Sam Kind hasn’t forgotten.
The Abington quarterback remembers all to well his SOL debut against Neshaminy last year. The Ghosts lost a defensive battle with the Redskins 7-0, and Kind was just 8-of-23 for 116 yards with one interception.
“I just remember it being my first big game as a ‘real’ starting quarterback,” the Ghosts’ star senior signal caller said. “I remember being very, very excited. I guess I was too excited.
“I was overthrowing guys, and just being shut out kind of leaves a bad taste in your mouth.”A lot has changed since that September night, and Kind, who went on to have a banner year for a Ghost squad that was 10-3, will have a chance to erase any bad taste that remains on Friday night when the Ghosts host the Redskins in an eagerly-anticipated SOL season opener.
“I feel a lot more confident, not just in my abilities but with the abilities of our kids in the skill positions,” Kind said. “We’ve had this extra week to prepare, and I think experience in these types of games really helps you.”
Although Friday’s game could come down to defense yet again, offense has been the story of the season so far for both squads. The Ghosts have racked up 69 points in two early-season wins combined while the Redskins have scored a total of 90 points in their three wins.
Still, there’s no mistaking the contrasting styles of the two teams. Abington is best known for its explosive offense while the Redskins’ trademark has always been their hard-nosed defense.
“It’s their strength versus our strength,” Neshaminy coach Mark Schmidt said. “Our defense has really been playing well.
“We have some guys that we’re real happy with the way they’re progressing, but we really haven’t played as good as we’re capable of yet. We still have a ways to go.”
Abington coach Tim Sorber pointed to his team’s defense as a key as well.
“If you’re going to be successful against Neshaminy, you have to stop the run,” he said. “It’s a big challenge for our defensive line. We have a lot of young kids who are eager. We’ll add a couple of new schemes here and there to stop their run.
“Last year, we did a pretty nice job of stopping some things they like to do and probably played our best defensive game. Unfortunately, we played really good defense for 47 minutes, and within the last minute, they scored a touchdown.
“First and foremost, I think special teams and turnovers are going to be key. Whichever team can win the special teams battle and whichever team can protect the ball I think is the key.”Special teams certainly played a role in last year’s game.
With time winding down in regulation, the Ghosts found themselves punting from their own end zone, and Bryan Dean returned it to the 16-yard line. The Redskins scored the game-winning touchdown with 16 seconds remaining.
“It came down to special team’s play last year, and I’m pretty sure that’s going to happen again,” Neshaminy senior Kyran Kervick said.
Kervick and company will have the unenviable task of containing an offense that is ignited by Kind and features running back Julien Ireland and wide receiver Anthony Hensley, but defense has been a strength of this year’s Redskin squad.
“Everybody has been doubting our defense since the start of the season, and it’s brought us together to play our hearts out and play as a team,” Kervick said. “We’ve been doing that, and it’s been working great.”
Schmidt pointed to the play of his linebackers – Andy Lynch, Marco Dapkey, Steven Stemme and Corey Majors – as crucial.
“They’re four guys that move around pretty well,” the Redskins’ coach said. “Our ‘D’ line – Kevin Magee and Ryan Katona – are key guys that have done good stuff. Our secondary has played well – Kyran Kervick, Dwight Williams and Ariel Hoffman.
“The biggest thing is we have to be able to match their tempo of the game. With that kid at quarterback, I think the tempo is important.”
To counter the pressure the Ghosts’ big-name stars will face, Sorber will look to some of his other players to pick up the slack.
“We need production from some of our wide receivers,” he said. “Mark Schmidt and his defensive coordinator Neil French do a nice job of preparing well and really trying to stop your strengths offensively.
“Kids like Kevin Diehl, our other starting wide receiver, and Giuliano Presta, our tight end, and some of our other wide receivers will need to step up and make some plays.”
On the other side of the football, the Redskins have some weapons of their own on offense in gifted running back Bryan Dean, fullback Corey Majors and wide receiver Rick Brebner.“We have to establish the line of scrimmage with our offensive line – open holes so we can run the ball,” Brebner said. “On defense, we have to play smart and just shut them down.”
Schmidt will continue to employ his two-quarterback system with senior Brian Titus and junior Charlie Marterella sharing the snaps.
“They’re both doing some good things,” the Redskins’ coach said.
“”It’s been working,” Brebner added. “Teams don’t know how to strategize because they have to prepare for two quarterbacks instead of one. I think it has its advantages.”
While the Redskins are fresh off a 42-14 rout of Germantown, the Ghosts are coming off a bye week.
“There are pluses and minuses to that,” Sorber said. “We had a couple of kids that needed to get healthy, but the negative aspect is that we have a lot of kids who are inexperienced, and they need that game experience, especially on the defensive and offensive lines.
“We only have one starter back on the offensive and defensive lines. It’s one thing to practice drills against your scout team, but the only way to get game experience is to play it.”
Kind – who points to keeping his composure as key - admits he has been waiting for this game for a long time.
“Every other year we play Neshaminy at home, and I just remember when I was a sophomore going over it in my head and realizing in my senior year I would get Neshaminy and Pennsbury at home,” the senior QB said. “Council Rock North and Council Rock South are also pretty good teams, and we have both of them at home too.
“To be able to play all those really exciting Suburban One matchups in front of all the kids I go to school with and all my friends – it’s an awesome feeling.”
The Redskins were equally enthusiastic about a contest that features a pair of undefeated squads.
“It’s exciting,” Brebner said. “This will tell us the kind of team we have so far. It’s going to dictate how the season will go for us depending how we play on Friday.”
“I’ve been excited all week,” Kervick said. “I can’t even explain it in words.”
Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Abington’s Schwarzman Stadium. The game will be broadcast live on the internet at www.wbcb1490.com, which can be accessed on the LINKS page of SuburbanOneSports.com.
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