TOWAMENCIN-  The German Philosopher Albert Schweitzer once said “One who gains strength by overcoming obstacles possesses the only strength which can overcome adversity.”  The Knights faced arguably their biggest obstacle of the season tonight in terms of talent on the opposite sideline. Physically outmatched against a tough opponent, the North Penn Knights fell Friday night to Archbishop Wood 42-7. Rounding out three games against out-of-conference teams, the Knights finish 1-2 going into their regular conference schedule, with questions facing the defense and the Quarterback position. However, the Knights showed glimpses of a rugged and tenacious running game in the face of a hulking Wood defense.

Leading the rushing attack for North Penn were Juniors Nick Isabella (7 carries, 52 yards) and Junior Nyfease West (22 carries, 58 yards, TD) who, despite entering the game with an ankle injury, scored the only touchdown in the game for the Knights. Junior Quarterback Jake Bevan was 4-7 passing for 55 yards, while Senior Anthony Cameron showed offensive versatility, catching three passes for 28 yards and rushing once for 32 yards. Pacing Archbishop Wood were Quarterback Anthony Russo (6-12, 81 yards passing), Fullback Alex Arcangeli (12 carries, 99 yards, 3 TD) and Jarrett McClenton (16 carries, 187 yards, 2 TD).

The scoring for Archbishop Wood started strong and it started fast. Eight minutes into the first half, Wood had racked up two touchdowns, coming off of 23 yard and 11 yard rushes by Alex Arcangeli. By the end of the first half, both McClenton and Arcangeli had scored in the second quarter, and a missed field goal by North Penn Senior Matt Amendola left North Penn down 28-0 at the end of the first half.

The Knights came out of the break hitting the ground running, literally, building up steam behind a 32 yard carry by Isabella and a 31 yard carry by Cameron, ultimately ending with West scampering into the endzone for the only home points of the night, making the score 28-7. Wood crushed the Knights momentum, however, driving down the field, with McClenton running into the endzone from the Knights own ten yard line to make the score 35-7. After North Penn turned the ball over on fourth down, McClenton burned the Knights for a 53 yard run, setting up the final score of the game by Arcangeli, and the final score of 42-7.

Inconsistency has become a theme for North Penn over the last two games, and their defense showed a lack of ability to contain Wood’s offense on a down-to-down basis. Plagued by turnovers and offensive inconsistency, North Penn had two fumbles and three turnovers, coming from a muffed kick, a wild punt, and an interception. North Penn also failed to convert on their drives, ending three different sequences with an interception, a punt, and a missed field goal. One of the contributing factors in the lack of offensive continuity may be the uncertainty at the quarterback position, as North Penn has split time between two quarterbacks over the course of the last three games. Spencer Jones has started all three contests, but fellow Junior Jake Bevan has made the decision tough on the coaching staff with his level of play, and his performance Friday should make it no easier. Coach Dick Beck expects a decision Monday, but admitted the Knights may continue the season splitting time between signal callers.

“We may continue to do that,” said Beck. “We’re going to make a decision on Monday. I think we have to play better defense.”

Despite the lopsided score, there were a few bright spots that came out of the loss. The rushing attack for the Knights was potent, with the explosive speed of West and the powerful running of Isabella operating very well at times behind an offensive line the features five Seniors: Tackles Andrew Thomas and Frank Tranzilli, Guards Mark Buchalter and Nick Argento, and Center Ryan Nowicki. The two headed rushing attack is one of the aspects of the team that Beck considers a strength.

“Hopefully we can run the ball, (with) Nyfease on the ground,” said Beck. “I think Nyfease and Isabella are our two biggest strengths. I think we are prepared to play against good teams.”

Archbishop wood is ranked number one in the state in the Class AAA division and eleventh in the nation by MaxPreps.com. Despite their clout and pedigree, and despite  the monstrous Wood defense led by Senior captains and Penn State signees Jake Cooper and Ryan Bates, the Knights never showed fear in the face of adversity. After muffing a kick off in the second quarter, the North Penn defense forced a turnover-on-downs with a sack, a tackle for loss, another sack, and a deflected pass. When the ensuing offensive sequence ended in a North Penn thrown interception, the defense came onto the field again, this time forcing and recovering a fumble by Archbishop Wood. While it may not have been maintained over the entire course of the game, these flashes of mental toughness and rugged mentality show the kind of team that the Knights would like to be.

The Knights begin play in the newly aligned Suburban One National Conference next Friday at home against Pennridge at 7:30pm.