TOWAMENCIN- In the final game at Crawford Stadium this season, the 11th seeded North Penn Knight’s (10-2) earned a 27-3 victory over the 15th seeded Pennsbury Falcons (9-3) that has landed the Knights back in the district final.
While North Penn was looking to extend their winning streak and build momentum after their last two hard fought playoff games against West Chester Rustin and Neshaminy, Pennsbury was looking to continue their Cinderella story against a tough North Penn team. In the end, however, North Penn’s defense proved to be too much for the run-first Falcons to handle.
North Penn now advances to the District 1 Final on Friday night at Plymouth Whitemarsh High School where they will take on #1 seed Council Rock South.
Pennsbury was only able to manage one field goal against North Penn’s solid defense. The Knights defense recovered a fumble, intercepted one of Pennsbury’s few passes, and forced several turnover on downs that played a big role in the team’s victory.
The Knight’s defense struggled early on in the season and was allowing many points during those early games, but since then the defense has not allowed more than a touchdown in their last three games and have been making it very difficult for opponents to score on them.
“I think that we have matured. We are as healthy as we have ever been. Our secondary is playing well. But its all about the guys up front. Our front 7, our two outside linebackers,” said Head Coach Dick Beck. “We are not going to win if we do not play good D.”
Beck was especially pleased with the performance of one player in particular who does not always receive the recognition he deserves.
“[Senior] Luke Tilger had a great game tonight. It’s good to see him He’s one of those guys the kind of gets lost in the shuffle, but he came up big tonight,” said Beck.
On the other side of the ball, the Knight’s offense continued their dominant play and cruised past the Flacon’s defense to score 27 points. Senior Dan Gevirtz once again put up star numbers in his performance. Gevirtz scored a receiving and rushing touchdown as well as returned a punt return for a touchdown.
“I was just in the right position all day. The coaches got us ready, called my number a couple of times and I made plays,” said Gevirtz.
Gevirtz, officially listed as a wide receiver, has emerged during the playoffs has not just a dominant receiver, but also a dominant man running out of the backfield.
“It feels awesome [to be a strong presence in the backfield],” said Gevirtz. “I’m just making plays that help my team in anyway possible.”
Gevirtz’s emergence in the backfield in large part came because of a leg injury to senior James Fielder. Believed initially to have suffered a season ending injury, Fielder returned on Friday to help contribute to the team’s victory.
“It feels great [to be back],” said Fielder. “I thought my season was going to be over. To come back as a senior it means everything to me. I’m very happy I was able to come back.”
While the victory provided a great feeling for the entire team, many seniors were left with a bittersweet feeling knowing that this game would be their last at Crawford Stadium. They are grateful, however, to have won their final home game.
“It means everything. It feels great, feels amazing,” said Fielder. “I would not want any other outcome. Unfortunately it’s the last game but I am glad we left with a bang.”
North Penn will face their toughest test next week as against Council Rock South.
Beck feels facing the top seed will not cause any big changes to the preparation the team will put in this week.
“We will [prepare] just like we did this week; work hard and get ready,” said Beck.
Fielder and the rest of the team could not be anymore excited for this matchup.
“We are very excited. We just have to continue what we are doing. We are going to put it to them.”