Ocean City: What a night! The ‘Skins traveled to Ocean City NJ to participate in The Battle at the Beach. It was our first time to play Ocean City High School. Head Coach Kevin Smith and his Raiders are coming off of a successful 11-1 | 2021 season and Neshaminy has something to prove in 2022, so - let's get started.
Neshaminy won the toss and elected to receive but went 3 and 0 and were forced to punt as they stalled on the 27 yard line. With the Raiders then in possession, QB Riley Gunnels showed off his arm with a 42 yard pass. A botched snap pushed the Raiders back to the ‘Skins’ 37 yard line with a 2nd and 23 situation. Gunnels made a run for the first down but Neshaminy’s Liam Cothery, Adam Goodman and Colin Giambrone snuffed it out with a team tackle. The ‘Skins took over on their own 19 yard line.
After a false start penalty, ‘Skins’ QB Colin Baker threw a 9 yard pass to WR Ashton Lovelace who ran it down to the Raiders’ 39 for a gain of 35 yards into Raider territory. (Webmaster note: Ashton Lovelace is the son of one of Neshaminy’s great players, WR Antoine Lovelace.) After a pass interference call against the Raiders, the ‘Skins were moved to the Ocean City 25 yard line but subsequent holding penalties against the ‘Skins set them too far back, and the ball was soon turned over on downs to the Raiders on their own 32. With 1:09 left in the first quarter the Raiders drove to their own 43 yard line. The clock ran out on the first quarter with the score at “Skins 0 – Raiders 0.
Switching sides, the Raiders went to a no-huddle hurry up, and after three plays were deep in Redskin territory. After a botched snap and a QB fumble pushed the Raiders into a 4th and 11 situation, Gunnell was shut down by ‘Skins’ defensive players Zaza Mulbah and Giambrone, and the ball was turned over to Neshaminy on their 33 yard line. With the help of Markus Barnett’s 60 yards on the ground and Lovelace’s 7 yard catch, Barnett punched it in for a TD from the Raiders' 8 yard line and sophomore kicker Kaden Nicastro was good for the PAT. Score ‘Skins 7 – Raiders 0.
With 4:03 left in the first half, Nicastro kicked the ball all the way into the end zone for a touch back. Nick Buchys, Jack Dunkley and Joel Bonner impressively stuffed the Raiders’ attempted 1st handoff with a sack and a loss of 5 yards. Raiders’ QB Gunnell then kept the ball and was headed for the end zone when a tackle by Demcaio Cooper stopped him at midfield. Despite some good work in the air by Gunnell, the Neshaminy secondary defense, consisting of Travis Lavelah, Demacio Cooper, Bill Sheridan and Colton Clee were instrumental in snuffing out the pass. Stopped at the 9 yard line the Raiders attempted a field goal but it sailed far left. The two teams broke up for the break with the score still ‘Skins 7 - Raiders 0.
Taking a half time break here ourselves, we would like to note that the ‘Skins fans showed up in force. In fact, the away bleachers were so full that we spotted ‘Skins fans on the home side. Even with extra bleachers set up, there was nowhere to sit. Numerous fans lined the fence and the student section, dressed in aloha gear, was loud enough to be heard down on the beach. It was a proud moment to feel the Neshaminy support - how faithful the ‘Skins fans are! What a great scene for Coach Wilmot, the coaching staff and especially for the players. Back to the game…
The “Skins kicked off to begin the second half and the Raiders started at their own 29 yard line. Dunkley broke through a 2-Raider tackle and forced a Gunnell hurry up throw that missed its mark. Dunkley then blew up the next play, followed by a botched snap that forced the Raiders punt team onto the field. With the ball now in their possession, Neshaminy began to eat up the clock with a methodical drive. The ‘Skins entered Raider territory with a pitch and catch to Buchys and the help of Barnett’s persistence, slippery moves and tenacious attitude. Burnett then capped off the drive with a 18 yard TD run and Nicastro was once again solid for the PAT. With 4:12 left in the third quarter the score is “Skins 14 - Raiders 0.
Nicastro displayed another impressive kick to the Ocean City 1 yard line and the Raiders brought it back to their 30. Gunnell was then promptly sacked by Buchys, Dunkley and Kieran Reardon for an 8 yard loss. The defensive line pressured Gunnell and the Raiders were forced to punt. Neshaminy then fumbled the punt on the return which was recovered by Ocean City on the ‘Skins 47 yard line with 2:07 left in the quarter. The 'Skins' Joel Bonner and Joey Zack stuffed a Gunnell scramble and the ‘Skins’ defense held the Raiders to a minimum of 15 yards as the quarter ended. Score ‘Skins 14 – Raiders 0.
Switching sides into the fourth quarter, a ‘Skins penalty give Ocean City an additional 5 yards. But Giambrone, Dunkley, Zack and Buchys were on fire, pushing their way past the Raiders’ O Line for three consecutive sacks on Gunnell for a combined loss of 26 yards. Looking at a difficult 3rd and 38 situation, Ocean City elected to punt. With the ‘Skins in possession, and with seven minutes left in the game, Barnett busted out a 46 yard run all the way down to the Raiders’ 23 yard line. However, a Raiders' sack on ‘Skins’ QB Colin Baker set Neshaminy back 10 yards. They could not recover and turned over the ball over on downs.
The Raiders' first run was stopped by Buchys with a decisive tackle. Needing to score, Gunnell took to the air with a long pass which resulted in a pass interference penalty for the ‘Skins. Then from midfield, Gunnell threw another long ball but it was picked off by Lavelah at the ‘Skins’ 15 yard line. Neshaminy's Burnett again blew up the field with a 47 yard run to the Raiders’ 38. A few plays later Jullian Hammond sealed the win with a 33 yard TD run and Nicastro added the extra point.
With 2:17 left in the game the Raiders started on their 36 yard line. A Gunnell screen pass was stopped by Bonner and Reardon, Two plays later Buchys’ pressure on Gunnell forced a throw away and the Raiders were forced to punt. Neshaminy knelt down to end the game with a final score of ‘Skins 21 – Raiders 0.
Game to ‘Skins!
MVP Markus Barnett Photo Credit Eastern PA Football 2022
Captains for tonight’s game were Nick Buchys, Jack Dunkley, Markus Burnett and Joey Zack. Markus Burnett was awarded “Player of the Game” and rushed for 264 yards and two TDs. The defense was a formidable force on the field, holding the Raiders to 31 total rushing yards. The offensive line opened big holes for Burnett. Let’s not forget sophomore kicker Nicastro who was 3 for 3 on PATs.
Don’t miss all the excitement at next week’s game against Council Rock South!
A thank you to our hosts, Head Coach Kevin Smith and his Ocean City Raiders who played hard all four quarters. We wish them the best for the 2022 season.
Goodnight Mrs. B!
Sterling Limo Players of the Week
STERLING LIMOUSINE AND TRANSPORTATION
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
2022_08_26_Neshaminy VS Ocean City_Photos by Richard Saxton056
Markus Barnett #2, Neshaminy – The Redskin senior had himself quite a season opener in Neshaminy’s impressive 21-0 win over an Ocean City squad that last year was 11-1. Barnett was a workhorse, finishing with 274 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 29 carries.
Neshaminy coach Steve Wilmot says: "Last year Markus started 10 games for us at linebacker. He was the only linebacker to do so. Because he was so valuable to us on defense, he had a very limited role on offense. The opportunities he did have last year to run the ball he maximized and showed some talent. This year a lot of players matured in the weight room, and we could spring Markus free of defense and make him a full time running back. At Ocean City, he did a great job of finding the hole and making the first defender miss. He and the offensive blockers did a really nice job of chewing up the clock to keep the Ocean City offense on the sideline."
Sterling Limo SOL Honor Roll:
Demacio Cooper #21, Neshaminy – The junior defensive back was a force in Neshaminy’s 21-0 win over Ocean City, finishing with six tackles and also delivering great pass coverage.
Demacio Cooper #21 and DBs with Coach Weidenbaugh in Ocean City
Photos
