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By Scott Huff
ABINGTON – Neshaminy will travel to Falcon Field next Friday to play Pennsbury for the Suburban One National Conference title.
And both the Redskins (8-1, 5-1) and the host Falcons (8-1, 5-1) will have one thing in common – they both lost to Abington (6-2, 4-2).
“It still comes down to us and Neshaminy,” said Pennsbury coach Galen Snyder after his Falcons were shot down by Abington, 27-13. “We have too many good football players to let a game like this affect our preparation for next week.
“We needed to keep making plays like we did in the first quarter,” added Snyder. “But Abington played better than we did.”
Indeed.
The Ghosts spotted Pennsbury a 13-0 first period lead, but an inspired defensive effort and a productive offensive performance produced the win.“A lot of people were talking smack about our defense,” said Abington quarterback Sam Kind who threw for 196 yards and three touchdowns – all to Anthony Hensley. “But we played great on defense tonight. They were unbelievable.”
“To hold that team without a score for 36 minutes (actually 41 minutes and 16 seconds) indicates how well we played on defense,” said Abington head coach Tim Sorber. “Dave Hindin was all over the place. He gave up his lunchtime all week to look at film with (defensive coordinator) Kevin Conlin.
“Coach Conlin did a great job of getting us prepared,” added Sorber. “We knew what they were going to run, but we had to do a good job of tackling to make it work. We made them have quite a few negative plays.”
There were eight Pennsbury plays that lost yardage – for a staggering 97 yards.
“Let’s just say we had some unfortunate things happen to us,” said Snyder. “We made far too many mental mistakes.”
At the outset of the game, it looked like it was going to be just another convincing Pennsbury victory. The Falcons made a huge play on both the offensive and defensive side of the ball to take the 13-0 lead.On the second Abington possession, Falcon senior Eric Williams intercepted a pass and zipped 82-yards for a touchdown. Corte Rumph booted the placement to give the Falcons a 7-0 lead.
On the second Pennsbury possession, Falcon senior Dante Devine ripped through the heart of the Ghost defense and jetted 43-yards for the score. The kick was blocked, and Pennsbury settled for a 13-0 lead with 5:16 left in the first period.
It would be the Falcons final score.
Abington forced a P-bury punt later in the period, and an errant snap from center was downed inside the five-yard line. Two plays netted a minus 10 yards, but Kind threw a dart to Hensley inside the pylon for a TD. Ian MacMillan added the placement to slice the lead to 13-7.
“Sam called an audible on that play,” said Hensley who caught four balls for 69 yards. “The throw was right there.”
Abington took the lead on its next possession as the Ghosts moved 55 yards on just three plays. Kind hit Hensley on the Abington sideline; Hensley broke a tackle and raced 37 yards for the touchdown. MacMillan’s point after touchdown gave the Ghosts a 14-13 lead.
Abington would never trail again.
The Ghosts would add one more score to close out the half. Kind completed passes to Giuliano Presta (21 yards), Brandon Peoples (5 yards), and Rich Johnson (10 yards) on the drive.
Julien Ireland – who rushed for a team-high 105 yards on 24 carries – capped the well-balanced Ghost offense with a 1-yard TD burst.Abington closed out the scoring with a fourth period touchdown. The nine-play Ghost drive was concluded with a nifty 9-yard pass from Kind to Hensley. MacMillan’s PAT made the score final at 27-13.
“That was another check off call,” said Kind. “We have the ability to change the call at the line of scrimmage, and we saw something we liked.
“If you told me that if we were going to beat both Pennsbury and Neshaminy this year, and not win a championship, you would have to be kidding me,” added Kind as the Ghosts dropped conference games to both Council Rock South (41-38 in overtime) and Council Rock North (34-3). “We have shown that we can play with (and beat) anyone in the district.
“We get that second chance with the district playoffs,” continued Kind. “We have to take care of business next week against Truman, but we are excited about the playoffs.”
Abington may not be the SOL National Conference champions – but the Ghosts just might be that team that nobody wants to face in the district playoffs.
Pennsbury may have stumbled, but the Falcons will still play for that coveted SOL National Conference title next week against rival Neshaminy.
Stay tuned.
Pennsbury 13 0 0 0 - 13
Abington 0 20 0 7 - 27
P: Eric Williams 82 pass interception (Corte Rumph kick)
P: Dante Devine 43 run (kick blocked)
A: Anthony Hensley 13 pass from Sam Kind (Ian MacMillan kick)
A: Hensley 37 pass from Kind (MacMillan kick)
A: Ireland 1 run (kick blocked)
A: Hensley 9 pass from Kind (MacMillan kick)
Pennsbury Abington
10 First Downs 19
113 Rush Yards 105
50 Pass Yards 196
163 Total Offense 301
5-24 Punts / Avg 4-37
6-56 Pen. / Yards 4-25
Pennsbury:
Rushing: Dante Devine 19-117 & TD; Joe Brown 2-49; Jeff Fisher 2 (minus 2); Jeff Prine 1- (minus 17); Brandon Pepper 12 (minus 34). Totals 36-113 & TD.
Passing: Pepper 2-5-1; 50 yards.
Receiving: Jay Jabat 1-27; Devine 1-23. Totals 2-50.
Interceptions: Eric Williams
Abington:
Rushing: Julien Ireland 24-105 & TD; Sam Kind 9-0. Totals 33-105 & TD.
Passing: Kind 16-25-1; 196 & 3 TD.
Receiving: Rich Johnson 6-74; Anthony Hensley 4-69 & 3 TD; Giuliano Presta 3-42; Brandon Peoples 1-5; Kevin Deal 2-6. Totals 16-196 & 3 TD.
Interceptions: Kevin Regan.
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