LANGHORNE: “Mid pleasures and places though we may roam, be it ever so humble, there’s no place like home.” Or should we say, there’s no place like “The Ridge”. And it’s good to be back too as the first five games of this season saw the ‘Skins on the road in four of them. The next five will feature four contests at home and we couldn’t be happier. Plus making tonight extra special is the fact it’s “Homecoming” while the Creek Kids are hosting Council Rock North. So for all you alumni – welcome back and get settled in your seats as the Indians, Langhorne’s first ever opponent in 1928, always bring their “A” game (and we expect the same tonight). So with the stage set – how about we get down on the field.

The Indians took the kickoff and although the ball was bobbled a bit, the return man took it out to mid-field before a ‘Skin took him down. Gaining one first down before that first Indian drive stalled, North punted it to Neshaminy. And that set the tone for the first-quarter as the two squads seemed not able to stitch together enough to go the distance. There were some exciting runs and passes including a Hugh Hart to Justin Andrews aerial that got Langhorne out of the shadow of its end zone; however, when the teams switched sides for the second-quarter it was still “nuthin’ to nuthin’”.

The second didn’t look too much different as another Rock drive ended on a punt that had the Creek Kids at their ten-yard line. This time the Schmidtmen decided it was time to score and after moving it out to the 50 it was Joe Falkowski finding Andrews for a big score. Nick Tucci drilled the PAT and it was Neshaminy, 7-0, with just under four minutes remaining.

Booting it back to North, the Indians stalled and punted with three minutes to play before the break. Then coming alive for the second time in just a few minutes, it was Nate Hall chewing up some yards to get the Blue & Red in close. Finishing it off, it was Falkowski finding Andrews for an 18-yard score. Tucci was on the money again and it spun to 14-0 with under a minute to go. And following the kickoff, it wasn’t long before the gun sent the teams to the lockers for a rest.

Back out to start the second-half, it was Neshaminy receiving the kick. And obviously ready to play, Devon Brown made the catch and then took it all the way to the Council Rock 25 yard line before a shoe-string tackle saved a TD. Not that it mattered as Hall then took it to the 15 with Blake “Big Bull” Sullivan rambling into the end zone from there. And hitting his third of the night, Tucci’s PAT made it 21-0 Neshaminy a minute into the third.

Following the kick the Indians had trouble finding their footing and a punt soon followed. A short kick gave the Moleskinners a good spot at mid-field. Looking a little sloppy, the ‘Skins soon punted it themselves. Catching a break, a fumble by the North QB was then picked up by Alex Nicolas on the Indians’ side of the field. Stitching together a few yards, the Redskins were stopped short and brought in Tucci who punched a 36-yarder through the uprights to make it 24-0 for the home team.

Putting the ball back to Newtown, this time the Indians decided to show their stuff. Setting up at their own 25 after the return, what followed was a very pretty 75 yard drive that put the North “Spread” on display. Going for two after the score, the catch was bobbled and the score then read 24-6 with a few minutes left in the third.

After the kick Neshaminy looked a little out of sorts and that effort ended in an interception that saw the visitors with a first at the Redskin 33. But giving it right back, a fumble was pounced on by Alex McKenzie at the 45. With the offense back on the field, the give was to Denny Lord out of the fullback slot. Putting his moves and speed on display, the junior bolted 55 yards for the score. Tucci was on the mark and the score then went to 31-6, Neshaminy.

The following kick saw a North player take it to mid-field where they started up once again with ten minutes still to play. Capitalizing on the spot, a quick drive saw Council Rock score on a nice pass play. The two-point attempt was short and the score went to 31-12 with eight on the clock.

Kicking a squibber, Neshaminy fell on it at their 45 where the offense came back out. But fumbling it away, North got it back at the spot and was back in business. Punching it down to the 25, Neshaminy’s defense then rallied as Steve Olenski ended a 4th and 2 effort as he bottled up the North QB. Back on offense, it was Hart in charge and making quick work of it, it was Hall busting one loose for a 75-yard scamper. Tucci was perfect and it rolled to 38-12, Neshaminy.

Another kickoff saw the return to the 28. Looking snappy, the no-huddle offense had the ball down the field and into the end zone in a blink. With the PAT good the Indians had tightened the score to 38-19 at the five-thirty mark. Looking like another onsides kick, Langhorne started it up at their 43 after the recovery. Going backwards, a fourth down punt snap was mishandled and CR grabbed a break with a first at the Neshaminy 11 with four-minutes on the clock. A quick score followed, and the PAT was good to make it 38-26.

With Hall doing the honors, it was Neshaminy starting on their own 22. Not making the first, a punt followed and after the roll it was the Indians’ “O” at their 33 with two minutes on the clock. Having to go for it, North was looking for the big play as a scrambling Rock QB let one go that was intercepted by a diving Brown as the last threat to bed. And now we get to say:

Game to ‘Skins!

Wow!! First, a “shout out” to the North Indians for making this one a 48-minute game that was entertaining all night long. Next, with the ‘Skins having pushed their record to 4-2, next week sees the Golden Hawks of Council Rock South coming to town. And as this is the fifth meeting of the two SOL clubs, with the overall 2-2, the “rubber-match” will be as good as it gets. So get to “Harry’s House” plenty early.

See you at the game.