By Ken Mandel
Perhaps someone associated with Neshaminy football needs to mention the word "soft" to Bryan Dean before next week's game and attribute it to Council Rock South.
Confronted with that label heading into last week's game against William Tennent, the Redskins channeled any frustration into throttling the Panthers, 35-7, to spoil the school's Homecoming game.
"We showed them who the 'soft' ones were," Dean said after rushing for two touchdowns. "Our coach got a text because we only scored 28 points against Truman [the week before]. They thought we were gonna be soft. It doesn't work that way."
There's no place for "soft" at this point in a grueling season, especially with Rock South looming on Oct. 16 for the Redskins. The Golden Hawks threw a goal-post sized wrench into the Suburban One League's National Conference by upsetting powerful Abington 41-38 in overtime last week.
That outcome placed Abington, Neshaminy and the two Council Rocks in a four-way tie for second at 2-1 in the SOL, one game behind 3-0 Pennsbury. Should the Redskins run the table, they are guaranteed at least a share of the title, since they face the Falcons in the season's final week.
No one is thinking about four games from now.
Council Rock South is first, and the Golden Hawks are soaring after finding a way past the Galloping Ghosts, and putting themselves firmly in the race for the conference title. The game will be a test for both teams.
Schmidt, whose team has won two in a row since losing to Abington, likes what he sees.
"We're moving in a good direction and hopefully we can build on this," he said. "We know the next four weeks are all rivalry, intense games. We have to be ready."
Dean, one of the team's captains, will be counted on to shoulder much of the responsibility. He's coming off a career-high rushing game of 212 yards and has gained more than 100 yards in three straight games.
The Redskins also have a unique situation at quarterback where senior Brian Titus and junior Charlie Marterella have split the job, typically alternating series behind center. It's a seamless transition in most cases for everyone involved.
The situation was born out of necessity. Titus, who started all of 2008 as a junior, injured his wrist playing basketball in the spring, and Marterella served as the first team quarterback for spring practices.
Schmidt rewarded Marterella by letting him compete for the starting job. Titus' return gave the team two talented play callers, so Schmidt decided to give both playing time.
"They do a nice job and not one guy deserves to be on the sideline," Schmidt said. "I'm not the most flexible guy in the world, so to have two quarterbacks after 15 years in high school football, it's a little different to begin with.
“These guys are good leaders, have command of the huddle, understand the offense and are great kids. I'm not making a decision until I have to."
Each threw a touchdown pass against Tennent, so Schmidt may as well stick with what works.
"They both have good arms and mobility,” the Redskins’ coach said. “That was easy because both these guys are great young men. They both deserve to play."
Dean certainly hasn't noticed a difference and has faith in whoever is handing him the ball.
"A handoff is a handoff. A pass is a pass," Dean said. "I got used to running with (graduated senior Quilan Arnold) last year. It's really no different. They both have that potential to put points on the board. It's fun."
On a team like the Redskins, with a history of winning Suburban One Championships, it's always about whatever works, and Dean is fine with leading the way.
"I've always had that dream since before I was in high school," he said. "I want to win like those teams."
Just don't call him soft.
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