Quakertown made history when it won its first playoff game ever with the Panthers’ 14-10 win over Pennridge in Friday’s District One AAAA opener. To view photos of all the action, please visit the Photo Gallery...click on any photo for a direct link to the gallery.
By Scott Huff
Quakertown – November 7, 2014 – a day that will live forever in the memories of Quakertown Panther football fans.
Quakertown won its first ever PIAA Quad-A District One playoff game in the storied history of the school as the Panthers (10-1) clawed to a 14-10 victory over arch-rival Pennridge (7-4) in a contest that had more twists and turns in the fourth quarter than an episode of General Hospital.
“In my mind, this is the biggest win in the modern history of Quakertown football,” smiled Panther head coach George Banas – an alum of Quakertown. “We have been thrashed about in the media all season about how we aren’t really that good – we play in a weak conference – whatever. The players went out there tonight with something to prove – and we did just that.”
“I really can’t describe how I feel right now,” said Quakertown senior quarterback Alec Vera who fired a pair of touchdown passes for the Panthers. “It was great to make history – it was great to be able to do it against our biggest rival – and it was great to be able to do it in front of our home fans.
“There were lines of people outside the stadium at 5:30 – that’s awesome to see that many people at our games,” added Vera. “It is a great atmosphere to play in.”
“Give Quakertown all the credit – they played their hearts out,” said Pennridge head coach Jeff Hollenbach. “We needed to do some things better, and we didn’t get them done. And when you play a good football team those things can kill you.”
Quakertown took a 7-0 first half lead, thanks to a well-engineered scoring drive in the second period. The Panthers marched 64 yards on 13 plays and scored on a gorgeous 10-yard scoring pass from Vera to junior Kyle Baskins. Gabby Sullivan added the extra point and the Black Cats carried that 7-0 lead into the locker room at the half.
Pennridge put together a 13-play drive of its own in the third period – but failed to score. The Rams moved to the Panther 27-yard line when not one – but two – dead ball personal foul 15-yard penalties would short circuit the drive.
The Rams appeared to take control of the game at the outset of the fourth period. A Joe Unangst 47-yard burst game the Green and White a first-and-goal from the nine-yard line. However, the Panther defense stiffened and forced a 28-yard field goal by Ethan Aigeldinger to close the gap to 7-3.
“I thought that defensive stand was huge,” said Banas. “To keep them to just three points there proved to be one of turning points of the game.”
Quakertown committed a rare turnover on the ensuing possession, and this time the Rams were able to cross the goal line for what proved to be their only touchdown of the game. Unangst – who rushed for 231 yards on 26 carries – capped the drive with a 12-yard touchdown run. Aigeldinger booted the placement to present the Rams with a 10-7 lead.
What proved to be the biggest drive of the game came on the ensuing Quakertown possession. The Panthers travelled 57 yards on seven plays for the final score of the game as Vera threw a 20-yard scoring dart to Tyler Kishbaugh and Sullivan booted the PAT.
However, it was Vera’s legs and not his arm that proved critical to the game-winning scoring drive.
Quakertown had a third-and-eight on the Pennridge 30-yard line. A high snap forced Vera deep into the backfield and forced him to scramble – and a miraculous run that eluded numerous would-be Pennridge tacklers resulted in a crucial first down.
“That was a huge play that Vera made with his legs,” said Hollenbach. “He hurt us with his arm with the touchdown passes – and on that play he hurt us with his legs.”
“A lot of people don’t realize how good a quarterback Alec Vera is,” said Banas. “He has been making big plays like that for us all year.”
The final moments of the game were classic – not in execution – but in excitement. There would be three devastating turnovers in the final frantic minutes of the game.
Moments after the Vera-to-Kishbaugh TD connection that came with 4:27 left in the fourth period – the Rams struck right back. Unangst broke free on a dazzling 54-yard burst – and on second-and-ten from the Panther 26-yard line – Imeir Simmons broke free on a terrific 24-yard run – only to fumble the ball on his trek to the end zone at the Panthers 2-yard line.
Pennridge would get the ball back just two players later on a Panther fumble, but the Rams turned the ball right back as Kishbaugh intercepted his second pass of the game in the final moments.
“We will celebrate this game – until around midnight,” said Banas. “And then I will begin to prepare for our next game.”
And that game will come next Friday – under the lights in the friendly confines of Alumni Field in Quakertown. The Panthers will host Downingtown East. The Cougars defeated Perkiomen Valley 27-24 in their first round PIAA District One playoff game on a last second field goal.
And maybe – just maybe – Quakertown can make some more history on November 14, 2014.
Extra Points: Both Banas and Hollenbach discussed before the game that win-or-lose and no matter who was the winner that gets in the district playoffs, the Thanksgiving Day came would be played…The Turkey Day game will kick off at 10:15 am at Alumni Field … Pennridge outgained Quakertown 354 yards of total offense to 235 yards of total offense – but the only numbers that count are on the scoreboard where the final score illuminated 14-10 in favor of the Panthers.
Pennridge Rams 0 0 0 10 – 10
Quakertown Panthers 0 7 0 7 – 14
Q: Kyle Baskins 10 pass from Alec Vera (Gabby Sullivan kick)
P: Ethan Aigeldinger 28 Field Goal
P: Joe Unangst 12 run (Aigeldinger kick)
Q: Tyler Kishbaugh 20 pass from Vera (Sullivan kick)
Pennridge Rams Quakertown Panthers
14 First Downs 12
332 Rushing Yards 126
22 Passing Yards 109
354 Total Offense 235
4-50 Penalties/Yards 4-25
2-36 Punts/ Avg. 5-27
Pennridge:
Rushing: Joe Unangst 26-231-TD; Matt Firuta 5-44; Imeir Simmons 4-37; Judens Desrosiers 3-8; Jordan Garis 1-7; Matt Kraynik 7-5. Totals 50-332-TD.
Passing: Kraynik 2-9-2; 22
Receiving: Unangst 1-13 and Garis 1-9. Totals 2-22.
Quakertown:
Rushing: Rob Burns 20-70; Alec Vera 10-43; Nick Bonomo 5-10; Jon Potynski 1-3. Totals 36-126.
Passing: Alec Vera 5-11-0; 109 & 2 TD.
Receiving: Kyle Baskin 2-35 & TD; Burns 1-25; Tyler Kishbaugh 1-20 & TD; and Bonomo 1-9. Totals 5-109 & 2 TD.
Interceptions: Kishbaugh (2).br />
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