LANGHORNE: Once again the off-season seemed much too long; however, all that waiting came to end this evening as Neshaminy put the 2011 campaign into gear. And entertaining the Souderton Indians on a beautiful football night in Langhorne, the classic opener that this series has very quickly proved to be made the wait even harder on all of us diehard fans. Plus with the Schmidtmen expected to show well this year despite graduating a lot of key players - while Souderton has been pegged as everyone's stealth contender this season - tonight's contest is one that has all the makings of a barnburner. So lets get right to it.

With the 'Skins kicking off to start the game, it was Souderton taking it down to the Blue & Red 25 before the visitors turned it over on downs. Neshaminy then went under center but they looked a bit sluggish as they delivered a fast three-and-out. Following the punt, it was the Indians starting it up on their 30 for another shot on offense. And this time they weren't going to be denied as they traveled the 70 yards to paydirt using a strong ground attack. With the PAT good, it then went to 7-0 for the Indians. But it didn't stay that way for long as on the ensuing possession it was Joe Bianchino finding Bobby Marterella for a 69-yard aerial strike that made it 7-7 as the first-quarter ended.

Booting it back to Souderton, it was the Indians set to go again on their own 20. What followed was another nice mix of runs and passes that didn't end until they earned another six on a short quarterback plunge. With the extra point blocked, it then stood at 13-7. Going back on offense, Neshaminy was looking to put something together by immediately going up top but a pick ended that effort as Souderton took over on its own 38 on the interception.

A couple of lackluster efforts on offense - by both squads - then followed with the end result being the Indians holding the ball, and a first-and-ten, at mid-field. But with just two minutes left on the clock, time was becoming a factor for the Franconia team. And as it turned out, the first-half soon ended on a 48-yard field goal attempt by the upper Bucks club that missed the uprights. Breaking for the half, the two teams then retired to the locker rooms for a well-deserved break.

Taking the kick to start the second-half, it was the Creek Kids with a first on their own 33 after the return. Looking to convert, the home boys still couldn't get it in gear and were forced to punt. A roughing the kicker penalty gave them another shot but still stalling out, another three-and-out, and fake punt try that came up short, gave the ball to the Indians on their 41 for their first possession of the second-half.

Looking to put it away, it wasn't to be, though, as Steve Olenski picked off a Souderton pass on the Skin's side of the field. Setting up shop, Bianchino and company the worked a couple of nice runs together for some positive ball movement. Then showing the right stuff, he found Sean Ulmer for a 30-yard touchdown pass to make it 13-13. With the PAT off the mark, that's where it stood as they lined up for the kickoff.

Putting the ball back to the visitors, it was Souderton controlling the pigskin with three-minutes left in the third-period. Moving it out from there, and as the game rolled into the fourth, it was the Indians at mid-field. But with Neshaminy's defense stiffening and forcing a punt, it was Langhorne back on offense deep in their end of the field following the exchange. Then apparently getting a little disheartened with the slow pace of the game, it was Bianchino lighting up the field with an 87-yard scoring strike to Ron Smith. And if you turned away from the field for just a moment, suffice it to say that you missed Smith scorching the grass on his way to Nirvana. Plus this time the PAT was good as the Redskins then went out in front, 20-13.

Once again booting it back to the Coach Gallagher lead gridders, it was Souderton setting up at their 20 with 10:45 on the clock. Following some back-and-forth scrumming around, the Indians came up short and were forced to punt. Catching a break, a roughing the kicker penalty gave them another shot but after a three-and-out and punt, it was Neshaminy back with the ball at the own 20 as 6:45 showed on the clock. With first game jitters clearly on display, it was another series of punts that followed before Neshaminy caught the next break as Smith fell on a muffed catch to take over with the clock running down.

Keeping the fans on the edge of their seats, Neshaminy couldn't push it in despite good field position and the ball went back to the visitors on downs at the 1:40 mark. Trying to get out of their side of the fifty, it went to a fourth and long for the Indians. A pass came up short as the Langhorne gang got the ball back at mid-field with a minute left in the tilt. Burning the clock from that point, it wasn't long before we got to say what we love more than anything: Game to Skins!

First off, a hearty thank you and shout out to the Indians that came into town with nothing but winning on their minds. They were a tough-out and this season is going to be a bright one for Souderton. And as to our guys, although there are some rough spots to be worked out, the key take away is that the boys never quit. In fact, coming from behind is tough but doing it twice is even harder. Nice work, 'Skins, nice work.

Now with win number one under their belts, don't forget that next week our boys will again be at home as they entertain a tough Hatboro-Horsham Hatters squad. So let's show them our support by turning out in force for the second match-up of the young season.

See you at the game!

Game Captains: Sean Ulmer (4), Kiser Terry (10), Bobby Marterella (13), Chris Kutsubos (71)

Suburban One Sports: 2011 Football Fever (Week 1)

Suburban One Sports: Intelligencer/Courier Times 'Let's Talk Football'

Suburban One Sports: Big Plays Lead 'Skins to Win