Neshaminy 21 – Bensalem 7

On a windy, brisk Saturday featuring the threat of rain broken by rays of sunshine, the Redskins visited Bensalem to help the Owls celebrate their Homecoming Game. Unfortunately for their SOL National opponents, and although the ‘Skins and their fans helped cheer the festivities, the Old Lincoln Highway gang couldn’t comply by providing a final score that might have been more to the home team’s liking. For at the final gun, the scoreboard read 21 to 7 in favor of the visitors from Langhorne.

Still, it was not a one-sided affair as the two teams played the first quarter as if they were two boxers sparring with each other to determine strengths and weaknesses with neither team denting the end zone. But that 12 minutes of jabbing and poking eventually paid off for the Tribe as they struck first on a beautiful 40 yard pass from Andrew Flogel to Jason Ulmer at just two minutes into the 2nd stanza (with the PAT that followed as good as gold). Keeping up the pressure, the defense then forced Bensalem into a punting situation after the kickoff. Mike Ellershaw, in a deep punt position, decided to spice things up a bit as he took the kick all the way back for another 6 at the eight minute mark. Unfortunately, this PAT failed after a penalty pushed the try back to the 18 yard marker so the ‘Skins lead was but 13 at that point.

However, and showing their mettle, Bensalem refused to roll over as the Owls managed to punch one in on their next possession. With the kick good, the teams retired for the half with the Redskins on top, 13-7.

The third quarter saw the ‘Skins hold Bensalem and force them to punt after they had kicked off to start the final two sessions. Then in a bid for immediate control, Neshaminy put together a smart and well engineered drive that was capped by Ulmer's 4 yard TD run for his second six pointer of the day. The two point conversion was good and, notwithstanding another quarter still to play, the score stood as it would end, 21 to 7, with Neshaminy registering the win.

Now with only one game remaining in the regular season, and at 6 and 3, the ‘Skins are in the thick of the playoff chase. And in case you just returned from a trip to Mars, it’s Pennsbury at home this coming Friday. Bringing their 8 and 1 record with them along with 75 years of history dating back to the leather helmet days of Langhorne-Middletown High versus Falls High, the annual tussle between the Redskins and the Falcons should be as exciting as they come.

See you at the game!