By Scott Huff
North Penn – Neshaminy.
Two of the elite scholastic football programs in the Suburban One League – and always destined for a collision course in the PIAA District One Playoffs.
The unbeaten Knights (11-0) will host the Redskins (9-2) tonight at Souderton High School, 7:30 p.m. kickoff.
In recent history, this game was anxiously anticipated but has been hardly competitive.
Last year, the 2008 North Penn Knights were a perfect 13-0 and headed to William Tennent High School for a District One showdown with Neshaminy. The Redskins entered the contest with a 12-1 record with its only loss coming to Souderton in the first game of the season – 14-13.
Final Score – North Penn 28-Neshaminy 0.
In 2007, the 10-1 Redskins hosted the 9-2 Knights at Heartbreak Ridge in another District One showdown. Both North Penn and Neshaminy were members of the SOL National Conference back then, and both had lost to league champion Central Bucks South.
Final Score – Neshaminy 35-North Penn 0.
North Penn Coach Dick Beck says –
“Neshaminy looks very good on film on the offensive side of the ball, and they have the biggest offensive line we have seen this year,” said Beck. “We can’t let them control the ball with (Bryan) Dean and the fullback (Corey Majors). We can’t let them get into a flow offensively.
“They have two nice quarterbacks (Brian Titus and Charlie Marterella), and good receivers (Rick Brebner, Ricky Williams, and Frank Csaszar),” added Beck. “(Head coach) Mark (Schmidt) always comes up with a few wrinkles. He always keeps you on the defensive.
“Our goal is to keep our offense on the field as much as possible,” continued Beck. “We need to play sound football on both sides of the ball if we want to win the game.”
Neshaminy Coach Mark Schmidt says –
“We need to get off to a good start, and that has me concerned,” said Schmidt. “The last few games we have started slow, and if we do that against North Penn, the game will be over.
“We know them and they know us,” added Schmidt. “We have to play smart football, and we can’t give them a short field with turnovers.
“His running backs (Craig Needhammer and Dominic Taggart) can both run the ball and catch the ball,” continued Schmidt. “Plus their quarterback (Todd Smolinsky) does a great job of both running and passing.
“Dick has really opened up his playbook this year,” added Schmidt. “We have to prepare for everything.”
North Penn quarterback Todd Smolinsky says – “We always look forward to playing Neshaminy,” said Smolinsky. “We want to stay focused and play our game.
“We had a great week of practice, and we should be prepared,” added Smolinsky. “Some people questioned how difficult our league schedule was, but we have beaten some quality teams. We will do what we have to do to win.”
Neshaminy quarterbacks Charlie Marterella and Brian Titus say –
“North Penn is a great team, but we will be ready,” said Marterella. “We have practiced hard – just like we would for any other team we have to play.”
“North Penn is very fast on the defensive side of the ball,” said Titus. “And they have a lot of weapons on offense – but so do we.”
Council Rock North Coach Tom Coates says –
“We had the chance to play both North Penn and Neshaminy this season,” said Coates as his Indians lost 14-13 to Neshmainy and 39-12 to North Penn. “Both of these teams have a lot of diversity in their offense – and both can hurt you with an unexpected play.
“Both Dick Beck and Mark Schmidt coach their teams very well,” continued Coates. “And this game really could go either way.
“I think that the edge, though, goes to North Penn,” added Coates. “(Knight quarterback Todd) Smolinsky can hurt you with the run and the pass, and North Penn won’t beat itself. Neshaminy can’t make any mistakes.”
Tale of the Tape
North Penn
Head Coach: Dick Beck
Tenure: 2002 – present
Record: 91-15 (85.8%)
Neshaminy
Head Coach: Mark Schmidt
Tenure: 1995 – present
Record: 119-53 (69.1%)
The Season: North Penn (11-0)
SOL Continental Conference Champions
North Penn 42 - Bethlehem Liberty 10
North Penn 28 – Lansdale Catholic 7
North Penn 28 – St. Joe Prep 14
North Penn 27 – CB South 7
North Penn 41 – CB East 0
North Penn 49 – CB West 7
North Penn 43 – Quakertown 13
North Penn 27 – Souderton 6
North Penn 35 – Hatboro-Horsham 0
North Penn 39 – Pennridge 12
North Penn 39 – Council Rock North 12*
* - First Round PIAA District One Playoff game
+Needhammer rushes for 2 TD and 162 yards+
++Taggart rushes for 107 yards and 2 TD ++
+++Smolinsky rushes for 76 yards and 2 TD+++
++++Smolinsky completes 5 of 6 passes for 76 yards++++
The Season: Neshaminy (9-2)
SOL National Conference Runner-Up
Neshaminy 35 – Souderton 6
Neshaminy 13 – Hatboro-Horsham 6
Neshaminy 42 – Germantown 14
Abington 28 – Neshaminy 24
Neshaminy 28 – Truman 8
Neshaminy 35 – William Tennent 7
Neshaminy 42 – Council Rock South 17
Neshaminy 14 – Council Rock North 13
Neshaminy 34 – Bensalem 7
Pennsbury 27 – Neshaminy 20 (OT)
Neshaminy 24 – Abington 17*
*- First Round PIAA District One Playoff game
+ Dean rushes for 70 yards and TD +
++ Majors rushes for 28 yards and TD ++
+++ Titus completes 4-10 for 51 yards +++
++++Marterella completes 4-5 for 40 yards and TD++++
+++++Brebner catches 2 passes for 19 yards and TD+++++
Individual Statistics
North Penn
Rushing:
Craig Needhammer 141 rush -1251 yds - 17 TD
Todd Smolinsky 78 rush – 497 yds – 6 TD
Dominic Taggart 19 rush – 222 yds – 5 TD
Passing:
Todd Smolinsky
87 c – 133 att – 1331 yds – 18 TD – 4 int
Receiving:
Dominic Taggart 29 rec. – 501 yds – 5 TD
Ralphie Reeves 13 rec – 236 yds – 5 TD
TJ Gill 16 rec – 218 – 3 TD
Craig Needhammer 14 rec. – 211 yds – 3 TD
Gerald Wendowski 11 rec – 114 yds – 2 TD
Neshaminy
Rushing:
Bryan Dean 257 rush – 1397 yds – 17 TD
Corey Majors 42 rush – 256 yds – 4 TD
Ricky Williams 14 rushes – 181 yds – 1 TD
Passing:
Brian Titus 59 c – 104 att – 755 yds – 8 TD – 6 int
Charlie Marterella 33 c – 52 att – 508 yds – 2 int
Receiving:
Rick Brebner 27 rec – 502 yds – 5 TD
Ricky Williams 12 rec – 235 yds – 3 TD
Frank Csaszar 18 rec – 224 yds – 2 TD
Bryan Dean – 9 rec – 197 yds – 3 TD
PREDICTION:
NORTH PENN 31 – NESHAMINY 17
On the air...
Tonight's game will be broadcast live on WNPV 1440 AM, beginning with the pre-game show at 7 p.m. It will be broadcast on the internet at www.wnpv1440.com.
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