SOUDERTON: Back on the road after three weeks of comfy home-cooking at The Ridge, the Schmidtmen traveled to a neutral site field at Souderton High tonight for the D1 Championship game against North Penn. Well known to each other, the ‘Skins and Knights have been going at it tooth-and-nail during the new millennium. With both claiming two trips to Hershey over the last 12 years (and a gold and silver trophy for each), plus smash-mouth regular season and playoff games with each other the norm (this is the fourth time they have lined up for the D1 trophy in ten seasons with North Penn holding a 2-1 lead), its sorta like fighting with your brother. In fact, since everyone in SEPA already knows the story of these two storied Pennsylvania football programs, how about we get to it and let the players write the latest chapter.

Although North Penn won the coin toss, they deferred receiving until the second half. Hamiid Pack took the catch and returned it to the 30 where Tyler Wombough brought his crew on the field. Going right to D’Andre Pollard, the ‘Skins running back put two efforts together to quickly move it to the Knights 45. Blake ‘Big Bull’ Sullivan then got the next two as he took the ‘Skins down to the 16. From there it was back to Pollard as he spun his way across for the score to end the five-play drive. Dylan McDonald nailed the PAT and Neshaminy was up 7-0. But with North Penn just as hyped, after the kickoff and return to the 30, the first play saw a Knight back bust it all the way to the house for a TD. The extra point was good and just like that it was 7-7 barely three minutes into the game.

Following the North Penn kickoff, and Matt Magdelinskas return, the ‘Skins set up at the 35. Staying with the basics, Pollard, Sullivan and Denny Lord soon had a first down at the enemy 46. With Pollard getting the call at that spot, he broke a few tackles and turned it up to make it to the back ten for his second score of the night. McDonald didn’t miss as the score then rolled to 14-7 in The Tribe’s favor.

Sullivan’s kickoff was then returned to the 25 where the Knights brought out their offense once again. But with the Neshaminy D swarming the ball, this time North Penn put up a three-and-out and were forced to punt. Cole Creighton made the catch and returned the rock to mid-field as the Redskins where back on offense for the third time. Three quick hitters by Pollard moved the Moleskinners to the Knight’s 19 as the chains were moved twice. Sullivan then punched it to the six-yard stripe where it was goal-to-go for the Schmidtmen. Pollard was then elected and he answered with his third score of the game. Mr. Automatic nailed the PAT and it was 21-7 for the Blue & Red with a minute in the first-quarter.

Sullivan’s kickoff was brought back to the 30. From there the Knights went to a fourth-and-short as the first-quarter ended. Following the walk and flip of directions, the Knights play conservative and punted. A good kick and roll gave the ball back to the Creek Kids at their 25.

As the call was Pollard, he didn’t disappoint as he had the ‘Skins at the North Penn 40 on three straight carries. Getting some footing, the Knights finally managed a stop as the ‘Skins stalled and were forced to punt from that spot. With Chris Watson jogging on the field, he placed it perfectly allowing Lord to down the ball at the one-yard line where the Knights started in a tough spot.

As expected, and in the shadow of their endzone, North Penn was stuffed on three straight as they had few calls to make. At third-and-seven they punted with Creighton making a nice return to the 21. A holding call took Neshaminy them back to the 31 where they got down to business. Pollard took the first try the 12 and then to the four. Lord then rambled across for the TD from his Wildcat package that seems unstoppable. McDonald punched the kick through the uprights and it went to 28-7 for Langhorne as the clock showed 3:28 in the half.

Sullivan then trundled out and toe-met-leather. The North Penn return man had it to the 37 on a nice effort as the Knights brought their offense back on the field. A quick pass play made mid-field and a nice run by the QB moved the Lansdale club to the 32. With Neshaminy’s defense stiffening, it quickly went to a fourth-and-long with 45 ticks on the clock. Attempting a 50-yard field goal, it fell short as the ‘Skins took over at the 35. Deciding to play it close to the vest, Wombough then took a knee as the clock hit zero to send the teams to the locker rooms.

After the break, Sullivan’s kickoff to start the second-half went out of bounds giving the Knights the ball at the 35. A run and pass had it at Neshaminy’s 45 in a hurry with the Knights pushing it down to the 11 on another few. An intentional grounding then had North Penn back to the 16 with an offsides sending them back even further to set up third-and-long. The pass attempt to make it missed to bring up fourth-and-forever. Setting up for another field goal, the kick missed and Neshaminy took over at their 30. Two short runs brought up a third-and-eight as Wombough was then sacked on a pass attempt. Watson rolled out to punt from deep but booming it, the ball was downed at the North Penn 43 by Magdelinskas as the leather went back to the Bluemen.

The Knights ran one before going up top. An alert Creighton made the pick at the 42 as Neshaminy regained possession. As usual, Pollard had the first call for four with the next seeing him motor to the Knight’s 36. Big Bull then smashed it to the 3o for a second-and-short. Going for the kill, a Wombough pass for the score was picked off at the ten as North Penn returned the turnover favor.

As the clock continued to run, North Penn looked to get it out of the deep spot on two ground efforts with a pass then missing its mark. Punting it away, Creighton showed he was fearless on a return to the North Penn 21. Pollard got the first call and made it to the 12 with a personal foul adding a few to put the ‘Skins at the nine with a goal-to-go. A crazy pushing the runner flag then negated a Pollard score but hearing his number again he raced across for his fourth score. ‘He just don’t miss’ McDonald was right on and with the third-quarter running down, the score went to 35-7 for Langhorne.

Sullivan’s kickoff was then brought back to the 45 on a terrific run. With the first handoff coming loose, a flag on a late hit gave the Knights a second-and-short. An offsides call on the Knights, and another loose ball, caused them problems as it went to third-and-nine. The pass attempt then missed everything but the ground and with a fourth-and-nine, they Knights went for it through the air. Denzel Hughes was on the job, though, as he grabbed the aerial, and with a fantastic return, had the ball down to the enemy 24 for a big Neshaminy first down. Pollard first took it to the 13 as Big Bull got the short yards for a first at the 11. Pollard then added five but another effort was for naught. Sullivan made two for fourth-and-short and from there it was no question that Lord would get it. He did and after he punched it through McDonalds PAT made it 42-7.

Sullivan then teed up another kick which was high and out-of-bounds. Taking over at their 35, the Knights were on offense with nine minutes in the fourth and a Mercy Rule running clock hanging over them. Sticking to the ground, five runs saw them cross into ‘Skins territory to the 45. A few more efforts looked even better as the Knights hit the 32 as the clock went under six minutes. At that point Alex Nicolas looked as if he was playing with his hair on fire as he busted up two straight plays to bring up a third-and-long. Dan Johnson then caused another loss for North Penn to make it fourth-and-fifteen. The pass into the endzone missed everybody and The Tribe took over with three minutes on the clock.

As Schmidt then sent the clean shirts came on the field, Mason Jones gave the first handoff to Will Dogba who grabbed a few. Cale Kitchenman then posted three before Jones added one. Going to a fourth-down, Dogba came up short to give the ball back to the Knights with 20 seconds in the fourth-quarter. And showing their class, the North Penn quarterback grabbed a knee to end it which means just one thing:

Game to ‘Skins!

First congratulations to two fine teams for a terrific effort tonight — and all season long as well. Watching this game, there is no doubt that the coaches and their staff and the players on both squads are representative of the best there is! And no doubt, all of southeastern Pennsylvania should be proud that North Penn and Neshaminy are home grown teams. Thanks guys – especially the Knights.

Next: Oh baby — how about them ‘Skins! Wow!! As a good friend would say (you know who Im taking about, Senor Maleta): My friend, these Redskins are good! Yes, they are very good.

Not a lot to say other than what a great job by the Schmidtmen this evening as they not only brought the District One trophy back to Langhorne but they did it convincingly. From start to finish the Creek Kids were a team on a mission and it was mission accomplished! At least for tonight, that is. And we say as besides the District title, the ‘Skins also were awarded the ducat to the Pennsylvania Eastern Championship game next week. So although a little celebrating tonight is surely in order, tomorrow morning it’s back to work. So go ahead guys but be ready for the Christmas music in the weight room (yep Christmas music).

And hey you Redskin fans if the boys can practice on Thanksgiving, and pound steel on Saturday morning, not a one of you better miss next week’s game no matter where it is or who the opponent is (St. Joes or Parkland). That’s because we can never forget that all of us fans in the stands are mighty lucky to have a group of players out there giving their all each week. So let’s do the same for them (they love it)!!

See you at the game.

P.S. Hey Leon, I know you’re watching these guys too and you were right they are a special group of guys.

Photos courtesy of Jesse Garber

For more game photos go to Jesse Garber on Zenfolio