Pa. Game of the Week: Neshaminy to battle Pennsbury in high-stakes contest

As has often been the case, the Suburban One League National Conference championship will be decided in the final week of the regular season.

In what is known as the Bucks County Brawl, Neshaminy will square off against Pennsbury at 7 p.m. Friday before an expected overflow crowd in Fairless Hills.

The visiting Redskins (8-1 overall, 5-0 in the conference) and Falcons (8-1, 5-0) each enter the highly anticipated contest riding a six-game winning streak.

Also, it's likely that the winner of the 86th installment of the series will gain the No. 1 seed in the 16-team PIAA District 1 Class 6A playoff field.

Neshaminy, with a 165.6 average, is tied with Garnet Valley (8-1, 7-1 in the Central League) atop the power-point standings; Pennsbury (164.4) is next in line.

Because of the bonus points the Neshaminy-Pennsbury victor would gain, it would probably edge Garnet Valley, which visits Conestoga (1-8, 1-7) on Friday, for the top playoff spot.

"Our No. 1 goal is win to the league title," said Pennsbury's second-year coach, Dan McShane. "It'd be icing on the cake to get the No. 1 playoff seed."

Neshaminy has a balanced offense featuring quarterback Brody McAndrew, running backs Joel Stills and Savion Hebron, wideouts Mike Garlick and Corey Joyce, and tight end Oleh Manzyk.

McAndrew, a sophomore, has completed 107 of 182 passes for 1,548 yards and 15 touchdowns. Stills and Hebron have combined for 1,054 yards and 10 scores on 147 attempts.

"They like to spread you out, get a lead, go with two backs, run people over, and work the clock," McShane said.

QB Zach DeMarchis, running backs Brad Mickels and JayVon McNeill, wideouts David Burke, Austin Palmer and Jason Cook, and tight end Bill Turk lead Pennsbury's spread attack.

DeMarchis has converted 104 of 175 passes for 1,397 yards and five TDs. The 5-foot-10, 180-pound southpaw has carried 124 times for 1,057 yards and 15 scores.

Neshaminy's 4-4 defense is spearheaded by linemen Luke Hitchen, Nick Napadano, Giovanni Figueroa, and Jacob Kelly, linebackers Garlick, Manzyk, John Hughes, and Chris Majors, and safety Joyce.

Pennsbury's multiple defensive scheme relies heavily on end Mike Gabora, tackles Josh Atunrase, Jared Troyano and Matt Rosso, inside linebackers Andrew Basalyga and Diante Wiggins, and cornerback Nasan Robbins.

No. 13 Neshaminy at No. 11 Pennsbury, Friday at 7 p.m.

Twitter. Follow @ozoneinq for live updates.

History. The overall head-to-head series is deadlocked at 39-39-7.

Last season. The host Redskins blanked the Falcons, 35-0, at Heartbreak Ridge.

Familiar name. Neshaminy running back Savion Hebron is the son of former Eagles player Vaughn Hebron.

Switch. Pennsbury defensive end Matt Lewis (6-2, 190) is a converted wide receiver.

Top targets. Neshaminy receivers Mike Garlick and Corey Joyce have combined to make 59 catches for 1,076 yards and 11 scores.

Bound for Rutgers. Falcons two-way tackle Matt Rosso (6-6, 270) has committed to play for the Scarlet Knights.

Secondary. Neshaminy's Joel Stills, Marcus Griffin, and Logan Williamson rotate at cornerback.

Pick. Neshaminy, 24-21.