LANGHORNE: On a beautiful fall evening, Heartbreak Ridge couldn’t have provided a better setting for the first night of the 2010 Pennsylvania state schoolboy grid playoffs.  And with Round One of the District One playoffs seeing the Redskins hosting a tough 7-2 Upper Dublin club, the atmosphere at “Harry’s House” was electric.  Plus beside the excitement of the kickoff of the “Second Season” for the Blue & Red, the opportunity to continue playing another week was bolstered by the fact that a win would mean Neshaminy had joined the “500 Club” (as in 500 all-time wins).  But knowing the Cardinals were not a squad to be taken lightly, the Creek Kids had their work cut out for them.  So since there was some business to attend to, and rather than keeping you good fans in any further suspense, let’s get to the action on the grass.

With the visitors winning the toss, the Birds took the kick and after the return to the 26, set up their shotgun offense.  And then showing why they were in the Sweet Sixteen of District One, they bobbed and weaved down the field to Neshaminy’s 34 before going to a fourth down.  Punting for the corner, the ball just found the end zone as Neshaminy was then in business at their 20.  From there it was a nice mix of Sean Ulmer, Dwight Williams, Corey Majors and Justin Andrews that moved the ball out to mid-field.  Then it was Ulmer busting one down to the three on a brilliant 47-yard burst.  And providing the icing on the cake, it was Ulmer then walking across for the score.  The PAT was just right too and it went to 7-0 for the Schmidtmen.

With Majors’ kick just bouncing out of bounds, the Cardinals started it up at their 35 with under four minutes in the first-quarter.  Then following a nice run and a couple of good looking passes, Upper Dublin was soon at the Neshaminy 25 with a first and ten.  And although looking stacked up at the 21, a nice third down pass took the Birds to the seven-yard stripe with the next toss finding the end zone for a score.  The kick was good and the score went to 7-7.  A short squib kick then gave Neshaminy the ball at the 35 and that’s where our boys started it up with Anthony Woodroffe gaining three to the 38 as the first-quarter ended.

After flipping directions, it was Woodroffe again as he busted it up the middle for 12 yards to the 50-yard line.  Then it was Woodroffe again for another few ticks which set up a Charlie Marterella to Dwight Williams aerial that went the distance.  With the extra point good once again, the Blue & Red went up 14-7.

The short Majors kick was then brought back to the 38-yard line after the Cardinals tried a reverse which added some extra yards.  From there Upper Dublin went right back up top to move the ball to the ‘Skins 43.  Then staying on the ground, a nice run earned the visitors a first at the 33 followed by a pass to the 16 and a run to the seven.  A few plays later another pass found its mark in the back ten but with the kick missing, the ‘Skins maintained just a slim 14-13 lead.

Another Upper Dublin boot squibbed around before Neshaminy picked it up to set themselves back up on offense at its 28.  But with Ulmer really showing his legs, coupled with some terrific blocking, it was first and ten at mid-field in just a heartbeat.  Then a few carries later had it to the 38 for another set of downs before a false start left the ‘Skins with a first and 15 at the 43.  Making it back in a few, Majors had it to the 27 for the first in no time.  Then Ulmer popped it to the 15 for another first before a holding call took it back to the 26 at the two-minute mark.  Marterella then found Justin Andrews for 12 to the 14.  Thinking that looked nice, two plays later a repeat found both Andrews and the goal line for the TD.  The PAT missed, though, and the score stood at 20-13 as Neshaminy kicked it away with just about a minute remaining as the Cardinals set up at their 23 before allowing the clock to burn out the first-half.

Back out on the field after the break, it was Ron Smith busting the kickoff return all the way to the Upper Dublin 40.  From there Ulmer ripped one off to the 11 to put the ‘Skins in close.  Then going to a fourth and three, Marterella rolled out and took it across himself.  This time the PAT was right as rain to make it 27-13 for Creek Kids.  And just like that, it was Majors kicking it off with a nice return bringing the Cardinals out to the 36 where they set up shop.

Going back to a more traditional under-center offense, Upper Dublin went three and out as Kiser Terry and Brandon Martynuik had a big sack of the Bird’s QB at their 28.  Then after the punt, it was Neshaminy with the ball and a first at their 38.  A few plays later saw Kyle George earn a nice first down to the Upper Dublin 48.  Then it was Andrews taking a screen down to the 39 for a second and short before a sack had the ‘Skins at third and five.  Not making it, a Neshaminy punt went nowhere as Upper Dublin started back up at their 40.  But with the visitors going three and out, the Cardinals punted and it was Neshaminy with the ball at the 27.  Then going to third and ten Williams grabbed a Marterella pass on a slant and was off to the races for a 73-yard score.  The PAT was right on too and the scoreboard rolled to 34-13.

With Majors’ getting some toe on the ball, the Upper Dublin trick reverse went nowhere as the Cards started up deep on their end of the field at the 13.  And although getting jammed up on a third and long, a nice pass play got them out of hole and across the 38 for a first down as the third-quarter ended and the two clubs swapped sides.

Back in real time for the last 12 minutes of play, Upper Dublin couldn’t get it going and after the punt, it was the Tribe with the ball at the 24.  And this time it was Neshaminy putting up a three and out.  Bryan Reice stepped it and boomed one deep and with the Cards up man muffing the handle, Ron Smith alertly fell on the loose ball at the visitor’s 30 yard line.  Two plays later a wide open Smith earned his reward as Marterella nailed him with a missile for the six points.  The try was then good as the Schmidtmen opened up a 41-13 lead.

With Neshaminy back out to kick it away, the Cards set up on their 23 after a short return.  Having trouble moving the ball, Upper Dublin punted and with Neshaminy starting up at their 39, Joe Bianchino took over under center with Cole Creighton and company behind him.  And pretty quickly the understudies had moved the ball down to the Cards 20 on some nice runs and a personal foul penalty by a frustrated Upper Dublin player.  But stalling out at that spot, the ball went back to the SOL-American Conference member with the clock rapidly running down.  And even though the visitors then moved the ball down near the red zone, their drive went cold at the 20 as the Schmidtmen got the ball back with a little less then two minutes to go.  A first down and a few kneel-downs then signaled the end of contest.

And as we just love to say:  Game to ‘Skins!

So wrapping this one up, let’s start it off with a shout out to the Cards for showing District One just what kind of ball they play in Upper Dublin.  Good effort, Cards!  And to the Redskins – thanks from all of us for never failing to deliver the mail (while also giving us another Friday night next weekend when we get to enjoy a District One quarter-final contest).  In the meantime, lets get the noise makers ready folks as we’ll be expecting that you all will be back again next week doing what you do best -- rooting the Schmidtmen on to victory (after all, they don’t call it “The Tribe” for nothing).

See you at the game.

Eighty-three seasons; 831 games; 500 wins!

Oh yea – one more thing: They’ve done it!  The boys have delivered number five-hundred (as in 500 wins).  Yes sir; 83 years and 831 games of Langhorne Redskins football sees the Blue & Red become an official member of the “500 Club”.  Congratulations Neshaminy, congratulations.

And because a fan asked for it, below is a trip down memory lane as we highlight some other milestone wins over the last 83 seasons (and in case it isn’t readily apparent that’s “Win number, year, opponent, score and head coach”):

So there’s ten big wins to savor with number 11 tonight coming in at 500!  But since the boys still have plenty left to do this campaign, we'll leave it at that for now and simply end with:

Go ‘Skins!

Upper Dublin game photos

Photos courtesy of Jesse Garber

Upper Dublin Game Video

 Videos by Matthew Bartolacci

Game article links

Intelligencer: http://www.neshaminyfootball.com/stories/2010/ud1/

Trentonian: http://www.neshaminyfootball.com/stories/2010/ud2/

WBCB1490 (YT): http://www.neshaminyfootball.com/stories/2010/ud3/