North Penn 29 – Neshaminy 7

After taking to the turnpike, the Tribe found itself out Lansdale way Friday night for one of their few road games of the 2006 season. And to call this contest extremely important would be an understatement as the Redskins were lining up against the hard charging Knights of North Penn who were winners of 5 straight after dropping their first two. The ‘Skins were also 5 and 2 going into this match-up and neither team could really afford a loss without causing some problems for a post-season appearance. With that said, it started out well for the Tribe as they won the toss and elected to receive.

After taking the kickoff, a short drive was all the Langhorne gang could manage before they stalled and were forced to punt. North Penn then followed up with a strong effort on its first possession before Neshaminy picked off a pass deep in Redskin territory which stopped the North Penn advance.

So far so good.

After that turnover, and with Flogel at the helm, things were looking pretty good as the Tribe’s offense mixed it up well with QB options and keepers, accurately thrown passes and some bursts up the middle by a host of Redskin running backs. And all that work got the Playwicki boys down to the North Penn 5 where they appeared to be set up for a score late in the 1st period. Unfortunately, a Flogel pass went errant and was intercepted in the end zone by North Penn’s Tyrece Ervin. Brought out to the twenty, the Knights took what seemed like no time at all to drive the eighty yards it needed for to put up the first 6 points of the game (with that series highlighted by a 50 plus yarder by Ervin who caused the ‘Skins headaches all evening long). The PAT was good and it was 7-0 North Penn at just over two minutes into the second quarter.

Not so good but hardly over.

The following kickoff by the Knights found the Redskins covering up a squib bouncer. Then with their offense failing to get back in gear on that possession, they were forced to punt again in short order. After the exchange, the Knights took over on their end of the field and proceeded to craft together a methodical drive that ended only when they punched in another one as Ervin scored his second of the night on a short burst off the right side. With the follow-up PAT as good as the first attempt, it was 14-0 for the home club with about two minutes left in the half.

Our boys then got one more chance as they did get the ball back with some time to work before the intermission but another poor effort by the offense allowed North Penn to gain control after a punt. And the Knights would have posted another 6 except for one of their linemen who got a bit too far downfield on a screen pass that was thrown more deeply than intended. Fortunately, some poor clock management and bumbled plays closed out the last few seconds before the gun sounded the end of the first half.

At that point, even though not playing their best 24 minutes of football, the Redskins were still in the game at only a 14 point deficit at the break.

The third quarter opened with North Penn receiving. After the return, they began on their own 25. A short time later it was fourth and 1 with the blue men still on their side of the 50. In a gutsy move, the Knights went for it. Faking a dive up the middle they pitched to their upback. It paid off as just seconds later it was 20-0 as Ervin grabbed the toss and went untouched around the left side for the long distance TD. With the PAT good the scoreboard was adjusted to read 21-0. Neshaminy then lined up to receive the kickoff; ran a few; fumbled and shortly thereafter it was 27-0 as North Penn’s Ronnie Akins snagged a pass and sprinted 60 markers for another Knights’ score. The PAT snap was bobbled but the North Penn holder alertly threw a Hail Mary pass which was caught and the score read 29-0.

Now it was not looking good at all.

In the last quarter the ‘Skins continued to plug away but it just didn’t seem to be their night at all as another drive ended with a pick by the North Penn secondary near the end zone. Returned to nearly midfield the ensuing run by a Knight back was coughed up and, catching a break, Neshaminy recovered. To their credit, the ‘Skins didn’t quit and they finally managed to cobble together a drive that reached the end zone for 6 on a short dive by Jason Ulmer (who managed a respectable number of yards for the night in addition to his six-pointer). The PAT was good and the score was 29-7. The onsides kick attempt that followed failed and the Knights ran out the clock on their final possession after the recovery.

And that’s the way it ended.

In a year that has seen the Redskins struggle, this contest followed course for the Langhorne gridders as they had trouble with consistent play. Now at 5 and 3, the last two games are certainly in the “must win” category if the creek boys hope to see some playoff action. With tradition, a strong coaching staff, loyal fans and a belief in their own abilities to rely upon, we’re confident that they’ll do what’s necessary to focus on the task at hand. And by coming back strong next week against Bensalem (and in the traditional season-ender versus Pennsbury) this campaign is far from over.

See you next week.