Heading over to Bensalem for the last of their Saturday afternoon contests, this one saw Mother Nature apparently on edge as instead of sunshine and blue sky it was wind and rain for the 48-minutes. Still, the spirits of both the teams and their fans were unaffected as the ‘Skins were more than happy to help one of their “oldest” friends and rivals, the Owls, celebrate their Homecoming. So without further ado, let’s get to it!

Receiving the kickoff to start the game, it was all Tribe as they marched right down the field in no time at all to score on their first possession. Mixing it up nicely with some sharp passing and crisp running, that first drive was capped off by a very smart Brian Titus to Rick Brebner aerial that was good for 20 yards and the score. With the Seth Jeffries PAT good, it was then 7-0 for the visitors. After the kickoff and subsequent effort by Bensalem stalled out at the Blue and Red 33, it was the Renegades with the ball once again. And feeling very comfortable with the pigskin in their hands, the ‘Skins traveled the 67 markers in a hurry with the last 21 of them courtesy of Corey Majors. Jeffries was good once again and it went to 14-0 for Neshaminy as the first quarter ended.

Spinning to the second period, Bensalem started on their own 20-yard line after Jeffries found the end zone on the kickoff. Looking very sharp, the Owls then took the ball 80 yards down the field and punched it in for the score. With the extra point true, the scoreboard then tightened up to 14-7. After booting it away to the visitors, the Ridgemen stalled out quickly and after a tremendous Mike Wynne punt left Bensalem deep on their side of the field, the home team set to work. And work they did as it looked like they would go all the way till an Owl back coughed it up at the Neshaminy 5-yard line with the recovery made by a Redskin. With the quarter ending shortly thereafter, the teams broke for halftime with the Moleskinnners still out in front, 14-7.

With the Owls receiving the kickoff to start the second half, their first drive went nowhere in a hurry and a short punt gave the ‘Skins the ball at mid-field. Then if you looked away for just a moment, the Creek Kids covered the distance in what seemed like seconds. And finishing off that quick effort was another Titus to Brebner pass for 7-yards and the 6 points. With Jeffries on the money, the Warriors went up 21-7. Then looking like he wanted to stop any hope of an upset, and rather than wait for a punt, it was Matt Knorr picking off an Owl pass followed by a nice return to the enemy’s 17. A couple of plays later it was Bryan Dean who scored on a two-yard plunge. Jeffries didn’t miss on the try and it was Neshaminy then out in front, 28-7.

With the Jeffries kick finding the end zone again, the Owls started on their 20. But stifling this latest Bensalem effort, this time it was Dan Biundo who picked off an Owl aerial at their 45. Back in business yet again, the ‘Skins rumbled and stumbled all the way down the field to make it 35-7. And just like a mailman who delivers regardless of the weather, it was Titus finding big Paul Carrezola with a 7-yarder to put the icing on that cake.

Then after the Jeffries kickoff to Bensalem, the Owls did something no other opposing team has done in the second half this year as they found the end zone on a beautiful 47-yard touchdown aerial. With the PAT good, it then stood at 35-14 for our boys with the 4th quarter well underway. Starting on their own 20 after the kick, Neshaminy’s plan was obviously to burn the clock but a mishandled ball ended the Indians’ short drive. Then the stiff wind kept Wynne’s punt short and, after starting on Neshaminy’s 45, it took just one play for Bensalem to hit the end zone again on another long pass play; however, the PAT was squibbed so the score only adjusted to read 35-20. Pulling out all the stops, the Owls then tried an onsides kick but Charlie Marterella covered it at the 46.

Moving the ball, a few markers down the field, the ‘Skins stalled and were forced to punt with under two minutes to go with the Owls taking over at their own 25 where the ball rolled dead. With a lot of distance to cover, Bensalem had to go for broke and despite giving it quite an effort, an Owl fumble that was recovered by a Redskin iced the game for Neshaminy.

So here it comes: Game to ‘Skins!

Now at 8-1, the Tribe has only one game left in their 2008 regular season. And do I even need to set the stage? Probably not, but just in case, mark your calendar for Friday, October 31 at Heartbreak Ridge as the 8-1 Pennsbury Falcons come to town with the SOL-National Conference title, PIAA playoff points and those all important bragging rights up for grabs.

See you at the game.