All stats used in the article below are provided courtesy of The Intelligencer/Bucks County Courier Times.
By Scott Huff
Ali & Frazier
The Hatfield’s & McCoy’s
JWoww & Snooki
North Penn & Neshaminy
These two powerful District One heavyweights have fought their way through the first two rounds of the PIAA Quad-A Playoffs to earn a District One Final championship bout with the other.
It is the fourth time in the last four years that these perennial powers have hooked up in the district playoffs.
North Penn has won the last two meetings with the Skins as the Knights earned a 35-22 victory last year and won 28-0 in 2008. Neshaminy was victorious in 2007 by a 35-0 score.
Trivia – Neshaminy won a PIAA Quad-A state title in 2001. Who did the Redskins beat, and what was the score? North Penn won a PIAA state title in 2003? Who did the Knights beat, and what was the score?
Last Week:
North Penn (12-1) played on the road at Council Rock South (11-2) and played ‘North Penn football’ as the Knights cranked out a 28-14 victory.
Quarterback Corey Ernst completed all 11 of his passes and fired a pair of TD passes – one to Gerard Wendowski (seven receptions) and one to Dominic Taggart. Taggart and Brandon Mercer also scored on TD runs of six and 47 yards respectively.
Neshaminy (12-1) hosted West Chester Rustin (11-2) and proved to be a rude host as the Redskins routed the Golden Knights – 33-7 – at Heartbreak Ridge.
Corey Majors bulled in for three touchdowns for the winners. Anthony Woodroffe scored on a 55-yard run and rushed for a game-high 163 yards. Quarterback Charlie Marterella threw a 14-yard TD pass to Dwight Williams.
In the huddle with quarterbacks Ernst & Marterella:
North Penn senior quarterback Corey Ernst had never started a varsity game prior to the 2010 football season. And his varsity baptism came against defending PIAA Quad-A state champion La Salle.“The biggest thing I had to learn right away against La Salle was the speed of the game,” said Ernst in reference to the Knights only loss of the season – 27-14. “La Salle was a very physical team, and I learned a lot by playing them so early in the season.
“Neshaminy has some big and fast defensive players,” added Ernst. “We are going to have to prepare well if we want to beat them.
“My offensive line has been great all season,” continued Ernst. “They have kept the pressure off me, and I have been able to make reads down the field.
“And my receivers are all great weapons,” added Ernst. “Brandon (Mercer), Dominic (Taggart), Gerard (Wendowski) and Craig (Needhammer) all get open and never drop the ball.”
Neshaminy senior quarterback Charlie Marterella split quarterbacking duties with Brian Titus a season ago and came into the season with solid varsity experience. He surely didn’t disappoint with an outstanding senior season.“North Penn is the best team that we have played this year,” said Marterella. “Abington and Council Rock South were also great teams, and playing them has really gotten us prepared to play North Penn.
“Their defensive team has good players all over the field,” added Marterella. “The linebackers are fast, the defensive line can hit, and the defensive backfield can cover.
“Playing the game on turf at Council Rock will make the game faster – for both teams,” said Marterella. “I guess that means I have to be a lot faster too if I want to get out of the way.
“This game has developed into quite a rivalry,” continued Marterella. “The one thing that is going to be for sure is that it is going to be a great game.”
Head Coach Speak with Beck and Schmidt
North Penn head coach Dick Beck says:
“There are a lot of playmakers for both teams on both sides of the ball,” said Beck. “You have to make some big plays on offense, and not give them up on defense.
“We really enjoy the rivalry we have with Neshaminy,” added Beck. “I hope we have a game that is decided on the field by the players. It should be a great game.”
Neshaminy head coach Mark Schmidt says:
“The thing about us and North Penn is that we both know each other so well – no surprises,” said Schmidt. “And there are some similarities between the two teams.
“We both have ‘go-to’ guys on offense and good defenses,” added Schmidt. “It is going to come down to who takes advantages of the opportunities.”
Coaches’ Corner:
Vince Bedesem – head coach at Council Rock South – on Neshaminy
“Neshaminy has a very strong foundation on defense, and their players really get to the ball,” said Bedesem. “A very well-coached defense that shows a great deal of discipline.
“Neshaminy has that two-headed monster on offense with (Anthony) Woodroffe and (Sean) Ulmer,” added Bedesem. “They have a strong offensive line, and a great leader in (quarterback) Charlie Marterella.”
Council Rock South defeated Neshaminy 28-21. It was the only loss of the season for the Redskins.
Ed Gallagher – head coach at Souderton Area High School – on Neshaminy.
“Neshaminy has continued to get better and better as the season has gone along,” said Gallagher. “The huge difference playing them now is that they are healthy. And when they are full strength, they are a great high school football team.”
Souderton Area HS lost this season to Neshaminy 21-19. It was the first game of the season for both teams.
Vince Bedesem – on North Penn
“Corey Ernst is a fine quarterback who is both poised and can manage a game,” said Bedesem of the Knight QB. “And (Craig) Needhammer and (Dominic) Taggart are both hard-hitting running backs. Brandon Mercer is the ‘X’ factor.
“The North Penn defense is always fundamentally sound,” added Bedesem. “It is a defense that takes away what you do best.”
Council Rock South lost to North Penn 28-14 last week. The Golden Hawks host the PIAA Quad-A District One semifinal game.
Ed Gallagher – on North Penn
“When North Penn takes care of the ball, they are very tough to beat,” said Gallagher. “They have a way of finding a weakness and then exploit it. They are the class of District One.”
Souderton Area HS lost to North Penn 40-22 during the season. The Big Red finished in second place behind the Knights in the Suburban One League Continental Conference.
Outcome?
“I’m not predicting a winner,” said Bedesem. “Games are won and lost on three or four key plays during the game. Whoever makes those plays will win.”
“There are two really good teams playing each other when they are both playing well,” said Gallagher. “I have an idea as to who should win, but if the other team wins I won’t be surprised.”
Answer to Trivia: Neshaminy won the 2001 PIAA Quad-A state title by beating Woodland Hills – 21-7. North Penn won the 2003 PIAA Quad-A state title by beating Central Catholic – 37-10.
THE TALE OF THE TAPE
Who? North Penn Knights (12-1) vs. Neshaminy Redskins (12-1)
What? PIAA Quad-A District One Finals
Where? Walt Snyder Stadium – Council Rock North High School – Newtown.
When? Friday – 7:30 pm
North Penn – Neshaminy Team Stats
Records:
North Penn 12-1 (.923)
Neshaminy 12-1 (.923)
Scoring:
(Offense – points scored)
North Penn - 462 points – [35.5 per game]
Neshaminy - 417 points – [32.1 per game]
(Defense – points allowed)
North Penn – 184 – [14.2 per game]
Neshaminy – 181 – [13.9 per game]
Rushing Stats:
North Penn: 449 attempts – 2852 yards – 6.4 average per carry – 38 touchdowns.
Neshaminy: 460 attempts – 2865 yards – 6.2 average per carry – 41 touchdowns.
Passing Stats:
North Penn: 108 completions – 1689 yards – 15.6 average per catch – 20 touchdowns.
Neshaminy: 126 completions – 1901 yards – 15.1 average per catch – 19 touchdowns.
North Penn – Neshaminy Individual Stats
North Penn Rushing:
Craig Needhammer 182 carries / 1242 yards / 15 touchdowns; Dominic Taggart 133 carries / 918 yards / 14 TD; Brandon Mercer 36 carries / 377 yards / 4 TD.
Neshaminy Rushing:
Anthony Woodroffe 161 carries / 1092 yards / 14 touchdowns; Sean Ulmer 157 carries / 1053 yards / 10 TD; Corey Majors 67 carries / 503 yards / 11 TD.
North Penn Passing:
Corey Ernst 113 completions (64.9%) – 1735 yards – 20 touchdowns.
Neshaminy Passing:
Charlie Marterella 114 completions (57.3%) – 1794 yards – 19 touchdowns.
North Penn Receiving:
Dominic Taggart 30 receptions / 570 yards / 8 touchdowns; Brandon Mercer 21 receptions / 352 yards / 3 TD; Gerard Wendowski 28 receptions / 314 yards / 6 TD.
Neshaminy Receiving:
Dwight Williams 38 receptions / 689 yards / 8 touchdowns; Justin Andrews 37 receptions / 545 yards / 3 TD: Shane Quinn 9 receptions / 121 yards / 3 TD.
[Prediction: North Penn 24 – Neshaminy 21]
The ‘other’ PIAA Quad-A state playoff games…
Who? La Salle Explorers (11-1) vs. Easton Red Rovers (12-2)
What? PIAA Quad-A Eastern Semifinal game
Where? Charles Martin Memorial Field – Northeast High School – Philadelphia.
When? Saturday @ 1 pm
La Salle (11-1) had a bye last week. The defending PIAA Quad-A state champions have featured the remarkable talent of running back Jamal Abdur-Rahman in winning the District 12 title. The Explorers defeated Northeast (Philadelphia Public League champion) 35-0 in their last game. The lone loss of the year came against Bergen Catholic of New Jersey – 22-21 - in the second game of the season. La Salle has beaten North Penn this season – 27-14.
Easton (12-2) won the District 11 title last week with a 13-10 victory over Whitehall (10-3). The Red Rovers had lost to Whitehall earlier in the year – 17-14 – and has also lost to Thanksgiving Day rival Phillipsburg (NJ) – 3-0 – in overtime. Running back Zach Bellamy and the passing of quarterback Justin Pacchioll lead Easton.
[ Prediction: La Salle 24 – Easton 17]
Who? Cumberland Valley Eagles (11-2) vs. Red Lion Lions (10-3).
What? PIAA Quad-A Western Semifinal game (District 3 finals)
Where? Hershey Park Arena – Hershey
When? Saturday – 6 pm
Cumberland Valley advanced to the semifinals with a 28-7 victory over Central Dauphin. The Eagles played Red Lion in the first game of the season and spanked the Lions – 45-6. Cumberland Valley has lost to both Bishop McDevitt (35-21) and Harrisburg (28-21) this season.
Red Lion (10-3) is a long shot to beat the Eagles, but the Lions were a long shot to make the District 3 finals. The Lions advanced with a 14-0 upset win over Daniel Boone. In addition to the 45-6 loss to CV, Red Lion lost games to both Spring Grove (36-14) and Dallastown (38-36).
[ Prediction: Cumberland Valley 35 – RedLion 13]
Who? North Allegheny Tigers (13-1) vs. State College (6-6)
What? PIAA Quad-A Western Semifinal game
Where? Ram Stadium – Pine-Richland High School – Gibsonia
When? Friday – 7 pm
North Allegheny won the WPIAL championship last week with a 21-14 victory over Woodland Hills. The Tigers lone loss of the season came in a 21-16 setback against North Hills.
State College is the longest of long shots to advance in the playoffs. The Little Lions have a meager .500 overall record and a 42-7 loss to North Allegheny on its 2010 record. State College upset Perry Academy 35-26 to advance in the playoffs.
[ Prediction: North Allegheny 31 – State College 14]
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