Perkasie: On the road for the second game of league play, tonight sees Neshaminy travel to Perkasie to take on Pennridge. A longtime opponent that was first on the schedule in 1956, the history of these two schools actually can be traced back to 1929 when the ‘Skins were called Langhorne-Middletown high. That was the year the Blue & Red lined up against Perkasie High which later merged with Sellersville and then later still become Pennridge High in the early ’50s. Plus making tonight’s 20th game between these two schools even more historic is that it represents the first time the Rams host a game in their new park, Wayne Helman Field. Replacing the venerable Poppy Yoder Field, the Rams are now leaving behind the stadium and grass they had called home since 1930. A beautiful stadium complex too, the Redskins are happy to have the opportunity to celebrate this night with the Rams.

But leaving history behind and getting down to brass tacks, this is also an important game for other reasons. At 3-1 overall, a tough Pennridge group was nicked by North Penn last week and certainly doesn’t relish the possibility of starting 0-2 in the SOL. As to the ‘Skins, following a rough start they have posted two straight wins including last Friday’s league opener over Abington. Cutting to the chase, every game counts big time in the new National Conference and with that said ‘time we get down to the action on the turf.

Pennridge won the toss but deferred as Denzel Hughes and D’Andre Pollard lined up deep for Neshaminy. But the Rams’ kick sailed out of the back line and the ‘Skins then started at their 20. With Mason Jones giving the first try to Pollard he didn’t disappoint as he ripped off a 40-yard gain to the Pennridge 40. A short run by Dan Dogba and Jones pass to Zach Tredway moved the ball six yards with Pollard then adding nine more for a first down at the 25. Then going to a third-and-long, Jones then nailed Trevor Lay to set up fourth-and-one at the 16. Dogba’s effort that followed was short, though, and the ball went over to the home team.

As the Rams showed off their Pistol offense, a nice end-around and beautiful screen pass moved them all the way to the mid-field stripe. A facemask call on the ‘Skins then added 15 to set up a Pennridge first at the 34. A few more runs then earned a first to the 23. A short run came next before a nice aerial was good for the TD. The PAT was good and the home boys had the first lead, 7-0.

The Ram kick as followed was grabbed by Pollard at the five-yard stripe as he then tip-toed his way out to the 32. Two running plays gained but a few before Jones set up in ‘The Gun’ and nailed Lay at the 50 for a big first down. Pollard grabbed five more with two Jones passes then missing the mark. With Kevin Goetz in for the punt, he put it to the 19 where Kyle Smith drilled the returner.

The first Pennridge run was good for a few with Neshaminy then jumping offsides and giving up five. The next effort then saw the Rams’ QB and back fumble the exchange with the ‘Skins falling on the loose ball at the 27. Jones quickly came out on the field and two running plays gained two setting up a Neshaminy third-and-eight from the 25. Jones then found JR Stevens almost in the endzone for the first but a chop block moved the ‘Skins back to the 45 for a third-and-30. With Jones sacked on the next effort, and the first-quarter ending, the teams flipped sides as Goetz came on and punted it deep where the Rams returner fair caught the ball deep on their side.

Back live to start the second-session, Pennridge ran one short before an end-around was good for a monster gain to Neshaminy’s 40. Two plays later a wide-open Rams receiver snagged the pass as waltzed into the endzone. A five-yard penalty pushed Pennridge back a bit on the PAT but no matter as it was good and their lead stretched to 14-0 with nine minutes in the quarter.

Lay grabbed the ensuing Rams kickoff and returned it to the 30 where Jones and crew came back on the field. Jammed up at that spot Jones handed off to Pollard who ripped off an unbelievable 70 yard run that left the crowd spinning. The Dylan McDonald kick was then good and Neshaminy had closed the gap to 14-7.

With McDonald’s kickoff then out of the endzone, Pennridge came back out to begin the next series on their 20. Playing tough on two ground efforts the ‘Skins gave up enough on a pass to allow a first down. Then staying on the ground again before going up top, it was Stevens stealing the Pennridge pass at the 40 and racing home for the ‘Pick Six’ score. McDonald hit the point after and the game was then deadlocked at 14-14 with six minutes remaining till the half.

McDonald then kicked it deep to the five but a fantastic return saw the Rams runner take it all the way to the Neshaminy 16-yard line for a terrific spot. Moving it in close for a first-and-goal it was then moved back after a no gain run and Pennridge penalty. Another try lost a few as third-down rolled around. Throwing for the endzone it was Stevens robbing the Rams as his interception brought the ball out to the 20 where Neshaminy took over with 3:27 on the clock.

Jones’ first handoff was to Pollard for five yards with second down seeing Jones hit Hughes for the four to bring up third-and-one. Pollard then earned the first as he took it to the 32 but a chop block put them back at the 15 for third-and-16. Jones then hit Tredway out of The Gun to set up fourth-and-two as Goetz punted it deep to the Rams deep man who fair caught it at his 42. From there the action was controlled as the clock soon hit zero with no further scoring.

Neshaminy kicked off to start second half action with McDonald’s kick taken at the five and then returned to 45 on a nice run. Three nice ground efforts gave the Rams a first at the Blue & Red 44. Jamming up at that spot, a Pennridge pass was then grabbed by a wide open receiver who took it home for the six points. The PAT was down the middle and it the scoreboard then rolled to 21-14 for the home squad.

The kickoff that followed was short and Lay grabbed the squibbler at the 25 to save the turnover. With Langhorne on offense, two quick hitters by Pollard earned Neshaminy a first at their 47. Matt ‘Hollywood’ Magdelinskas then punched up another chain mover but stalling there, Goetz was called back in to punt as he hit it deep once again. The fair catch set the Rams offense at their 14 yard line.

Keeping to the ground, two efforts were short to make it third-and-five. The shovel pass then worked for another six yards and the chain movement. An unsportsmanlike call on Neshaminy didn’t help as it moved the ball 15 to put it at the 48. Going to a fourth down, Pennridge called a timeout to talk. Lined up on a hard count, the Rams back then busted it to the 11 for a big first down. Getting sideways from there the third-quarter ended as Pennridge was facing a second-and-25.

Taking the long walk before beginning the final quarter of play, the teams got back into position with a run earning a bunch. But Cale Kitchenman ran the next play out of bounds to set up a long field goal; however, the fake kick-pass that followed was a ‘no go’ for the home team.

Starting at the 18, Pollard took the first snap and earned seven to the 25. The next effort was a pass to Hughes who was hit hard but still earned the first. A weird call moved Neshaminy back five as Jones then hit Hughes for the first before another chop block call brought the ‘Skins back to their seven to face a third-and-20. The Jones pass was almost picked but missed everyone luckily as Goetz still had to punt from his endzone. A good kick and roll gave Pennridge the ball at their 45.

With seven minutes on the clock, the Rams were back in business as they stayed on the ground to try and control the tempo. And it worked as three efforts had the first for the Green across mid-field. Going to a third-and-eight, though, the pass missed as the Rams tried once more on fourth down; however, Daulton Fox made a big play he ran down the QB for a big sack.

The clock showed 4:14 remaining as Neshaminy then started from its 44. And showing the pass immediately, Jones hit Tredway for a big gain to the Rams’ 39. But Pollard was then dropped for a loss of five with the Jones aerial that followed to Hughes just missing. Jones went back up top again but missed everyone with his fourth down effort also incomplete as the ball went back to the Rams with a couple of minutes showing on the clock.

Bottling up Pennridge on the first two efforts, a tremendous third-down run saw the Rams back take it the Neshaminy 25 for a first with a minute to go. A few more plays saw the final gun sound the game’s end as it went into the books for the home club.

What a night in Perkasie as it was a terrific showing by both teams. We thank the Rams for letting us break in their new home which we’re sure will see many great showings by them during the years to come. Then looking over to the Blue & Red, with ‘in league’ play now well underway, the ‘Skins will have to pick it up next week as they fall to 1-1 in the SOL National. And despite showing some solid play at times, they were also a little less complete at others. With that said, we’re sure Coach Frederick’s boys will be hearing plenty this week as he gets them ready for next week. Speaking of next week, the very tough CB South Titans will be coming down to Harry’s House so let’s make sure our side of the field is packed for will no doubt be a crowd pleaser.

See you at the Game!

GametimePA – Neshaminy, Council Rock South, Truman need wins to start thinking playoffs