LANGHORNE: Back at home for the stretch run of the 2012 season, tonight's contest features an always tough Abington squad. First on the Redskins schedule in 1977, the Ghosts have proven to be a rough and ready opponent year in and year out. Plus with both teams at 6-2, a shot at the SOL National co-title for one team or the other, and playoff hopes and seeding at stake, this game is as important as it gets. So with the fans in the stands and the teams on the field how about we get on with the action down on the grass.

Winning the toss, Neshaminy took the kick. But although showing some initial movement as Justin Andrews broke one for 21 out to mid-field it got tight from there. Getting in a little closer, Nick Tucci lined up and made a 38-yard field goal but a delay of game moved it back five-spots. The 43-yard attempt was short and the ball went to Abington. With the defense looking tough the Ghosts soon punted and it was the 'Skins with the ball once again. Once again Andrews busted one in close with Denny Lord then taking it over from the one. The PAT was good and with 3:03 left in the first, it was Neshaminy up, 7-0.

From that point it was a series of punts back and forth that dictated the tempo of the game. Catching a break, Matt Magdelinskas pounced on a loose rock when an Abington deep man misplayed the ball. Getting it down to the three it was Andrews snagging a Joe Falkowski pass for six points. Tucci hit the extra point and that made it 14-0 for the Creek Kids with just 2:11 left in the half.

Putting the ball back in Abington's hands, it seemed as if the clock was going to stop the Ghosts effort as they set up on Neshaminy's 43 with 25 seconds remaining. Under pressure, the quarterback looked as if he was running for yards when he pulled up at the line of scrimmage and hit a wide-open receiver for the TD. The PAT was good and although the visitors recovered the onside kick the teams broke for the half with the Blue & Red up 14-7.

As Tucci put the kickoff into the endzone, it was Abington at their 20. Moving it out a bit, the Ghosts were forced to punt from their 35. After the low roll it was Neshaminy at their 29 with the ball. Following Abington's lead the Schmidtmen then went nowhere and punted. With the kick almost blocked, the visitors had the ball at their 43 where they went to work.

Relying on the rush and some fancy moves, Abington had it down in the redzone on some nice efforts by their running backs. Gaining a first at the 13, a facemask call on a 'Skins player saw the ball moved to the five. The next play saw an Abington score and with the kick down the middle the game went to a deadlock at 14-14 late in the third-period.

Neshaminy began the nest series at their 36 after Devon Brown took the line drive kickoff for a nice return. And from there it was Lord ripping off a 64-yard run as he busted it loose in a big way. Tucci didn't miss and it went to 21-14 Neshaminy with a minute to go in the third.

Abington followed with a nice return on the kickoff and set up at their 35. But Neshaminy's defense stepped up and after the three and out, a short punt had the ball back to the 'Skins. The ball went right back to Abington, though, as an alert defender picked up a fumble by a Redskin running back. And as the clock signaled the beginning of the fourth, it was Abington with a first at Langhorne's 40 as the final 12-minutes got underway.

Going to a third and ten, it took a 15-yard reception by a Ghost to gain the first at the 25. Then going to a fourth and two at the 17, Abington tried their patented wide pitch/option. No-dice on that effort as Lord and company stopped the Ghosts at the 19 where the 'Skins' offense came back out with eight-minutes remaining in the game.

From there another Neshaminy fumble then gave the ball back to Abington at the 29. From there a couple of attempts and two penalties had the Ghosts back at their 40 with a second and 24. Going to a fourth down, the punt team came out and with the ball rolling out into the end zone it was Neshaminy taking over at the 20 with 5:18 in the game. Big Blake 'The Bull' Sullivan took the first handoff for six but the drive then stalled. On the punt Zach Miller was roughed and Neshaminy caught a break and got the ball back with a first at the 31.

With Nate Hall taking the handoff to start the drive he gained five as the clock showed 2:30 to go. An offside call when the defense jumped moved it five with Sullivan then picking up the first as he took it past the 40. Hall added some more yards to the 47 as Abington burned one of its two TOs to stop the clock. Lord took the next carry and the Ghosts then used their final clock-stopper. With a third and five, and a minute in the game, Neshaminy missed the first down and called a timeout itself with 28-seconds on the clock. Punting from there, Miller boomed one and although the deep man lost the ball at the goal line, the Zebras gave Abington a first at the one-inch line with 14 seconds on the clock.

With just a few options in its quiver, the first Hail Mary missed but with a roughing the passer call, the Ghosts had a last shot from their 15 as six seconds remained. This time there was a catch but it was Cole Creighton making the grab to ink the win. And here it comes:

Game to 'Skins!

First of all, a nod to the Ghosts who never quit. Good effort. And to the Redskins; way to hang tough. A great game. Now at 7-2, Neshaminy is in the hunt and with next week seeing the last game of the regular season, we don't even need to tell anybody what team is coming to town. But just in case any of you has been living on Mars for half-a-century it's the Pennsbury Falcons. And as this year's Black & Orange group is one tough outfit, this one is sure to be a real thriller so get your seat early as The Ridge will be rocking all night long.

See you at the game.

Photos by Jesse Garber

For more game photos go to Jesse Garber on Zenfolio

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The_Philadelphia_Inquirer_Sun__Oct_28__2012_Abington Boxscore