New Hope-Solebury High School football update

The New Hope-Solebury High School football team is off to a quick start, going 2-0 in just under a week’s time.

Head Coach Jim DiTuilo has fielded the winning combination of a stout, disciplined defense and a potent, hard-charging offense. His year-round conditioning program and exceptional summer practice regimen has created a team focused on victory — a team that finishes their blocks, and takes pride in game day execution.

On Friday, Sept. 4, the Lions opened at home against Philadelphia charter School of the Future. Quarterback Gavin Grondahl made use of the hard-running Brendan Schadle and Jack McKenna to open up the passing game, and lead the Lions to a 26-0 third quarter lead.

The Lion’s defense had offered School of the Future nothing but punts all game, when SOF pulled out all the stops and mounted a deep passing assault that the Lions second team defense was able to thwart. It was only after a wild scramble that SOF got on the board late. The Lions were then able to grind out the clock for a 26-6 victory.

The following Friday afternoon, the Lions traveled to Radnor to face Valley Forge Military Academy in a grudge match from last season. NH-S was looking to pay the Trojans back for a comeback overtime victory and celebration on New Hope’s 50 yard line that stung the young Lions team.

The Lions returned to their winning formula. Russell Abernathy led the defense in shutting down the Trojan’s offense. And for the second game in a row, Grondahl found open receivers in the end zone, while the Lion’s opponents looked to stop a potent running attack. At 42-0 in the third quarter, the Lions second team defense shunted most of what Valley Forge had left, yielding a single touchdown.

Running backs Jesse Capriotti and Morgan Schadle ran down the clock on the Trojans, and New Hope-Solebury enjoyed a 42-8 victory on the Valley Forge field.