Neshaminy 22 - North Penn 35
Knights stop 'Skins in playoff contest
On the
road for tonight’s game, the ‘Skins traveled a short
distance north to take on the North Penn Knights in a
District One quarter-final playoff match-up. And with
the venue moved to Souderton’s new “turf” field just in
time for the kickoff (due to some wet weather over the
last few days), the word was sent out quickly to allow
for the change in location and driving directions. Be
that as it may, and as usual, loyal Neshaminy fans were
out in force to watch these two SOL and D1 “Gold
Standard” teams meet in the post-season for the third
straight year. Plus with the 11-0 Lansdale squad seeded
number one in the district and in the top three in most
state polls, and the 9-2 ‘Skins in the top five in SEPA
and in and out of the Top Ten statewide rankings during
the season, this one looked to be a barnburner between
these two rivals. And as usual, as the game on the field
is where our attention should be focused, let’s get
right to it.
Stepping
out for the coin toss, Neshaminy showed some style as they
wore their red home pants and white away game jerseys for a
bit of a throwback look. And it apparently helped with the
coin toss as the Creek Kids called it right and elected to
receive. With the kickoff in the end zone, the Schmidtmen
started at the twenty and moved it out to the 37 before
stalling out. Bryan Reice’s punt was then downed by Ariel
Hoffman at the North Penn 29 where the Knights’ offense
began their first effort. From there, and although forced
into several key plays including a fourth and five at the
Blue and Red 20, the Knights drew first blood and a 6-0 lead
after their two-point conversion failed.
After the
kick it was the ‘Skins starting off at their own 27 after
the return by Ricky Williams. And trying some magic on a
third-down play, Bryan Dean lofted a halfback pass that was
intended for Williams but which was intercepted at mid-field
with Lansdale then back in business at that spot. A couple
of plays saw the ball moved inside the thirty when the
first-quarter ended and the second began. After changing
sides, it was the Knights set up at the 25 with a third and
four. Looking sharp, a couple of plays later they put it in
for the second time to make it 12-0 which is the way it
stayed after another two-point conversion failed.
With the
following kickoff taken by Dean, he returned it to the 25.
From there it went to third and seven when Charlie
Marterella nailed Dean for a big gain to the North Penn 43.
Some nice running took it down to the 13 where Marterella
located Rick Brebner through the air for six. Ricky Domico’s
PAT was good and the game tightened up at 12-7.
With
Neshaminy then trying an onsides kick, North Penn alertly
recovered at their own 38 where they then started that drive
with four minutes in the half. Two minutes later, and
courtesy of two nice passes, the Knights scored again to
make it 18-7. Yet again, the two-point attempt was short.
With Williams then taking the ball out to the 22 on the
kickoff, the ‘Skins were back in business. But getting
themselves in a jam in a hurry, a Titus pass was picked off
and returned to the 30 where North Penn’s offense came back
out on the field. But some tough defense by the ‘Skins held
the Knights to a 38-yard field goal. And with not much time
remaining after that, the teams headed for the lockers with
North up 21-7.
With the
Knights receiving to start the second half, they began at
their own 40 after the short kick. And picking up where they
left off, they covered the distance in no time to make it
28-7 after the PAT. Following the North Penn score, a very
pretty return of the kickoff by Williams had the ‘Skins
starting at their own 45. But in no time at all another
Neshaminy pass was picked off and returned to the 25. A
couple of quick plays later saw it 35-7 for the Knights.
After the
next Blue Men kickoff found the end zone, it was Neshaminy
starting at its own 20. Showing some life, a couple of nifty
passes and determined runs had it down to the North Penn one
with a goal to go. But it was not to be as the pill came
loose and was recovered by the Knights where they set up
shop. Holding them at that spot, North Penn punted and
following a nice return, the Indians had good field position
at the 22 as the third-quarter rolled over to the fourth.
Going to fourth and three at the 15, Titus nailed Brebner
who made a circus grab before coming down in the end zone.
Going for two, it was Titus to Dean as the score then showed
35-15 in North Penn’s favor.
Once
again, the short Neshaminy kick gave North Penn a good spot
at their 40. Forced to punt after a three and out, Dean fair
caught the rock at the Moleskinner 30 where Langhorne’s
offense started it off with 8:52 left in the game. But
almost immediately another loose football was recovered by
the Knights at mid-field. Going to fourth down, Lansdale
punted away. Dean caught it at the ten and with a nice
return and a late hit, it was first and ten for the Blue and
Red at the 45. Two plays later it was down to the 21 on a
great pass by Titus to Frank Csaszar. Then not much later,
it was Corey Majors from one yard out after a couple of
short passes fell incomplete from that spot. With Domico on
the money it went to 35-22.
Trying
another onsides kick, it didn’t quite make it ten yards as
North Penn recovered at the Neshaminy 49. From there it was
just a matter of time before the clock expired to end the
game.
First of
all, we offer congratulations to the North Penn Knights.
They played a tough and mistake-free game tonight to push
their mark to 12-0. And now moving on to a District One
Championship Series game next week against Avon Grove, we
wish them the best.
Next, we
sadly write that the season has now ended for the 2009
Redskins as their run in the playoffs stops at two games
with their overall record going in the books at 9-3;
however, we do salute them for what they accomplished this
year as it was almost a “brand new” team that first
entertained us against Souderton way back in early
September. And entertain us they did as another group of
fine young men made us proud as they did their part to add
to the Neshaminy story all season long. No doubt about it,
we’ve got plenty of terrific memories of their efforts on
the gridiron over the past 12 games.
So thank
you Redskins! Especially the seniors who are moving on as
we’ll miss you guys -- good luck in all you do. And we also
remind you to never forget the part you played in making it
just as true today as it was when Harry Franks first penned
it some 60 years ago:
Time will
never dim the glory of the Neshaminy Redskins.
See you
next year.
Go ‘Skins!
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1 |
2 |
3 |
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T |
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Neshaminy |
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07 |
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15 |
22 |
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North Penn |
6 |
15 |
14 |
00 |
35 |
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