DOYLESTOWN – After a 0-3 start to the season where the Knights were outscored 118-16, many of the Knights’ faithful voiced concerns that the team was going to have another rough year and not make the playoffs for the second consecutive season. Those worries were erased on Friday, as the North Penn Knights destroyed the conference undefeated Central Buck West Bucks by a score of 50-14.
The high powered Knight offense got on the board first with a 25 yard touchdown run by Justin Hudimac after North Penn’s Zach Brandis intercepted the Buck’s second offensive drive. The Bucks quickly responded and broke an 80 yard long run to tie the score at 7-7. On the next series, the Knight’s running game utilized all weapons with Luke Berry, Nyfease West, Lewis Dickinson and Hudimac all getting touches. West’s 23 yard run gave the Knights a 14-7 lead. The Knight’s passing game was also a factor with Nick Wright’s 53 yard reception setting up Shearer’s 9 yard touchdown run to give the Knights a 21-7 first quarter lead. The Bucks got back on the board to close the gap to 21-14 early in the 2nd quarter.
From there, the hard hitting Knight defense stopped the Bucks in their tracks. Spurred on by a North Penn student section dressed in Buck hunting camouflage, the Knights played with a fierce determination and showed no mercy in pounding the frustrated Bucks for the remainder of the first half. Touchdown passes to Wright and Hudimac and a touchdown run by West gave the Knights a resounding 43-14 halftime lead.
As has been the pattern for the Knights over the last few games, these touchdowns were made possible by some risky play calling and not taking easy 3 pointers. When asked why, Coach Beck responded “I want them to know that we believe in them and that we believe they’re going to make the plays we need them to make.”
Aided by a unsportsmanship call as the first half ended, the Knights were able to take the ball down the field on the first series and score on a 17 yard run by West to make the score 50-14. With the mercy rule in effect, the Knights and Bucks heavily substituted their players and traded field position for the rest of the game.
The Knight’s 50-14 win is their sixth straight victory and gives them at least a share of the SOL Continential title.
“Austin Shearer really played a great game. The offensive line came off the ball…it was just a total team effort,” stated Beck.
North Penn’s newest threat, Justin Hudimac, made his mark last week against Pennridge and continued his momentum into Friday night’s game. “Justin Hudimac has just become another weapon – he’s so explosive,” commented Beck.
The Knight’s work isn’t over as they return home to face the Souderton Indians (2-4) who have just come off of a win against Hatboro-Horsham.
“We’re going to go back to work next week and practice hard and take one game at a time and hopefully win next week,” concluded Hudimac.