CB East defeated Quakertown 24-23 in a classic SOL Continental Conference battle. To view game action photos, please visit the Photo Gallery.
By Scott Huff
Quakertown – The numbers indicated that both visiting Central Bucks East and host Quakertown were going to get into the PIAA Quad-A playoffs, but both the Patriots and the Panthers wanted to enter that postseason with victory – a home first round game – and some positive momentum.
And when the furious battle for postseason momentum was concluded on the pristine turf at Alumni Field – it was CB East (8-2, 5-2) that survived with a hard-fought 24-23 victory over Quakertown (8-2, 5-2). The Patriots – winners of five straight games – knocked the Panthers – losers of two straight games – out of contention to repeat as SOL Continental Conference champions.
The SOL Continental Conference title will be decided Saturday night when Council Rock North (5-1) plays district rival Council Rock South (5-1) in game that will both crown a conference champion and eliminate the loser from district playoff consideration.
“I can’t say enough about our senior leadership,” said Central Bucks East head coach John Donnelly. “We lost a couple of tough games in the first two conference games to CR North (32-26) to CR South (32-26 in double overtime), but we have battled back to where we are now.
“This was a great high school football game – between two good teams,” added Donnelly. “But we had the resolve in the end to win the game.”
“We knew that a win would give us a huge jump in the rankings,” said CB East senior quarterback/linebacker Jack Lamb. “Quakertown is a team that you are going to have to go blow-to-blow with – a team that you are going to have to grind it out against.
“We faced some adversity early in the year with the losses to the Council Rock teams,” added Lamb. “Beating Quakertown is a big thing for our team – a rivalry right behind both CB West and CB South.”
“We are going to have to chill out – take a deep breath,” said an emotionally drained George Banas – Q-town head coach. “You don’t want to go into the playoffs with two losses. You want to be playing at your peak.
“My job now is to get the troops 100 percent ready for the playoffs,” added Banas. “We just had way too many opportunities to win this game – we will watch the film – and it will not lie.”
The Quakertown Senior Night game was extremely competitive throughout.
Quakertown drew first blood in the first period as senior running back Rob Burns (team-high 121 yards) scored on a dazzling 39-yard touchdown run. Anthony Soriano split the upright to give the Black Cats a 7-0 lead.
Central Bucks East would rally to knot the score at 7-7 by the close of the period. The Patriots marched 66 yards on seven plays to score on a 22-yard touchdown pass from Matt Szczypiorski to Logan Nelsen. Kiel Kittleson added the point after touchdown.
CB East took a 13-7 lead with a second period touchdown. The Pats traveled 89 yards on 10 plays for the go-ahead score. Jack Lamb – who rushed for a game-high 152 yards – capped the scoring march with a nifty 31-yard touchdown scamper – but CBE failed on the PAT.
Quakertown would assume a 14-13 halftime lead. The Panthers had their most impressive drive of the game with a 12-play, 77-yard touchdown drive. Senior quarterback Tom Garlick capped the drive with a four-yard touchdown run – and Soriano’s placement gave the Panthers a one-point lead.
Central Bucks East regained the lead with a third period score. Lamb capped a seven-play, 60-yard scoring drive with an eight-yard touchdown run. The Patriots scored a two-point conversion on a run by Alex Gibson – and CBE held a 21-14 lead.
Quakertown responded with an 11-play scoring drive that covered 56 yards. Garlick capped the drive with a one-yard scoring sneak – and Soriano’s extra point knotted the score at 21-21.
What proved to be the game winning 11-play CBE fourth period drive was culminated with a 24-yard field goal by Kittleson to present the Patriots with a 24-21 lead.
East senior defensive back Owen Griffin intercepted a pass on Patriots four-yard line with 1:34 left in the game. However, three offensive plays netted three yards – and Donnelly was faced with a tough decision – attempt a punt – or take a safety. Donnelly chose the latter as Lamb was tackled in the end zone and the score became 24-23.
“We just felt that it was the smart thing to do,” said Donnelly. “We didn’t really get the free kick where we wanted it – they got a nice return – but we were able to hold on.”
The game ended with Quakertown on the CB East 32-yard line.
“I guess we’ll figure out who, when, and where we play tomorrow,” said Lamb. “It’s just great to be in the district playoffs.”
Central Bucks East Patriots 7 6 8 3 – 24
Quakertown Panthers 7 7 7 2 – 23
Q: Rob Burns 39 run (Anthony Soriano kick)
CBE: Logan Nelsen 22 pass from Matt Szczypiorski (Kiel Kittleson kick)
CBE: Jack Lamb 31 run (run failed)
Q: Tom Garlick 4 run (Soriano kick)
CBE: Lamb 8 run (Kittleson kick)
Q: Garlick 1 run (Soriano kick)
CBE: Kittleson 24 FG
Q: Safety
Central Bucks East Quakertown Panthers
16 First Downs 11
244 Yards Rushing 198
95 Yards Passing 59
339 Total Offense 257
1-15 Penalties/Yards 3-45
0-0 Punts / Average 2-34
Central Bucks East:
Rushing: Jack Lamb 28-152 & 2 TD; Alex Gibson 16-66; Owen Griffin 5-32; Myles King 1-(-3); and Sammy Killough 1 (-3). Totals 51-244 & 2 TD.
Passing: Lamb 6-11-1; 73 yards / Matt Szczypiorski 1-1-0; 22 yards & TD. Totals 7-12-1; 95 yards & TD.
Receiving: Logan Nelsen 4-70 & TD; Alex Gibson 3-25. Totals 7-95 & TD.
Interception: Owen Griffin.
Quakertown:
Rushing: Rob Burns 16-121 & TD; Tom Garlick 9-45 & 2 TD; Jon Potynski 2-15; Nick Bonomo 3-14; and Noah Wood 2-3. Totals 32-198 & 3 TD.
Passing: Tom Garlick 7-11-1; 59 yards.
Receiving: Aaron Besch 4-32 and Jon Potynski 3-27. Totals 7-59.
Interceptions: Nick Bonomo.
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