TOWAMENCIN – In a seesaw battle between two SOL rivals North Penn behind some gutsy play calling and sheer determination out slugged the Pennridge Rams 31-20 to remain undefeated in Continental conference.
The Knights got on the board early in the first quarter with a 32 yard field goal by Matt Ammendola. The Rams responded with a touchdown pass to take a second quarter 7-3 lead. The Rams extended their lead to 14-3 when Ram’s running back Mike Class converted a 4th down and 1 into a 70 yard TD run. The Knights fought back with their passing game completing passes to Justin Hudimac and Nick Wright. North Penn’s Lewis Dickinson scored on a 2 yard run that was set up by a Ram’s pass interference call near the end zone. The newly ignited Knights passing attack continued and the Knights marched down the field with quarterback Austin Shearer connecting to Wright and Hudimac. With time running out in the first half, the Knights decided to forgo the 3 points and try for a touchdown. However, Shearer’s pass was intercepted and the Knights went into the locker room down 14-10.
After halftime, the restless North Penn homecoming fans saw the Knights take the lead on a 10 yard run by quarterback Austin Shearer. However, the Rams quickly answered back with a 63 yard touchdown run by Class to take back the lead 20-17. The give and take continued with the Knights scoring on a 4 yard touchdown plunge by Nyfease West to give North Penn a 24-20 lead as the third quarter concluded.
In what can be described as a game and potentially season defining play, the Knights deep in their own territory decided not to punt and instead go for it on 4th and 1. Dickinson broke through the Pennridge line and scampered 61 yards to the Ram 25 yard line.
“I got tired of seeing Class breaking a long one; I didn’t even want to give him the ball back,” reported Coach Dick Beck when questioned about the risky gamble. The Knights were able to finish the drive with a 3 yard run by West for the touchdown and ultimate 31-20 victory.
This was a big win for the Knights and redemption for last year’s loss to Pennridge.
“This was absolutely 100% a revenge game as they ended our season and playoff chances last year and we wanted to do the same to them this year on our home field,” comment Shearer after the game.
With this win, the Knights now sit atop the Continental conference alongside Central Bucks West. “It’s a great win…5-0 in the league North Penn and 5-0 league C.B. West, hopefully we’ll have a great game next Friday night,” concluded Beck.
