Abington rolled to a 41-6 win over CR North in a battle of unbeaten squads Friday. To view photos of the game, please visit the Photo Gallery.
By Scott Huff
Newtown – Up until the final moments of the first quarter, the battle of the unbeaten Ghosts of Abington and Indians of Council Rock North appeared to be just that – a fiercely contested battle. The athleticism of Abington senior running back Craig Reynolds and Rock North sophomore quarterback Brandon McIlwain was on display to those in attendance at Walt Snyder Stadium, and the Ghosts held a scant 7-6 lead with one play remaining in the first period.
Just two plays later the score was 21-6 – and Abington (4-0, 1-0) would score 34 unanswered points in all to throttle CR North (3-1, 0-1) - 41-6. It was the Suburban One League National Conference opener for both teams.
“We were able to make some big plays on both offense and defense,” said Abington head coach Tim Sorber. “We showed some real toughness at times tonight, and we held a very good offensive football team to just six points.”
The first of the two game breaking plays was a spectacular 56-yard touchdown burst by Reynolds on the final play of the first quarter. Reynolds – who opened the scoring for the Ghosts with a 2-yard touchdown run – finished the night with an astounding 288 yards on 28 carries and four touchdowns.
“Everyone knows what a great running back Craig is right now,” said Sorber. “But this year he is much bigger and stronger than last year. Last year we would get to the linebackers and get a five or six yard gain, but now he can break tackles and get to the open field. Every time he touches the ball, he is a big play threat.”
“I love my guys up front,” said Reynolds who also came close to breaking a pair of punt returns for scores. “They are the ones that get me in the open spaces. All I try to do is give 100 per cent on every play.”
The second of the game breaking plays was a magnificent 21-yard interception return for a touchdown by Ghost junior cornerback Jordan Neely on the first play of the second quarter. Neely made a super catch on a tipped ball at the line of scrimmage and tip-toed down the sideline for the pick-six.
“I love playing defense,” said Neely, who also is a game-breaker as a wide receiver for the Ghosts. “Offense is fun, but defense wins championships.”
The Abington defense had to contend with the brilliant McIlwain, who completed a staggering 21 passes for 242 yards – but no scores. McIlwain did score the only Indian touchdown in the first period on an 18-yard dash.
“Bend but don’t break on defense,” said Sorber. “We have won a couple of games like that this year.”
The Abington offense, though, could find the end zone. The Ghosts rushed for a punishing 442 yards on the ground and added another 136 yards in the air for 578 yards of total offense.
Abington extended its lead to 28-6 by the close of the first half. This time the scoring honors went to quarterback Anthony Lee who sprinted 47-yards for a touchdown. Lee – who would later leave the game with an ankle sprain in the third period – finished with 72 yards rushing on just six carries and passed for 76 more yards on 5-of-8 passing.
Reynolds would score both touchdowns for the Ghosts in the second half. Reynolds capped the first scoring drive with a 4-yard bolt in the third period and concluded the scoring in the fourth quarter with a 7-yard touchdown scamper. Place kicker Tim Seydel would convert on five of his six attempts for extra points.
The game did not have a good flow, however, as both teams turned the ball over three times each. Abington was flagged for 13 accepted penalties for 117 yards, while Rock North committed 5 penalties for 50 yards.
But in the end, it was Abington that proved to be the real contender in the SOL National Conference along with Neshaminy and Pennsbury - a 41-6 contender.
Abington Ghosts 14 14 6 7 * 41
Council Rock North Indians 6 0 0 0 * 6
A: Craig Reynolds 2 run (Tim Seydel kick)
CRN: Brandon McIlwain 18 run (pass failed)
A: Reynolds 56 run (Seydel kick)
A: Jordan Neely 21 interception return (Seydel kick)
A: Anthony Lee 47 run (Seydel kick)
A: Reynolds 4 run (kick failed)
A: Reynolds 7 run (Seydel kick)
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