Win to see another day and claim a district championship, lose and find a four-month season, and for some a four-year career, come to an end.
The North Penn Knights and Downingtown West Whippets are set to face off in the district championship on Friday, Nov. 21; here’s what you need to know.
The Knights come into this game hot off of a big win over Central Bucks South and are looking for their 8th district title, all of the previous 7 coming under current head coach Dick Beck. Their last came eight years ago in 2016 when they defeated Garnett Valley 48-38. As of last week, North Penn is the only SOL team remaining in the PIAA District 1 tournament.
Junior running back and defensive back Matt Pownall has been a big part of North Penn’s run so far. In the playoffs, he’s had at least 197 all-purpose yards in each game and added 4 touchdowns and an interception.
“[We’re] definitely still very excited coming off of last week’s win against a great CB South team. The emotions are high and all we can do is continue to do our jobs,” Pownall said.
The Knights’ have had a strong playoff showing thus far, scoring an average of 24.6 points per game and giving up an average of 18 in their 3 playoff games. The North Penn defense also hasn’t given up more than 21 points in a single game except for Week One where they gave up 25 to Downingtown East.
“What’s been working for us so far is getting turnovers. They’re a huge momentum shift and give the offense the boost to go score. Our offense and passing game have been great. Props to the line[men] for helping move the ball and set up the passing game. The defense and offense gel so well together and continue to mark plays on both sides of the ball,” Pownall said.
This season has been a huge turnaround for North Penn following their second-worst year under coach Beck last year, where they went 6-5, and Pownall clearly recognizes that. The Knights have come a long way from their combined 12-11 record in 2022 and ‘23 to nearly matching their win total with their 11-2 record this year.
“Definitely a huge difference from last year. It all started during the off-season and the work we have put in. We continue to believe in each other and trust that we belong here,” Pownall said.
Downingtown West enters the district championship for the second straight year, trying to avenge their 27-7 loss to CB South in last year’s matchup. Their last and only district title came in 2019 when they defeated Coatesville 48-36 and defeated North Penn in the quarterfinals of that same year; the most recent playoff meeting of the two teams.
The Whippets own a 12-1 record this year, averaging 28 points per game and giving up an average of 13. They’re shining brighter under higher pressure, putting up an average of 32.3 points, but also giving up 17 on average across their playoff games.
The offense North Penn will be facing is led by junior quarterback Cole Bricker, senior runningback Spencer Dunn, and junior wide receiver JD Weller. Bricker, who’s thrown for 1,416 yards and 22 touchdowns this year while only tallying four interceptions, is a first-year starter. Dunn has put up 701 yards for 4 touchdowns while Weller has caught 37 passes for 9 touchdowns. The Whippets have rushed for, on average, over 200 yards a game and thrown for 108 a game.
Downingtown West hasn’t lost since they were beaten by Class 4A Bishop Shanahan in Week Eight, and most recently topped Central Bucks 28-23 in their semifinal game.
This matchup is set to be another great game with high stakes for both teams. The winner will be crowned the district champion and play the winner of the St. Joseph’s Prep/Parkland game in the PIAA semifinals, tentatively set for Nov. 29 at a site and time to be determined.