Pennridge

By Kev Hunter

khunter@thereporteronline.com

It’s the day before Pennridge’s final scrimmage of the summer, and coach Jeff Hollenbach likes what he sees from his team.

It’s continuity personified on the practice field.

“They’re used to my system,” the coach said. “Just the names of the plays and being able to execute the plays, it’s a lot more smooth during this camp as compared to last year.”

Hollenbach returned to the sidelines last fall, bringing back with him the Wing-T formation. The Rams battled to an 8-4 finish, the playoffs narrowly eluding them.

It’s a more cohesive — and possibly faster — unit that hits the field this fall for Pennridge.

“We’re coming along really well,” said Hollenbach, who also coached the Rams from 1997-2004. “I think our defensive team speed is gonna be better. We worked in the weight room well and I think we’re bigger and stronger than what we were last year. It’s my hope that we can show all that on the field.”

DeVon Balmer and Matt Kraynik were vying for the top quarterback spot as the Rams went into the final week of training camp. Whoever earns the job should have some pretty good people around him.

“Our line’s looking really good, and our backs can move and hit the holes well,” said senior right tackle Sifee Good, who will be one of the guys aiming to spring holes for fullback Ryan Gordon along with halfbacks Joe Unangst and Imeir Simmons. “Training camp’s been really good. We’ve been hitting it hard since Day One and we keep working hard. I think we’re gonna surprise a lot of people this year.”

Pennridge is part of a stacked SOL National this year, as the Rams push to get back to the playoffs for the first time since 2012, when they made it all the way to the district final.

“Best league in the state,” Hollenbach said. “There could be some people that argue with that but I think it’s the best league in the state. My kids are looking forward to the challenge. I think whoever comes out of this league is going to be playoff-ready because there’s going to be a lot of knockin’ around with these teams -— there’s a lot of good teams in this league.”

“It’s like playoffs every week,” Simmons said.

The Rams are a 4-3 defensively and are a senior-loaded team up front.

“Guys are just flying around,” said Good, who occupies the right tackle spot on the D-line as well. “The intensity’s been high every day and everybody’s excited for our first scrimmage.”

“The defense is planning on being more physical this year,” said Simmons, who takes the right end spot. “The defense is going to have a big year.”

The year starts off officially for Pennridge with a non-conference road game at Hatboro-Horsham Friday night. The Rams, who defeated the Hatters in week 10 of last season, aim for a solid performance, one emblematic of their progress as a whole.

“We look ahead of where we were last year,” Simmons said. “We’re looking to come out, start the year right, and show everybody what we’re bringing this season.”

Follow Kev Hunter on Twitter@khunter10.