District 1 6A Tournament. North Penn/Souderton photos provided courtesy of Michael Rice Photography, Neshaminy/Owen J Roberts photos courtesy of Greg Lindsay & Pennridge/Downingtown East photos courtesy of Laura Rowe. Check back for a gallery of all three games. CLICK HERE to go directly to Suburban One Sports’ FOOTBALL GALLERIES.
District 1 6A quarterfinals
#1 PENNRIDGE 21, #8 DOWNINGTOWN EAST 9
(Game stats provided courtesy of Pennridge football)
And then there were four.
Pennridge – the tournament’s top seed – is one of only four District 1 6A football teams still standing, thanks to Friday night’s win over the visiting Cougars.
It’s a position few – if anyone – would have predicted the Rams would find themselves in at this point in the season, but they are not spending a whole lot of time reflecting on their accomplishments just yet when there’s
still work to be done.
“We just keep working week by week,” Pennridge coach Kyle Beller said. “We’ll talk about it and celebrate at the banquet. Right now, it’s just – keep doing what we’ve always done, win or lose, reset and go from there.
“I haven’t given much thought to anything in regard to the whole season. I can’t say I expected to be here, but things got rolling. We just played well.”
In Friday’s showdown, Downingtown East took an early 3-0 lead when their opening drive resulted in a 36-yard field goal by Paul Selden.
“I thought they had a real great opening drive,” Beller said. “We stood (up to them) at the end and held them to a field goal.”
The Rams got on the scoreboard late in the first quarter when Ryan Rowe took it in from six yards out to give Pennridge a 7-3 lead. That advantage grew to 14-3 when – in the closing seconds of the half – Noah Keating scored on a seven-yard run.
The Rams helped their own cause with a blocked punt and also forced a turnover on a punt return, and while neither team piled up a whole lot of yards in the first half, the Rams did enough to take a two-score lead heading into halftime.
“Our offense did a good job getting two (scores) in there before the half,” Beller said. Honestly, a lot of kids stepped up again. It’s just one play here and there.
“Everyone is doing their job running the ball. I don’t think it’s ever one person. Obviously, the offensive line did a really good job – that’s a good defense.
There are some really talented players over there. I thought we did a nice job being physical up front.”
Pennridge found itself in good field position to open the second half, thanks to a long kickoff return by Michael Ferguson. The Rams took advantage of the short field with Will Dougherty taking it in from six yards to give the Rams a 21-3 lead with 8:39 remaining in the third quarter.
The Cougars had an immediate answer, returning the ensuing kickoff for a touchdown that made it a 21-9 game, a score that held until the final horn.
The unsung heroes in Friday’s win were members of the Rams’ stingy defense that allowed the Cougars to accumulate only 86 yards of total offense with just 20 yards on the ground.
For the Rams, Keating – who was 6-for-6 in the opening half – finished the game 12-for-17 for 85 yards. Dougherty led the Rams’ ground game with 67 yards and a touchdown on 17 carries while Rowe had 57 yards and a touchdown on 10 carries.
“Ryan did a good job running the ball, Will (Dougherty) did a good job running the ball. Noah (Keating) and Trevor Picciotti got some runs in there,” Beller said. “Our backs were running hard and grinding things out, and that goes a long way.”
Up next: Pennridge will host #4 Coatesville in a PIAA 6A semifinal contest next Friday.
Downingtown East 3-0-6-0 9
Pennridge 7-7-7-0 21
#2 NORTH PENN 43, SOUDERTON 14
(Scoring info courtesy of Mike Cabrey X @mpcabrey)
The Knights took a 17-14 lead into halftime, and it looked as though Friday’s battle between the neighboring rivals could come down to the wire. Then came a second half that saw the Knights completely take over the game on their way to the decisive win.
So, what changed?
“It was our coaches – Coach Beck’s halftime speech,” North Penn senior Christian Barnes said. “He riled us up, and once he gave us that speech, we knew it was time to answer back.
“It was just energy. When we came out, we had a lot of energy but not enough. Souderton came out, and they punched us in the mouth. Coming into the second half, we punched right back. We’re not just letting them overcome us. We’re fighting back, we’re giving it 100 percent effort.”
The Knights received the opening kickoff of the second half and landed a gut punch before the Indians even had a possession, converting a key third down and capping the drive with a 32-yard touchdown run by Rylei Gray.
After forcing the Indians to punt, the Knights were back at it again. This time it was a successful halfback option that saw Gray connecting with Matt Pownall for a 31-yard touchdown and a 30-14 North Penn lead.
“I think getting that first drive, converting the third down, getting down and scoring and getting up two scores was huge for us,” NP coach Dick Beck said. “Then to get the ball back – we had a big stop on fourth down. Right away, I said, ‘We’re going to run this (halfback pass). I couldn’t wait to run the halfback pass. I thought it would be open.”
Early in the fourth quarter, Pownall – who had three rushing touchdowns and a receiving TD – scored on a five-yard run to put the Knights on top 36-14. Gray capped a spectacular second half with a 47-yard touchdown run that put the Indians on top 43-14, a score that stood until the final horn. 
“Rylei tonight was the difference with how hard he was running the ball,” Beck said of his junior running back who had 196 yards on the ground.
As for the Knights’ big second half, Beck said his team’s philosophy didn’t change.
“It was going to be – let’s run the ball first, let’s attack them, let’s look at what they gave us in the first half, and let’s see what adjustments we had to make where we were going to run the ball,” the Knights’ coach said. “They were making adjustments with where we were lining up, and we had to make adjustments and say – this is where we want to attack. Our O-line coach, Jason Barrish, does a great job, and he made some suggestions that were really helpful in the second half.”
The Knights’ coach credited the play of a pair of players up front.
“Marsalis Kimber and Jack Silvers up front were awesome in the second half,” Beck said.
Early on in Friday’s game, the Indians took a 7-0 lead on a four-yard touchdown run by Nate Rusike. The Knights had an immediate answer with Pownall scoring on a 14-yard run.
The Knights took their first lead on a 26-yard field goal, and a four-yard touchdown run by Pownall gave the Knights a 17-7 lead before Ben Walsh connected with JoJo Sudi on a 28-yard TD pass to make it a 17-14 game at halftime.
“(Matt Bucksar) made some really big throws,” Beck said. “That first drive we got in on third-and-long, and he bangs one over the middle for the first down.
“That was a huge drive because we’re down 7-0, and now we’re in third-and-eight, and he hits that throw – that was huge for us.”
Friday’s win was the seventh in a row since the Knights suffered back-to-back losses to Neshaminy (18-14) and Pennridge (34-10).
“The end of the (Pennridge) game – I think everyone had to look themselves in the mirror and say, ‘Are we doing the right thing? Are we working hard enough?’” Beck said. “There’s definitely been some changes. I could tell you four guys that weren’t playing in that game that are huge contributors, and now they’re doing a (heck) of a job.”
Barnes is on that list of four and has been a difference maker at defensive end. Darin Burner is playing defensive tackle, and Lucas Oropeza is playing linebacker.
“Jacob Garrett, who’s playing middle linebacker, has been playing fantastic for us,” Beck said. “Those (four) guys have been outstanding for us.”
For Barnes, a key piece of the North Penn baseball team’s run to a district title and a state runner-up finish last spring, football has been a new addition to his resume, and he’s certainly made the most of the opportunity.
“This is awesome,” Barnes said. “It’s definitely a different feel from baseball, but it’s a lot of energy and it’s another family, a new family.
“It’s great to play another week. We’re ready to go back to work.”
While the Knights are moving on, a successful season came to an end for the Indians.
“I’m so proud of these kids – they had a great year,” Souderton coach Ed Gallagher said.
The veteran coach was not blaming an injury to a key player for the loss, but acknowledged it was a setback.
“We were really healthy coming into the second week of playoffs,” Gallagher said. “The only starter we were missing was Tracy Ngoyi. He played defensive tackle, and fortunately, we were able to move some pieces around him and replace him. However, when Michael McCormick hurt his knee in the first half, that was another gap in a place where we couldn’t have a gap. I’m not pointing fingers at any particular place, but they were able to wear us down and beat us up a little bit in the second half, and we weren’t able to respond.
“That was the only thing I was disappointed in. I thought when we went into halftime we still had confidence, we knew we could play with them. We just got out-physicaled in the second half, but you know what – that second half does not define our program or our kids. They’re great kids, it was a great senior class that did everything they could for the program. I’m going to miss them, I’m really proud of what they gave us.”
Up next: North Penn will host #11 Neshaminy in Friday’s District 1 6A quarterfinal round.
Souderton closed out its season with a 9-3 record (6-1 SOL).
Souderton 7-7-0-0 14
North Penn 7-10-13-13 43
#11 NESHAMINY 49, #14 OWEN J ROBERTS 21
(Game stats courtesy of Neshaminy football)
Talk about a dramatic change of fortunes. This was it.
The visiting Wildcats – who led 21-7 with just under six minutes remaining in the opening half – had to like their chances in Friday night’s District 1 6A quarterfinal game at Heartbreak Ridge.
Turns out Chris Flynn’s 21-yard touchdown pass to Matt Gregory that gave the Wildcats their two-touchdown lead was OJR’s last hurrah. The rest of the night belonged to the Redskins, who rolled to the no-doubt-about-it win, delighting the partisan crowd at Heartbreak Ridge.
“The atmosphere was absolutely electric,” Neshaminy coach Nick Felus said “It’s everything you want on a Friday night – Heartbreak Ridge, Neshaminy playing in a playoff game.
“We’re so thankful for the support of our community and our school district Our student section – they were absolutely crazy, which was great. We felt the love, we felt the support. We definitely felt that home field advantage.”
The Redskins’ comeback began in in earnest in the final minutes of the first half after OJR took a two-touchdown lead. Neshaminy – its offense all but unstoppable – needed just three plays after taking over at midfield to score a TD when Michael Eckart connected with Mike Sassano on a 20-yard pass that made it a 21-14 game.
The Redskins’ defense came up with a stop, and their offense still had time for another touchdown drive, this one capped with an Eckart to Carter Clee 11-yard TD pass to send the ‘Skins into halftime deadlocked 21-21.
In the third quarter, Neshaminy put an early touchdown on the board when Eckart again connected with Mike Sassano – this time for a 49-yard strike. After Luke Howell recovered an OJR fumble, the Redskins capitalized with Eckart scoring on a 17-yard run.
In the final frame, Clee – who opened the game with a 42-yard touchdown run on the ‘Skins third play from scrimmage – capped another spectacular performance with a 38-yard TD run for the 49-21 final.
“Our offensive line coach, Jacob Kelly, does a fantastic job with our guys up front,” Felus said. “They’re just so detailed from self-study and the preparation, and they’re relentless.
“Last night, we saw some different things Owen J was doing with their fronts, and we knew we were going to use Carter as our workhorse, and we were able to take advantage of some things, and behind our offensive line, Carter was running like a madman – it was great.”
There were stars galore in this one for the Redskins. Eckart had another glittering performance behind center, completing 12 of 18 passes for 231 yards and three touchdowns. He also had 17 carries for 100 yards and a TD. Clee led the Redskins’ potent ground game with 12 carries for 146 yards and three touchdowns. He also had one reception for 11 yards and a touchdown.
Brock Williams led the Neshaminy receivers with five receptions for 77 yards while Nick Sassano had four catches for 74 yards. Mike Sassano had two receptions for 69 yards with both going for touchdowns.
Comprising Neshaminy’s offensive line were left tackle Owen Swartz, left guard Logan Labadie, center John Marion, right guard Milo Makes, right tackle Riley Durnin and tight end Lucas Stewart.
“We had one or two series where we had a three-and-out, which we weren’t happy with,” Felus said. “I’ll take responsibility for that as the head coach. I thought I could have gotten us some better looks, but we adjusted quickly. We have a next-play mentality, and we turned the page quickly on those two drives.”
On the defensive side of the football, Owen Swartz continues to be a nightmare for opposing quarterbacks, finishing with three sacks. Luke Howell also had a sack as well as a fumble recovery. Brock Williams had an interception, and Nick Sassano recovered a fumble for a Redskins defense that did not allow a point in the second half.
“Credit to our defensive staff,” Felus said. “They’re very good with their preparation and film study. At halftime, we took a look at the IPads.
“Owen J was doing some stuff to get us out of leverage a little bit. They were shifting, doing a few things, so we decided to make one or two minor adjustments to get another hat in the box, and that enabled us to stop the run.”
Felus credited the efforts of his entire defense.
“I thought the defensive line played extremely well,” the Redskins’ coach said. “Owen Swartz played a really good game.
“In the secondary, Brock Williams hasn’t played a lot of defense this year, but he’s a very talented football player. We put him on number five, and I thought he really rose to the occasion. Our defense as a whole played very physical once we made a few adjustments.”
Up next: Neshaminy will travel to second-seeded North Penn for an all-SOL semifinal contest Friday. The Redskins handed North Penn one of its only two losses (18-14).
“Any time you have a chance to advance in the playoffs, especially the District 1 playoffs, it’s special, it’s an opportunity, but we’re not satisfied with that,” Felus said. “We want to keep going.
“North Penn is obviously a traditional powerhouse, great program, well coached. We have a lot of familiarity with them. They’re familiar with us. I think people are going to want to come watch this game between two very good football teams.
“Look at the final four – three of the teams in the final four in District 1 are from the Suburban One. It’s a great league.”
Owen J Roberts 14-7-0-0 21
Neshaminy 7-14-14-14 49
#4 COATESVILLE 14, #5 COUNCIL ROCK SOUTH 0
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