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By Scott Huff
Suburban One Sports.com Senior Writer
While it may not have been John Hancock in 1776 in Philadelphia, Council Rock South (7-0, 4-0) came up with a momentous victory in the Suburban One League National Conference with a thrilling 28-21 win over host Neshaminy (6-1, 3-1).
“Everyone talked about how we were a good football team, but we didn’t have a signature win,” smiled Golden Hawk senior Hunter Shull who came up with two critical sacks in the final moments to preserve the win. “That can’t be said anymore. This is the biggest win in the school’s (nine-year) history.”“Is this a signature win – yes and no,” said Council Rock South head coach Vince Bedesem. “To beat the pride of District One, on this historic field (Heartbreak Ridge), is a tremendous accomplishment.
“But if we don’t follow this game with the same type of effort against every one of our opponents, this will be lost. This was a great high school football game. Friday Night Lights at its best.”
To be honest, the second half of the game showcased some great high school football. The first half saw the Redskins own a 6-0 lead, and both defenses forced a flurry of punts and were firmly in charge of the game.
“I don’t know if we came out nervous, but we knew at halftime that we were going to be able to make the adjustments to get our offense going,” said Council Rock South senior quarterback Billy Fleming who rushed for a game-high 143 yards on 21 carries. “We came out with a change in our blocking scheme, and things got a lot better.”
The Golden Hawks managed just a single first down and 46 total yards of offense in the first half.One of the huge reasons for the lack of success of the South offense had to do with the punishing play of Neshaminy senior linebacker Corey Majors. Majors – who will play his football on scholarship next year with Villanova University – left the game early in the third period and played very sparingly thereafter.
“Corey hurt his leg,” said Neshaminy head coach Mark Schmidt as Majors did not play a single down in the fourth period. “That’s really all I know, he hurt his leg.”
Whether it was the change in blocking assignments – or the loss of Majors – the second half Rock South numbers were stunningly different.
In the second half, the Hawks scored four touchdowns - had 13 first downs – and 215 yards of total offense.
“Council Rock South just made more plays than us in the second half,” said Schmidt. “It was a great high school football game.”
Neshaminy had taken the 6-0 halftime lead on a three-yard run by senior quarterback Charlie Marterella. Featured in that drive was a pair of pass connections to wide out Dwight Williams.
The point after touchdown was blocked.
A momentum changer took place on the opening kickoff of the second half. Neshaminy attempted an onsides kick, which failed, and the Golden Hawks took advantage of the short field.“We saw something on film that we liked,” said Schmidt. “We had six players going after the ball to one of their players. But he got it.”
What Rock South got next was the lead as Fleming led the Hawks on their first scoring drive – 52-yards on seven plays. Fleming capped the drive with an eight-yard TD run.
Placekicker Ben Solis added the PAT.
Neshaminy bounced right back though and scored on a 10-play scoring drive. The Redskins finished the drive as Anthony Woodroffe vaulted into the end zone from the two-yard line.
Neshaminy went for a 2-point conversion – which worked on Woodroffe’s bolt – and the Skins led 14-7.
Council Rock South counter punched with its second scoring drive. The Golden Hawks moved 65 yards on nine plays with Fleming scoring on a gorgeous 28-yard run. The Solis kick tied it at 14-14.
Neshaminy once again regained the lead – for what proved to be the last time – on the last play of the third quarter.
Marterella – who passed for 206 yards on 14 completions – threw a magnificent 57-yard scoring pass to Williams. Williams would finish with eight catches for 145 yards. Sean Sheridan booted the Skins to a 21-14 lead.Back came the Hawks – again.
Council Rock South retied the score at 21-21 when Fleming capped a 10-play, 67-yard scoring drive with a two-yard TD.
The first defensive stop by either team in the second half resulted in Rock South winning the game. The Hawks forced the only punt of the second half, and took over 60 yards from for what proved to be the winning score.
Fleming executed a perfect option pitch to senior Mark Damirgian, and Damirgian jetted 36-yards for the winning score with 2:27 left.
“This team has no quit and a lot of heart,” said Fleming – a four year starter for the Hawks. “This was the type of game that we were hoping for.”
And that hope has become history.
Council Rock South 0 0 14 14 - 28
Neshaminy 0 6 15 0 - 21
N: Charlie Marterella 3 run (kick blocked)
CRS: Fleming 8 run (Ben Solis kick)
N: Anthony Woodroffe 1 run (Woodroffe run)
CRS: Fleming 28 run (Solis kick)
N: Dwight Williams 57 pass from Marterella (Sean Sheridan kick)
CRS: Fleming 2 run (Solis kick)
CRS: Mark Damirgian 36 run (Solis kick)
CR South Neshaminy
14 First Downs 16
249 Yards Rushing 85
12 Yards Passing 206
261 Total Offense 291
4-30 Punts/Avg 3-33
3-30 Pen./ Yards 3-25
CR South:
Rushing: Bill Fleming 21-143 & 3 TD; Mark Damirgian 12-81 & TD; Brian Donnelly 6-21; Ryan Whiteley 3-4. Totals 42-249 & 4 TD.
Passing: Flemming 2-3-0; 12 yards.
Receiving: PJ Gallo 1-8; Dennis Chichkin 1-4. Totals 2-12.
Interception: Ryan Hickey
Neshaminy:
Rushing: Anthony Woodroffe 12-44 & TD; Sean Ulmer 8-31; Corey Majors 9-29; Charlie Marterella 5 (minus 19) & TD. Totals 34-85 & 2 TD.
Passing: Marterella 14-26-1; 206 yards & TD.
Receiving: Dwight Williams 8-145 & TD; Justin Andrews 3-37; Corey Majors 1-12; Nate Lasalvia 1-9; Anthony Woodroffe 1-3. Totals 14-206 & TD.
Interceptions: None
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