LANGHORNE: Back at home for the stretch run of the 2012
season, tonight’s contest features an always tough Abington
squad. First on the Redskins’ schedule in 1977, the Ghosts
have proven to be a rough and ready opponent year in and
year out. Plus with both teams at 6-2, a shot at the SOL
National co-title for one team or the other, and playoff
hopes and seeding at stake, this game is as important as it
gets. So with the fans in the stands and the teams on the
field – how about we get on with the action down on the
grass.
Winning the toss, Neshaminy took the kick. But although
showing some initial movement as Justin Andrews broke one
for 21 out to mid-field it got tight from there. Getting in
a little closer, Nick Tucci lined up and made a 38-yard
field goal but a delay of game moved it back five-spots. The
43-yard attempt was short and the ball went to Abington.
With the defense looking tough the Ghosts soon punted and it
was the ‘Skins with the ball once again. Once again Andrews
busted one in close with Denny Lord then taking it over from
the one. The PAT was good and with 3:03 left in the first,
it was Neshaminy up, 7-0.
From that point it was a series of punts back and forth that
dictated the tempo of the game. Catching a break, Matt
Magdelinskas pounced on a loose rock when an Abington deep
man misplayed the ball. Getting it down to the three it was
Andrews snagging a Joe Falkowski pass for six points. Tucci
hit the extra point and that made it 14-0 for the Creek Kids
with just 2:11 left in the half.
Putting the ball back in Abington’s hands, it seemed as if
the clock was going to stop the Ghosts’ effort as they set
up on Neshaminy’s 43 with 25 seconds remaining. Under
pressure, the quarterback looked as if he was running for
yards when he pulled up at the line of scrimmage and hit a
wide-open receiver for the TD. The PAT was good and although
the visitors recovered the onside kick the teams broke for
the half with the Blue & Red up 14-7.
As Tucci put the kickoff into the endzone, it was Abington
at their 20. Moving it out a bit, the Ghosts were forced to
punt from their 35. After the low roll it was Neshaminy at
their 29 with the ball. Following Abington’s lead the
Schmidtmen then went nowhere and punted. With the kick
almost blocked, the visitors had the ball at their 43 where
they went to work.
Relying on the rush and some fancy moves, Abington had it
down in the redzone on some nice efforts by their running
backs. Gaining a first at the 13, a facemask call on a
‘Skins player saw the ball moved to the five. The next play
saw an Abington score and with the kick down the middle the
game went to a deadlock at 14-14 late in the third-period.
Neshaminy began the nest series at their 36 after Devon
Brown took the line drive kickoff for a nice return. And
from there it was Lord ripping off a 64-yard run as he
busted it loose in a big way. Tucci didn’t miss and it went
to 21-14 Neshaminy with a minute to go in the third.
Abington followed with a nice return on the kickoff and set
up at their 35. But Neshaminy’s defense stepped up and after
the three and out, a short punt had the ball back to the
‘Skins. The ball went right back to Abington, though, as an
alert defender picked up a fumble by a Redskin running back.
And as the clock signaled the beginning of the fourth, it
was Abington with a first at Langhorne’s 40 as the final
12-minutes got underway.
Going to a third and ten, it took a 15-yard reception by a
Ghost to gain the first at the 25. Then going to a fourth
and two at the 17, Abington tried their patented wide
pitch/option. No-dice on that effort as Lord and company
stopped the Ghosts at the 19 where the ‘Skins offense came
back out with eight-minutes remaining in the game.
From there another Neshaminy fumble then gave the ball back
to Abington at the 29. From there a couple of attempts and
two penalties had the Ghosts back at their 40 with a second
and 24. Going to a fourth down, the punt team came out and
with the ball rolling out into the end zone it was Neshaminy
taking over at the 20 with 5:18 in the game. Big Blake “The
Bull” Sullivan took the first handoff for six but the drive
then stalled. On the punt Zach Miller was roughed and
Neshaminy caught a break and got the ball back with a first
at the 31.
With Nate Hall taking the handoff to start the drive he
gained five as the clock showed 2:30 to go. An offside call
when the defense jumped moved it five with Sullivan then
picking up the first as he took it past the 40. Hall added
some more yards to the 47 as Abington burned one of its two
TOs to stop the clock. Lord took the next carry and the
Ghosts then used their final clock-stopper. With a third and
five, and a minute in the game, Neshaminy missed the first
down and called a timeout itself with 28-seconds on the
clock. Punting from there, Miller boomed one and although
the deep man lost the ball at the goal line, the Zebras gave
Abington a first at the one-inch line with 14 seconds on the
clock.
With just a few options in its quiver, the first Hail Mary
missed but with a roughing the passer call, the Ghosts had a
last shot from their 15 as six seconds remained. This time
there was a catch but it was Cole Creighton making the grab
to ink the win. And here it comes:
Game to ‘Skins!
First of all, a nod to the Ghosts who never quit. Good
effort. And to the Redskins – way to hang tough. A great
game. Now at 7-2, Neshaminy is “in the hunt” and with next
week seeing the last game of the regular season, we don’t
even need to tell anybody what team is coming to town. But
just in case any of you has been living on Mars for
half-a-century – it’s the Pennsbury Falcons. And as this
year’s Black & Orange group is one tough outfit, this one is
sure to be a real thriller so get your seat early as “The
Ridge” will be rocking all night long.
See you at the game.
