Central Bucks West delivered a defensive statement Friday night, blanking Souderton 13-0 for its first shutout since 2024 and snapping the Indians’ streak of 82 straight games without being held scoreless.
Senior lineman Jeff Cappa and the Bucks’ defensive front controlled the line of scrimmage, limiting Souderton to just 10 rushing yards, according to The Mercury. West pressured quarterback Ben Walsh throughout the contest, forcing hurried throws and sealing the game with an interception in the fourth quarter.
“We knew we had to show up and get respect,” Cappa told the newspaper. “We were hungry … they couldn’t run the ball on us.”
Quarterback Louie Cipollo supplied the first points with a 28-yard touchdown run early in the second quarter. After halftime, West drained nearly 12 minutes off the clock with a 20-play march that ended in a Mason Darrows field goal. Darrows added a second kick late in the fourth after the Bucks forced a turnover on downs.
Souderton’s defense held firm, allowing only 137 yards, but the Indians’ offense could not convert chances. Walsh finished 11-of-21 for 128 yards and an interception, with Hunter Smeltz hauling in four passes for 82 yards. Souderton missed a field goal in the second quarter that would have tied the game, per the report.
The result flipped last season’s script, when Souderton upset West 20-13. Both teams now head into Suburban One League play Friday, with West (2-1) hosting Abington and Souderton (2-1) traveling to Truman.
