The Big Picture 33 – 2013 Preseason Primer
The Big Picture
By Paula G.
Ace Sports Reporter
Mid-summer comings and goings:
2013 season nears; ‘Skins at-the-ready!
July 8, 2013
Langhorne: Another year older; another year wiser as they say. And maybe that’s a fair trade-off but those years sure seem to roll by faster and faster while generally speaking, that’s not exactly how this writer likes to see the sand run through the hourglass. Still, there is a silver lining to the accelerated passage of time which is the fact that we’ll be seeing our Redskins back out on the grass in just a few more months (with all the unbridled excitement and enthusiasm that accompanies each new season of Neshaminy football for us fans). So you see, the point I’m making here is that the sooner the 2013 edition of the Schmidtmen is running down that little hill, the happier I’ll be (so as far as I′m concerned, put that clock on “fast forward” as I just can’t wait).
In the meantime, though, I’ll settle down and report on some other news of note from the last few months or just coming up.
Lady ‘Skins take on Canon-McMillan in state softball championship
After a banner season that saw the Lady Redskins softball team power their way through the SOL and District 1, the gals found themselves in State College at the Nittany Lion Softball Park where they took on the Canon-McMillan “Lady Big-Macs” (as they are called) for the PIAA 4A state championship. Tied 0-0 through the 9th inning, the two clubs played by “international tie-breaker” rules thereafter and it was the District 7 school edging Neshaminy’s ladies 4-3 in the 12th. But bringing the silver home, and in their first appearance in the “final” since the 2003 state championship team, it was a great year for the ladies of Langhorne. And the post-season saw pitcher Lauren Quense named first team all state with third basemen Julia McGovern earning second team honors. So a big shout-out and congratulations to the team and coaches for making us proud.
Bucks All-Star football game goes to South, 35-9
June 6, 2013 Bucks County All Star team with the trophy
Played on June 6 at Harry S. Truman′s Harry Morgan Stadium, the Bucks County Lions’ 2013 All-Star Football Classic saw the team from the South take a decisive 35-9 win over the North. In a dominating performance, the Mark Schmidt coached squad throttled the North in the annual tussle which featured four just graduated Redskins on the field (Daryl Kennedy, Alex McKenzie, Nate Hall and Brian Toal). First played in 1972, the 43rd edition of the annual fund raising football game matched the best players from the southern schools of Bucks County against their counterparts from the northern clubs. With this year’s game another success, let’s stand up and applaud the great effort made every June by the sponsors, coaches, players and other volunteers who put it all together.
Redskins summer camp for future gridders set for July 15-19
The highly anticipated week long summer camp for students just finishing grades 3 through 9 is set for the week of July 15th through July 19th up on Neshaminy’s fields and athletic complex. An annual event spearheaded by Head Coach Mark Schmidt and his staff, the yearly “school” teaches the fundamentals of the game to its participants over a five day period. Featuring “celebrity” coaches and players, including Redskin alumni, registration is underway and the program is open to students from all schools. Downloadable forms are available on the Neshaminy School District website while more information can be secured by emailing Neshaminy Coach Neil French. It’s great fun for the youngsters as they learn all about the game while being introduced to “Neshaminy football”.
Back to the beginning; the 2013 season is upon us
So anyway, if you’re like me it’s very, very simple: There’s “the season” and then there’s the “off season”. And the way I see it, the season is what it’s all about. Think about it. What’s better than Friday nights up on “Heartbreak Ridge” with our ‘Skins rumbling down the hill in brilliant red and blue and ready to take on all comers. Nothing is better! Yep, nothing is better than Redskins football. And since we just speeded up “time”, we all better get ready because on Friday, August 30 the 2013 campaign gets underway when our boys entertain the Northeast Vikings of the Philadelphia Public League. See you there!
Go ‘Skins!
(Bucks All Star game photograph courtesy of Marge Bullock)