ABINGTON: With Halloween just around the corner, its certainly apropos that the Schmidtmen traveled to Abington tonight to take on the Ghosts. And that's because if there is any team that can put a scare in you, its the Maroon & White! Plus this year that's especially true as at 7-1, the Tim Sorber led club has been making plenty of noise. Of course, at 8-0 the Blue & Red have been cutting their own wide-swath this year and as SOL National Conference standing and post-season playoff seeding are both on the line, the pre-game buzz has been to expect a heavy-weight, 12-rounder. With that said, and as the written word never tops the action on the field, let's get to it.

Winning the toss, the Ghosts took the Blake Sullivan kickoff back to the 20. Coming out in the Pistol and no-huddle, a quick three-and-out had the hosts then punting with Neshaminy at their 30 after the roll. D'Andre Pollard quickly punched it out to the 45 as Langhorne was looking good but a Tyler Wombough pass was picked and the ball was back to Abington at their 40. Working some nice looks, the Sorbermen grabbed yardage before being forced to punt once again. Cole Creighton's return had the 'Skins at their 35; however, the Ghosts kept the pressure on and it was the Creek Kids soon punting it back to Abingtons 35 where the ball rolled dead.

Staying in the Pistol and no-huddle, it was Luke Carrezola sacking the enemy QB on a third-down play to end that Abington effort. Creighton then delivered a nice return that was scrubbed by a holding penalty putting Neshaminy at their 30. Pulling out a change-up, Pollard then took the Shotgun snap and picked up a quick 30 yards to the Abington 40. Going to the well again, it was Pollard earning another 34 down to the six-yard line. A few shots later it was Denny Lord busting it across for the TD. Dylan McDonald hit the PAT and it was 7-0 Neshaminy with just seconds on the first-quarter clock.

Sullivan's kickoff was then returned to the 23 where Abington set up in the Shotgun. One play later the teams flipped directions and the Ghosts were soon faced with a long third-down. Going to an aerial try for the yards, it was Denzel Hughes picking it off with a return to the Abington 19.

On a sloppy series that followed, a couple of penalties and miscues saw the Creek Kids getting inside the ten on a pass interference call before a chop block flag took it back to the 25 for a third-and-long. A sack then brought up a fourth and the Wombough pass missed its mark. With Abington still finding nothing working, their punter was then back on the field. Looking for the big play, the Ghosts went for a pass on the fake only to see it picked by Lord. On a weird call it then went back to Abington on a hold that occurred after the interception; however, on the first play Abington then fumbled and Carrezola fell on it at the 40. But refusing to accept the gift, Neshaminy pitched its own three-and-out with the Chris Watson punt rolling down to Abingtons 8.

Setting up at that spot, a nice run by an Abington ball-carrier had the pigskin across mid-field in a hurry. Another play saw it down to the 30 with a bubble-screen then logging 24 to the six-yard stripe. And soon enough it was 7-7 after the TD and PAT.

With Abington kicking it back to Neshaminy, Hamiid Pack took it to the 35 for the Blue & Red. Lord got the first call and raced to the enemy 45 for a first. Two plays later Pollard had it down to the 35. From there he earned another first before a holding flag rolled it back to the 34. Pack then got it back in closer as he snagged a Wombough missile at the 20 with just five seconds on the clock. Schmidt quickly called for a time out and brought McDonald in for a 40 yard field goal attempt. And showing why hes called Mr. Automatic, he nailed it as the teams retired for the break with Langhorne up, 10-7.

Back on the field after the halftime refreshments of cookies and milk, a nice return of the Abington kick saw the Creek Kids starting at their 36. A quick Pollard burst then had the Moleskinners at mid-field but that's where they stalled. Following a pattern of oddball calls, the Watson punt was signaled fair at the ten-yard stripe but the returner took off anyway getting to the 21 before he was brought down. Still running the no-huddle, the Abington runner almost immediately lost the rock and Neshaminy fell on it at the Abington 33.

Quickly picking up seven yards on the ground, a holding call brought Neshaminy back to the 39 before the 'Skins finally caught a break, a pass interference penalty on the Ghosts, which gave the Schmidtmen a fresh set of downs at the 19. Still not content to remain invisible, the refs signaled another holding call which then brought the 'Skins back to the 29. Getting frustrated, though, Pollard did the work from there and it went to 17-7 on number 21's short dive and the McDonald PAT.

Sullivan then booted the ball deep and Abington started off at its 20. From there a nice bubble screen earned a first to the 30. Dorian Arthur then logged a sack before a no-gainer was followed by Lord dropping an Abington back on a screen pass. Grabbing the punt the ensued, Creighton had it to the 33 of the Ghosts but, surprise-surprise, a holding call brought it back to mid-field where Langhorne went back on offense.

With Sullivan taking the first handoff he earned three before a no-gainer by Pollard set up a third-down shot. Beautifully played by Wombough, he then nailed Pack for a big first at the 32. From there Pollard decided it was time to just take it to the house and end the suspense. McDonald nailed the PAT and with a few minutes in the third, it went to 24-7 for the Redskins.

After the Sullivan kickoff, Abington started at its 25 but coming up empty, it was quickly fourth and long. Punting it back to Neshaminy, Creighton returned it to the Abington 48 as the third-period ended and the teams flipped sides.

With the final session underway, the Schmidtmen had it to the 40 for a first and ten before a delay of game made it first and 15. Sullivan grabbed seven on the first nod before a pass just missed Pack to bring up a third-and-eight. Lord logged a few and on fourth-and-six the pass was short as Abington then took over on their 34. And showing that they weren't ready to quit, a deep Ghost pass quickly found its mark to make it 24-14 after the PAT.

Setting up for an onsides kick, Abington then booted it into the endzone. Several penalties, that were as unclear as the many flags that had preceded it, set Neshaminy at its 30 with a first and ten. Two gives to Pollard earned 15 to Abington's 45. Then sure enough, another run by Pollard was brought back by a holding call. Setting up on fourth and short try, the ball came loose and it went back to Abington.

With the Ghosts' offense back on the field, the clock was on everyones mind as Abington came out winging for the endzone. Still using the no huddle, and only receivers, it went to a fourth-and-four which saw Trokon Buesmaiil nail the Abington back for a loss to stop that late-game effort by the home team.

Wombough and company then came out with three minutes showing. Going to Pollard he grabbed ten but the refs brought out another flag for something (by then, nobody was sure). That wasn't a problem, though, as Pollard took the next handoff 50 yards down to the Abington 12 for a big Neshaminy first down. Two plays later he pocketed his third score of the night and with McDonald on the money, it went to 31-14 with 1:50 on the clock.

Sullivan's kickoff then bounced out of bounds and Abington started at their 35 with the ticks burning down. Finding little room to run or throw, it went to a fourth and seven in a hurry and just as the final gun sounded. With that said, do I need to remind you what that means? Didn't think so:

Game to 'Skins!

First off, we thank the Ghosts for not only being gracious hosts but also for leaving it all on the field tonight. That was a great effort, Abington.

Next, and as to Langhorne, at 9-0 there's not much to say other than the report card has been perfect all year long (hard to argue with that). Still, and before we open the champagne, there is one little test remaining on the regular season schedule Pennsbury! And at 8-1 the Falcons are a force to be reckoned with so next Friday will be nothing less than a monster of a game. Already conjuring up memories of the many titanic clashes between these Lower Bucks neighbors, its sure to be standing room only at Falcon Field (seriously, we advise that you get there early as seats will be at a premium). Plus don't forget, the boys appreciate your support so be ready for plenty of hooting, hollering and cheering all night long as the Fairless Hills fans will be doing the same.

See you at the Game!

Photos by Jesse Garber

For more game photos go to Jesse Garber on Zenfolio

Pregame Courier Times: Intelligencer/Courier Times 'Let's Talk Football' (Wk 9)

Suburban One Sports: SOL Football Wrap (10-25-13)

Eastern Pa Football: 2013 EasternPAFootball.com Big School Super 10 Rankings (Week 9)