Mayhem’s Game of the Week: Upper Dublin @ Wissahickon (Week1)
Tagged under: District 1, News, pfn
Michael Pietrangelo | August 22, 2024
The Game:
Upper Dublin Cardinals @ Wissahickon Trojans
Friday, August 23, 2024
Kickoff: 7pm
521 Houston Rd, Ambler, PA 19002
Team Details:
Head Coach: Bret Stover (21st Season)
League: Suburban One League-Continental Conference (5A)
Last Season: (7-5) overall (4-2) Conference
Last Game: Lost 21-26 to Strath Haven (Playoffs- District 5A Quarter-Final)
Cardinals Notables: The Cardinals head into the ‘24 season primed for another winning season and a playoff appearance. The Cards have a good core group of returning players however, the loss of Shyne Roberts and Chris Kohlbrenner will be felt on both sides of the ball. Heading into Week 1, I caught up with Head Coach Bret Stover who enters his 21st season at the helm and asked him a few questions about his upcoming season and contest.
Mayhem: “It’s a new year, a new squad, what are your expectations heading into this season?”
Coach Stover: “Yeah, our opening to the ‘24 season has us up against three 6A playoff teams from last season including the defending District 1 6A champs. Our strength will be upfront on both sides of the ball. We need to replace 80% of our TD productivity from last season lost due to graduation. RB is a concern, Sr. QB Kevin Etkin returns. Kickers, long snappers return, and we have some impressive sophomore and freshman players that made for an exciting summer camp of competition for playing time.”
Mayhem: Week 1 comes against crosstown foe Wissahickon, who battled you to the end though still losing 53-42. How exciting is it to begin the season against a rather savvy team?
Coach Stover: “Wiss for us is always special, it’s the battle for Bethlehem Pike. Our kids know each other so well from the neighborhoods and playing fields. I played in the first Thanksgiving Day game vs Wiss in 1983; for 20 years, that’s how our seasons ended. Now it’s become how our seasons begin. Rory has done a great job building that program and yes last year they gave us all we could handle and more. If Shyne Roberts doesn’t set the school record in rushing yards (334) and TDS (7) we probably don’t beat them. We will have our hands full, and I am excited to see how my ’24 team performs this week. Injuries have hampered us in camp with several players being a game-time decision.”
Mayhem: “Which student-athlete do you nominate for my “Preview” feature for my game of the week? This student-athlete should embody your program and the culture you have created.
Coach Stover: “I would choose Phil Roll. He is a 3-year starter for us and played for our ’22 Championship team and embodies what our program stands for.”
I then chatted with Phil and asked him similar questions.
Mayhem: “You guys made the playoffs a season ago and look to replace some key players, but also have a lot of returning talent. What are your expectations this season?”
Phil: “Our expectations this year are the same as always, to win as much as possible. We’ve got a great group of seniors on this team who have been playing varsity for 2 or 3 years and are gonna help us get there. The most important game for us is always the next one, this week being Wissahickon. Besides that, we are going to chase that league title, and then win that district championship.”
Mayhem: “Last season you guys won a back-and-forth shootout against Wissahickon 53-42, does the outcome of that gameplay give this game some motivation especially since they return a bevy of players as well?
Phil: “Last year’s outcome was motivating for us because we’re always focused on wiss. As a team, we’ve worked hard all offseason for this moment, and it will show Friday night.”
Mayhem: “Do you have a pregame routine, and if so, what is it?
Phil: “For my pregame routine I like to listen to classical music with my teammates. Me and Ryan O’Sullivan are always blasting some Beethoven before a game to get fired up. Besides that, I make sure to eat healthy and hydrate.”
Head Coach: Rory Graver (3rd Season)
League: Suburban One League-American Conference (6A)
This Season: (6-5) overall (2-3) Conference
Last Game: Lost 0-56 to Downingtown East (District 6A Playoffs- 1st Rd)
Trojan Notables: In Rory Graver’s second season as the head ball coach his Trojans won 6 games and qualified for the 6A playoffs. The bulk of that team returns to include their starting QB Nolan Ponds and breakout star RB Quasir Sampson who rushed for 944 yards & 13 TDs in his freshman season. I sat down with coach Graver and found out about this upcoming season and of course his opponent.
Mayhem: “You have a relatively seasoned team returning, after qualifying for the 6A playoffs a year ago, what are the expectations for your team this season?”
Coach Graver: “Our expectations this season are to raise the bar and strive to do it better than it has been done before. We want to focus on our execution in our three aspects of the game and have continued improvement throughout the season.
Mayhem: “Week 1 comes against somewhat of a cross-town foe right down Bethlehem Pike, where you lost a back-and-forth nail-bitter last season 53-42. Does that amplify or affect your team’s mindset heading into the matchup?”
Coach Graver: “Our week 1 opponent is an outstanding football program, and we will have to be at our best in order to compete. We need to focus on our execution in all three aspects of the game and have the mindset of one play at a time.”
Mayhem: “What player would you choose that embodies your team and represents the culture you have at Wissahickon ? What does this player bring to your squad?”
Coach Graver: “Nolan Pounds Sr. QB- Nolan is an outstanding young man and has worked extremely hard to continually improve as a football player. He is one of the leaders of our football program and his leadership will be crucial for our success this season.”
After speaking with coach I hit up Nolan to get his take.
Mayhem: “You guys made the playoffs last season but lost in the opening round, you return a lot of the core of your team, what are your expectations for this season?”
Nolan: “Last year was a good step in the right direction for our team. As a program, our mentality all off-season has been to raise the bar. Now that the season is finally here, we expect to do exactly that one game at a time.
Mayhem: “Last season you guys lost a back-and-forth shootout against Upper Dublin 53-42, does the outcome of that game play into a little bit of a chip on your shoulder?”
Nolan: “Last year’s loss has eaten away at us all offseason, and we have been counting down the days for this game. We definitely will be playing Friday night with a chip on our shoulders, but at the end of the day it doesn’t matter what opponent we face as long as we focus on execution”.
Mayhem: “Do you have a pregame routine, and if so what is it?”
Nolan: “Yes, I have a pregame routine. On game day I like to have a good lunch and light dinner with my guys. We stay loose during pregame before we mentally lock in for kickoff. I listen to some music in my earbuds and talk with my receivers and coaches about our game plan.”
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