By Scott Huff
Quakertown – Wow!
Council Rock North senior quarterback Brandon McIlwain was simply outrageous as he scored five rushing touchdowns and passed for another score as the Indians (6-3, 5-1) shocked many with a 41-31 Suburban One League Continental Conference victory over previously unbeaten Quakertown (8-1, 5-1).
Wow!!
McIlwain – the South Carolina University recruit – was simply spectacular as he rushed the ball 25 times for 212 yards and also completed 17 passes for 219 yards for an astonishing 431 yards of total offense.
Wow!!!
Council Rock North was counted all but out for the 2015 season after a shocking 44-43 conference loss to Norristown. But the remarkable Indians will play for both a piece of the SOL Continental Conference title and a spot in the prestigious 16-team PIAA District One Quad-A field next week against rival CR South after the huge win over the Panthers.
“The kids read the papers – they know that nobody thought we could beat Quakertown tonight,” said Council Rock North head coach Adam Collachi. “We used that as motivation – but winning tonight really doesn’t do anything for us if we can’t follow it up with a win next week against Council Rock South.
“But the win tonight allows us to control our own destiny,” added Collachi. “Our goal every year is to win the conference – get into districts – and win a playoff game. We now have that in front of us.”
“This is the most fun that I have ever had playing football,” smiled the talented McIlwain. “We have had an explosive offense and we have accomplished a lot this season.
“We have done what we had to do after that loss,” added McIlwain in reference to the disappointing loss to Norristown. “Next week (against CR South) is going to be very exciting.”
Quakertown did not yield its unbeaten status without a battle.
The Panther offense generated a gaudy 447 yards of total offense – rushed for 332 yards – and collected 24 first downs. Senior running back Rob Burns rushed for a team-high 145 yards and scored two touchdowns – senior quarterback Tom Garlick rushed for 107 yards and a score and also passed for an additional 115 yards, but Q-town failed to hold a 24-20 lead in the second half.
“McIlwain just took it to us the whole game,” said Quakertown head coach George Banas. “He is a great player – and we never were able to make adjustments to stop him.
“You try your best to prepare for him – but you can’t get the look in practice that he gives you in a game,” added Banas. “Even though we lost – we still have a lot to play for this season.
“A win next week against (Central Bucks) East gives us at least a share of a championship,” continued Banas. “And then we have the district playoffs to prepare for.”
Rock North scored on its first possession to take a 7-0 lead. The nine-play scoring drive was capped by a one-yard scoring run by McIlwain – and Tyler Nowmos added the point after touchdown.
Q-town scored on its first possession of the game as the Panthers 14-play scoring drive culminated with a 27-yard field goal by Anthony Soriano to make the score 7-3 at the close of the period.
The Indians added to their lead early in the second period. McIlwain earned scoring honors on a nifty 25-yard touchdown run; however, the placement failed and CRN led 13-3.
Quakertown answered with a touchdown drive on the ensuing possession. Burns capped the six-play scoring drive with an eight-yard touchdown burst – Soriano’s PAT closed the gap to 13-10.
Rock North took a 20-10 halftime lead with another second period score. McIlwain fired a gorgeous 37-yard scoring strike to a wide-open Riley Thompson to finish off a seven-play, 80-yard scoring march.
Quakertown scored on its first possession of the second half to slice the lead to 20-17. Burns – who rushed four times in the drive for 43 yards – capped the drive with a two-yard touchdown run.
The Panthers took their only lead of the game in the third period. A nine-play scoring drive was capped by a one-yard touchdown blast by senior running back Nick Bonomo. Soriano’s placement gave Q-town a 24-20 lead.
It didn’t last long.
Rock North answered with a nine-play scoring drive that covered 58 yards. McIlwain scored on a seven-yard touchdown burst – and the Nowmos PAT presented the Indians the lead for good at 27-24.
The Indians extended the lead to 34-24 on a magnificent 57-yard scoring play by McIlwain. The speedster somehow went untouched through the middle of the Panther defense on his journey to the end zone.
Quakertown – though - climbed back into the game at 34-31 when Garlick capped an eight-play scoring march with a neat 12-yard scoring run.
However, McIlwain still had another touchdown left in his superlative effort. He fired a 56-yard pass to senior Devon Bibbens to set up his final touchdown run – a nine-yard scoring jaunt. The Nowmos PAT would make the score final at 41-31.
The one thing that Quakertown might have learned after its painful Homecoming Night defeat – don’t ever invite Brandon McIlwain to the party.
Council Rock North Indians 7 13 7 14 - 41
Quakertown Panthers 3 7 14 7 - 31
CRN: Brandon McIlwain 1 run (Tyler Nowmos kick)
Q: Anthony Soriano 27 Field Goal
CRN: McIlwain 25 run (Nowmos kick)
Q: Rob Burns 8 run (Soriano kick)
CRN: Riley Thompson 37 pass from McIlwain (Nowmos kick)
Q: Burns 2 run (Soriano kick)
Q: Nick Bonomo 1 run (Soriano kick)
CRN: McIlwain 7 run (Nowmos kick)
CRN: McIlwain 57 run (Nowmos kick)
Q: Tom Garlick 12 run (Soriano kick)
CRN: McIlwain 9 run (Nowmos kick)
Council Rock North Quakertown Panthers
21 First Downs 24
257 Rushing Yards 332
219 Passing Yards 115
476 Total Offense 447
2-40 Punts / Average 2-46
1-15 Penalties / Yards 3-26
Council Rock North:
Rushing: Brandon McIlwain 25-212-5 TD; Brian Choi 7-35; Tyler Nowmos 2-8; and Devon Bibbens 1-2. Totals 35-257-5 TD.
Passing: Brandon McIlwain 17-25-2; 219 yards & TD.
Receiving: Devon Bibbens 7-97; Tyler Nowmos 5-63; Riley Thompson 2-41 & TD; Andrew Kelly 2-14; and Brian Choi 1-4. Totals 17-219 & TD.
Interceptions: Devon Bibbens.
Quakertown:
Rushing: Rob Burns 24-145-2 TD; Tom Garlick 14-107 & TD; Nick Bonomo 14-80 & TD. Totals 52-332-4 TD.
Passing: Tom Garlick 8-18-1; 115 yards.
Receiving: Rob Burns 2-59; Aaron Besch 3-34; and Kyle Baskin 3-22. Totals 8-115.
Interceptions: Jack Chenoweth and Noah Wood.
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