Link to photo gallery: http://sos.exposuremanager.com/g/082908_souderton_vs_neshaminy_dw
By Scott Huff
The nightmare of Souderton’s 14-13 District One playoff loss to visiting Downingtown East to end last season was replaced with a 14-13 dream victory over visiting Neshaminy in the Indians season opener this year.
“I don’t know that I ever got that score out of my head from last season,” smiled Souderton coach Ed Gallagher. “And I don’t know that I’ll ever forget this score either. This was the biggest victory since I’ve been coaching here.
“Tonight we had the kids step up and make the big plays when we needed them,” continued the coach. “And that is a credit to both the players and our coaching staff.”
Souderton’s exit from last season’s playoffs gave cause to wonder if the Indians were among the elite teams in the district. And when the opportunity came to schedule Neshaminy – a perennial state power – on the opening week of the season, Gallagher didn’t flinch.
"We looked at Neshaminy, Parkland, and Liberty for the first week of the season,” said Gallagher. “When you want to build a program, you have to schedule the best teams.”
Neshaminy coach Mark Schmidt felt the same way.
“Souderton has proven that it is right there with the best teams in the area,” said Schmidt. “Those are some classy kids on that team, and they play hard.
“We had our opportunities to win the game, but we didn’t make the big plays,” continued the coach. “It’s the first game and we didn’t execute as well as we should have. The players are going to have to suck it up or we’re going to have a bad year.”
The teams battled to a scoreless first period as both defensive teams controlled field position.
Souderton suddenly put points on the scoreboard in the second period when senior running back Derek Brown dashed 43 yards along the Redskin sideline for a touchdown.
Shawn Leo added the point after touchdown, and with 5:25 left in the half the Indians held a 7-0 lead.
Brown, who excelled on the defensive side of the ball, jarred a Skin running back on the ensuing series to cause a fumble. Sophomore Clint Passarella scooped up the ball and raced to the Neshaminy five-yard line.
“Clint came up big for a sophomore,” said Gallagher, as Passarella would also intercept a pass later in the game. “He is in a tough spot, but he played very well.”
It took three rushing plays, but Brown finally crashed into the end zone on a one-yard dive. Leo’s placement boosted the score to 14-0.
“Derek is a stud,” said Gallahger. “He makes plays both on offense and defense.”
Neshaminy rallied toward the end of the half to get back into the game.
The initial Skin scoring drive took just three plays and culminated in an 8-yard touchdown burst by senior Quilan Arnold. Arnold was the leading rusher in the game with 95 yards on 24 carries.
Neshaminy place-kicker Seth Jeffries booted the extra point, and the halftime score concluded with a 14-7 Souderton lead.
The Skins came out on their initial drive of the second half to close to within a point.
Junior quarterback Brian Titus floated a gorgeous 45-yard scoring pass to junior wide receiver Rick Brebner for a touchdown. The Redskins, however, missed the extra point and the score became 14-13.
That 14-13 score would hold up as final as the staunch Souderton defense held up in the final period.
Coach Mark Schmidt – welcome to Coach Ed Gallagher’s nightmare.
Neshaminy 0 7 6 0 - 13
Souderton 0 14 0 0 - 14
S: Brown 43 run (Leo kick)
S: Brown 1 run (Leo kick)
N: Arnold 8 run (Jeffries kick)
N: Brebner 45 pass from Titus (kick failed)
Neshaminy Souderton
9 First downs 7
36-101 Rushing/Yds 33-131
7/16/105 C / A / Yds 5/12/65
206 Total Offense 196
4-35 Penalties 3-20
3-38 Punts 5-37
Neshaminy
Rushing: Arnold 24-95-1 TD; Dean 7-22; Majors 1-2; Colbert 2-2; Titus 2-(minus 20).
Passing: Titus 7-16-105, 1TD 1 INT.
Receiving: Brebner 4-84-1TD; Duscablon 1-14; Orr 1-6; Colbert 1-1.
Interception: Biundo
Souderton
Rushing: Brown 13-88-2 TD; Lynch 11-29; Coyle 5-9; D. Passarella 4-5.
Passing: D. Passarella 5-12-65, 1 INT
Receiving: Coyle 3-34; Muller 1-17; Connolly 1-14.
Interception: C. Passarella
Link to photo gallery: http://sos.exposuremanager.com/g/082908_souderton_vs_neshaminy_dw
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