FAIRLESS HILLS: Boy-oh-boy, does it get any better than this? A 9-0 Neshaminy versus an 8-1 Pennsbury for all the marbles! Yep, just like the old days when it seemed every year featured a match-up just like this one; and a match-up being watched by folks not just here in Langhorne and Fairless Hills but all around the commonwealth. With a tradition that dates back to 1930, and any number of slugfests and showdowns between these two titans over the years, this looks to be another that will be added to that big book of Neshaminy versus Pennsbury classics. So sit back and enjoy, as were gonna get down to the action on the field and see how this plays out.

Although the Falcons won the toss they deferred to the second-half as Neshaminy set up to receive. Deep for the 'Skins were Hamiid Pack and Devon Brown with Brown taking the grab and returning it to the 22. Going to a third-down and short, Tyler Wombough found a Redskin receiver for a first at the 35 to show some nice movement. Then following a strong run by Barry Sullivan, a Wombough pass was picked off and returned all the way to the endzone for a Pennsbury score. With the PAT good, it was the Falcons taking the early lead, 7-0, at three minutes into the game.

Back to kickoff, the short hopper by the Birds was picked up by Matt Bianchino and returned to the 40 where the Langhorne offense came back out on the field. Punching around a bit, it was D'Andre Pollard who broke for ten to mid-field and then grabbed 40 that got him to the seven-yard line for a first and goal. Two shots had it in a couple of yards closer before a pass missed its mark. Dylan McDonald then came in and punched in a 21-yarder in to make it 7-3.

With Blake Sullivan doing the kicking, a nice Falcon return had it at the 41 where the Pennsbury offense stepped on the field for the first time in the game. Three plays later and it was a punt after they lost 13 yards on their first series. A holding call then put the 'Skins back at their 30 on the punt return with three minutes left in the first-quarter. A nice hole gave Pollard 16 out to near mid-field but on the next play he dropped the rock and Pennsbury recovered. A Falcon pass play put it at the 30 but a few plays later brought up a fourth-and-five as the first-quarter ended.

Following the flip, the Orange & Black threw to the endzone but it was out of bounds; however, a holding call gave them a first at the 15. Going to a fourth and three, Pennsbury brought out their field goal team and missed as the ball went back to Neshaminy at the 20. A handoff to Pollard and then Denny Lord had it out to the 35 for a Neshaminy first. A couple of bungled plays followed and it was Chris Watson then out to punt. Offsetting penalties forced Watson to kick twice, though, with the ball back to the Pennsbury 49 after the catch and return. A couple of solid running plays and it was Pennsbury scoring once again. The PAT was good and it then went to 14-3 for the hosts.>

Back to receive, Pack almost busted it as he was caught by the last man at the Falcons 40. Looking to move it quickly, Wombough quickly found Pack at the 28 for a first with two minutes in the half. A few plays later had the Creek Kids at third and long after a sack. A fourth down aerial then missed its mark as the ball went back to Pennsbury with 1:28 on the clock. Some nice runs soon had the Birds knocking on the door once again as they got inside the redzone with the clock running down. Going to eight seconds at the eight-yard line, the Black & Orange called timeout before lining up and this time making good on a 25-yard field goal as it went to 17-3. Grabbing it at the 15 after the kickoff, the Redskins had it to the Falcons 45 before the gun signaled the end of the first half.

Back on the field for the second-session, it was Pennsbury receiving and taking the Sullivan boot back to the 30. A couple of runs by the Falcons had it across mid-field to the 40 before a holding call pushed it back to their 48. A nice pass brought it down to the 30 for a first and then a run made it to the 12. A few plays later and it was a QB sneak to make it 24-3 for Fairless Hills.

With the home team kick returned to the 25, the 'Skins offense came back out for the first time in the second-half. Coming alive, Pollard and Lord had it out to mid-field on a few. A nice pass to Pack then had it at the 40 for a fresh set of downs. Pushing it to third-and-ten, a pass hit the ground to bring up a fourth down with a minute in the third. Finding nobody for the pass, Wombough was sacked as the ball went back to Pennsbury at the 40. A few plays later had the Falcons at mid-field and the fourth-quarter rolled around.

Pushing and shoving, the Falcons played strong ball control as the clock continued to run. Then at the seven-minute mark another Falcons back busted loose for a 17-yarder for the score. With the PAT true it went to 31-3 for Galen's Guys. Following the kickoff return, the Schmidtmen started at their 25 as the clock was already telling the story. Going to a fourth down, another pass missed and it went back to the Orange & Black with six minutes still showing. Setting up at the 45 Pennsbury set to work at burning the clock down. Finally turning the ball over on downs, the 'Skins got off two plays before the gun sounded to end the game.

Calling it like it is, Pennsbury played a great game. Showing they have clearly shaken off the first loss of the season to Easton, they have now booked nine straight wins to finish 9-1, earn the SOL National Conference championship with the win and a solid top four seeding for the D1 playoffs that begin next week. Congrats to our neighbors.

Over in our house, there's no reason to pull out the bugle and order up a rendition of Taps just yet (it's not over by a long shot). For at 9-1 the Schmidtmen will be seeded highly in the D1 playoffs. And although this game tonight might not make sense to the Blue & Red faithful, the boys still delivered a great regular season. Plus despite the pain of a loss, there is also the joy that goes along with getting out on a Friday night and cheering on our high school student-athletes that give it their all for us fans (and that's something we should never forget). So for the moment, let's just stand down and enjoy all that the boys have given us so far in 2013. And as they say, it ain't over yet as Game One of the playoffs will be in Langhorne next Friday night so make sure all you Blue & Red fans are out in force as the boys love your support. So get there early and be ready to make plenty of noise.

Go 'Skins!

See you at the game.

Photos by Jesse Garber

For more game photos go to Jesse Garber on Zenfolio

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