Neshaminy rallied from an early deficit to defeat Quakertown 31-17 in a District One Quad-A quarterfinal game on Friday night. Photos provided courtest of Jesse Garber. To view Garber's game action photos, please click on the following link: http://jsgarber.zenfolio.com/p972480497
By Scott Huff
Quakertown – The host Panthers smacked Neshaminy right in the kisser in the first period to take a 14-0 lead - but the Redskins savagely counterpunched over the remainder of the game to capture a 31-17 PIAA Quad-A District One quarterfinal playoff game.
In the devastating 31-3 tear over the final 43 minutes and 49 seconds – Neshaminy seniors Denzel Hughes 
and Jack Springler delivered the knockout punches with huge plays on offense, defense, and special teams. Hughes caught a gorgeous 60-yard touchdown pass from Mason Jones, scored on an electric 77-yard punt return, and intercepted a pass. Springler was a turnover machine for the Skins with three pass interceptions and a fumble recovery.
“We knew that if we stayed together after getting behind 14-0 – everything would be okay,” said Hughes, who caught seven passes for 122 yards. “We made some mental mistakes early in the game, and we knew we had time to clean them up.”
“We were never really worried,” said Springler. “We got down – but we always kept our spirits up.”
“This is a team that has been through a lot of adversity this year,” said Neshaminy head coach Steve Wilmot. “We were able to come up with some big plays and we got some turnovers.”
The victory will advance to the PIAA Quad-A District One semifinals against North Penn. The Knights – who defeated Neshaminy 22-17 in the regular SOL National Conference – advanced to the semifinals with a 27-14 victory over No.1 Downingtown East.
“Sure we would like to avenge that loss to North Penn,” said Wilmot. “And I’m sure our players would love to play North Penn again.”
“We are going to have to get in the film room and practice hard this week,” said Hughes. “I’m glad that we have another shot at them.”
“We definitely owe them one,” said Springler. “We are going to have our best week of practice if we want to beat North Penn.”
But the Redskins had to defeat a really good Quakertown team in order to earn their semifinal date with the Knights.
“In a playoff football game, it often comes down to turnovers,” said Quakertown head coach George Banas. “I thought we played a (heck) of a football game – right now I’m sick to my stomach. We gave a great effort, but the turnovers were the difference.
“We still get Pennridge on Thanksgiving,” added Banas. “We can’t dwell on this loss – we still have one more important game to play.”
Quakertown was at the top of its game in the first period.
The Panthers scored on their first possession of the game. Senior Kyle Baskin intercepted a pass and returned it 45 yards to the Neshaminy 32-yard line. Baskin scored the initial Panther touchdown on a terrific seven-yard scoring pass from senior Tom Garlick. Anthony Soriano added the PAT to give the Black Cats a 7-0 lead.
Q-town scored on its second offensive possession of the game to expand the lead to 14-0. Garlick capped the five play scoring drive with a 28-yard scoring run – and Soriano added the placement.
Neshaminy answered quickly with its first score. Jones fired the 60-yard scoring bomb to Hughes who caught the ball in stride along the Q-town sideline. Dylan McDonald booted the PAT to cut the lead to 14-7.
The Redskins knotted the score before the close of the first period. The Neshaminy defense forced a punt – and Hughes turned in a dazzling 77-yard punt return for the tying touchdown.
Quakertown would regain the lead – though – before intermission. The Panthers put together their best drive of the game covering 15 plays and 63 yards – but had to settle for a 24-yard Soriano field goal to present Q-town with a 17-14 halftime lead.
Neshaminy again knotted the score at 17-17 with a field goal of its own in the third period. McDonald split the uprights with a 21-yard field goal that capped a long Redskin drive that consumed over nine minutes - 17 plays – and 70 yards.
Senior running back Will Dogba – who rushed for a game-high 141 yards on 28 carries – scored a pair of fourth period touchdowns to ice the game for the Skins. Dogba scored on an 18-yard run with 3:31 left in the game – and scored on a 24-yard run with 1:18 left in the game to secure the victory.
“We came up with a good game plan, and players followed the game plan,” said Banas. “But it just wasn’t enough tonight.”
Not for all 48 minutes.
Neshaminy Redskins 14 0 3 14 - 31
Quakertown Panthers 14 3 0 0 - 17
Q: Kyle Baskin 7 pass from Tom Garlick (Anthony Soriano kick)
Q: Tom Garlick 28 run (Anthony Soriano kick)
N: Denzel Hughes 60 pass from Mason Jones (Dylan McDonald kick)
N: Denzel Hughes 77 punt return (McDonald kick)
Q: Soriano 24 FG
N: McDonald 21 FG
N: Will Dogba 18 run (McDonald kick)
N: Will Dogba 24 run (McDonald kick)
Neshaminy Redskins Quakertown Panthers
15 First Downs 17
182 Yards Rushing 193
144 Yards Passing 118
326 Total Offense 311
2-30 Penalties / Yds 3-25
1-50 Punts / Average 2-42
Neshaminy:
Rushing: Will Dogba 28-141 & 2 TD; Mason Jones 6-17; Joe Pirrone 2-13; and Kyle Smith 1-1. Totals 37-182 & 2 TD.
Passing: Mason Jones 10-22-1; 144 yards & TD.
Receiving: Denzel Hughes 7-122 & TD; Jack Springler 1-11; Zach Tredway 1-9; and Hayden Rooney 1-2. Totals 10-144 & TD.
Interceptions: Jack Springler (3) & Denzel Hughes.
Quakertown:
Rushing: Tom Garlick 10-73 & TD; Rob Burns 19-64; Jon Potynski 4-41; Nick Bonomo 2-9; and Chris Curry 1-6. Totals 36-193 & TD.
Passing: Tom Garlick 10-20-4; 118 yards & TD.
Receiving: Aaron Besch 5-41; Rob Burns 3-55; and Kyle Baskin 2-22. Totals 10-118 & TD.
Interception: Kyle Baskin.
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