Neshaminy 35 – Pennsbury 14
Redskins over Falcons; playoffs set to begin
Year after year it never seems to change: Pennsbury
versus Neshaminy. Neshaminy versus Pennsbury. No matter
how you say it, it’s “The Game”. And this year’s rumble
looks to be no different as an 8-1 ‘Skins squad hosted a
surging Falcon group looking to earn a win, a playoff
spot and spoil Langhorne’s possible top four seed in the
District One playoff bracket! Plus it’s probably not
necessary to remind anyone that last year’s game went
into overtime with the Black & Orange sneaking one in to
take a 27-20 win to the bank (which the Schmidtmen
surely haven’t forgotten). So with “Harry’s House”
enjoying plenty of screaming fans on a slightly wet and
chilly night at the Ridge, let’s get right to this one
as there’s not much more that needs be said.
With the Schmidtmen winning the toss they took the kick
and after setting up on their own 30 after the return,
it was Anthony Woodroffe taking the handoff and going
the distance as he exploded for 70 yards and a score.
With Sean Sheridan then splitting the uprights, it was
7-0 for the Creek Kids at under a minute into the game.
Then kicking it away to the Falcons, the visitors went
three and out and after the punt it was the ‘Skins back
in business at the 50. And from that spot it was clear
that only the end zone would stop the Neshaminy drive as
the Old Lincoln Highway gang motored down the field with
Sean Ulmer doing the honors on a five-yard burst.
Sheridan’s kick was good and the score then stood at
14-0 for the ‘Skins.
Kicking off to the visitors, the Pennsbury offense once
again failed to get in gear and after the punt to Cole
Creighton, and a great return, it was the home team
starting it off at the Falcon 33. Then had you
looked away for just a quick moment it was 21-0 for
Neshaminy as Ulmer once again finished off a
lightning-like drive on a seven-yard pop up the gut.
Teeing up the ball for the third time in the
first-quarter was Corey Majors and after his kick it was
Pennsbury setting up at their own 27 to start another
offensive effort. But it didn’t last long as a Falcon
runner lost the handle on the pigskin with a Redskin
falling on it at the 45 where the offense came back on
the field. From that spot it was Charlie Marterella to
Dwight Williams to the 32 and then Woodroffe taking the
next handoff and going the 32 yards for the score.
Sheridan didn’t miss and it was 28-0 with a minute to go
in the first. And with that, it was Majors booting it
away again and Pennsbury with a first and ten at their
30 after the return.
Finally showing their stuff, and as the second-quarter
rolled around, the Falcons pasted a nice series together
as they were at Neshaminy’s 30 after gaining some good
yardage on several ground efforts. From there the going
got rough, though, as it went to fourth and five at the
25. And even after a timeout with 8:34 left in the
second session, the visitors still couldn’t find the
answer as the ‘Skins put up the stop as the Pennsbury
pass attempt found only the ground.
With the ‘Skins back on offense, it was Ulmer taking the
first handoff and rocketing through the defense all the
way to the Falcon 25 before a touchdown saving tackle
stopped another Neshaminy score. Two plays later Ulmer
then found the end zone but it came back on a holding
call to set up a second and long at the 27. Two plays
later, and pushing the pass on a tough toss, Marterella
was picked off with the ball returned to Neshaminy’s 35
for a nice Pennsbury spot and first down. But once
again, it was no dice as the Fairless Hills squad
couldn’t convert with Neshaminy’s offense coming back on
the field to take over on the 29. Rallying to the
moment, this time it was the Birds stopping the ‘Skins
and Neshaminy was forced to punt it away. And after a
nice return, it was Pennsbury with a first and ten at
the Blue & Red 40. But with the clock running down to
zero, a Falcon pass was picked off to end the first
half.
Coming back out on the field following the break, it was
Pennsbury receiving and starting on their 25 following
the return. And looking snappy, the Birds punched and
rolled on some nice moves as they moved the ball well.
In fact, they travelled the 75 yards to pay dirt in just
over seven minutes. With the kick blocked, though, it
was then 28-6. Following the short Falcon kick, it was
then Neshaminy with their first offensive possession of
the second-half starting on their 35. But looking like a
different Redskins team, it was a three and out for
Neshaminy and after the Bryan Reice boomer it was
Pennsbury back with the ball at their 28.
Following the kick return it was Pennsbury weaving and
twisting down the field and as the fourth-quarter rolled
around it was the Falcons at the Neshaminy 21. And
despite getting it in close, the visitors couldn’t
convert as the ball went back to the Redskins at the 30
yard line after a holding call killed that Pennsbury
effort. From there it was Woodroffe doing the work until
an illegal procedure call stopped the drive at
mid-field. A nice Reice punt then had the Falcons backed
up at their six-yard stripe with under eight minutes in
the game. And being in a tough spot, Pennsbury couldn’t
do much as they had to punt it away. With the punter
under pressure, the kick was short and Neshaminy took
over on the enemy 29.
Following the exchange Nate Lasalvia started it off with
Ulmer taking over in the middle. Finishing it up was
Marterella who waltzed one in for his second rushing
touchdown of the year and Neshaminy’s fifth of the
night. Sheridan nailed the PAT and it went to 35-6 with
four minutes left in the contest.
Pennsbury came back charging on the kickoff as they
returned it to Neshaminy’s 45 to start another offensive
series. And on the first snap a nice run by the runner
had it down to the 20. Another few handoffs saw the
visitors at the ten with a first and goal to go as the
clock was running. Then with just a minute left on the
clock the Falcon QB snuck it in for the score. Making
the two-point conversion, it then went to 35-14.
With Pennsbury surprising no one, the Falcons tried an
onsides kick which still went to Neshaminy. Then with
under a minute left in the tussle, it wasn’t long before
the gun sounded to end the game. And with no need to do
much more at this point, we’re happy to report: Game to
‘Skins!
In closing the chapter on the regular season, and first
off, we offer our congratulations to a Pennsbury team
that never quit even though that might have been the
easy thing to do. Nice effort Falcons. Next, a
congratulations is in order for the ‘Skins who kept
banging away for 48 minutes as they earned their ninth
win of the season and a ducat to the playoffs. And with
the win the Schmidtmen also pocketed at least a share of
the SOL-National Conference Title. So way to go,
Redskins, way to go! Speaking of the playoffs, we don’t
know just yet where Neshaminy will be seeded or who
their first opponent will be; however, the game will be
in Langhorne so get ready fans as the second season will
begin in seven days at Heartbreak Ridge.
See you at the game.
| |
|
|
|
|
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
T |
|
Neshaminy |
28 |
0 |
0 |
7 |
35 |
|
Pennsbury |
0 |
0 |
6 |
8 |
14 |
| |
|
Team |
Qtr |
Time |
Description |
NHS |
OPP |
|
NE |
1 |
11:42 |
Woodroffe 70-yd TD run |
7 |
0 |
|
NE |
1 |
6:13 |
Ulmer 3-yd TD run |
14 |
0 |
|
NE |
1 |
2:08 |
Ulmer 10-yd TD run |
21 |
0 |
|
NE |
1 |
1:39 |
Woodroffe 35-yd TD run |
28 |
0 |
|
PB |
3 |
5:01 |
Pennsbury 3-yd TD run |
28 |
6 |
|
NE |
4 |
4:03 |
Martarella 10-yd TD run |
35 |
6 |
|
PB |
4 |
1:10 |
Pepper scores TD on run |
35 |
14 |
|
