Coming home to Langhorne for the first “Ridge” game of the season, the Redskins hosted the C.B. East Patriots of the SOL Continental Conference. Plus in addition to it being the first contest of the 2010 campaign in the friendly confines of Harry E. Franks Stadium, it was also “Hall of Fame” night as several former players names were added to the newly refurbished Wall. And even though there were some moments of hard rain just prior to the kickoff, the game started on time.

With the Patriots receiving the kickoff, their first drive was textbook as it ate up yardage and time. Still, although the Pats got in close, they came up short on downs and the ‘Skins took over. Then replicating the visitors efforts, the Schmidtmen did the same except they finished it off with a 21-yard Sean Sheridan field goal at the four-minute mark of the second-quarter to make it 3-0.

With CB East receiving the kickoff again, they didn’t do much at all with that possession and were forced to punt. Looking snappy, Neshaminy then started off that handling in their end of the field; however, a quick and well executed drive ended on a positive note when Anthony Woodroffe lugged it in from the four. With the PAT good, it then went to 10-0 for the home team.

Yet again the Patriots couldn’t get it going on offense and with their punt partially blocked, the Blue & Red had good field position in the middle of the field. Then making it exciting, it was Charlie Marterella finding Dwight Williams for six points with no time on the first-half clock after a hurry-up drive. But with the PAT no good, the teams retired for the break with the Tribe in front 16-0.

Coming back out for the second-half, Neshaminy received the kick but after a short drive had to punt. From there it was all CB East as they cobbled together a nice move down the field that resulted in a score on a fourth and goal from in close. The kick was true and the new scoreboard then rolled to read 16-7.

Looking a little more charged up at that point, the ‘Skins set up on offense after a nice return of the kickoff to their 35. And wasting no time at all, it was a well engineered Indian effort that saw Sean Ulmer finally take it in from the four-yard line to see his team go up 23-7 after the Sheridan PAT. Catching a break after that, the ‘Skins Adam Gillen recovered a Patriot fumble after the visitors had set up on offense following the kickoff. But it was to no avail as the Neshaminy turned it over on downs at the twenty.

Back in business with the ball, it looked like the Patriots had dodged a bullet. Still, it wasn’t for long as an East pass went errant and was picked off by Dylan Donnelly at the visitors 47. From there it was a little of this and a little of that saw Neshaminy go up 29-7 with eight minutes in the fourth and courtesy of a five-yard touchdown run by Sean Ulmer. Sheridan’s extra point kick was then on the money to make it 30-7.

With Neshaminy kicking it away, it was the Patriots handling the ball again as they started it off at their own 28. With substitutes coming in and out at that point, and East mixing it up on the ground and in the air, the clock continued to roll as the game was winding its way down. But still pushing, the Pats drove it in close before Dylan Donnelly picked up a loose ball at the 15 to stop that last East drive. From there it was Neshaminy burning the time away as the gun sounded shortly thereafter.

So here it comes: Game to ‘Skins!

Now at 3-0, the Redskins will be at home again next week as an always tough Abington squad comes to town to start off National Conference play. And make no mistake about it, the Ghosts always bring their “A” game with them so this is one contest you don’t want to miss. In the meantime, this coming Sunday will see the newly refurbished “Wall of Fame” officially dedicated. The festivities are set to begin at 1:30 PM and will feature the unveiling of the John Petercuskie statue. Plus since ‘Cuskie will be there, not a fan will be left wondering if it really captured his likeness. All in all it should be a great event honoring a number of other former coaches and players in addition to Coach Petercuskie, so let’s all be there for the fun.

See you at the game.