On an unseasonably warm night at the “Ridge”, the Redskins played host to the Abington Ghosts in the initial game of SOL conference play. And with the Blue & Red at 3-0 and the Ghosts at 2-1 there was no doubt this would be the usual barnburner that the last few years have seen these clubs provide. So with the pleasantries accounted for, what say we get right to the action on the field.

With the ‘Skins receiving the kickoff they set up on their 20 and got right in gear as they motored down the field to the Ghosts’ red zone on several nice plays. But a miscue by a Neshaminy runner saw the ball pop loose and after being picked up by an Abington defender, it was first and ten for the visitors deep in Langhorne’s territory after a long return. Fortunately the defense said no dice as they held the Ghosts to a 26-yard field goal and a 3-0 lead halfway through the first quarter.

After a short kickoff, the ‘Skins had good field position at their 35. Moving it out from there they stalled at mid-field and were forced to punt which gave the ball back to the Abington at their twenty. After the three and out and punt it was the Moleskinners back in charge at mid-field once again. This time they were not to be denied as they marched right down the field with Corey Majors taking it in the last ten yards. Sean Sheridan’s PAT was true and the score went to 7-3 early in the second-quarter. Then tying up the visitors on their next possession, Neshaminy blocked the punt and recovered it at the six-yard line. Wasting no time at all, Charlie Marterella quickly found Justin Andrews for the score and with Sheridan’s kick good, it then went to 14-3 for the home boys.

With the ball going back to the Ghosts, they looked like they were in good shape till a hard hit separated their quarterback from the ball and it was Neshaminy back in business at their own 38. Then if you turned away for a moment, you would have missed Dwight Williams’ grab of a Marterella pass that he took 50 yards for a score. The PAT was right on the money again and it went to 21-3 for the Indians.

Following the kick the Ghosts’ offense still couldn’t get in gear and they punted once again. A good roll saw it go to the Neshaminy side of the field where the ‘Skins started on their own 40 with under a minute in the half. A wild finish saw the Indians get in close, turn it over on downs and then intercept it as the clock ran out of time. With the teams then heading to the lockers, it was still 21-3 for Neshaminy.

Back out on the field for the second half it was Abington receiving and starting it off on their end of the field. But not able to make much out of it was soon Neshaminy’s ball at their own 40 where they started their first second-half possession. One run by Sean Ulmer had it inside the Abington side with the next handoff to Corey Majors resulting in an explosive 45-yard touchdown run. Sheridan then nailed the PAT and it went to 28-3 for the hosts.

With the Ghosts still not moving the ball, it was back to Neshaminy on a punt where they started it up on the twenty halfway through the third period. Chewing up the clock they then moved it eighty yards down the field to a fourth and goal-to-go where the Ghosts stopped the try by Anthony Woodroffe. Once again a three and out saw the ball back in Neshaminy’s hands as they set up on the Abington 42. Looking kind of sloppy at that point, the Schmidtmen couldn’t do much at all and had a punt blocked that gave Abington the ball at their 28 with eight minutes remaining in the game. But an interception by Bobby Marterella stopped that Ghost effort and it was back to Neshaminy. Not for long, though, as a fumble by a ‘Skins back was picked up and returned for a Ghosts score. The kick was good and it was then 28-10.

Taking the kickoff once again, the ‘Skins then burned out the clock with a new cast of characters on the field before finally taking a knee to end the game.

And here it comes: Game to ‘Skins!

So now at 4-0, the Blue & Red will be on the road next week as they take on Bensalem. And although their record might seem otherwise, the Owls are a club that is very capable and is always tough at home. So knowing this one will be plenty exciting, let’s all get on the road early and show our guys we’re behind them one-hundred percent.

See you at the game.