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By Scott Huff
Abington – The Abington Ghosts have gotten good – scary good.
And those remarkable talents were on display as Abington (9-2) thumped rival Cheltenham (9-2) in the opening round of the PIAA District One Quad-A playoffs – 47-7.
“We are a far better football team than the one that played at the beginning of the season,” said Abington head coach Tom Sorber after his Ghosts won their seventh game in a row. “I think that we have opened up quite a few eyes recently.
“There is no question that the kids have a district championship on their mind,” added Sorber. “I know that we are not the same football team that played Neshaminy at the beginning of the season.”
Abington will have to take its act to Heartbreak Ridge next week to play host Neshaminy (10-1). The Redskins handled Upper Dublin in its first round PIAA District One Quad-A playoff game – 41-13.
“I’m not thrilled with the fact that we have to play someone in our conference so early in the playoffs,” said Sorber. “It is what it is.”
Neshaminy defeated Abington 28-10 in the fourth game of the season – the Ghosts haven’t lost since.
But in order to dial up the rematch with the Skins, the Ghost had to take care of business in its win over the co-champions of the SOL American Conference – Cheltenham.And Abington did just that with an offensive explosion that generated 487 yards of total offense and a defense that limited the potentially explosive Panthers to just 163 total yards.
“We expected to be able to put up some points,” said Abington senior quarterback Julien Ireland, who was sensational both running and passing the football. “And our defense came up with a big stop at the beginning of the game.”
Cheltenham took the opening kickoff and moved the ball 58 yards on 15 plays to the Abington 12-yard line. But a field goal attempt failed, and what proved to be the only Panther offensive threat to the goal line was stopped.
“We didn’t score there, and that sure didn’t help,” said Cheltenham head coach Joe Gro. “I just thought that overall we didn’t represent ourselves very well tonight.
“Our seniors worked so hard all year to get us to this playoff game,” added Gro. “It was a wonderful run.”
Ireland assumed total control of the game after that initial Cheltenham drive with both his gifted left arm and his pair of powerful legs.
Ireland completed four of five passes for the night – all touchdown passes. In addition to the 138 passing yards, Ireland added 124 yards rushing and generated 262 yards of total offense.
“We tried to do something differently to contain him,” said Gro. “Obviously, it didn’t work.”
The first Abington score came in the first quarter when Ireland floated a gorgeous 31-yard touchdown pass to Josh Lee. Ian MacMillan added the first of his five successful extra points.
MacMillan pushed the lead to 10-
0 when he booted a 23-yard field goal in the second period.
0 when he booted a 23-yard field goal in the second period.Ireland found his favorite target Darian “DJ” McFadden with a 39-yard scoring pass. McFadden made a nifty move to step in front of the Panther defender to get into the end zone.
The third touchdown pass of the game came on Ireland’s third pass attempt. This time Ireland zipped a screen pass to Tim Salley, and the lanky Salley scooted 54 yards for the score.
The final score of the first half came on the final play of the half. MacMillan impressed with a booming 42-yard field goal with no time left on the clock. It gave the Ghosts a 27-0 halftime lead.
The lead swelled to 33-0 early in the third period. Ireland threw his fourth pass – and fourth TD pass – to McFadden for a 14-yard score.
“Julien just put the ball up there, and I was able to go get it,” said McFadden. “Julien throws a nice ball.”
Cheltenham would score its only points of the game on the ensuing kickoff. Dan Rouse fielded the kickoff on the 30-yard line and jetted 70 yards for a Panther touchdown. Tyler Gardner added
the PAT for Cheltenham to make the score 33-7.
the PAT for Cheltenham to make the score 33-7.Abington answered right back as Ray Schreiner ripped through the Panther defense for 62 yards and a touchdown. Schreiner would finish the game as the leading rusher for the Ghosts with 127 yards.
The game would become a ‘mercy-rule’ game by the close of the third period.
Jim Shelinsky capped a Ghost scoring drive with a 10-yard TD burst. Shelinsky – in just five carries – added 91 rushing yards to the Abington total of 349 yards.
“Maybe next week Neshaminy will just think it is going to be another easy win,” said McFadden of the Ghost-Skin rematch. “It won’t be.”
The Ghosts have become good – scary good.
Cheltenham 0 0 7 0 - 7
Abington 7 20 20 0 - 47
A: Josh Lee 31 pass from Julien Ireland (Ian MacMillan kick)
A: MacMillan 23 FG
A: DJ McFadden 39 pass from Ireland (MacMillan kick)
A: Tim Salley 54 pass from Ireland (MacMillan kick)
A: MacMillan 42 FG
A: McFadden 14 pass from Ireland (pass failed)
C: Dan Rouse 70 kick off return (Tyler Gardner kick)
A: Ray Schreiner 62 run (MacMillan kick)
A: Jim Shelinsky 10 run (MacMillan kick)
Cheltenham Abington
12 First Downs 14
96 Rush Yards 349
67 Pass Yards 138
163 Total Offense 487
4-20 Pen / Yds 5-35
2-26 Punts / Avg 1-30
Cheltenham
Rushing: Acquil Reed 3-44; Chris Stephens 4-21; Dan Rouse 1-14; Kenneth Cropper 9-8; Basil Williams 2-5; Josh Lewis 1-4. Totals 20-96
Passing: Cropper 7-12-2; 52 yards; Williams 2-2-0; 15 yards. Totals 9-14-67
Receiving: Stephens 4-12; Jon Tsipori 2-28; Rouse 2-14; Lewis 1-13. Totals 9-67
Interceptions: None
Abington
Rushing: Ray Schreiner 8-127 & TD; Julien Ireland 14-124; Jim Shelinsky 5-91 & TD; Jim Heiler 6-7. Totals 33-349 & 2 TD.
Passing: Ireland 4-5-0; 138 yards & 4 TD.
Receiving: DJ McFadden 2-53 & 2 TD; Tim Salley 1-54 & TD; Josh Lee 1-31 & TD. Totals 4-138 & 4 TD.
Interceptions: Myles Grasty; Will Taylor.
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