There are too many articles for one page so the articles section is broken down into 4 separate pages.

NeshaminyFootball.com would like to thank the following Newspapers for the use of these articles:

• The Bucks County Courier Times

• The Trentonian

• The Patriot News

• The Pittsburgh Tribune Review

• The Philadelphia Inquirer

• Woodland Hills Progress Star

• Post Gazette (W.H.)

• The Bucks County Intelligencer

• The Sentinel (Carlisle, PA)

'SKINTILLATING WIN: Neshaminy holds off Cumberland Valley in Eastern Championship

DENNY DYROFF, Staff Writer December 02, 2001

Neshaminy's Keith Ennis (1) races past Cumberland Valley's Matt Andrechik (16) and Tim Cook.

HERSHEY, Pa. -- The game film of Neshaminy's 25-19 win over Cumberland Valley in yesterday's PIAA Class AAAA Football Eastern Championship has at least as many twists, turns, subplots and major scene shifts as any David Lynch or Alfred Hitchcock movie -- the biggest being a Swope swipe with just over one minute remaining in the game.

With Neshaminy ahead by six points (25-19), an interception by Cumberland Valley free safety Aaron Swift at the 2:20 mark gave the Eagles a first down at the midfield stripe. On third-and-four with 1:34 left, CV quarterback Corey Biscof completed a 17-yard pass to Adam Cook, who was running from right to left.

'Skins free safety Devon Swope jumped on Cook's back and rode him for a number of strides as the Eagle receiver moved laterally across the field at Hersheypark Stadium.

Swope wasn't just getting in the Hersheypark spirit by going for a ride. He was wrestling the ball loose from Cook's grip. The ball flew free before Cook hit the ground and Neshaminy's Jamar Brittingham alertly covered the loose ball. Neshaminy then ran out the clock.

"I saw him (Cook) coming across the middle on a drag," said Swope. "I didn't want to go for the interception and take the chance of being called for pass interference. When I tackled him, I had my hand on the ball for a few seconds and then just ripped it loose. I was just happy one of our guys got it."

Brittingham said, "I jammed my guy and then turned to look at the play. I saw Swope's hand on the ball and then saw the ball coming out. I ran into my teammate -- Erik Pederson -- trying to get the ball."

Neshaminy's team was two different teams yesterday--the team that played the first seven minutes of the game and the final 24 minutes and the team that was on the field for the final 17 minutes of the first half.

The 'Skins kicked off and then forced the Eagles to punt after no first downs. Neshaminy's offense then marched 65 yards only to have the drive screech to a halt with a CV interception at the goal line.

The Eagles owned the rest of the first half. They started with a 17-play, 91-yard drive that took 6:25 and concluded with a one-yard TD run by Dan Lawlor with 0:48 left in the second quarter.

The 'Skins then turned the ball over on downs after only five plays. Cumberland Valley responded with an 18-play, 82-yard scoring drive that consumed over seven minutes.

Once again, it was Lawlor with a one-yard TD run. On both touchdowns, the Eagles failed to convert two-point attempts so the score at halftime was 12-0.

After intermission, the 'Skins played inspired football. On the opening series, they started on their own 36 and moved to a fourth-and-10 at CV's 30. Neshaminy wide receiver Keith Ennis flew down the right side and quarterback Jason Waiter found him with a perfect pass.

The result--first-and-goal at the one. On the next play, Geoff Donahue put the 'Skins on the board with a one-yard TD run and Kevin Kelly kicked the PAT to make it 12-7 with 8:25 left in the third quarter. The 'Skins held the Eagles to three-and-punt and then started a drive at their own 15.

Fueled by a 17-yard run by Jay Collins, an 18-yard scamper by Brittingham and a 14-yard Waiter-to-Brittingham connection, Neshaminy quickly moved into scoring position.

Brittingham broke a run wide to the left and sped in for an apparent 22-yard TD -- but it was nullified by a holding penalty. Brittingham responded with a 27-yard gain on a draw up the middle on the very next play and a five-yard TD burst up the middle on the play after that.

With 1:47 left in the third quarter, the 'Skins had their first lead of the game -- but a bobbled snap and a low kick kept the score at 13-12. The Eagles came roaring back -- determined to regain the lead and the momentum.

Starting at their own 26, they quickly moved the ball to midfield but soon faced a fourth-and-four. CV used a fake punt play to produce a 28-yard pass play from Swift to Cook. But a penalty for an illegal receiver downfield gave the District Three champions at fourth and-nine at their own 39 instead of a first down at Neshaminy's 28.

It got worse for the Eagles. A delay penalty made it fourth-and-14 at the 34 and eliminated any plans for another fake. CV's Matt Pavelic attempted to punt only to have it blocked by Pederson. The ball flew in the air and was quickly collected by Mike Loveland who sprinted in untouched for a 17-yard touchdown.

"I saw the ball in the air and just dove for it," said Loveland. "I was just thinking -- it's my ball. It was a nice block. It's what we're supposed to do. When I got the ball, I didn't see anything or hear anything. I just thought that the ball was mine and I like that end zone."

The 'Skins' kick attempt failed and the score stayed at 19-12 with 10:53 left in the game. The Eagles kept showing great resiliency and they came right back with a seven-play, 73-yard scoring drive capped by a 41-yard scoring run by Casey Milligan. Pavelic made his kick to knot the score at 19-19 with 8:09 remaining.

"There were a lot of big plays--a lot of turning points," said Neshaminy coach Mark Schmidt, whose 14-0 team now faces a state-title showdown next Saturday at the same location against 14-0 Woodland Hills. "If you've seen us play before, that's us all season. We've been a sideshow. We've definitely had some wild rides so our guys are used to it. It was a bigger facility today but the same old story."

©The Trentonian 2001  

EASTERN REGION FINAL:

NESHAMINY 25, CUMBERLAND VALLEY 19
One more win!

Never-say-die Neshaminy rallied from a 12-0 halftime deficit to outslug Cumberland Valley and advance to next Saturday's PIAA AAAA state championship game.

By WILLIAM KENNY
Courier Times

Neshaminy senior tackle Miguel Lebron celebrates the fumble recovery by teammate Jamar Brittingham with 1:25 remaining to seal the Redskins' incredible come-from-behind victory. (Photos: Art Gentile/Courier Times)

HERSHEY - If the Neshaminy Redskins were ever to doubt their own talents, question their intestinal fortitude or give up on their collective dream to be the best high school football team in Pennsylvania, yesterday was the day for it.

Cumberland Valley High School brought its punishingly abusive power running game to Hersheypark Stadium and pounded the Redskins in the first half of the PIAA Class AAAA state playoff semifinal.

The Eagles of Mechanicsburg, champions of District Three, owned the football for the first two quarters and went into intermission with a two-touchdown lead, courtesy of a 16-play scoring drive, followed immediately by a 17-play march.

But Neshaminy, the District One titlist, a group punched and prodded down the field for the better part of 24 minutes, had no quit in it. Instead, the Redskins played "Rocky" again - climbing off of the deck for the umpteenth time in this, their charmed season.

The Redskins eventually outslugged and outlasted the Eagles, 25-19, to win the state's Eastern Region title and earn a berth in next Saturday's state championship game here at 5 p.m., opposite District Seven's Woodland Hills of Pittsburgh. Woodland Hills (14-0) defeated Altoona, 34-0,in the Western Region final yesterday afternoon.

Neshaminy (14-0) will become the first area football team ever to compete in a state championship contest. Pennsylvania adopted a playoff format in 1988.

The Redskins overcame the relentless Cumberland Valley running attack with countless big plays. Running back Jamar Brittingham was the guy with the most of them. The all-state candidate ran 27 times for a game-high 155 yards and two second-half touchdowns.

Jamar Brittingham outruns Cumberland Valley defenders.

At halftime, with the Redskins trailing, 12-0, coach Mark Schmidt called upon his star ball carrier to change the momentum of the game. The senior did exactly that.

"I looked at him and said, 'Hey Bud, we're going to win or lose this thing with you,' " Schmidt told reporters after the game. "He's a special young man. He got it cranked up a bit."

Brittingham actually reached the end zone three times, but a holding penalty nullified his first would-be TD, a nifty 23-yard run late in the third quarter.

Undaunted, Brittingham went 27 yards to the Eagles' 5 on the very next snap. The 6-foot-1, 194-pounder finished off his inspired gallop by dropping a damage-wreaking shoulder pad onto an undersized Eagles' safety. The thousands of Redskin supporters in attendance roared with approval.

"In the first half, he was taking me down (by) the legs," Brittingham said of the defender. "In the second half, I had it in my mind to go low and run over him." Brittingham's 5-yard run on the next play put Neshaminy on top for the first time, 13-12.

The two-way standout also contributed on defense, recovering a fumble forced by safety Devon Swope with 1:25 left in the game. The strip came at the end of a 17-yard pass completion that would have given Cumberland Valley a first down in Neshaminy territory.

Brittingham wasn't the only Redskin to make good use of the big play, however. All-purpose back/receiver Keith Ennis did not finish with eye-popping statistics (28 yards rushing and 44 receiving), but every time he touched the football, he produced in a key situation.

His 28-yard catch on fourth-and-10 from the Eagles' 29 saved Neshaminy's hopes early in the third quarter. Fullback Geoff Donahue's ensuing one-yard scoring run, plus the extra point, made it 12-7.

"I was calling for (the ball). I knew I could beat him," Ennis said of the Cumberland Valley cornerback whom he outleaped to snare the crucial pass. "Jay (Wiater) threw a great ball to the outside. I just went up and caught it."

The senior also returned kickoffs for 44 and 67 yards. The longer one occurred with six minutes to go in the game, just after Cumberland Valley had tied it, 19-19, on a 41-yard touchdown run by Casey Milligan.

Thanks to Ennis' big runback, however, Neshaminy took over at the Eagles' 20. Four plays later, on fourth-and-two, Brittingham broke free for what would become the winning score, a 12-yarder.

Mike Loveland celebrates with teammates after scoring on a blocked punt.

During their sustained second-half rally, the Redskins also made things happen on special teams.

In the second minute of the fourth quarter, junior Erik Pederson, a back-up quarterback and linebacker, blocked a Cumberland Valley punt. Mike Loveland, a senior receiver, snared the ball out of mid-air at the Eagles' 19 and raced into the end zone.

The score was Neshaminy's third in less than 14 minutes, making it 19-12. Still, the game was far from decided.

But Loveland, one of a long list of veterans on the team, had a feeling the Redskins would finish off the memorable victory. He felt the same way at intermission, even with Cumberland Valley holding a two-score lead and outgaining the Redskins 181-92 in the first half. Neshaminy went on to even the statistics in the second half and surpass the Eagles in the most important category, points.

"We knew we would do it somehow," Loveland said. "You've just got to concentrate, stay in the game and calm down. A lot of times, people get all worried and make mistakes."

"Ah, we've been (behind) before. These guys know what that's about," Schmidt said, almost shrugging off the clutch comeback as an everyday occurrence. "It was a bigger crowd, a bigger facility, but it's the same old story. "Everybody just did their job, shook off the bad and tried to keep working the good."

A trio of Neshaminy defenders crunch Cumberland Valley split end Brandon Stanford during yesterday's Eastern final championship game.

NESHAMINY 25, CUMBERLAND VALLEY 19

Player of the game: Senior RB Jamar Brittingham, 27 carries for 155 yards and two TDs; two catches for 17 yards; fumble recovery.

Play of the game: Senior WR Keith Ennis' 28-yard catch on fourth-and-10 from the CV 29 in the third quarter, with Neshaminy trailing, 12-0.

Stats of the game: CV ran 31 times for 153 yards in the first half, but just 16 times for 100 yards in the second half (41 on one play). The Eagles had just four first downs after intermission.

Sunday, December 2, 2001 

Neshaminy's defense a well-kept secret

Much of the Redskins' success this season has been credited to the offense. Don't forget about the defense, which has held seven of its opponents to two touchdowns or less.

By ANTHONY STITT
Courier Times
 

LANGHORNE - Think Neshaminy. Think offense. Think the explosiveness of running back Jamar Brittingham, the power of fullback Jay Collins, the arm of quarterback Jay Wiater and the speed of wide receiver Keith Ennis.

Lovely stuff. Weaponry at its finest. The core of the undefeated team, right?

Uh, think again.

There, in the shadows of a wondrous offense, belies a heart and pulse so strong, an unheralded talent.

It's the defense, much of it under wraps, as opponents and media and fans have fixated upon the flash of the offense.

The defense is surely hoping for the same on Saturday: to surprise Cumberland Valley (13-0), the team separating Neshaminy (13-0) from the PIAA Class AAAA title game.

For the season, the defense has adored the anonymity.

It has exploited it, too.

"The opposing teams think our offense is the better part of us," said defensive tackle Miguel Lebron. "When they do that, we take advantage of them. They're not ready for our tough D."

Heed Lebron. He nailed it.

His words, like a mission statement from a defensive guru, tells the sentiments of all those in Neshaminy's defensive trenches.

Linebacker Austin Jones sure would say so.

"We get overlooked," Jones said. "But that's our strength. Our opponents underestimate us and we bite them in a sense."

Bite marks abound - as sacks and hurries and turnovers have been key, and often timely, a big reason why the Redskins are undefeated, coach Mark Schmidt will tell you.

"The offense has had two or three stellar games," Schmidt said, "but every game there's been somebody who has made a huge defensive play, maybe an interception or sack or fumble recovery."

Case in point: Friday's playoff game when the Redskins beat Conestoga, 28-12 - an archetype performance from Neshaminy's defense as it snagged three turnovers, with safety Devon Swope's interception putting "the game on ice," as Schmidt called it.

So far this season, a bevy of defensive players have contributed, Schmidt said. Swope has five interceptions. Defensive End Chuck Koch has recovered two fumbles and forced another and is tied with linebacker Geoff Donahue for the team lead in sacks with five.

"We all know each other's assignments," Donohue said.

It's also been an assignment of simplicity each week: Keep the opponent to 21 points or less - and let the offense do its thing.

"We have a very conservative game plan - hold the opponent to 21 points," said defensive coach John Chaump. "It's been a little bit of a joke, but that's the way it's been."

Simple as it might seem, it's worked. In Neshaminy's 13 games, only two teams, Father Judge and Pennridge, have scored more than 21 points.

The defense has kept seven of its opponents to two touchdowns or less, and has not allowed a team exceed the three-touchdown limit since Week 3. It has surrendered an average of just 15.8 points per game.

"In the beginning of the season, we were doing a lot of jabbering," said Swope. "But we've come together really nicely."

Schmidt would agree: Cohesiveness, he preaches.

Another key would be health.

Last season the Redskins lost linebacker Pat Carroll and defensive end Ryan van den Brand for most of the season.

This season, both are healthy, with Carroll leading the team in tackles with 97 and van den Brand chipping in four sacks.

"I get twice as excited when I see a turnover than when I see a touchdown," van den Brand said. "A turnover is like gold."

And all of the Redskins will be hoping to see lots of gold on Saturday against Cumberland Valley, an offensive juggernaut that is averaging 34 points a game.

"We don't want to give up an easy TD," said Chaump. "We have to let the offense score their four touchdowns and let Jamar do his thing, and we'll do our thing."

Wednesday, November 28, 2001 

No pep rally for team, just a rally cry

One win away from a state title match-up, Neshaminy High is keeping a lid on the hoopla - for now.

By JO CIAVAGLIA and ANTHONY STITT
Courier Times

Although Neshaminy school officials want their undefeated football team to beat the stuffing out of its next opponent, they've decided to keep the hoopla in the hopper - and wait until next week, if there is a next week.

Neshaminy High School officials have yet to regale their undefeated football team - no pep rally, no bonfire, no wild sendoff.

The Redskins - who've won more games than any other Lower Bucks football team ever, going 13-0 - are one win away from a state title match-up. They'll leave for Hershey today for the state semifinals without any school-sponsored fanfare.

Feeling snubbed?

Players say no.

"It doesn't bother us," quarterback Jay Wiater said. "I wouldn't even notice it if we didn't have [a pep rally]. We're just trying to keep our heads in the game and prepare. That's all we're worrying about."

School officials said they'd rather not disrupt classes to throw a rah-rah party, even if it's for one of the biggest high school football games in Lower Bucks history.

"The prime reason students are here is to learn, and you can't take away from that," athletics director Sheila Murphy said.

The school will plan for a party next week - if the Redskins beat undefeated Cumberland Valley tomorrow at Hersheypark Stadium.

"We want to keep to the program at this point and look forward to a win this week," Neshaminy spokeswoman Sandra Costanzo said.

"You have to understand the important game is the state final," Murphy said. "Before, when this has happened [in other sports], we've always planned something before or after the state championship game."

It's been a magical season.

During the PIAA Class AAAA regular season, the Redskins knocked off titans such as CB West, North Penn and Pennridge and have marched through the first three rounds of the state playoffs. No local team has gone this far into the AAAA postseason.

Anywhere from 5,000 to 7,000 fans have packed Harry E. Franks Stadium, their home turf, for the Redskins' previous three playoff games. For last week's District One title game against Conestoga, 1,600 tickets were sold in advance.

A grand sendoff is planned for next week if the Redskins win tomorrow. The state title game is slated for Dec. 8.

Even the team's N Club - a boosters group that orchestrates fund-raisers to team dinners - doesn't object to the school keeping this week's hoopla low key.

"I don't think the players are worrying about who's throwing a party," said Erik Pedersen, vice president of the club and father of team players Erik and Anthony. "They're more concerned about becoming No. 1 in the state."

Friday, November 30, 2001 

Word to the wise: Never count out Neshaminy

If you forget everything you know about Neshaminy football from this point forward, be sure to retain this: Nothing is ever easy. Nothing.

HERSHEY - If you forget everything you know about Neshaminy football from this point forward, be sure to retain this: Nothing is ever easy. Nothing.

And so it followed that yesterday's Class AAAA state playoff semifinal in Hershey had to be another in a long line of arduous litmus tests for the Redskins. The kind where the results don't come in until the last possible moment - and even when they do, no one is quite sure whom they'll favor.

The clock ticked under two minutes in the fourth quarter in a game that, for two-plus hours, had swayed like a sickly tree in a violent wind. Neshaminy clung to a shaky six-point lead as Cumberland Valley began to cross midfield. Facing a third-and-3, the Eagles did something they tried to avoid all season. They passed.

With an obstreperous Redskins crowd filling the afternoon air with a confident din, Eagles quarterback Corey Biscof dropped back and threw across the middle. Everything seemed to stand still as the ball floated into the hands of tight end Adam Cook for what should have been a first down.

Then, just when it looked as if all was lost for Neshaminy for the umpteenth time that day, the Redskins were redeemed. Saved by their safety, Devon Swope.

He stripped the ball, you see. Forced it from the hands of Cook and onto the mint-green grass, where it was fortuitously secured by cornerback Jamar Brittingham.

And that was it. End of game.

Neshaminy 25, Cumberland Valley 19.

"I was thinking about going for the interception," said Swope, who has made so many big plays for Neshaminy in these playoffs that there's not enough space in this column to revisit them all. "I didn't go for it because I didn't want a pass interference call. But my hand was on the ball side, so I tried for the strip."

It has been that type of year for Neshaminy. The 'Skins have been in some tight games against quality opponents - backed into situations where wins were all but an impossibility and the only recourse appeared to be tears and Kleenex. Yesterday was no different.

At the half, the Redskins trailed by two scores. Neshaminy was a disheveled lot, disturbed by Cumberland Valley's running game and the ease with which the Eagles moved down the field.

The brunt of the damage in the opening half was caused by fullback Regis Perry - a large lad who, at 5-10, 250 pounds, had little trouble bowling over the 'Skins defenders. Perry finished the game with 48 yards rushing, and, at least initially, that figured to be enough.

So the Redskins retreated to their locker room at the midway point with nearly everyone thinking they were about to witness the death knell. No undefeated season. No state finals berth.

"I didn't think that," countered head coach Mark Schmidt. "I wasn't worried at all."

Either he was lying or he's as composed and insightful as they come. Whichever, and more importantly, he and the staff and the players snapped to it. They woke up, as they had countless times before, to drag themselves back into a game that Cumberland Valley clearly controlled.

A lot of that, of course, had to do with Brittingham, who was once again the best player on the field. In addition to recovering that final, fateful fumble, the senior also carried the ball 27 times for 155 yards and two touchdowns. Oh, and that includes the winning score.

In total it was an improbable, crazy, heart-stopping victory. Though, in retrospect - considering all they've accomplished this season against long odds - the final score and the means to that end really shouldn't come as a surprise.

Regardless, they are now where they wanted to be all along. Not that they discussed the possibility. Well, that is they didn't talk about it aloud or in the presence of company. But make no mistake, this is what they were driving toward from the onset - this chance for a state championship.

"The future," Schmidt said throatily while addressing his players in the postgame gathering, "is just seven days away."

He's right. The future, their future, is nearly at hand. That is the emboldening part.

And this is the disquieting, ironic part: Despite all their travails, the most taxing stretch is yet to come.

John Gonzalez covers high school sports for the Courier Times.

Sunday, December 2, 2001 

Neshaminy 25, Cumberland Valley 19

Sunday, December 02, 2001

Cumberland Valley loved the first 50 percent of its PIAA Class AAAA East Championship game yesterday with Neshaminy.

But the second half? The Eagles will forever rue the last 24 minutes of that game.

Up by 12 at the break, Cumberland Valley lost its grip on a state championship appearance when Neshaminy spun completely around and stung the Eagles 25-19 at Hersheypark Stadium.

Neshaminy (14-0) will move into Saturday's PIAA Class AAAA Championship game against West champion Woodland Hills (14-0), an easy 34-0 winner over Altoona.

Cumberland Valley (13-1) can only clutch itself in pain after letting the Redskins get away, in part because Neshaminy star Jamar Brittingham (26 carries, 156 yards) broke out his all-state alter ego and slippery receiver and return man Keith Ennis played a similarly all-stateish game.

The other part? Well, the CV fans don't want to go to the tape on this one. An ineligible receiver call that wiped out a crucial first down on a fake punt attempt, then eventually led to a blocked punt and a fourth-quarter touchdown for Neshaminy, will always lead the conversations regarding this game.

All of it was important stuff in an important game, but the bottom line was proffered by Cumberland Valley head coach Tim Rimpfel.

"[Neshaminy] made the plays when it had to, and it made more than we did today," said Rimpfel.

Yep.

Early on, it was Cumberland Valley making the plays that mattered. On Neshaminy's first drive, the Redskins moved rather effortlessly to the Cumberland Valley 4, but sophomore linebacker Josh Oswalt got in the way of Jason Wiater's pass at the 1 and returned to his own 9.

That, of course, is perfect Cumberland Valley field position, and the Eagles embarked on a 16-play, 15-rush, 91-yard mashfest that ended with Dan Lawlor's 1-yard push into the end zone 72 seconds into the second quarter.

After Ennis returned the kickoff 43 yards to the CV 43, the Eagles came up with a stop at their own 19 with 8:21 to play in the half. That rather naturally led to an 81-yard march that ate up all but the last 59 seconds of the half.

Lawlor again got the call from the 1 on the drive's 17th play, shortly after Neshaminy had made a critical mistake by trying to play 12-man defense on fourth-and-two at the 9.

The game was going exactly to CV's script: The Eagles had just three first-half possessions, scored on two of them for a 12-0 lead, and had limited the effectiveness of Brittingham, the superb Neshaminy tailback.

Brittingham had 63 yards on 11 carries in the first half, not awful, but not enough to reach the end zone. That changed in the second half.

The Redskins pieced together two outstanding drives to snatch the lead. Geoff Donahue's 1-yard scoring run finished off a 63-yard drive with 8:25 left in the third. That score was possible only because Ennis made an incredible 28-yard catch at the 1 on a fourth-and-10 play.

Brittingham then punched in from the 5 nearly seven minutes later to make it 13-12.

Cumberland Valley, its offense suddenly withered, punched out a first down, but was forced into punt formation early in the fourth quarter.

But the Eagles didn't punt. Instead, up back Aaron Swift took the snap, found Adam Cook out of the left slot, and the 32-yard play had the CV fans shrieking.

Then the screaming really started. The officiating crew from District 11 said that Cook was ineligible, that he was covered by the Eagles' split end.

Rimpfel, who disagreed strongly at the time, was even more distraught after reviewing the game film.

"It was a totally legal formation," said Rimpfel. "Adam was not covered; he was an eligible receiver."

The call was deadly. Rattled, CV yielded a wholly unnecessary delay penalty, then utterly failed to block Neshaminy's Erik Pederson, who darted up the middle to hand-block Matt Pavelic's punt.

The Redskins' Mike Loveland picked up the ball at the 17 and rushed in, extending Neshaminy's lead to 19-12.

Still, Cumberland Valley came up with an answer, a 78-yard drive that ended with Casey Milligan's 41-yard counter with 8:09 to play. Pavelic's tender kick tied the game at 19-19.

But Ennis rolled up the right sideline 68 yards with the kickoff to the CV 20. Brittingham then banged out four straight runs to cover all 20 yards, including a 12-yard score with 5:58 to play.

The Eagles followed with a horribly ineffective series of three straight incompletions, but Neshaminy gave CV one final chance when Swift cut in front of Loveland for a pick at the CV 48 with 2:10 left.

"We needed a first down. I didn't want to get in a fourth-down situation, the wind was blowing hard into us and we hadn't punted all day," said Neshaminy head coach Mark Schmidt by way of explaining his curious pass call on third-and-4 from his own 41. "It wasn't the time you want to bring in your punter for his first kick."

On third down from the Neshaminy 44, quarterback Corey Bischof connected with tight end Adam Cook for 17 yards. But Neshaminy's Devon Swope stripped the ball while making the tackle, and Brittingham curled around it at the 27 with 1:25 to play.

An exhilarating big-play bonanza

Sunday, December 02, 2001

Four PIAA championship football games are scheduled for Hershey this week. Plenty of drama and emotion will be capped by the presentation of title trophies.

However, the award for best single-game performance by two casts in the 2001 playoffs already has been locked up. It goes to the teams involved in yesterday's Class-AAAA East Championship Game.

Take a bow, Neshaminy Redskins.

Take a bow, Cumberland Valley Eagles.

On a remarkably mild Dec. 1, Neshaminy and CV put on a show more amazing than the weather. A stunning convergence of big stakes and big plays entertained thousands at Hersheypark Stadium.

"Yeah, it was a heck of a game," said CV head coach Tim Rimpfel. "I'm proud to be part of our team here and to be in this situation here.

"A lot of big plays, yep. They made more big plays than we did. That's what it comes down to."

A first-quarter interception by CV's Josh Oswalt and a fourth-quarter fumble recovery by Neshaminy's Jamar Brittingham bookended the Redskins' 25-19 victory.

In between, there was an a la carte menu of pigskin delight. So many huge moments and so many plot twists.

Did Keith Ennis really make that fourth-and-game grab on Neshaminy's first possession of the third? Did CV's successful fake punt early in the fourth get called back due to an illegal touch? Did Neshaminy really follow with a punt block returned for a touchdown?

Did a pass really carom off Dan Lawlor's head and into the arms of tackle Chris Thomas for a completion that gave CV a third-and-short instead of a third-and-long when its margin for error was all but gone? Did little scatback Casey Milligan really go 41 yards for the game-tying touchdown three plays later?

Did Neshaminy ultra back Brittingham really answer with a 12-yard blast on fourth down that would stand as the game-winning touchdown?

It's true. All true.

Really.

Neshaminy (14-0), which trailed 12-0 at halftime, took a challenging route to earn a return trip to Hershey, where it will play Woodland Hills for the AAAA grail.

"We've had some wild rides," said Neshaminy head coach Mark Schmidt, whose team has specialized in comebacks this season.

"It's a bigger crowd and it's a nicer facility. But other than that, it's the same old story."

Ennis said the Redskins were in "awe" of playing at Hersheypark Stadium in the first half; in the second half their fans were in awe.

If Ennis doesn't make his leaping catch, which came on fourth-and-10 at the CV 29, there's no Neshaminy rally. Guarded by Eagles cornerback Brandon Stanford, Ennis snared the ball at the right goal line pylon.

First-and-goal inside the 1. Touchdown on the next play to make it 12-7. Shocking momentum swing.

"I knew I had to make that catch," Ennis said, "because that was going to be the whole ballgame."

After Brittingham's second TD run gave Neshaminy a six-point edge, fate would nod at CV one last time. The Eagles miraculously got the ball back with 2:10 remaining when Aaron Swift intercepted a Redskins pass.

Everybody in the building did a double take when, time running, Neshaminy threw on third-and-5.

"We could have ran Jamar, but I didn't want to get into a fourth-and-1 situation," Schmidt explained. "The wind was blowing pretty good. Our punter hadn't punted all game. I'm sure he was a little tight.

"I was trying to stay a step ahead. I made a bad call."

The error was rendered moot thanks to Devon Swope's strip and Brittingham's fumble recovery at the Neshaminy 27 with 1:25 left. From there, the Redskins ran out the clock.

Among the congratulatory postgame handshakes Schmidt enjoyed was from Gov. Mark Schweiker. The governor assumed office under challenging circumstances, but at least the global warming thing seems to be working out in Pennsylvania's favor.

Once the disappointment wears off, 2001 will hold many warm memories for the Eagles.

"It was a great experience coming this far," said CV running back Regis Perry. "I love playing with these guys. We're a great team, a great group of fellas, great coaches, great everything. It was a great season."

Bravo.

Tim Leone may be reached at tleone@patriot-news.com. 

PIAA football Class AAAA Eastern finals glance

PIAA Class AAAA
Eastern final

Cumberland Valley Eagles (13-0, District 3 champions)
vs. Neshaminy Redskins (13-0, District 1 champions)

When: Today, 1 p.m.

Where: Hersheypark Stadium

At stake: A spot in the PIAA Class AAAA finals, Dec. 8

Coaches: CV, Tim Rimpfel; Neshaminy, Mark Schmidt

Key players:

CV – RB Dan Lawlor, so., 265 carr., 1,321 yds., 22TD; QB Corey Bischof, so., 60 comp., 124 att., 1,095 yds., 16TD, 4INT; WR Brandon Stanford, sr., 25 rec., 361 yds., 2TD; FB Regis Perry, sr.. 76 carr., 490 yds., 6TD

NESHAMINY – RB Jamar Brittingham, sr., 316 carr., 2,263 yds., 26TD; QB Jason Wiater, sr., 92 comp., 161 att., 1,273 yds., 7TD, 3INT; WR Keith Ennis, sr., 45 rec., 682 yds., 5TD.

Probable starting lineups: (No., player, pos.)

CV – Defense, No. 43 Mike Cesarano, T, sr., 5-10, 210; No. 78 Chris Sanchez, T, sr., 5-11, 215; No. 88 Adam Cook, DE, sr., 6-3, 190; No. 16 Matt Andrechik, DE, sr., 6-3, 185; No. 3 John Sharbaugh, OLB, sr., 5-9, 155; No. 30 Matt Pavelic, OLB, sr., 6-2, 202; No. 51 Nick Deyo, ILB, sr., 5-11, 195; No. 55 Ryan Hoffman, ILB, sr., 5-10, 210; No. 5 Brandon Stanford, CB, sr., 5-10, 155; No. 39 Brian Noble, CB, sr., 5-9, 150; No. 14 Aaron Swift, S, sr., 5-7, 155;

Offense – No. 15 Corey Bischof, QB, so., 5-11, 175; No. 23 Alex Langan, HB, sr., 5-8, 155; No. 33 Dan Lawlor, FB, so., 6-2, 205; No. 22 Casey Milligan, WB, sr., 5-8, 150; No. 5 Brandon Stanford, WR, sr., 5-10, 155; No. 88 Adam Cook, TE, sr., 6-3, 190; No. 71 Chris Thomas, T, sr., 6-4, 292; No. 66 Seth Washburn, G, jr., 6-3, 246; No. 53 Dan Eberly, C, jr., 6-0, 205; , No. 55 Ryan Hoffman, G, sr., 5-10, 210; No. 77 Bob Grant, T, sr., 6-3, 275.

NESHAMINY – Offense, No. 8 Jason Wiater, QB, sr., 6-1, 180; No. 2 Jamar Brittingham, RB, sr., 6-1, 195; No. 27 Geoff Donahue, FB, jr., 6-2, 225; No. 1 Keith Ennis, WR, sr., 5-8, 174; No. 26 Mike Loveland, WR, sr., 5-11, 170; No. 84 Scott Mullin, TE, sr., 6-4, 220; No. 77 Steve Brett, T, sr., 6-4, 284; No. 67 Nick Feszco, G, sr., 6-1, 265; No. 52 Lliam Kelly, C, sr., 5-10, 235; No. 58 Ryan Contento, G, sr., 6-3, 240; No. 76 Brad Gower, T, jr., 6-1, 230;

Defense, No. 5 Ryan van den Brand, DE, sr., 6-1, 230; No. 74 Miguel Lebron, T, sr., 6-0, 280; No. 77 Steve Brett, T, sr., 6-4, 284; No. 66 Bill Little, T, sr., 6-0, 230; No. 27 Geoff Donahue, DE, jr., 6-2, 225; No. 22 Erik Pederson, OLB, jr., 6-2, 200; No. 42 Austin Jones, OLB, sr., 5-11, 175; No. 33 Jay Collins, LB, sr., 5-11, 225; No. 6 Pat Carroll, LB, sr., 6-1, 225; No. 2 Jamar Brittingham, CB, sr., 6-1, 195; No. 15 Justin Edwards, CB, sr., 5-10, 175; No. 13 Devon Swope, S, jr., 6-0, 180.

How they got here:

Cumberland Valley

Regular season

Sept. 1 - CV 24, Mechanicsburg 0

Sept. 7 - CV 20, Warwick 0

Sept. 14 - CV 55, Waynesboro 0

Sept. 21 - CV 34, McDevitt 6

Sept. 28 - CV 28, Central Dauphin 21

Oct. 5 - CV 28, Red Land 7

Oct. 12 - CV 14, Cedar Cliff 6

Oct. 19 - CV 35, Harrisburg 7

Oct. 26 - CV 47, Chambersburg 14

Nov. 2 - CV 42, Gettysburg 6

District 3 Class AAAA semifinal

Nov. 9 - CV 42, Muhlenberg 13

District 3 Class AAAA final

Nov. 17 - CV 28, McCaskey 18

PIAA Class AAAA Eastern semifinal

Nov. 24 - CV 41, Beca 31

Neshaminy

Regular season

Aug. 31 - Neshaminy 28, Father Judge 27

Sept. 7 - Neshaminy 1, Bensalem 0 (forfeit)

Sept. 14 - Neshaminy 28, Pennridge 22

Sept. 21 - Neshaminy 23, North Penn 14

Sept. 28 - Neshaminy 21, Central Bucks West 19

Oct. 6 - Neshaminy 15, Central Bucks East 14

Oct. 13 - Neshaminy 33, Harry S. Truman 6

Oct. 20 - Neshaminy 42, Abington 21

Oct. 26 - Neshaminy 35, Council Rock 0

Nov. 2 - Neshaminy 28, Pennsburt 21

District 1 Class AAAA semifinal

Nov. 9 - Neshaminy 24, Central Bucks East 14

District 1 Class AAAA final

Nov. 16 - Neshaminy 37, Downington 20

District 1-2-4 Class AAAA championship

Nov. 23 - Neshaminy 28, Conestoga 12