Knights headed back home after defeat of Cougars
DOWNINGTOWN-To say that the North Penn Knights football team was out for blood Friday night would be an understatement. After having a victory swiped away on a last second penalty the first time these two teams met, the Knights were looking for revenge against the Downingtown East Cougars. Despite some sloppy play, the Knights were able to get it done, winning 27-14.
The Knights jumped out to an early lead on Nick Isabella’s 44 yard touchdown run. Isabella carried the ball 9 times for 56 yards before an injury knocked him out in the second half. However his contributions on defense may have been even more valuable, acting as the leader of a North Penn defense that held the potent East offense to a mere 270 of total offense as well as forcing three turnovers.
The Knights came up with a slew of key stops in the first quarter and were able to keep things rolling on offense. with 3:51 remaining in the first, Reece Udinski found Owen Thomas and 27 yards later, the Knights were up 13-0. After having his worst game of the season the first time these two teams met, Udinski had his best night of the season this time around, hitting 11 of 17 passes for 255 yards and 2 touchdowns.
“Reece Played great, tonight, he was awesome. He makes some great plays and opens up the running game for us” said receiver Ricky Johns of his quarterback. The Cougars had no answers for Johns, as he hauled in 7 receptions for 173 yards.
The Knights picked up right where the left off in the second quarter, and with 7:23 to go in the half Nyfese West was able to barrel his way into the end zone. In a night dominated by North Penn’s offense, West was perhaps the most dominant . West had 34 carries for 244 yards and a touchdown on the night.
“Our line was it tonight, I’ll tell you that. Our (offensive) line has been working their butts off in practice and they were firing off the ball tonight,” West said after the game. “We really wanted payback, we really wanted to beat these guys tonight.”
A minute after West was able to find the end zone and when it seemed to be panic time for the Downingtown East faithful, Saunders Healey was able to find Jeremy Jenning for a 61 yard touchdown. Healey was the main offensive contributor for East, throwing for 207 of the Cougars 270 total yards.
Downingtown seemed to be gaining the momentum heading into the halftime locker room, however Justin Ostopowicz had other ideas. With 34 seconds remaining in the half, Udinski found Ostopowicz for an 8 yard hookup and a touchdown.
The second half was dominated by defense. Downingtown found the end zone once more in the third quarter, but that would be all. the tenacious North Penn defense was able to shut the Cougars down almost entirely in the second half, and were able to turn the ball over twice.
The Knights were able to contain Downingtown’s best player Cary Angeline, only allowing him four receptions for 110 yards. On Angeline’s longest reception of the night, Tyler Gillett was able to punch the ball out of his hands at the North Penn 10 yard line and recover the loose ball.
“To have the production we had on defense tonight felt great, you know we really wanted to beat them here tonight and we played tough (defense) to be able to do that,” added senior defensive end Keith Earle. Earle was an invaluable part of the Knights defense and seemed to be in the backfield on every play, containing a substantial running threat in Saunders Healey, allowing him no yards on the ground.
“We’re really proud of this team, they’ve come a long way. It hasn’t been great all year long but right now I think we’re peaking so I hope we this can continue.” said an elated Coach Dick Beck after the game.
The Knights look to keep the playoff run alive next week as they return to Crawford Stadium on Friday night at 7pm for a semifinal match up against the Redskins of Neshaminy.