WARRINGTON — Hunter Smeltz has his sights set on numerous Souderton receiving records.
Smeltz, a senior wideout, hopes to become the Big Red’s all-time football leader in single-season receptions and receiving yardage, as well as career receptions and receiving yardage.
Smeltz surpassed 1,000 career receiving yards in Friday night’s 19-7 Suburban One League non-conference victory over Central Bucks South at Titan Stadium.
He is second to 2024 graduate Danny Dyches, now at East Stroudsburg, in that category (Dyches had 1,705 yards), as well as second in career receptions (Dyches had 114), single-season catches (56 last year to Dyches’ 59 in 2023) and single-season receiving yards (785 yards to Dyches’ 872).
Smeltz had one catch for 9 yards vs. CB South, giving him 75 for 1,006 yards in his career, as well as an interception. He finished with four receptions for 51 yards in the season-opening 31-7 victory at Spring-Ford.
“I feel really good and confident in myself to do so, and I know my coaches believe in me, too,” said Smeltz, a three-year starter. “I’m off to a little bit of a slow start, but it's because they can’t stop our run. Super excited to see how this year goes.”
Smeltz had a big evening in the Big Red’s 21-6 loss to Central Bucks South last season, compiling 10 catches for 134 yards from quarterback Ben Walsh. He credited those numbers to the 2024 Titans’ stout run defense forcing Souderton to throw the ball.
Teamwise, the 6-foot, 170-pound Smeltz would love another SOL Continental Conference championship. Souderton won it outright in 2023 and shared the crown with Quakertown and Upper Dublin last season.
“We definitely are looking to win our third league championship in a row,” he said. “Also, I think we could make a nice (District One Class 6A) playoff run, so we’re really looking forward to working toward that.”
Central Bucks South, which fell to Archbishop Wood 39-28 in Week 1, is coming off a 2023-24 stretch in which the Titans went 25-3, including a school-record 13 victories as well as a district championship in ’23, and an SOL National title while reaching the district semifinals last year.
What’s next for Souderton Football
The Big Red hosts Central Bucks West on Sept. 5 (7 p.m.) in an SOL non-conference game.
What’s next for Central Bucks South
The Titans visit Upper Dublin on Sept. 5 (7 p.m.) in another SOL non-conference game.
Key play
The Souderton defense stopped CB South on fourth-and-7 at the Big Red 22-yard line early in the second quarter with the score tied at 7, setting the stage for Souderton’s go-ahead touchdown later in the period.
By the numbers: Souderton vs. Central Bucks South
Souderton sophomore fullback/linebacker Chase Hart had touchdown receptions of 11 and 19 yards and eight tackles, including one for loss.
CB South junior Gavin Graham, a 6-foot-1, 225-pounder, ran for 95 yards on 18 carries, in addition to recording two tackles for loss, one of which was a sack, from his defensive end spot.
“He’s going to do unbelievable things — not just this season but next season,” said Titans head coach Tom Hetrick. “He can sometimes be a man among boys. And he’s just a good kid, so you root for him.”
Souderton is 7-2 against the SOL National Conference during the past three-plus seasons.
Game balls
Souderton senior quarterback Ben Walsh completed 12 of 16 passes for 152 yards and three touchdowns.
Central Bucks South senior quarterback Cade Crim broke loose for a 56-yard TD run late in the opening period to make it 7-7, was 11-for-20 passing for 170 yards and made two tackles.
Souderton senior fullback/defensive tackle Michael McCormick had a 19-yard run on the Big Red’s third scoring drive, was a factor up front on “D” and uncorked a 67-yard punt.
Central Bucks South freshman Trent Haviland, who is one of two ninth graders playing in the secondary for the Titans (Cole Walker had two tackles), recorded a third-quarter interception and three tackles.
They said it
“That’s the second straight week where we played OK football in the first half,” said Souderton head coach Ed Gallagher. “We don’t have to make any adjustments — we just have to come out and play better football in the second half and we did both times.”
“We did some very good things and I’m proud with our progress,” said CB South head coach Tom Hetrick. “We’re not there yet, but we’ll get there.”
Tom Moore: [email protected]; @TomMoorePhilly is a sports columnist for. Support our journalism with a subscription.