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Neshaminy 20 -
Souderton 13
‘Skins show mettle; earn tough win
LANGHORNE: Once again
the off-season seemed much too long; however, all that
waiting came to end this evening as Neshaminy put the 2011
campaign into gear. And entertaining the Souderton Indians
on a beautiful football night in Langhorne, the classic
“opener” that this series has very quickly proved to be made
the wait even harder on all of us diehard fans. Plus with
the Schmidtmen expected to show well this year despite
graduating a lot of key players - while Souderton has been
pegged as everyone’s stealth contender this season -
tonight’s contest is one that has all the makings of a
barnburner. So let’s get right to it.
With the ‘Skins kicking off to start the game, it was
Souderton taking it down to the Blue & Red 25 before the
visitors turned it over on downs. Neshaminy then went under
center but they looked a bit sluggish as they delivered a
fast three-and-out. Following the punt, it was the Indians
starting it up on their 30 for another shot on offense. And
this time they weren’t going to be denied as they traveled
the 70 yards to paydirt using a strong ground attack. With
the PAT good, it then went to 7-0 for the Indians. But it
didn’t stay that way for long as on the ensuing possession
it was Joe Bianchino finding Bobby Marterella for a 69-yard
aerial strike that made it 7-7 as the first-quarter ended.
Booting it back to Souderton, it was the Indians set to go
again on their own 20. What followed was another nice mix of
runs and passes that didn’t end until they earned another
six on a short quarterback plunge. With the extra point
blocked, it then stood at 13-7. Going back on offense,
Neshaminy was looking to put something together by
immediately going up top but a pick ended that effort as
Souderton took over on its own 38 on the interception.
A couple of lackluster efforts on offense - by both squads -
then followed with the end result being the Indians holding
the ball, and a first-and-ten, at mid-field. But with just
two minutes left on the clock, time was becoming a factor
for the Franconia team. And as it turned out, the first-half
soon ended on a 48-yard field goal attempt by the upper
Bucks club that missed the uprights. Breaking for the half,
the two teams then retired to the locker rooms for a
well-deserved break.
Taking the kick to start the second-half, it was the Creek
Kids with a first on their own 33 after the return. Looking
to convert, the home boys still couldn’t get it in gear and
were forced to punt. A roughing the kicker penalty gave them
another shot but still stalling out, another three-and-out,
and fake punt try that came up short, gave the ball to the
Indians on their 41 for their first possession of the
second-half.
Looking to put it away, it wasn’t to be, though, as Steve
Olenski picked off a Souderton pass on the ‘Skins side of
the field. Setting up shop, Bianchino and company the worked
a couple of nice runs together for some positive ball
movement. Then showing the right stuff, he found Sean Ulmer
for a 30-yard touchdown pass to make it 13-13. With the PAT
off the mark, that’s where it stood as they lined up for the
kickoff.
Putting the ball back to the visitors, it was Souderton
controlling the pigskin with three-minutes left in the
third-period. Moving it out from there, and as the game
rolled into the fourth, it was the Indians at mid-field. But
with Neshaminy’s defense stiffening and forcing a punt, it
was Langhorne back on offense deep in their end of the field
following the exchange. Then apparently getting a little
disheartened with the slow pace of the game, it was
Bianchino lighting up the field with an 87-yard scoring
strike to Ron Smith. And if you turned away from the field
for just a moment, suffice it to say that you missed Smith
scorching the grass on his way to Nirvana. Plus this time
the PAT was good as the Redskins then went out in front,
20-13.
Once again booting it back to the Coach Gallagher lead
gridders, it was Souderton setting up at their 20 with 10:45
on the clock. Following some back-and-forth scrumming
around, the Indians came up short and were forced to punt.
Catching a break, a roughing the kicker penalty gave them
another shot but after a three-and-out and punt, it was
Neshaminy back with the ball at the own 20 as 6:45 showed on
the clock. With first game jitters clearly on display, it
was another series of punts that followed before Neshaminy
caught the next break as Smith fell on a muffed catch to
take over with the clock running down.
Keeping the fans on the edge of their seats, Neshaminy
couldn’t push it in despite good field position and the ball
went back to the visitors on downs at the 1:40 mark. Trying
to get out of their side of the fifty, it went to a fourth
and long for the Indians. A pass came up short as the
Langhorne gang got the ball back at mid-field with a minute
left in the tilt. Burning the clock from that point, it
wasn’t long before we got to say what we love more than
anything: Game to ‘Skins!
First off, a hearty thank you and shout out to the Indians
that came into town with nothing but winning on their minds.
They were a tough-out and this season is going to be a
bright one for Souderton. And as to our guys, although there
are some rough spots to be worked out, the key “take away”
is that the boys never quit. In fact, coming from behind is
tough but doing it twice is even harder. Nice work, ‘Skins,
nice work.
Now with win number one under their belts, don't forget that
next week our boys will again be at home as they entertain a
tough Hatboro-Horsham Hatters squad. So let's show them our
support by turning out in force for the second match-up of
the young season.
See you at the game!
Game
Captains: Sean Ulmer (4), Kiser Terry (10), Bobby Marterella
(13), Chris Kutsubos (71)
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Game 1 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
F |
|
Neshaminy |
7 |
0 |
6 |
7 |
20 |
|
Souderton |
7 |
6 |
0 |
0 |
13 |
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|
Team |
Qtr |
Time |
Description |
NHS |
OPP |
|
Sou |
1 |
1:21 |
Javon White TD run (Wolf K) |
0 |
7 |
|
Nesh |
1 |
0:22 |
Marterella 69yd catch & run
TD (Tucci K) |
7 |
7 |
|
Sou |
2 |
7:15 |
1yd QB keeper by Allem TD
(Blocked) |
7 |
13 |
|
Nesh |
3 |
3:34 |
Bianchino to Ulmer 30yd TD
(K failed) |
13 |
13 |
|
Nesh |
4 |
11:09 |
Bianchino to Ron Smith 87yd
TD (Tucci K) |
20 |
13 |
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