Quakertown relying on youth; Pennridge counting on experience

FROM THE MORNING CALL

A year ago, Quakertown stepped up to the Suburban One Continental Conference as the smallest school by enrollment. Not surprisingly, despite a squad loaded with seniors, the Panthers took their lumps, going 0-14 in the league.

This year, look for a younger Quakertown squad, but younger may also mean better, according to second-year coach Marc Benson.

"We lost 10 seniors to graduation, but we are returning a lot of underclassmen who gained valuable time at the varsity level last year," Benson said. "And although we are younger this year, I believe we are a much more skilled and deeper team than we were last year.



While Quakertown will try to escape the SOL Continental cellar, Pennridge is back with a talented and experienced lineup and hopes of securing a Continental Conference title. Peter Valimont's crew also boasts postseason experience, having won two District One playoff games a year ago before bowing out via shootout in the district quarters.

Like Quakertown, Upper Perkiomen is hoping to show improvement in Pioneer Athletic Conference play under third-year coach Eric Bedford.

PENNRIDGE

COACH: Pete Valimont (third year)

LAST YEAR: 11-8-2 overall, 7-5-2 Suburban One Continental. Lost for the second consecutive year in districts via penalty kicks – this time to Souderton in the district quarterfinals – after defeating West Chester Henderson and Council Rock North in earlier rounds.

KEY RETURNEES: sr. F Kevin Bailey, sr. GK Ryan Bailey, sr. MF/D Tyler Lordi, sr. F/MF Dan Caya, sr. D Tyler Henry.

OUTLOOK: Pennridge returns a solid nucleus of proven performers from last year's district quarterfinal team and should be right in the thick of things for a Suburban One Continental title and a district playoff berth. "Our goals are simple – to make the district tournament and compete in every game," Valimont said. "We have a tough non-league schedule and hope that come playoff time, we are in the discussion." Kevin Bailey is one of the area's most dangerous and talented forwards and is a returning all-league first-teamer. His brother Ryan Bailey missed much of the regular season a year ago because of a broken wrist, but came back to help the Rams knock off No. 3 seeded Council Rock North at districts. He was a second team all-league performer. The Rams also return all-SOL Continental players in Caya (2nd team) and Henry (third team). Caya also doubles as a kicker on the Ram football team. There are no "gimmes" in the SOL Continental, and Valimont knows it. "The race will be very tough," he admitted. "We are expecting to get everyone's 'best' game, be it home or away. It should be very exciting, and we hope to improve upon our standings last year."

QUAKERTOWN

COACH: Marc Benson (second year)

LAST YEAR: 2-16 overall, 0-14 Suburban One Continental.

KEY RETURNEES: sr. D Chris Burnside, sr. M Marco Mendez, jr. MF Jake Barlow, jr. D Jeff Hippauf, so. GK Nick Lapinski, so. F Eric Bahry.

OTHER CONTRIBUTORS: jr. MF Adam Guare, so. MF Kyle Crouthamel, fr. MF Kyle Woulfe, fr. F/D Connor Floyd.

OUTLOOK: Barlow earned all-conference honorable mention status last year and will cement Quakertown's midfield, while the Panther defense will be anchored by Burnside and promising goalie Lapinski. Quakertown's offensive success will largely hinge upon the progress of a group of talented underclassmen playing up-front positions. Benson knows that the experts don't see his squad battling C.B. East and Pennridge for conference supremacy. "The expectation in this area is that it is a rebuilding year, and there is some truth to that," he said. "However, these boys believe that this season can be whatever they want it to be. Obviously, we would like to improve on last year's record, but the boys believe they can do better than that, and I'm not going to tell them they're wrong."

UPPER PERKIOMEN

COACH: Eric Bedford (third year)

LAST YEAR: 0-15-1 overall, 0-12-1 Pioneer Athletic Conference.

KEY RETURNEES: sr. D Justin Smith, sr. F Russell Waterman, sr. F Tyler Parkes, sr. F/MF Zach Winkler.

OUTLOOK: Given the presence of several seasoned regulars in the lineup, the Indians figure to improve in PAC-10 Frontier Division play. A year ago, Upper Perk played competitively against the likes of fellow Frontier schools Pottstown and St. Pius X, although the latter has now combined with Kennedy-Kenrick to form Pope John Paul II and should be better. Bedford's boys have a little experience at just about every position and boast a strong freshman class. Count on improvement in small increments this year, with plenty of hope for future strides. Pottsgrove and Phoenixville will be tough in Frontier play and big schools Spring-Ford and Boyertown should also battle for supremacy in the other division.

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