Tribe's season ends in D-1 final loss

In the super bowl of District One scholastic football, Langhorne traveled to Warminster to meet North Penn in the championship bout. And the setting couldn’t have been more perfect as the weather was crisp, cool and dry with not a breeze in the air. In fact, Mother Nature certainly provided a most comfortable night for the all the fans at the neutral field of Claude Lodge Field at William Tennent High School. Plus with not a seat available in the jam packed house, the importance of this game clearly was not lost on football fans throughout Southeastern Pennsylvania. And as the media coverage coming into the game has been extensive, there’s not much more to say that hasn’t already been said. So let’s get to it!

With the ‘Skins winning the toss, they elected to receive to start the game. Handling the ball was Bryan Dean who exploded out to the 35 to give the Tribe a good opening spot. Then looking tough and ready, Langhorne bobbed and weaved its way down the field before finally stalling out at the Knights’ 20-yard line. Seth Jeffries then came in to attempt a 36-yard three pointer but a tough angle and a hook on the ball conspired to cause a close miss halfway through the opening quarter. Taking over at that spot, North Penn had their first opportunity to show their high-powered offense as they trotted out on the field.

Not disappointing the crowd on that first possession, a couple of nice runs had the ball moved out to the Blue and Red 42 where it went to 4th and two for the first. Going for it, a Knight back found a crease and busted it for a touchdown. With the extra point try good, it was then North Penn out in front, 7-0, with just over a minute remaining in the quarter. After the following kickoff and return by Dean, it was the Redmen then starting at their own 23. And looking like he was ready to do it all himself, Jay Colbert grabbed almost 20 yards on two quick carries to start that Indian drive. Next up was Quilan “The Mini-Bus” Arnold who snagged a first down out to the 48 as the first-quarter ended and the teams swapped sides.

Back in action, it was Colbert getting two more carries as he grabbed another nine-yards to set up 3rd and one. A penalty took it to 3rd and 6 and Arnold’s effort to make it came up a little short. With Mike Wynne coming in to handle the chore, the ‘Skins punted and a terrific hit on the North Penn return man left the Knights at their 15-yard stripe. Moving it out to the 23, Lansdale couldn’t convert and were forced to punt. A nice boot was fielded by Dean but in the first turnover of the night, he lost the handle and North Penn recovered at the Creek Kids’ 39-yard line.

Putting their offense back on the field, that North Penn drive stalled on a 3rd down sack back to the 45 where the Knights punted again. With the coffin corner boot working, the Moleskinners took over on their own 11-yard line as they escaped the bullet after the turnover.

Setting up with five minutes on the clock, the Playwickians gave it to their big man, Colbert, who took it out to the 17 with Dean then taking it to the 23 for a first down. Going to 3rd and 6 on the following series, Dean couldn’t quite get it and the Schmidtmen punted it away. A nice leg by Wynne put the Knights at their 28 after the catch. But going nowhere once again, the Blue Knights were forced to punt once more. As usual, it was Dean who waited in the deep position but a bouncer rolled to Neshaminy’s 15 where Langhorne took over with 1:45 remaining in the first half.

Looking to move it out from that spot, Colbert took the first handoff and lugged it to the 21 as he picked up 6 yards. A sack on Brian Titus then put it back to the 12 as it went to 3rd and 12. Going up top, Titus found Paul Carrezola for a 30-yarder out to the 42-yard line for a big first down with 53 seconds on the clock. From there it was a five-yarder to Rick Brebner which he took out of bounds. Two plays later it was Colbert earning another first on the ground. Going deep on the next play, a North Penn defensive back picked off a Titus pass as the ball then changed hands at the 30 second mark. With North Penn at the 20-yard stripe after that aerial theft, both teams let the clock burn down as the two clubs broke for the half with North Penn maintaining its slim 7-0 lead.

Back out on the turf after the break, it was the Lansdale group back to receive. With Jeffries booting it away, the kick found the end zone as North Penn then opened up at their own 20. Going to an early 3rd and two, a nice run by a Knight back took it across mid-field to the ‘Skins 42. Then going to 4th and two, North Penn made it by inches at the 32. That was followed by two quick ground efforts which moved it to the ten for a North Penn first and goal. From there a dogfight saw it go to fourth and less than a yard. Going for it, the Knights punched it in and with PAT good, North Penn went out in front, 14-0.

With the following Blue Knight kickoff hitting the back ten, Neshaminy opened up on their 20. Going to 4th and one, the ‘Skins also went for it but came up short as the Knights took over on Neshaminy’s 29-yard line. Then from there the Blue and Red pushed the Knights to third and ten before a flare pass to a Lansdale back was good for a first at the 18-yard stripe with 1:56 remaining in the third-quarter. With an injured Knight stopping the clock and some unexplained commotion on the field too, the game lapsed into a mini-break before action resumed. From that point, though, it was one quick run that put the Knights out in front 21-0 after the PAT split the uprights.

Following the Dean return of the ensuing kickoff to the 31, Neshaminy moved into their Wildcat offensive formation and took it out to the mid-field stripe as the third-quarter ended and the teams changed direction. Setting up at 3rd and five as the last 12 minutes started up, the ‘Skins didn’t convert and a short punt gave the Knights the ball at their 35. With the Indian defense stepping it up, that Knight drive stalled out in a hurry and after the punt, it was Neshaminy with the ball at their own 40.

Going to the air game, Titus was sacked on the first but looking gutsy, the ‘Skins went to the hook and ladder as they picked up 13. Next it was Dean for a first followed by Carrezola who grabbed a nice Titus toss for five more yards. A sack on the next play put the Blue and Red back to 3rd and 17. Then a well set up misdirection pass play almost broke Colbert but he didn’t get quite enough as it went to 4th down and a bunch. The fourth down pass attempt was picked and the Knights had it again at their own 40 after the interception.

Looking to control the clock, the Knights stayed with their ground game And it worked just fine as a couple of plays had them at the Redskins 10-yard line in another first and goal situation in what seemed like no time. Although a couple of runs from that spot were stopped short, a jump pass then worked for another North Penn score. The PAT was true and it went to 28-0 for the SOL-Continental conference club. After the kickoff, and Dean’s return to the 25, it was then a first and ten for Neshaminy at the 3 minute mark. Arnold then popped it out to the mid-field line on two carries as Langhorne was determined to show some life. But it ended quickly on another ‘Skins fumble as the Knights took over on their own 44 with under two minutes in the game. As North Penn failed to gain a first, the Tribe then got the ball back with 30 seconds still showing. A nice pass from Titus to Carrezola took it down to the ten-yard line where the gun sounded on the game, and Neshaminy’s season, just a few short pass plays later.

Folks, although we’re sorry to see the Redskins’ 2008 season going into the books, we congratulate the team and the staff for capturing the SOL-National Conference crown while fighting their way to the District One final. A 9-1 regular season and three fine playoff wins that earned a ticket to the final provided plenty of entertainment and solid football by Neshaminy. And all in all, the boys were a delight to watch all season long as they fashioned an overall 12-2 record while giving all of us fans plenty to cheer about over the last three months. Plus we’d be remiss if we didn’t give a nod to the terrific effort made by North Penn – not only tonight but all season long - while also wishing the Knights the best as they carry the D-1 flag for all of us from this point forward.

So in closing, thank you guys, you men of 2008 – we know you gave us your all and rest assured, it was more than you know.

See you all next year.

 

Photos courtesy of Jesse Garber