Rivalry Renewed
There is no shortage of familiarity when Souderton and Pennridge share a football field. On Thursday night, two neighboring programs with plenty of history will renew their rivalry when Souderton travels to Helman Field to face Pennridge in Mayhem’s Game of the Week. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.
Pennridge enters the matchup at 1-0 after putting together one of the more impressive performances of Week 0, shutting out Liberty 35-0. The Rams finished with more than 400 yards of offense while showing the balance head coach Kyle Beller hoped to see from a team replacing several major contributors from last season’s 13-2 squad. Junior quarterback Aiden Tetkowski made the most of his first start, completing six passes for 201 yards and three touchdowns. Nate Derstine was his biggest target, hauling in three passes for 127 yards and two touchdowns, including scores of 60 and 33 yards. Pennridge was just as effective on the ground, spreading carries throughout the lineup, while the defense kept Liberty off the scoreboard despite the Hurricanes making multiple trips into Rams territory. That defense remains one of Pennridge’s strengths. Linebackers Blake Landherr and Brody Blomgren return after highly productive 2025 seasons, while Sean Leuthe, Gary Gorman and Jamison Dulin provide additional experience throughout the unit.
Souderton arrives at Helman Field at 0-1, but the Indians showed plenty during their 31-14 loss to defending PAC champion Spring-Ford. Souderton struck immediately when senior quarterback Brett Pollock connected with Alex Whitcomb for a 65-yard touchdown on the game's first play. The Indians eventually carried a 14-14 tie into halftime before Spring-Ford scored 17 unanswered points in the second half. Pollock finished with 145 passing yards, while Whitcomb recorded 94 receiving yards and a touchdown. Senior running back Caleb Moyer (injured week 0) adds another experienced weapon to an offense that also features junior tight end Chase Hart. Defensively, Souderton brings plenty of experience up front with Djecy Ngoyi, Trecy Ngoyi and Hart, giving the Indians the kind of physical front that could make Thursday night considerably different from Pennridge’s opener. And then there is the rivalry itself. The programs last met in 2023, when Souderton rallied for a 19-14 victory.
The Indians have won each of the last three meetings listed between the programs, including a 24-21 win in 2022 and a 31-17 playoff victory in 2020. Pennridge comes in with momentum. Souderton comes in looking for a response. And with two physical teams, plenty of familiar faces and some old Bux-Mont history between them, this feels like exactly the kind of game that should be decided under the lights.
Coach Mayhem’s Pick: Pennridge — in a defensive donnybrook.
Souderton (0-1) at Pennridge (1-0) Thursday, September 3 | 7 p.m. Helman Field