PHILADELPHIA: Heading down Cottman Avenue to Charles Martin Memorial Stadium for the kick off contest of the 2012 football season (against Philadelphia's Northeast High School), the Redskins, and their fans, couldn't have been more excited. And after spending the last nine-months in the weight room, 7-on-7s and then summer camp, the Creek Kids were surely looking to improve on a solid, but not acceptable, 8-4 record in 2011. Plus with the chance to roll out a brand new squad -- with some familiar names back and new ones to replace now graduated seniors -- the first game of this season looked to be a treat. Of course, making this years opening night exciting too was having an always tough Vikings team serving as Neshaminy's opponent for the first time ever.

With no point in delaying it any further, let's get to the game.

Winning the toss, the 'Skins received and thanks to Devon Browns return, they started off at their 35. And with Hugh Hart under center, the Blue & Red marched right down the field for a score. That opening drive was highlighted by a nice pass from Hart to Luke Carrezola and a strong run by Blake Sullivan. Justin Andrews finished it off with a 15-yard scamper as Nick Tucci then drilled the PAT to put Langhorne up, 7-0. From that point the action slowed a bit as during the remainder of the first session the two teams traded blows without either scoring.

Moving into the second period, the wild swings and missed punches continued before the Creek Kids finally stitched together a nice drive which ended when Nate Hall took it into the end zone mid-way through the period. But with the score coming back on a holding call, the drive then stalled before it was saved by a beautiful 29-yard field goal by Tucci which saw Neshaminy stretch its lead to 10-0.

With a couple of exchanges following, the Moleskinners caught a break on a short punt and started off a series at the Vikings 40. With Brown and Hall then showing some nice legwork, it was Denny Lord taking it across from in close. Tucci hit the point after and the Redskins went up 17-0 with under a minute in the first half. With the gun sounding soon enough, the teams then broke for the break.

The second half saw the Vikings receiving to start the final 24 minutes as the return had them set up on their own 22 yard stripe. But with the Skins defense playing tough, Northeast went three and out. A muffed punt then gave Neshaminy a first and ten at Vikings 29. That opportunity didn't pan out, though, as Andrews shot at a TD pass to a streaking Carrezola was picked off giving the ball back to Northeast at the ten.

Following the exchange the Vikings came alive and moved the ball out to mid-field before being forced to punt the ball back to the 'Skins. Still not doing much offensively, it was Langhorne then giving it right back; however, in a quarter of punts, the ball was soon back in Neshaminy's hands as the fourth-quarter rolled around. Starting up at the Vikings' 40, the 'Skins offense drove it right down the field as Sullivan iced the cake as he lugged it across from the one for a touchdown. Tucci was on the mark again as the gap widened to 24-0 for Indians.

With nine minutes still to be played, the Vikings' next possession saw them still having difficulties as they soon punted it back to the Schmidtmen. And with substitutes beginning to filter in for the 'Skins, there were plenty of new names getting a shot at moving the ball during the closing minutes. With the pace slowing considerably, the clock soon burned out as the game gun signaled loudly that the contest was over.

So here it comes: Game to `Skins!

Now with the opener under their belt, the team can step back for a few days and reflect on what they accomplished tonight the good, the bad and the ugly. And with game two on the road against Hatboro-Horsham next week, there wont be too much time to relax as the Hatters are always ready to play ball. But any way you mark the scorecard for this game, it was a good start with an opportunity for the team to flex its muscles, work out some kinks and bank their first win of the 2012 campaign.

See you at the game.

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