Langhorne: On a crisp, cold and dry football night at Heartbreak Ridge, Neshaminy hosted Abington in a quarterfinal match featuring a repeat of the regular season meeting between these two squads. And with this being the second straight year the 'Skins have met the Ghosts in post-season play, it seems a new rivalry has grown up in the suburbs of Northeast Philadelphia and the SOL-National Conference. Plus featuring a 10-1 Tribe and a 9-2 Abington team, there's not much more to be said other than: Let's get to it!

With Neshaminy receiving the kickoff, the game started off with a familiar feel as Sean Ulmer returned the kick to mid-field. Then taking the first handoff was Corey Majors who picked up a cool 20 yards. From there it was Anthony Woodroffe bolting free all the way in for the touchdown. But with the PAT snap a little wobbly, the kick was no good and the score stood at 6-0 under a minute into the contest.

As the 'Skins then kicked off to Abington, it was the visitors turn on offense. Having trouble making headway, though, the Ghosts were forced into a punt formation. Coming hard for the block, Dwight Williams put a hand on the ball and after Ulmer fell on the loose pigskin it was first and ten for Neshaminy on the Ghosts' 30 yard stripe. Mixing it up a little with some nice running, the Schmidtmen soon moved the ball to the nine where Charlie Marterella pin-pointed a wide open Ulmer for the score. And with the following point-after-kick just perfect, the score rolled to 13-0.

Receiving once again, this time Abington found its footing and picked up a TD on the ground after a nice pass put the ball on Neshaminy's one-yard line. With the kick good the score then tightened to 13-7 as the first-quarter ended. With the teams then changing directions, it was Abington kicking to Neshaminy as the Creek Kids went back on offense. But with the games tempo slowing down a bit, it seemed neither team wanted to score until late in the second when the Ghosts broke the ice. And in typical Coach Sorber fashion, he called a halfback option on a fourth and long and it worked just fine. With the PAT good, the visitors then had the lead, 14-13, with less than four minutes remaining in the second-quarter.

But not staying down for long, the 'Skins soon capitalized on an Abington miscue. For after forcing the Tribe to punt, a tremendous shot by Bryan Reice had the ball on the enemy's five yard line. An Abington player then put the ball on the ground with Neshaminy recovering and converting just a few plays later as Majors took it in from the one. With the try for two coming up short, the score swung back to Neshaminy but only by five at 19-14. Then with 40 seconds on the clock, and with the gun sounding soon enough, the squads broke for some halftime R&R.

Back on the field for the final two sessions, this time it was Abington taking the kick and setting up on offense to begin the last 24 minutes of play. And looking like they meant business, the Ghosts showed well as they were moving down the field until Bobby Marterella stepped it up and pilfered an Abington aerial at the Neshaminy 25. With brother Charlie and company then coming on the field, that's where the 'Skins set up shop. But with a three and out following, the Blue & Red soon had to punt.

With Abington back in control, this time it was Dwight Williams stealing an Abington toss and once again it was Neshaminy starting up on offense at their end of the field. Catching a break, an Abington penalty then moved the ball to the 40 from where it was all Woodroffe as on three straight carries he covered the 60 yards for the score. And with the two-point try good this time, the scoreboard then changed to read 27-14 for Neshaminy with three minutes left in the third-period.

As Neshaminy booted the ball to the Ghosts, a block in the back penalty saw the visitors start up deep on their end of the field. Deciding that didn't suit their liking, Abington wasted no time in going the distance courtesy of a 51-yard burst by an Abington back. With the extra point kick on the money, the score then read 27-21. And with the fourth-quarter then rolling around, Abington kicked off to Neshaminy with the 'Skins starting on the 20. What followed was a few nice runs and passes which quickly had the Tribe at the Abington 40. From there, it was Marterella finding a wide open Shane Quinn for a 40-yard reception and the score. Ulmer then reached deep once again as he took it across for the two-pointer to make it 35-21 with eight minutes still to play.

Neshaminy then kicked it back to the visitors and after moving it out to mid-field the Ghosts went to a fourth and a foot. With the guests going for it, the Schmidtmen held and the ball went back to Langhorne at that spot with less than five and a half ticks left on the clock. But even though they had a nice chance to seal it right then and there, the 'Skins eventually gave the ball back to the Ghosts. And with history repeating itself, Abington's next drive also ended on a fourth down effort that failed as the ball went back to Old Lincoln Highway gang at mid-field; however, this time the clock showed just 1:42 remaining. From that point it was just a matter of a few Ghosts timeouts, a Neshaminy first down and a knee as the gun then signaled the end.

And here it comes: Game to 'Skins!

First off, and as always, a 'Tip of The Ha't to a tough opponent. The Ghosts brought it all and came and went with heads held high. Good game, Abington. And as to Langhorne, now at 2-0 in post-season play (and 11-1 overall), the Blue & Red have earned the right to move on to another playoff game! What terrific news for Neshaminy fans especially since that means the Moleskinners will be back in action next Friday night right here at Heartbreak Ridge as the Schmidtmen host a District One semifinal contest. Plus knowing how much fun it is for all of Redskin followers and how much the boys on the field appreciate the support we'll be expecting that Harry's House will be packed for this one. So a word to the wise: Get your best gal, a blanket and a thermos full of hot chocolate plenty early as good seats will be at a premium.

See you at the game.

Photos by Jesse Garber

For more game photos go to Jesse Garber on Zenfolio

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