North Penn defeated Abington 28-0 to clinch a share of the SOL National Conference title.
By Scott Huff
Abington – North Penn adjusted its championship crown with a 28-0 victory over host Abington. The Knights – the outright defending Suburban One League Continental Conference champions – earned a share of the SOL National Conference title along with Pennsbury this season after capturing the Halloween night win over the Ghosts.
“We had to run up the hill all season,” smiled North Penn head coach Dick Beck as the Knights (7-3, 6-1) won their final five conference games of the season. “We lost two of three to begin the season – and then we lost to CB South in our second league game. The players were faced with some real trials and tribulations, and to do what we did the remainder of the season was hard to do.”
“This feels so good after the way we began the season,” said North Penn senior linebacker Mike Burns who anchored a superb Knight defensive effort against Abington. “ It has been a crazy season. It was great for us to be able to bring the championship back to North Penn.”
The Knights had to roll up their sleeves to defeat the Ghosts in a game that was much closer than the final score.
“Our defense played well, but we haven’t really been too good offensively all season,” said Abington head coach Tim Sorber. “Unfortunately, we have played too many games where the final score doesn’t reflect how close the game was. It was really a one score game midway through the third period.
“North Penn really controlled us along their defensive line,” added Sorber. “That was one very good defensive football team.”
The swarming Knight defense held the Abington offense off the scoreboard and limited the Ghosts to just eight first downs and 194 yards of total offense.
“I thought we did a good job of flying to the football,” said the 5-10, 180 pound Burns. “We knew that we had to keep our heads in the game – they were only a score away for most of the game. We had to focus on each play.”
“I really want us to be a better football team,” said Beck. “Even though we were up 7-0, it felt like we were losing. We needed to be more efficient on offense early in the game. We will have another week to work on it.”
North Penn scored a first period touchdown to take the lead. Knight punt returner Deion Robinson returned a punt 31 yards to the Abington 16-yard line to set up the score. Junior Nick Isabella capped the three-play, 16-yard scoring ‘drive’ with a one-yard touchdown burst, and senior Matt Ammendola added the placement.
The 7-0 North Penn lead would become the halftime score.
The Knights scored a third period touchdown to increase the advantage to 14-0. North Penn senior tight end Colby Beck scored on a 10-yard touchdown pass from junior Jake Bevan. The highlight of the six-play, 68-yard scoring march was a 40-yard scamper by junior Justin Ostopowicz.
North Penn added a fourth period touchdown on its most impressive drive of the game. The Knights scoring drive covered 54 yards on 12 plays and was capped by a one-yard touchdown burst by junior Nyfease West. West finished the game with 107 yards on 20 carries.
The final score came on a single snap from center. Isabella – who finished with a game-high 111 yards – scored on a breakaway 63-yard scamper. Ammendola’s fourth placement would make the score final at 28-0.
“This season has not been an easy one for us,” said Beck. “But I’m very happy for this team and the fact that they were able to win a championship is special.”
A 2014 Suburban One League National Conference championship.
North Penn Knights 7 0 7 14 – 28
Abington Ghosts 0 0 0 0 – 0
NP: Nick Isabella 1 run (Matt Ammendola kick)
NP: Colby Beck 10 pass from Jake Bevan (Ammendola kick)
NP: Nyfease West 1 run (Ammendola kick)
NP: Isabella 63 run (Ammendola kick)
North Penn Knights Abington Ghosts
18 First Downs 8
313 Rushing Yards 134
46 Passing Yards 60
359 Total Offense 194
7-53 Penalties / Yards 4-45
2-38 Punts / Average 7-34
North Penn:
Rushing: Nick Isabella 10-111 & 2 TD; Nyfease West 20-107 & TD; Justin Ostopowicz 7-51; Jake Bevan 7-22; Tony Masturzo 1-13; Spencer Jones 2-9; and Tyler Gillett 2-0. Totals 49-313 & 3 TD.
Passing: Jake Bevan 5-9-0; 46 yards and TD.
Receiving: Ricky Johns 1-18; Keith Earle 1-17; Colby Beck 1-10 & TD; Isabella 1-1; and John Posavec 1-0. Totals 5-46.
Interceptions: West.
Abington:
Rushing: Juawine Sowell 9-52; Michael Brooks 10-47; David Kretscham 9-30; Daron Boone 1-0; and Brett Guaglionona 2- (minus 5). Totals 31-134.
Passing: David Kretscham 10-17-1; 60 yards – Brett Guaglionona 0-1-0; 0. Totals 10-18-1; 60 yards.
Receiving: Shamar Farmer 3-20; Scott 2-6; George Reid 1-17; Russell Nocito 1-13; Sowell 1-4; Boone 2-0. Totals 10-60.
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