Langhorne: This year of 2007 is surely going to go down in the books as the one of the best ever for Lower Bucks County football fans! For as if the last 11 weeks haven't already been packed full of enough schoolboy grid thrills and treats to last a lifetime, Friday night featured two of the premier Pennsylvania high school programs lining up for the second time this season in Langhorne. And with Neshaminy having topped North Penn during the first go-around, 31-7, the Knights were looking for some payback while the 'Skins were looking for more of the same in this District One, quarter-final square off. Plus with a full house of rabid Tribe fans bedecked in red and equally as fanatical blue clad Knights followers packing Harry E. Franks Stadium, the joint was jumping for this Ridge Rumble.

So getting right down to business on this game report, the Tribe won the coin toss and elected to receive. Starting on their own 20 after the return, the Moleskinners proceeded to put together a textbook eight and one-half minute, 80-yard push that didn't end till Jason Ulmer pulled in a 13-yard aerial strike from Jason Kinney for the first score of the evening. And along the way, two terrific plays that kept the drive moving included a Kinney toss to big tightend Paul Carrezola while he found Kevin Steinberg on another. Of course, and as usual, most of the ground attack was courtesy of Mr. Ulmer. With Seth Jeffries drilling the PAT, it went to 7-0 'Skins after that fabulous offensive display by the home boys.

Then following the kickoff, North Penn left no question that they had come to play as they bobbed and weaved their way down the field. Knocking at the 'Skins door for what seemed like a half-hour, that Knight effort finally fizzled when they were forced into a long field goal try that fell short. With the ball going back to Neshaminy at the North Penn 20, the Blue and Red offense was back in business once again. And making believers of everyone in the house, the Redskins traveled the distance in just 9 plays with 7 of them featuring Ulmer - including the last 4 yards as he scored his second of the game. As Jeffries didn't miss the conversion, the scoreboard read 14-0 Langhorne at just under 6 minutes in the second period. Then after kicking off again to the Knights, the rest of the first half saw both clubs pushing and shoving on each other - but not scoring - and at the break, the 'Skins took their 2-touchdown lead to the locker room.

Coming out for the final 24-minutes, the Redskins were obliged to kickoff to the visitors. And demonstrating that their offensive firepower hadn't been left in Lansdale, the Knights drove right down the field once more and had themselves set up inside the Langhorne ten and looking ready to score. With the 'Skins defense then building their own version of the Berlin Wall, they took the on-the-field situation to 4th and goal at the three for the visitors. As the Knights clearly needed to score some points, they went to the air lanes for the touchdown. And there was a touchdown all right but it was for Neshaminy as Redskin defensive back Gary Renson pilfered the Anthony Taggert throw at the 2-yard line and returned it 98 yards for the score and what was probably the nail in the coffin. With Jeffries then connecting on the PAT, the Creek Kids went out in front 21-0 with under eight minutes remaining in the third (and why did we just experience that sense of dj vu).

With the Skins kicking away - once again, the Knights took over in their own territory once again. And then once again failing to get their offense working, North Penn stalled out on a fourth down try at their own 40. With Neshaminy beginning to look very dominant, it didn't take Ulmer and company long to score on a quick 'Skins drive that was closed by Mr. Dependable's 2-yard burst for his third score of the game. The PAT by Jeffries was right as rain and with just minutes still remaining in the third, the Redskins opened their advantage to 28-0. Then helping out on the kickoff, it was Jeffries doing more than just kicking as he helped turned back the North Penn returner just short of midfield where the Knights took over for another try at the end zone.

Starting to look a little ragged, though, the Montgomery County group couldn't decide whether to go forward or backward on this latest possession. When it finally ended on a Taggert pass that found only the ground, it was Neshaminy with a first and ten on the Knight's 40-yard line. What followed was another seamless effort by the Tribe as it appeared that they could do no wrong. And making a big statement on the night and the season too - it was Ulmer again from the 2-yard line for his fourth score of the contest (and number 31 for the year). Jeffries' point after made it 35-0 for Langhorne with the clock now set on automatic as the Mercy Rule became effective. Plus with both coaches then allowing next years starters the opportunity of enjoying some action from that point forward, it was just a short while before the final gun sounded. And with that exclamation point on the field festivities, we very happily announce: Game to Redskins.

So with the Neshaminy bunch looking very sharp in securing the win against a fine North Penn Knights club, it's the Redskins that will move on to next weeks semi-final match-up against the always tough Ridley Green Raiders. And as that game will be played next Friday in Folsom, directions will be posted on the homepage for fans making the trip.

See you at the game.

Photos courtesy of Jesse Garber

For more game photos go to Jesse Garber on Zenfolio

Video by Matt Bartolacci

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