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Neshaminy High School revealed before some 9,000
delirious spectators last night what it takes to
truly be classified a “winner.”
The Redskins, with their backs against the wall,
staged a gallant comeback in the waning minutes to
nip powerful Allentown Louis Dieruff High School,
15-14, in a crucial Big Seven Conference game at
Neshaminy.
And it took a big decision by coach Jack Swartz,
perhaps the most vital made by him in his career, to
enable the ‘Skins to keep their season record (5-0)
untarnished.
With just 1:50 remaining in the game, Neshaminy’s
Bruce Traney plowed into the end zone from a yard
out to pull the Redskins within one point (14-13) of
the Huskies.
Critical
Choice
Swartz was then faced with a critical choice: go for
a tie using the services of one of the area’s
outstanding kickers, Chris Bahr, or go for the win
with a two-point conversion.
It didn’t take Swartz long to render his decision.
He elected to go all out, win or lose. And, it was
sheer courage and determination which prompted the
move.
With the game hanging in the balance quarterback
John Swartz scrambled away (as he had to do all
night) from several on rushers and fired a pass to
the speedy Dale Forchetti.
Forchetti, who possesses one of the best pair of
hands on the team, leaped for the ball, grabbed it,
and came down just one foot shy of going out of the
end zone for the sensational catch.
Change of
Events
Coach Swartz, trying to regain his composure after
the game, stated “I was going to go for the
two-pointer no matter what. I wouldn’t, and I’m
certain the boys wouldn’t, be happy to settle for a
tie. Thanks heavens we made it.”
Forchetti, who scored Neshaminy’s initial touchdown
and who made a costly fumble in the second period to
set up Dieruff’s second touchdown, was obviously
elated by the change of events.
“I’m happy to say the least. It was a real team
effort. I was disgusted with myself fumbling that
punt earlier, and I knew I had to do something to
redeem myself.”
“The pass I caught in the end zone for two-points
was right there. I only had to move a little to the
left. But I had to make sure, when I was coming
down, my two feet were in-bounds” commented
Forchetti.
Big Play
It was also Forchetti who played a vital role in
setting up the ‘Skins six-pointer in the final
period.
After Neshaminy had driven from its 20 to Dieruff’s
34, Swartz was thrown for an 18-yard loss. Rich
McIntyre followed with a run around left end for an
11-yard advance to the enemy 41. |
However, the ‘Skins (with 2:44 left) were still
faced with an important third-and-17 situation.
On the play, Swartz evaded three oncoming linemen,
and hit Forchetti (who was all alone) with a perfect
pass at the 15. Forchetti dodged one defender and
raced to the three before being brought down from
behind.
Andy Koch powered his way to the one from where
Traney scored on the next play.
‘Skins
Strike First
Neshaminy, now sporting a 3-0 Big Seven record and
having to face powerful Bethlehem Liberty (2-0) and
traditional rival Pennsbury (1-2) yet dented the
scoreboard first, scoring some five minutes into the
game.
Highlighted by a 39-yard pass (off a reverse play)
from Koch to end Rick Adams. Neshaminy marched from
its 27 to Dieruff’s 15 in six plays.
On the next play, Forchetti went around right end
(off another reverse) to score. Bahr’s placement
made it 7-0.
Coach John (Jeep) Bednarik’s squad, suffering its
first setback of the year after three wins, came
back to tie the game early in the second period as
quarterback John Bednarik, Jr. teamed with halfback
Mike Zambelli for a 12-yard touchdown pass. The
latter kicked the point-after to knot the score.
Costly
Fumble
Forchetti’s fumble of a Dieruff punt, which Gene
Sweeney pounced on at the ‘Skins 18, helped the
Huskies take the lead four minutes later.
On the first play, Bednarik (who had plenty of time
to throw through the first half) fired a pass to
halfback Mike Reiter who snared it at the one and
went in for the score. Zambelli’s PAT gave Dieruff a
14-7 first-half lead.
Neshaminy’s defense, lead by the stellar play of
Vance Forchetti and Mike Emanuel, held Dieruff to 59
net yards in the second half which also proved
instrumental in the win.
Neshaminy, however, was unable to get any offensive
attack together until that final successful drive.
The main reason for the offense not performing up to
par perhaps was due to the poor blocking up front.
Dieruff continually managed to crack through
throwing Neshaminy’s backs for vital losses.
“It’s not that our boys didn’t make contact,” said
Swartz, “but they failed to move them (Dieruff) out
of there after making the initial contact. We’d hit
them, but fail to drive them completely out of the
play.”
But, despite those Neshaminy errors, it never
surrendered. Instead, a determined, courageous unit
fought back to become “winners” once again.
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Last update
October 09, 2007