Seniors Matt Smith and Dan Wynne have been key contributors on defense for a North Penn squad that will face La Salle in Saturday’s PIAA Class AAAA Eastern Final.
Matt Smith and Danny Wynne might not look a whole lot like linebackers in street clothes, but that changes in a hurry when the North Penn seniors step onto the gridiron where both have excelled at outside linebacker for a Knight squad that will be playing La Salle in Saturday’s Eastern Final.
“When I coached at CB West, Mike Pettine would always say - put your best players on the edge – your defensive ends and your outside linebackers, the guys that are going to have to keep contain,” North Penn coach Dick Beck said. “They have to do everything.
“They have to be strong enough to beat blocks, physical enough to tackle and smart enough to stay outside when they’re supposed to be outside, and that’s what these guys do.”
Both Smith and Wynne earned SOL all-league honors with Smith earning first team recognition and Wynne receiving second team honors. Smith lines up on the receiver’s strong side while Wynne is lined up on the opposite side, and whether it’s stopping the run or covering a back going out for a pass, both are equal to the task.
“We ask them to drop in zone, we ask them to cover guys man out of the backfield,” Beck said. “They have many reads they’re involved in in our defense.
“They do a lot of moving around, a lot of checks. There’s a lot involved at those positions, and to have two experienced guys like these guys – it’s almost like a combination. You have to play like a linebacker, but you have to be able to run like a d-back.”
According to Beck, Smith and Wynne not only look alike when they’re in uniform they boast similar abilities.
“Danny is a little more of an on-the-edge high flier where Matt Smith is very quiet, but he probably leads our team in big hits when it comes to tackling,” the Knights’ coach said. “They’re smallish and a little wiry, but they’re tough, and they’re great with their hands. They understand the game.”
While Smith is listed as 5-10, 185, Wynne is listed at 6-0, 195. What they lack in size, they make up for in speed and football smarts.
“I’m always a little undersized,” Smith said. “I try and hit harder than anybody else.”
“He’s an aggressive player,” Wynne said of his counterpart. “He’s a good tackler. We both have pretty good speed for outside linebackers, and we can cover man.
“You just have to be aggressive, and you have to have a feel for the game. You just have to be able to shed blocks, and you gotta want to play – play with everything you’ve got.”
Just one win separates the Knights from a trip to Hershey and the state title game. Standing in their way is a nemesis La Salle squad that has won three straight over the Knights. La Salle defeated North Penn 44-27 in the season opener for both teams, but the one that stings the most came in last year’s Eastern Final when the Knights lost a 38-35 heartbreaker to La Salle.
“It was the worst feeling in the world,” Smith said. “You never want to lose in the Eastern State Finals. It’s always going to stay with me.”
“It was awful,” Wynne added. “You’re always going to have that feeling in your heart, no matter what, but it makes you want to work harder and strive for the next year.
“Thankfully, last year was our junior year, and we get another shot at them. We couldn’t ask for anything more.”
Second opportunities are rare, and the Knights recognize they have a chance to erase the memories of losses past if they can win on Saturday.
“It’s a great feeling,” Smith said. “Last year there was a feeling of regret, and we just have to come out and do our job and beat them. That’s all we can do.”
There weren’t many people who would have given the Knights a chance to be in this position after they lost to St. Joe’s Prep in week three of the season, dropping their record to 1-2 after three games.
“A 1-2 start – no one wants to start off like that, especially with the expectations that we have every year,” Wynne said. “We won a big game against CB South. We gave it our all that game, and we progressed throughout the season.”
Beginning with their win over Central Bucks South, which came on the heels of their loss to the Prep, the Knights have reeled off 11 straight wins.
“Really what turned it around was everyone started to step their game up,” Smith said. “After we lost to La Salle and Prep, we realized we needed to start winning games.”
The district champion Knights know they face a formidable task against a favored La Salle squad that is led by standout senior quarterback Matt Magarity.
“He’s definitely a good passing threat, but we’re going to come out and play our game,” Smith said. “Defensively, we’re going to all do our jobs this week, and we’re going to try our best to run around and make plays.”
“Everyone has got to play their position,” Wynne added. “We’re going to do what we’ve got to do.
“A lot of people are doubting us still. We’re just worried about ourselves.”
In addition to playing defense, Smith also plays some fullback, and Wynne sees action at wing/fullback. They’re the kind of versatile players that have helped the Knights once again reach such lofty heights.
“(Neshaminy coach) Mark Schmidt is always telling me that the way to win and do well in high school football you have to have those 5-10, 5-11, 190-205-pound guys that run around and will hit and are athletic and can play multiple positions,” Beck said. “That’s what these guys do.
“They can catch the ball out of the backfield, they can block, they can run the ball, they can tackle on defense, and they can do things in the open field.”
Most of all, they can help you win football games.
On Saturday, the Knights will face their toughest test of the season. Smith and Wynne are eager for the challenge.
“This is everything we’ve been waiting for,” Wynne said. “It’s awesome. It’s La Salle, it’s a big rivalry. You couldn’t ask for anything more.”
“We definitely wanted La Salle,” Smith added. “I’ve been psyched since I heard they won. We need to get them back.”
At noon on Saturday at Northeast High School, the Knights will have a chance for redemption. It’s an opportunity they do not want to waste.
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