With the summer down to its waning moments, a beautiful September night made the Tribe’s trip to Germantown’s Benjamin L. Johnston Memorial Stadium that much more enjoyable. And with the Bears of the Philadelphia Public League, White Division, always ready for action, Redskin fans who made the trek couldn’t have asked for a better Thursday night. So let’s get to the game.

Electing to receive, Langhorne started at its own 35 after the kick went out of bounds. With Bryan Dean taking the first snap from Brian Titus, he couldn’t find the handle and the pill popped free. The loose ball was then smartly picked up by a Bear and returned the distance for a quick 6-0 lead as the PAT was missed. Taking the kickoff again, it was the ‘Skins then back on offense as Dean returned it to the 38. And looking like the initial snafu had never happened, Dean did most of the work getting the rock down to the host’s ten-yard marker. From there Titus found Rick Brebner in the corner for six. With Ricky Domico not missing the attempt, it went to 7-6 for Neshaminy at the six-minute mark of the first-quarter. Kicking it off to the Bears, it was Kyran Kervick who snuffed that home team series in no time when he intercepted a Bear pass at mid-field.

Back on offense, Neshaminy couldn’t convert and kicked it away with Germantown starting at their 18 after the fair catch. This time it was Andy Lynch who stole an aerial and gave the Blue and Red a first at the 24. Going to fourth and seven on that possession, it was Charlie Marterella who found Ricky Williams for another six-points. With Domico hitting, the Creek Kids were then on top, 14-6. Wasting no time at all, Neshaminy then got the ball back on the kickoff owing to alert special teams play as they covered up a loose ball. With a first and ten at the Bears’ 18, Dean took it across a few plays later. Domico’s boot was right down the middle and the scoreboard turned to 21-6 for Langhorne. After the ensuing kickoff, and a three and out for Germantown, the ‘Skins took over at the Bears 29 on a short kick. And if you blinked your eyes, you might have missed the six-play series that ended when Shane Quinn caught a Titus pass for six more points for our guys. Domico then made it 28-6 after the PAT.

With Germantown showing some life in the closing minutes of the half, their first drive of any sort ran out of gas and time as the gun sounded with the Bears at the ‘Skins 44. With the teams retiring for the break, the bands then took the field.

With Neshaminy kicking off to begin the second half, Germantown took over at their 18 after the short return. Going three and out, the Bears were forced to punt. And with a good return by Dean, the ‘Skins started at the enemy’s 24-yard line. A couple of plays later, which included a nice fourth-down pass from Marterella to Frank Csaszar for a first at the ten-yard stripe, Corey Majors covered those last ten in back-to-back carries for the score. As Domico wasn’t missing, it went to 35-6 for Neshaminy. Not rolling over, the Bears returned the following kickoff to the 25 and got close before Brian Rugghia stole a Bears’ pass in the end zone to stop that effort. Still not picking up a first, Bryan Reice had to punt for the ‘Skins and the short exchange gave the Bears a first at Neshaminy’s 40; however, Kyran Kervick recovered a fumble at the 25 to stop that effort.

From that spot, Neshaminy once again failed to move the ball and it was soon back to the Bears with a first and ten at the Neshaminy 46. And with the clock continuing to run, it was Germantown still battling as the fourth-quarter rolled around. But it wasn’t to be for the home team on that drive as on fourth and long a Bear pass fell flat and the ‘Skins took over at their own 32 with ten minutes on the clock. Deciding at that point that it was time for some understudies, Coach Schmidt then sent in Joe Bianchino at the QB slot along with Ron Smith and Bobby Marterella as the RBs. And giving it a go, the youngsters took it in as Smith lugged it across after Tadas Karusevicius made a nice catch at the five to set him up. With Domico hitting it, the score then changed to 42-6.

Booting it away, the Bears set up for another try with under a few minutes left in the game. And not to be denied, the Germantown offense managed to stitch together a nice drive on the second-teamers that resulted in a score. Going for two, the pass was on the mark to make it 42-14. Then after the Bears kicked off, and with 1:12 on the clock, the final gun was heard in no time at all.

So here it is: Game to ‘Skins!

While seemingly displaying a lackluster effort at times, the Redskins did keep their ledger unblemished with the win. And with non-league play now behind them, the Tribe can turn their focus to conference play which begins next week. Opening up with a very tough Abington club on the road, no doubt the boys can look forward to seven days of Coach Schmidt’s stern looks and determined guidance. And since this is one none of you will want to miss, make sure you’re at Stephen A. Schwarzman Stadium early as it’s sure to be packed.

See you at the game.
 

Germantown Game Pictures

Photos by Jesse Garber

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Courier: http://www.neshaminyfootball.com/stories/germantown/