Central Bucks West spoiled the Hatboro-Horsham’s home debut on Friday night. To view action photos of the game, visit the Photo Gallery at the following link: http://photos.suburbanonesports.com/.
By Ben Reese
HORSHAM: Hatboro-Horsham played its first home game this football season Friday night as it dedicated its new turf field.
However, there was a fly in the ointment for the Hatters. Central Bucks West controlled the clock to finish off a 23-12 Suburban One League Continental Conference victory.
“The one thing that West was able to do was sustain drives,” Hatboro-Horsham head coach Gary Pagliaro said. “They are a good offense and ate the clock, which is huge, didn't turn the ball over. I think they did a very good job tonight.”
West coach Brian Hensel wouldn't disagree with that statement. He was pleased with the way his team responded after losing three straight games.
“Our backs ran the ball real well and our linemen got off well,” he said. “I think we had one of our best nights of the year getting on guys and staying on guys and, with good runners and determined blockers in front of you, that brings results.”
And, obviously, they were the results that Hensel had planned on. The Bucks ran the ball 49 times for 207 yards and threw the ball only 10 times (five completions) for 31 yards.
“We've got a young quarterback (sophomore John Fitz),” said Hensel, “but he throws a very good ball. And we've got a very good corps of receivers who, when we needed some distance tonight, got open and got us some first downs.
“Obviously, (Hatboro) has a tremendous ground attack and the more time we could take off that clock and keep their offense off the field was a good defense.”
The Hatters were no slouches running the ball either. They rambled over their new turf for 172 yards.
In the first half, which could have been one of the fastest halves this season, there were only eight passes thrown. 
The rest of the plays, minus the punts and kickoffs, were running plays.
CB West struck first. After a Hatter punt, the Bucks started to grind it out.
Sherrod Higginbotham ripped off a 23-yard gain on the first West play from scrimmage to put the ball in Hatboro territory at the 39. Eleven plays later (only one of them a pass), Kevin Duggan pushed the ball into the end zone for a 7-0 lead with 1:06 remaining in the opening quarter.
The Hatters came right back. Luke Spahits returned the ensuing kickoff 38 yards to the HH 45. Three running plays moved the ball to the West 47.
From there it was all Chris Ejimonyeugwo. He scampered around the right end and outran the Buck defenders to the end zone.
Hatboro tried to fake an extra point kick and go for two. The play was successful but the officials detected an illegal block on the play and set the ball back 15 yards. A passing try for the two-point conversion failed.
Things continued to look up for Hatboro-Horsham in the second quarter. When its defense held CB West on downs at the HH 44, five running plays put the ball in the end zone, courtesy of a 18-yard run by Travis Young, to give the Hatters a 12-7 lead. Another try for two points failed.
The Bucks put the game on ice in the second half. Higginbotham scored on the opening drive of the half from five yards out to give them a 13-12 lead after a run for the conversion failed.
West added a 37-yard field goal by Nick Danilo and a one-yard quarterback sneak by Fitz in the fourth quarter to complete the scoring.
“The game plan was to run the ball and hit some screen passes,” Fitz said. “Our line blocked really well, opened up some big holes and (our backs) ran real well and kept the clock moving.”
One thing both sides agreed on, though, was the field.
“This field in fantastic,” Hensel said. “Obviously, the school district has done a great job investing in a quality facility, and Hatboro has a whole lot to be proud of with this facility.”
Pagliaro, despite coming out on the short end of the score, was effusive about the field.
“The field is magnificent,” he said. “I think it's going to be a great place to play and a great venue for years to come. The kids were saying that the footing was fantastic.”
The victory boosts Central Bucks West's overall record to 5-5 and its Continental mark to 4-4. The Hatters fell to 3-8 overall and 1-7 in league play.
“We're turning the corner,” Hensel said. “We had some injuries that we were dealing with last week and had some young guys who had to step up and play and they did a good job.
“Many of those guys who stepped in for injured guys last week saw the field again tonight and stepped up in key situations.
“We're looking to finish on a positive note. This puts us back to .500, not exactly where we wanted to be after 10 weeks but we've got a shot for a winning season next week against Archbishop Ryan (a non-league opponent).”
Central Bucks West 7 0 6 10 – 23
Hatboro-Horsham 0 12 0 0 – 12
CBW: Kevin Duggan 4 run (Nick Danilo kick)
HH: Chris Ejimonyeugwo 47 run (pass failed)
HH: Travis Young 18 run (run failed)
CBW: Sherrod Higginbotham 5 run (run failed)
CBW: FG Nick Danilo 37
CBW: John Fitz 1 run (Danilo kick)
CENTRAL BUCKS WEST HATBORO-HORSHAM
15 First Downs 9
207 Rushing Yards 172
29 Passing Yards 31
236 Total Yards 203
2-36 Punts/Average 4-30.5
2-20 Penalties/Yards 5-45
RUSHING
Central Bucks West: Sherrod Higginbotham 24-128, 1 TD; Jake Poeske 16-82; Cody Riemenschneider 1-6; Kevin Duggan 2-5, 1 TD; John Fitz 6- (-)14, 1 TD.
Hatboro-Horsham: Chris Ejimonyeugwo 7-75, 1 TD; Travis Young 9-52, 1 TD; Luke Spahits 3-20; Aaron Channing 7-15; Casey Saverio 4-10.
PASSING
Central Bucks West: Fitz 4-9-29 yards.
Hatboro-Horsham: Channing 5-10-31 yards.
RECEIVING
Central Bucks West: Poeske 1-11; Riemenschneider 1-7; Higginbotham 1-5; Seth Ehlo 1-4; Duggan 1-2.
Hatboro-Horsham: Saverio 1-27; Jimmy Murphy 2-2; Lee Riches 1-2.
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