To view action photos of the Bensalem/Pennridge, Souderton/Perk Valley and Neshaminy/Hatboro-Horsham games, visit the Photo Gallery by clicking on the following link: http://photos.suburbanonesports.com/
By Scott Huff
Bensalem - The official 2011 season program for the Fighting Bensalem Owls does not list the heights and weights of the Owl players. The names, uniform numbers, grade, and positions are all prominently listed – but the size of the Bensalem players are not to be found for the $5 investment in the program.
“I’m not trying to hide anything,” smiled Bensalem head coach Kevin Kelly after his Owls (2-0) scored the first 28 points of the game in a 28-14 win over winless Pennridge (0-2). “The heights and weights aren’t in there? Really?
“We sure don’t have the biggest kids in our skill positions,” added Kelly. “But we have fast kids, and they use their speed to make the big plays.”
The biggest plays were made by the diminutive trio of junior quarterback Kevin Hopkins (5-foot 8-inches, 155 pounds), senior running back CJ Lebesko (5-7, 160), and senior return specialist Terrence Snetter (5-7, 170).
Hopkins directed the efficient Bensalem offense and completed five-of-seven passes for 54 yards and a touchdown. Lebesco was the leading rusher for the Owls with 77 yards and scored a touchdown, while Snetter scored on a magnificent 90-yard punt return in the first period.
“I don’t think that Kevin made a bad decision all night,” said Kelly. “And both CJ and Terrence made huge plays that resulted in touchdowns. They are part of a strong senior class that has done good things so far this year.
“We are thrilled to be 2-0 right now, but those games are behind us and we will working hard this week to win number three,” added Kelly as Bensalem prepares for a non-conference home game with Archbishop Ryan on Friday. “We played very hard tonight, but we really didn’t play very disciplined.”
The Owls were flagged 11 times for 80 yards in penalties, while the yellow flags cost Pennridge 30 yards on five penalties.
The Bensalem defense caused five Ram turnovers – three on interceptions – and two on fumble recoveries. Jawan Walker, Seyran Avakame, and Jalen Nieves all had picks for the Owls.
However, it was an enormous Bensalem play on special teams that generated the first points of the game. Snetter cradled a Pennridge punt at his 10-yard line and jetted down the Owl sideline 90 yards for the touchdown. Alec Rosenfeld converted on the first of his four successful extra points.
“This was the first year that I have ever returned punts,” said Snetter. “I saw the blockers, and I just followed them down the sideline.
“We are a family, and we are looking to get better each week,” said Snetter. “We are going to fight to win every game.”
Bensalem would score early in the second period to take a 14-0 lead. Lebesko took a handoff from Hopkins deep in the Owl backfield and bolted 33-yards for a score. The TD run capped a four-play, 46-yard drive.
“All I try to do is follow Angel (Sosa) and big Bill (Labadie) through the holes,” said Lebesko. “We are off to a good start, and we want to build on that. Last year is history, and we want to focus on this season.”
The Owls would score a third touchdown in the first half when Hopkins threw a 24-yard touchdown dart to senior wide receiver Dovonte Newkirk.
Bensalem put together a disjointed 46-yard scoring drive to assume a 28-0 lead. The Owls were penalized five times in the drive, but still managed to score when Snetter danced in from eight yards out. Huge plays in the scoring march were a 30-yard burst by Gabe Nieves – a 22-yard dash by Hopkins – and a 23-yard pass completion from Hopkins to Newkirk.
Pennridge looked like a M.A.S.H. unit as players on crutches were littered along the sideline with injuries. The game was halted six times when Ram players were often carted off the field for various reasons.
“We have a lot of players banged up, and we are playing a lot of very young players,” said Pennridge head coach Randy Cuthbert. “And that isn’t a very good combination.
“We can’t turn the ball over five times and expect to win football games,” added Cuthbert as the Rams also turned the ball over five times in a 26-21 loss to Haverford School last week. “The young kids are going to get a lot of baptism under fire this year.”
Ram sophomore Mike Class was very impressive in the loss. The 5-foot, 10-inch 165-pound running back (Pennridge did list the heights and weights in its program insert) rushed for a game-high 100 yards on 16 carries. He also caught two passes for 41 yards and a touchdown on offense and intercepted a pass while playing corner back on defense.
“Mike is going to be a very good football player,” said Cuthbert. “He is a great kid, and we are going to have to be patient with him. He is only a 10th grader, and he isn’t playing freshman football anymore.”
Pennridge scored both of its touchdowns in the fourth quarter.
The Rams scored on an eight-play drive that culminated in a six-yard touchdown pass from junior quarterback Alex Krivda to junior tight end Mike Supp. Class highlighted the drive with 28 and 29-yard dashes.
Class scored the second touchdown on a six-yard scoring strike from Krivda with 22 seconds left in the game. Senior Zach Midgett – who was successful on the first PAT – was also perfect on his second placement to conclude the scoring at 28-14.
“We really weren’t expecting to be 0-2 at this point of the season,” said Cuthbert. “But that’s where we are.”
Pennridge Rams 0 0 0 14 - 14
Bensalem Owls 7 14 7 0 - 28
B – Terrence Snetter 90 punt return (Alec Rosenfeld kick) – 5:59
B – CJ Lebesco 33 run (Rosenfeld kick) – 11:07
B – Dovante Newkirk 24 pass from Kevin Hopkins (Rosenfeld kick) – 3:30
B – Snetter 8 run (Rosenfeld kick) – 1:38
P – Mike Supp 6 pass from Alex Krivda (Zach Midgett kick) – 6:18
P – Mike Class 6 pass from Krivda (Midgett kick) – 0:22
Pennridge Bensalem
10 First Downs 6
157 Yards Rushing 148
77 Yards Passing 54
234 Total Yards 202
4-30 Punts / Avg. 4-37
5-30 Penalties / Yards 11-80
Pennridge:
Rushing: Mike Class 16-100; Mackensie Crawford 7-34; Alex Krivda 4-29; James Marrero 2-16; John Kim 1-5; Carter Peters 3-2; Matt Pasquale 4 (minus 13); John Dubyk 1- (minus 16). Totals 38-157
Passing: Krivda 6-15-2; 77 yards & 2 TD; Pasquale 0-1-1; 0 yards. Totals 6-16-3; 77 yards & 2 TD.
Receiving: Class 2-41 & TD; Micah Stutzman 1-16; Pete Psomiadis 1-14; Mike Supp 1-6 & TD; Kim 1-0. Totals 6-77 & 2 TD.
Interception: Class.
Bensalem:
Rushing: CJ Lebesco 11-77 & TD; Gabe Nieves 5-28; Kevin Hopkins 10-19; Dovonte Newkirk 3-14; Terrence Snetter 3-11 & TD; Alex Archangeli 1 – (minus 1). Totals 33-148 & 2 TD.
Passing: Hopkins 5-7-1; 54 yards & TD.
Receiving: Newkirk 3-50 & TD; Snetter 1-10; and Lebesco 1- (minus 6). Totals 5-54 & TD.
Interceptions: Jawan Walker; Seyram Avakame; and Jalen Nieves
- Log in to post comments
