By Scott Huff
Abington always used to circle the Cheltenham game on the schedule – in maroon.
The storied rivalry began in 1917, and after the Ghosts (10-3) tormented Cheltenham (5-7) 38-3 Wednesday night at the Graveyard, Abington now owns a 51-28-6 lead in the series.
“To be honest, the players were disappointed that we were playing this game,” said Abington head coach Tim Sorber. “These kids wanted to still be playing in the district playoffs – like the North Penn kids and the Neshaminy kids.
“It tells you a little about how far this program has come the last few years,” added Sorber. “I was standing at the 50-yard line, and I was thinking about how far this group of seniors have come.
“We finished with 10 wins, and that is a credit to the players,” continued Sorber. “I really thought that this team overachieved this year, and we showed a lot of character.”
The cast of characters for the Ghosts included a terrific set of underclassmen performances.
Junior quarterback Sam Kind had a superlative game against the Panthers with 17 completions for an incredible 304 yards and two touchdowns. Kind also threw for a school record 2,454 yards this season – besting the mark set just last year by Kevin Morton.
Junior wide receiver Anthony Hensley was marvelous against Cheltenham with seven catches for 137 yards and a touchdown. Hensley – who made some terrific receptions in close coverage – finished the season with 1,084 yards.
Sophomore running back Julien Ireland raced 76 yards and scored a touchdown against the Panthers. The Ghost running back featured a combination of speed and power that saw him eclipse the 1,000-yard mark this season.
They will all be back next season – but Abington will say goodbye to some outstanding seniors.
“Dom Massey and Tim Clark deserve a lot of respect,” said Sorber. “They didn’t get to play a whole lot as sophomores, but they stayed in the program and helped make it successful.
“They were willing to wait their turn,” added Sorber. “Just like Sam had to wait his turn behind Kevin last year.”
Massey – a lanky wide receiver with soft hands – was all smiles as he left the field.
“These guys are my family,” said Massey. “We had a great season – Sam really stepped up at quarterback – and next year this should be a phenomenal team.
“I’m still on the brink of deciding where I want to go to college next year,” added Massey. “This was a great way to end it.”
Abington took control of the game in the first half. The initial Ghost drive ended when Ian Macmillan drilled a 26-yard field goal.
The closest that Cheltenham got to the lead was on the next possession. The Panthers marched to the Ghost 13-yard and on third-and-two Mikhail Reed bolted to the Abington one-yard before he fumbled into the end zone.
“If we score there, the complexion changes,” said Cheltenham coach Joe Gro. “But give Abington credit – they were damn near perfect the rest of the game.
“That quarterback made some incredible throws,” added Gro. “And those receivers made some great catches against our good defensive backs.”
Abington scored on the ensuing possession on an 80-yard march that took just four plays. Alex Eaton – another talented junior – capped the drive with a 19-yard scamper.
Cheltenham punter Jake Smith executed a perfect punt that settled inside the Ghost one-yard line. That was the good news – the bad news was that Abington cruised 99 yards for another touchdown.
The scoring play was a nifty nine-yard touchdown pass from Kind to Hensley. The key play in the drive was a 43-yard Kind-to-Hensley connection.
The Ghosts were to score another TD before the half to take a 24-0 lead. Kind capped the drive with an 11-yard scoring dart to Massey.
The first drive of the second half ended like the last drive of the first half – with an Abington touchdown.
This time the scoring honors went to Ireland who concluded the nine-play, 53-yard march with a four-yard touchdown burst.
The lone scoring drive for the Panthers came in the third period. Cheltenham moved the ball from the Panther 23-yard line to the Ghost 14-yard line behind the running of Damian Finley. Finley finished with a team-high 82 yards.
Cheltenham averted the shutout as Smith split the uprights with a 30-yard field goal. It was to be the only points of the game for the Panthers.
Abington, though, had one more scoring drive left. The Ghosts moved to the Panthers one-yard line as Kind connected three times with Hensley for 58 yards.
And it was here that both Massey and Clark – both beloved seniors – got their shot at the goal line by Coach Sorber.
Massey went first – and lost a yard. Clark went second – and scored on a two-yard run. Macmillan’s PAT made the score 38-3, and the mercy rule went into effect.
“Does this look like a running back’s body,” smiled Massey after his tailback debut. “I never, ever, ran the ball before. Never in a day.”
Tim Sorber began to pack up his modest office after the win. He grabbed a Coke and went on his way.
And the schedule on the wall behind his desk showed November 26, 2008 - Cheltenham. And the date wasn’t even circled.
Cheltenham 0 0 3 0 - 3
Abington 10 14 7 7 - 38
A- Macmillan 26 FG
A- Eaton 19 run (Macmillan kick)
A- Hensley 9 pass from Kind (Macmillan kick)
A- Massey 11 pass from Kind (Macmillan kick)
A- Ireland 4 run (Macmillan kick)
B- Smith 30 FG
A- Clark 2 run (Macmillan kick)
First Downs: [C] – 14; [A] – 21
Rush Yards: [C] – 139; [A] – 120
Pass Yards: [C] – 14; [A] – 304
Total Offense: [C] – 153; [A] – 424
Punts: [C] – 3-33; [A] – 0-0
Penalties: [C] – 6-50; [A] – 10-105
Cheltenham:
Rushing: Finley 20-82; Reed 16-43; Heath 2-10; Scott 1-4. Totals 39-139.
Passing: Reed 2-2-0; 14 yards.
Receiving: Anderson 1-13; Gary 1-1. Totals 2-14.
Interceptions: None
Abington:
Rushing: Ireland 15-76-TD; Kind 4-26; Eaton 2-18; Clark 1-2-TD; Massey 1-(minus 1). Totals 23-120- 2 TD.
Passing: Kind 17-24-0; 304 yards – 3 TD.
Receiving: Hensley 7-137-TD; Presta 3-41; Massey 3-28-TD; Harris 2-44; O’Hanlon 1-35; Ireland 1-19. Totals 17-304- 3 TD.
Interceptions: None
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