front and it will be a challenge for us that we are willing to accept.”     

 Mayhem: “Finally, who do you nominate to highlight for my preview article and why did you choose this student-athlete? 

 Coach Donnelly: “Man, linemen don’t get enough credit, and this guy is a two-way lineman. He’s a rising junior, number 55, Timmy Fuhrmeister. He is a model of consistency, doesn’t make mistakes, has great technique, and plays with an edge. I think he’s been an absolute joy to watch. He’s been just a great leader in both trenches for us.”

I reached out to Timmy after talking with coach and this is what he had to say.

 Mayhem: “You guys stayed competitive last week but didn’t get the dub, what did you and your team learn from your performance?”

 Timmy: “My team learned that we need to come out faster and more fired up.  We must also finish our long drives and stay physical throughout the game.”

 Mayhem: “This week you guys face off against an unfamiliar cross-conference opponent who battled Ridley to the waning minutes of the game. What can we expect from you and your squad this week?”

 Timmy: “You can expect us to come out ready to defend our turf and have our defense firing on all cylinders.  We will also move the ball all over the field on offense.”

 Mayhem: “Lastly, do you have a pregame routine, and if so, what is it?”

 Timmy: “For a pregame routine, a few guys and I go down to the endzone and say a prayer after the national anthem.”

I would like to thank my 2024 T-Shirt Sponsors 

I would also like to thank the CB EAST Website and Helen Dugan for their use of their pictures in my edit

 

 

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