BENSALEM − Nesahminy must just really enjoy tight finishes.

Despite dominating Saturday’s Class AAAA semifinal game against Easton, the Redskins never pulled away and needed a late defensive stand to preserve a 21-14 victory.

Neshaminy advanced to play Pittsburgh Central Catholic in the PIAA state championship next Saturday at 5 p.m. at Hersheypark Stadium.

Pittsburgh Central Catholic, 15-0, routed Bishop McDevitt, 44-0, Saturday and has won three state playoff games by a combined score of 116-3. Neshaminy has needed fourth-quarter touchdowns to win all of its postseason games.

“This is a great feeling,” Neshaminy senior Georg Coleman said “But we know we have one more game next week. We have to get back to work tomorrow.”

Redskin senior Dominic Cundari intercepted a pass from Easton’s Bernard Coon at the goal line on the final play of the game to preserve the win. Two plays earlier, Easton receiver John Suozzo had dropped a sure touchdown pass in the end zone.

It didn’t have to be that way as Neshaminy had controlled the game from the opening kickoff and probably could have blown out the Red Rovers (13-1).

On nine possessions, the Redskins drove inside Easton’s 25-yard line eight times and never punted. Neshaminy scored three touchdowns, turned the ball over twice in Easton’s end zone and all-state kicker Kevin Kelly missed three mid-range field goals.

2004 Coaching Staff

“The only times we were stopped was when we turned the ball over or made mistakes,” Redskins coach Mark Schmidt said “We have to take advantage of our opportunities. You can’t give good teams second chances, or third chances.”

Coleman rushed 24 times for 153 yards and caught three passes for 146 yards. In 14 games, he has 2,004 rushing yards, 28 touchdowns and 172 points.

Coleman scored on an eight-yard run in the second quarter to give Neshaminy a 7-0 lead. He scored the game-winning touchdown on a 24-yard reception from sophomore quarterback Andrew Flogged with 35 seconds in the game.

2004 Neshaminy Redskins

Editor’s Note: In an instant classic the ‘Skins had battled to the final play as they sent the Rovers packing, 21-14. In fact, it was classic Neshaminy as the team fought for fourty-eight minutes to take the tight win over a tough Rover squad. Still, fans of the Blue and Red couldn’t help but think that the Andrew Flogel lead Tribe had made the game harder than need be with its two turnovers in the Easton end zone and Kevin Kelly’s uncharacteristic three missed field goal attempts. In fact, it was a lucky break and stellar defensive stand at game’s end that made the difference. Then again, the Indians have built a tradition of never-say-die and come-from-behind wins − so why should this one have been different. And with the win, the ‘Skins not only claimed the title “Eastern Champions” for the second time in four seasons, they also earned a trip to Hershey to face the Vikings of Pittsburgh Central Catholic for the state title. Plus even though talented seniors like Georg Coleman, Kevin Kelly and Kevin Staub − each all-state − were graduating, quarterback Flogel along with Tom McEowen, Chris Daino, Scott Schiavo, Jared and Jason Kinney, Joe Moutox and other seasoned underclassmen would be back in 2005 to insure another dominating Redskin team would take the field.