Central Bucks South football dominates in opener over Wood. Why it was personal for defense

WARRINGTON — That was then.

Now, for seniors Jim Wade and Ed Bowen, it's more about trying to replicate what Central Bucks South did last year, and not thinking about their time at Archbishop Wood.

"The people at Wood were good to me, but I wanted to come back and be with all of my friends that I grew up with," said Wade, a standout linebacker and running back, who spent his freshman and sophomore years at Wood.

It was the same thought process for Bowen, a stalwart defensive end, who went to Wood as a freshman.

"I remember being a freshman at Wood with Jim," Bowen said. "Then I came back to South and he came back and now we're just looking forward. Playing them is just the first game on our schedule."

That game came Friday night at home.

And in it, the defending PIAA District One Class 6A champion Titans scored four times in the second quarter on the way to a 35-0 non-league win over visiting Wood in the opener for both teams.

Titans senior quarterback Owen Pinkerton threw touchdown passes on his first two throws to help break the game open in the second quarter. Coupled with short rushing touchdowns from Wade and Braylen Cape, South took a comfortable lead to the break.

Bucks County high school football scores Week 1 - Aug. 23

The return of Wade and Bowen anchored a defense that kept the Vikings offense quiet.

"We're glad they came back because they both bring so much to this football team," South head coach Tom Hetrick said.

"They set the standard for everyone else out here. That's why they were named captains along with (senior offensive lineman) Nick Micewski. They mean that much to the team."

In addition to helping the Titans capture the district title last year, Bowen and Wade both also won a championship while playing for the Warrington Warriors in Pop Warner as eighth graders.

"So many guys from that team that we both grew up playing football with our still our teammates now and that's really cool," Bowen said.

"The season we had last year was great and something none of us will ever forget. But we're looking at this season now and doing as well as we can."

What it means for Archbishop Wood

The Vikings, a Class 4A program, need to rebound, forget about this one and get ready for a familiar foe in Cardinal O'Hara next week.

What it means for Central Bucks South

This was a solid effort in the first game after last year's memorable run. The Titans were relying on their defense coming into the season and the group pitched a shutout on opening night.

Key play

With the game scoreless in the second quarter, Pinkerton delivered a 39-yard strike to a wide-open Matt Harmon for a touchdown that kick-started the Titans' offense.

Game balls

The big question in Hetrick's mind entering the season was how to replace four of South's five offensive linemen.

Well, the starting five Friday, led by senior captain, and returning starter, Nick Micewski along with Matt Offner, Elliott Francesco, Dilan Monteiro and Shea Fullerton opened plenty of holes for the running game and kept the heat off of Pinkerton.

They said it

"We wondered how our offensive line would do with a bunch of new guys," Hetrick said. "And they went out and looked really good."

"We knew we would have to play mistake-free football because South is such a really good team," Wood head coach Dave Armstrong said. "But we had some turnovers and penalties that hurt us and they took advantage of them."

What’s Next for Central Bucks South

The Titans play Aug. 30 at Souderton (7 p.m.)

What’s Next for Archbishop Wood

The Vikings play Aug. 30 at Cardinal O'Hara (7 p.m.)

Drew Markol covers local sports for PhillyBurbs.com . Support our journalism with a subscription.

This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: Central Bucks South football dominates in opener over Wood. Why it was personal for defense