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)

A season to be cherished forever

All season long, they never tread too loudly. They never boasted. They never pumped arms of defiance. They simply worked. They won and worked - and dreamed.

HERSHEY - Just before they belly-flopped into the mud pools like joyous children, just before they kissed and hugged their parents and friends, these young men - the conquering heroes from Neshaminy High - had one last on-field meeting with the pugnacious coach Mark Schmidt.

As the players swarmed Schmidt in a barrage of hoots and grins, the coach bellowed: "All I have for you is two words!"

Silence; then, Schmidt bellowed again, in a hoarse-voiced holler that could curdle milk:

"STATE TITLE!"

All season long, they never tread too loudly. They never boasted. They never pumped arms of defiance.

They simply worked.

They won and worked - and dreamed.

For four months, they won game after game, battle after battle. They knocked off titans. They strolled into a world of anxiety, preferring the come-from-behind-win to the blowout triumph.

And yes, the Neshaminy Redskins did it yesterday, beating No. 1 ranked Woodland Hills, 21-7, climbing out of a 7-6 halftime hole. They polished off the implausible assignment: perfection, 15 wins, zero losses, winning the PIAA Class AAAA title.

They cried, too, joyous tears from tough, young men.

Fullback Jay Collins, who ran for a touchdown two hours earlier, wrapped his arms around his coaches, mud-juice trickling down his pink cheeks, the tears of eternal youth mixing with the mud.

Neshaminy teammates celebrates their state title. (Photos: Bill Johnson/Courier Times)

"A whole bunch of fun emotions," Collins said, his eyes still moist 20 minutes after the win. "I'm so happy. I'm just thanking God and my mother and my dad who's up in heaven. I know he's watching and he's proud."

The players hoisted the PIAA trophy, a grand emblem of superiority, one with a giant gold football, and held it high.

It was a monolith, rising above the ground, hoisted above everyone, carried in the muddy paws of the best football players in the state.

"It doesn't feel like it should be over," said senior quarterback Jay Wiater, who was 9 for 11 for 150 yards yesterday. "We played 15 weeks and we won every game. My stomach feels weird. There is no feeling like this."

"It's been a long season," said star running back Jamar Brittingham, who had perhaps the greatest season ever for an area back, amassing 30 touchdowns and 2,575 rushing yards.

Afterwards, Coach Schmidt's voice crackled. His eyes fluttered about, rapidly trying to process the whirlwind of happenings.

A moment later, Schmidt embraced the golden football, clutching the trophy in one hand, and held his 4-year-old daughter Erica in the other arm - a glorious coach in a glorious moment, looking like he'd just might live forever.

It is his team - the team he assumed duty seven years ago, the team which finished 1-10 in his first season, a team he has led to the Promise Land.

Just after the final seconds ticked off the clock, the Redskins splashed through the mud. Thousands and thousands of their faithful roared. The Redskins engulfed Schmidt as he rallied for one a final motivational message.

Schmidt bellowed: "Are you satisfied?"

"YEAH!" the players screamed.

"If you said, 'Yeah,' give me a 'Hell, yeah!'" Schmidt bellowed again.

"HELL, YEAH!"

And we are, too. We are satisfied.

Thank you, Redskins.

But wait, before the newspaper clippings turn yellow, before the memories fade, before the young Redskins traipse into adulthood, hark back 50 years when legendary Neshaminy football coach Harry Franks penned the words: "Time will never dim the glory of the Neshaminy Redskins."

It's true, Redskins.

Neshaminy Superintendent Gary Bowman congratulates head coach Mark Schmidt after the football team's victory.

It's true, particularly this year.

Redskins, please heed the words of Harry Franks.

You see, Redskins, you played a lone season, an unbelievable season of eternal youth, of 15 wins, of zero losses, of hope and hugs, of dramatic triumphs - of joyous tears.

You played a lone season, a four-month long odyssey which led to the mountain top, where thousands of your faithful packed the stands to cheer you to praise you - to love you.

You played a lone season, and yet, so quickly it is over.

You played a lone season, but you'll walk together forever - for time will never dim the glory of you.

Champions!

CHAMPIONS!

Sunday, December 9, 2001 

The finest hour for Brittingham

Despite all Woodland Hills press and pomp, Jamar Brittingham had definite plans for his last high school game. And none of them included subservience. Or defeat.

By JOHN GONZALEZ
Courier Times

Jamar Brittingham is on the loose for a long gain in the second quarter yesterday. (Photos: Bill Johnson/Courier Times)

HERSHEY - The game was decided, but he paced the sideline anyway. He was as combustible as usual, but also eager to shed his favored disposition for a smile and a few hundred hugs.

Neshaminy head coach Mark Schmidt is nothing if not thorough, however, so he refrained from hooting and hollering with the rest of the legions until the clock had completely exhausted itself. Besides, there was another play to run and an attendant decision to be made.

Someone suggested handing the ball off to one of the backups. It was a suggestion that made Schmidt glare, hard and pointed and telling.

"I'm going with our guy," he grumbled. "He's the one who got us here."

Indeed. While the Redskins have undoubtedly been a product of their parts this season, Jamar Brittingham, more than any other, was the most significant contributor. More than any other, he was the one who pushed and carried them to an undefeated season. And, more than any other, he was the one who got them to yesterday's Class AAAA state final against Woodland Hills at Hershey Stadium.

And so he was granted a final carry, the final carry, in the 21-7 victory. It was as much Brittingham's last duty as a Redskin as it was a tacit thank you from Schmidt.

"He's the best back in the state," said Schmidt beaming after the win, and soaked equally from a relentless rain and the celebratory Gatorade shower. "Put that in the paper anyway you want it. He's the best back in the state."

Quarterback Jason Wiater hands off to Jamar Brittinham.

It certainly seemed that way against Woodland Hills, which entered the contest highly touted and was picked by masses of pundits to run roughshod over Neshaminy. Consider, the Wolverines, like the Redskins, went into the game undefeated at 14-0, but they also carried with them an astounding margin of victory - an average of nearly 24 points.

Despite all Woodland Hills press and pomp, Brittingham had definite plans for his last high school game. And none of them included subservience. Or defeat.

The senior controlled the contest's pace, running strong and with determination. While Woodland Hills had difficulty with the wet, cold weather - the Wolverines fumbled, and recovered, seven times - Brittingham mucked through the dirt and slim for what was perhaps his finest hour.

"Man, I don't even like the rain," laughed Brittingham, who rushed 30 times for 157 yards and two touchdowns. "I just knew that this was our biggest game and our biggest opponent, and I had to come with that something extra."

He did. Most unquestionably, he did.

Brittingham danced as he often does - left and right, and then left and right again. And he flexed as he often does - bowling over unsuspecting and under prepared Wolverines defenders who were frequently left face down in a thick mud.

Jamar Brittingham runs for daylight.

But that wasn't all. The show didn't end there, and he didn't charge any more for that "something extra" he talked about, either.

In the third quarter, after a huge defensive stop by Neshaminy, the Redskins damned the elements and called a halfback option. Brittingham, never shy, took the ball around the left end and let fly to wideout, and chief mate, Keith Ennis, who hauled in the pass for 32 yards and a first down. It was a momentous play for the Redskins, who fought forward from that point toward their first state title.

After the win, Brittingham was ushered under the stadium to deal with media types and adoring fans. While his teammates revealed in their extraordinary achievement, he nodded and talked politely with all those demanding his attention.

It looked like an incredible nuisance, but Brittingham didn't seem to mind.

"I can't even explain to you how good this feels," he said evenly. "There are a lot of people who made this happen. It's just...it's just the best feeling in the world."

 Courier Times - Sunday, December 9, 2001 

One final tribute to the Redskins

The Neshaminy Redskins won the AAAA football state title a month ago. Last night, several hundred people celebrated the triumph once again.

By ANTHONY STITT
Courier Times
 

BRISTOL TOWNSHIP - The glow has yet to fade.

The glory is still growing.

It's the Neshaminy Redskins and their magical football season, and it's still their time - a time to remember.

Last night, the Redskins became a team once again, everyone together one last moment for Neshaminy's 61st annual football banquet at King's Caterers, an event sponsored by the Langhorne Lions Club.

But last night's gathering had a deeper meaning than the previous ones. This was one final tribute to the ultimate - the PIAA state AAAA title, which the Redskins won last month.

A crowd of 300 people, friends and family mostly, celebrated the season last night. There were hugs and kisses, video tributes and awards.

And gold rings, too.

Superintendent Gary Bowman said local businesses have donated $12,500 to buy each player a personalized championship ring.

Meanwhile, Bowman couldn't stop praising the team and coaches.

"Thank you, young men," Bowman said.

The PIAA trophy - the giant gold football - sat in the middle of the room as a reminder to the team's glory.

Coach Mark Schmidt, a loquacious man whose words motivate, took to the microphone.

"Nobody this side of Pittsburgh is having a banquet," Schmidt said. "That's pretty stinking cool."

Time has passed and thoughts have settled since the Redskins won the state title on Dec. 8, beating Woodland Hills, 21-7. Neshaminy became the first team in area history to win the AAAA title, going undefeated (15-0) this season.

"Finally, everything has sunk in," said senior quarterback Jay Wiater. "It already seems like it happened a long time ago, but it will live with us forever."

Senior fullback Jay Collins can relate, saying the accomplishment seems bigger now than it did when it happened. He's been approached by children in stores, asking for his autograph.

"It's pretty cool going places or going into stores and people know who you are, and they know your name. They want to congratulate you," Collins said. "It just make me feel proud."

No matter how much time passes, senior lineman Steve Brett said the magnitude of the team's achievement is still beyond comprehension.

And he also said celebrations, such as last night's, are always welcome.

"It's never going to get old," Brett said. "I don't think we've realized what we've done. I never thought I'd be put in that situation."

Last night was full of awards.

Here is the list of winners:

Achievement Award: Jamar Brittingham and Kevin Kelly
Most Improved Player (offense): Ryan Contento
Most Improved Player (defense): Miguel Lebron
Unsung Hero (offense): Scott Mullin
Unsung Hero (defense): Ryan van der Brand
Mr. Defensive Line: Chuck Koch
Mr. Offensive Line: Steve Brett.
Iron Man: Geoff Donahue
Mr. Back: Keith Ennis
Dick Bedesem Award: Austin Jones
Coaches Award: Neck Feszko
MVP Defense: Pat Carroll
MVP Offense: Jay Wiater
3-D Award: Jay Collins
N-Club Award: Kevin Kelly.
 

Tuesday, January 15, 2002 

Neshaminy set for big football 'rumble'

Students, teachers, players pack gymnasium for pep rally. 'This game is personal,' shouts the football coach on eve of state championship game.

By WINSLOW MASON JR.
Courier Times

Neshaminy High School football players are ready for a rumble.

At a pep-rally yesterday in Gym 3 on the school's south campus, more than 2,500 excited students and teachers packed bleachers and then roared when Neshaminy Football Coach Mark Schmidt issued the rallying cry.

"You hear everybody saying Woodland Hills is going to kick our butts," Schmidt said, his hoarse voice barely making it over the screaming students, cheerleaders and the school's drumming band.

"That's what they said about six other teams we played this year," he shouted, boasting his football team's 14-0 record.

"This team has got what it takes, which is heart. This game is personal and we're going to win.

Schmidt and the rest of Neshaminy High School are getting ready for Saturday's PIAA state championship football game between the Neshaminy Redskins and the Woodland Hills Woolverines, who are also 14-0 for the season. The two teams will meet in Hershey with a kick off set for 5 p.m.

Cheerleaders in blue and white skirt-dresses stood in the middle of the gym, kicking and jump-starting the school's fighting spirit while the high school band play "Go Skins" fight songs to set the mood.

Coaches transform players into champions

The state title wasn't won on sheer talent alone, and it wasn't won solely at the behest of head coach Mark Schmidt, either.

LANGHORNE - They went undefeated, and people took notice. A lot of them, the players, were regulars in the newspaper, radio or television. They were, and are, minor celebrities.

And yet the Neshaminy Redskins, to a man, would tell you they didn't do it on their own. The state title wasn't won on sheer talent alone, and it wasn't won solely at the behest of head coach Mark Schmidt, either.

They all had help. No question about that.

"You're the Coach of the Year when two things happen," said Schmidt, the Courier Times' choice for that honor. "First, your players have to be outstanding. Second, you have to have a good staff. This was the best staff I've ever had. They did a lot with these kids, and it was more than just football. I'm talking quality stuff. They're a really good group."

There was John Chaump, who worked with the defense, and Reed Nichols who molded the linebackers. There was Steve Wilmot and Ray Jones forging the offensive line and Don Wiater countering them on the defensive line.

"The position coaches did a great job," said senior running back Jamar Brittingham.

"They're really smart guys who showed us a lot. And they're lots of fun, too."

There was John Tezik pushing the wideouts and Ryan O'Neal guiding the running backs and Jay Weidenbaugh kicking the defensive backs. Joe Foster pitched in as an administrative assistant, and Joe Chamberlain helped as the game day coordinator.

They all had a role, each as important as the next, and none overlooked by the Redskins.

"They taught us the fundamentals, and then coach Schmidt polished them," said senior linebacker Jay Collins.

"We owe them a lot."

Thursday, December 13, 2001 

Dream comes true for Redskins

The Neshaminy seniors said they knew two years ago that the team would be good this season. Little did they know how good.

By JOHN GONZALEZ
Courier Times

LANGHORNE - It was a long road, somewhere in the neighborhood of 20 weeks. From summer conditioning to the preseason to league games to the playoffs.

To state champions. You can't forget that - PIAA Class AAAA state champions.

It has a pleasant ring to it, and the Neshaminy Redskins don't mind hearing it. A lot went into securing that title, and so they are entitled to enjoy the fruits of their labor.

"It was a long season," said wideout Keith Ennis, "but it went quick. It's crazy that it's over."

Crazy, but not unexpected.

Now don't go thinking that the Redskins (15-0) bragged pre-fact about winning it all. They would never be so crass, and they surely wouldn't tempt fate with that kind of abandon.

But they did entertain the idea. And they did discuss it.

You may have heard that quarterback Jay Wiater and running back Jamar Brittingham and some of the other seniors got together and talked about what they wanted from this season before it began. That was true. You may also have heard that they set their goals high, that they wanted to win all 10 regular-season games and that they believed mightily in their chances to go undefeated. Also true.

What you probably don't know, though, is that the planning, or at least the dreaming, to this state championship business goes back farther than a few weeks. Or even a few months.

In truth, for the seniors, it dates back two years, to when they were sophomores.

Mostly, they were a raggedy group back then. Talented, naturally, but also unpolished and largely unknown.

Not that any of that stopped them from looking to the future.

"Oh yeah, we talked about it a lot," said senior defensive and offensive lineman Steve Brett, a hulk of a teen who was instrumental this year's success. "We knew back then that we were going to be good when our senior year came around."

Perhaps he was blowing it out of proportion and they simply touched on the topic. Or perhaps he spoke the truth and he and his mates were a horde of visionaries given to prescient predictions.

Who knows? The records on that forecast are spotty at best.

Either way, and more importantly, they achieved their goal and now all that's left is for them to delight in its grandeur.

For many of them, there were supreme sacrifices made - weekends, summers, holidays, all spent on the field or in the gym without question or grumble. They'll tell you it was all worth it, the blood and the sweat, because it got them where they wanted to go.

"They did everything we asked," head coach Mark Schmidt said time and again this season. "I know there are a lot of teams that work hard, and some of them probably work just as hard as we do, but no one works harder."

It has been said that the victors pen the history books, so that could be true. For now, and for the foreseeable future, they are content in knowing that they gave an incredible performance. Unbeaten. Untouched.

And where lesser athletes must fabricate their fish stories, the Redskins will never have to be so dishonest. They actually caught the big one, and gutted it, and they will be sustained on it for a long time.

Maybe forever.

"I'm never going to forget this," said Brittingham. "Never."

Thursday, December 13, 2001 

Brittingham lives up to coach's billing

By Matt Townsend
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Sunday, December 9, 2001

HERSHEY - Neshaminy coach Mark Schmidt wanted to make it perfectly clear what he thinks of star running back Jamar Brittingham.

"Jamar is the best running back in the state," Schmidt said. "Write it down. Put it in the headlines. Do whatever you want with it."

Woodland Hills might have a hard time disagreeing with that endorsement after Brittingham rushed for 157 yards and two touchdowns in undefeated Neshaminy's 21-7 victory over the Wolverines (14-1) in the PIAA Class AAAA championship game Saturday night at Hersheypark Stadium.

"He's a great running back," Woodland Hills coach George Novak said. "I thought we did a good job containing him, to be honest. He broke a couple, but I thought we did a nice job on him."

Those couple of plays made the difference in a game that wasn't decided until Brittingham (6-foot-1, 194 pounds) busted a 55-yard touchdown run off of right tackle with 5:54 to play to give the Redskins a two-touchdown lead.

"The play was called lead, and it was wide open," Brittingham said. "I knew after that, all we needed was a stop on defense and the game was over."

Brittingham's career is far from over. The senior said he is being recruited by West Virginia, Boston College, James Madison, Maryland and Connecticut. Saturday's performance only should bolster his demand with college recruiters.

"It should help," said Brittingham, who helped turn a 6-4 team that didn't make the playoffs in 2000 into a state champion. "Maybe I'll get some more interest."

The hype entering this game surrounded the Wolverines with their top ranking in the state and No. 7 spot in the USA Today.

"There was all the talk about Woodland Hills, and we came to the state championship and showed who was better (Saturday)," Brittingham said.

The Wolverines also had senior quarterback Steve Breaston, the Pennsylvania Gatorade Player of the Year.

"It motivated us," Brittingham said. "We played against great quarterbacks in our league, but not like him."

Neshaminy's defense limited Breaston, who twisted his ankle in the first half and did not play most of the fourth quarter, to 76 yards rushing and 50 yards passing.

Meanwhile, Brittingham accounted for 214 total yards. He also caught four passes for 96 yards and completed a halfback pass for 31 yards.

"He's been a gamer all year long," Schmidt said. "He's the whole package."

Brittingham ends this season with 2,565 yards rushing and 30 touchdowns. And most of those yards came after eluding at least one tackler.

"He always makes the first kid miss and maybe the next two or three," senior fullback Jay Collins said. "He's phenomenal."

Brittingham nearly scored a touchdown on Neshaminy's second play from scrimmage. He took a handoff off of left tackle and broke through the Woodland Hills defense. Mark Nesby saved a touchdown when he clipped Brittingham's feet for a 31-yard gain.

That drive ended in missed field goal, but Brittingham would make sure the Redskins would score in the third quarter. The lefty completed a 32-yard pass to Keith Ennis with 7:29 in third quarter to make him 5 for 6 passing in his career.

"I threw the ball and let him go up and get it," said Brittingham, who started at receiver as a sophomore.

Later in the drive, Brittingham caught a swing-pass, side-stepped a defender and gained 13 yards on a third-and-7 from the 17. Brittingham finished the drive with a 4-yard touchdown run to push the Redskins' lead to 14-6.

"He's a player," Collins said. "I'll enjoy watching him in college and in the pros."

Matt Townsend can be reached at mtownsend@tribweb.com or (412) 320-7937. 

Center of attention

What's it like to be one of the greatest running backs in area history before the biggest football game of your life? Hang out with Jamar Brittingham as he walks the hallways of Neshaminy High School.

By ANTHONY STITT
Courier Times

Jamar Brittingham walks hallways with teammates Jay Collins and Keith Ennis. (Photo: Art Gentile/Courier Times)

"Where'd you get those shoes?" a passing assistant football coach asks, pointing to Brittingham's shiny, nearly glowing, red sneakers.

"Down in Philly last night," Brittingham says. "They look nice and crazy."

So, Brittingham moves down the narrow hallway, past the principal's office, with the easy gait of a cattle wrangler. He stops; leans against a locker, just the precise spot, a busy enough thoroughfare for Brittingham. "I'll be chilling right here. This is A-hall," he says. "This is where everything's at, all the ruckus."

Soon, the throng will arrive - Brittingham's throng. The once-tranquil hallway has quickly turned boisterous and packed with baggy jeans and hip-huggers, hair gel and retro-afros and ever-so-slight midriffs.

"Yo, J.B.!" a voice booms. Jamar waves, smiles, then accepts a spate of handshakes. "Some people call me J.B. But most people just call me Jamar," he says.

One by one, a crowd of baggy jeans forms around Brittingham, more like builds around him, like side dishes augmenting an entre. This is his epoch before the finale of the Jamar Brittingham Era. One game remains in a magical career (including an area-record 2,418 rushing yards this season), in the most magical season (14-0), and a lone win from the glory - the PIAA Class AAAA championship Saturday at Hershey.

And these are Brittingham's people.

"Who's the deadliest rapper in Neshaminy?" says one baggy-jean newcomer.

Brittingham giggles. He's encircled by a half-dozen or so baggy pants and, yes, a couple girls.

"What's the dilly-yo?" one asks Brittingham.

"How was gym without me?" a girl asks.

"Yo, Jamar," another baggy jeans asks, slipping a cool handshake.

"Hey, Jamar," another intervenes, "I heard you're 21. Make sure you tell the Courier Times that."

"Get outta here," Brittingham says, laughing.

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 

Ennis a prize catch for Neshaminy

Senior wide receiver Keith Ennis has emerged as a not-so-secret weapon for the Redskins with an area-high 45 receptions for 632 yards and five touchdowns.

By ANTHONY STITT
Courier Times

LANGHORNE - Keith Ennis is not exactly a big guy. Kind of small, actually, in football terms, only 5-8, 170 pounds.

But he's fast, quite slippery, with darting feet. He enjoys the slashing routes. But he really loves to burn the secondary for the deep ball.

"I know I can beat most of the people out there," Ennis said, curling a grin.

Yes, Ennis is stealth, with just the right amount of speed and size (or lack thereof).

The senior wide receiver has become the centerpiece of the Neshaminy passing game, ranking first in the area in catches (45) and second in receiving yards (682). He also has scored five touchdowns.

It's usually worked this way:

When defenses start ganging up on star running back Jamar Brittingham, it's time for the stealth attack. The Redskins hit Ennis with a pass, letting opponents know they have another weapon.

It's an approach that surely will be part of Neshaminy's game plan on Saturday when it plays Cumberland Valley (13-0) in the PIAA Class AAAA semifinals at Hershey.

Ennis is hopeful Cumberland Valley neglects the passing game maybe a little too much.

So he can strike.

"I think other teams underestimate our passing game," Ennis said. "We know we can't run Jamar every play. So, when I get a chance, I know I have to get open."

Ennis also is a good listener. Quarterback Jay Wiater, who has a knack of foretelling a gang-up on Brittingham, will call the occasional audible and pass to Ennis.

"Jay's probably the smartest guy in the way of football on our team," Ennis said. "We look to outsmart [our opponents] a little bit, and show them something they haven't seen."

It's all part of coach Mark Schmidt's plan.

"When Jamar is doing his thing, it's good to have a plan B," Schmidt said. "When they start packing them in against Jamar, we hit them with other stuff."

Ennis is a big part of the other stuff, Wiater said.

In the second round of the playoffs, Ennis nabbed three passes for 108 yards and a touchdown to help beat Downingtown, 37-20. In Neshaminy's latest playoff battle Friday, Ennis grabbed a 39-yard scoring pass in a 28-12 win over Conestoga.

"He's my go-to guy," Wiater said. "He's got great speed and can beat the corners. He has great hands, too. If I see a mismatch, we can call an audible and I can look for him."

"[Wiater and Ennis] are good together - in sync together, and very comfortable," Schmidt said. "People are becoming more and more aware of them. They're both good football players."

It's not Ennis as the lone ball-catcher.

It's a diverse attack.

The a variety of threats include wideouts Mike Loveland, Mark Beck and Justin Edwards.

Running back Geoff Donahue, who has six touchdowns, also will rumble out of the backfield for a pass, and tight ends Chuck Koch and Scott Mullin have been frequent options.

"Our receivers were overlooked by a lot of teams," Loveland said.

Added Schmidt: "We certainly have the weapons."

Thursday, November 29, 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 

Jamar Brittingham 2001 Player of the Year

Neshaminy's talented senior Jamar Brittingham, the football player of the year in 2000 and 2001, became the first area running back to rush for more than 2,000 yards in a single season.

By JOHN GONZALEZ
Courier Times

It was a run off tackle to the short side of the field. An average gain for him - about 13 yards - and nice enough, but not overly spectacular. Not for Jamar Brittingham, anyway.

It wasn't a typical rush for Neshaminy's star back. Wasn't one of those carries where he stops, then starts, then takes off through a haze of defenders for a length-of-the-field jaunt and a touchdown. Wasn't one of those plays where he jukes a few defenders, then simply crashes over a few more unsuspecting, and unfortunate, souls for that extra yard.

No, it was more or less a solid gain against Downingtown in the playoffs that didn't really garner a shrug or an extra thought one way or the other. In fact, most of the people in the stands that evening didn't know what had happened. For another quarter or so, they remained blissfully ignorant.

And then, as the game wound down, Neshaminy's PA announcer demanded focus. Something significant had occurred earlier, and he hoped they would all pay attention in reverence.

"Jamar Brittingham," the announcer said through crackling loudspeakers while fighting for aural dominance with an obstreperous crowd, "has just gone over 2,000 yards this season."

That's when it registered. That's when it sunk in - 2,000 yards in a single season. Amazing.

Neshaminy started roll early

Friday, November 30, 2001

Every championship football team has it: That coalescent moment when teammates come together, achieve and can properly say, "You know, we are good."

Neshaminy's moment came soon en