It was a cool and breezy night at Poppy Yoder Field, as the Pennridge Rams hosted the Bensalem Owls. The Rams won the coin toss and choose to receive the ball, the Rams started the drive on their own thirty-five yard line. Coach Randy Cuthbert only called three plays on the first drive calling senior Brandon Cope’s number the entire drive, as Cope sprinted for a thirty-four yard touchdown. Senior kicker Dan Caya hit the extra point to give Pennridge a 7 to 0 lead.
To begin the second quarter the Rams found themselves driving the ball down the field, as they capped off the long drive with a ten yard touchdown run from senior running back Jesse Knepp, kicker Dan Caya once again was able to put it through the uprights to give Pennridge a 14 to 0 lead. Bensalem though was not going to give up without a fight, as starting quarterback #3 Briscoe was able to throw a sixty-five yard bomb for a touchdown. Bensalem made the two-point conversion to make it Pennridge 14 and Bensalem 8. Pennridge didn’t find much success throwing the ball as they did in the first game, but tonight the running game really came to life. The Rams were able to answer Bensalem’s touchdown with one of their own, as Jesse Knepp darted for a thirty-five yard touchdown. This time Pennridge tried for the two-point conversion and failed, with a few minutes left in the first half the score was Pennridge 20 and Bensalem 8. Pennridge though wasn’t satisfied with this lead, so they were able to drive it down the field and end it with a six yard touchdown by Jesse Knepp, kicker Caya made the extra point to give Pennridge a 27 to 8 lead at halftime.
To begin the third quarter Bensalem was a totally different team with a new attitude. Quarterback Briscoe drove his team down the field, and drove it in for a two yard touchdown, and were able to get the two-point conversion to make the score Pennridge 27 and Bensalem 16. Bensalem was able to force a three and out, and were able to get the ball back with only two minutes left in the third quarter. This time Bensalem drove the ball down the field on the legs of running back #4 Christian Fernandez, as he drove it in from five yards out and again Bensalem got the two-point conversion. Making the score Pennridge 27 and Bensalem 24 going into the fourth quarter.
It was a very quiet fourth quarter as neither defense would give up and allow the opposing teams offense to score. To seal the victory though linebacker #44 Mackenzie Crawford intercepted Briscoe and returned it for a fourteen yard touchdown. A very scary moment happened in the final minutes of the game as Brandon Cope was helped off the field, on the play before his head smacked very hard on the ground, and left the game with a concussion.
Brandon Cope showed off some great moves on the opening drive as Pennridge ran three plays all to him and he was able to score from thirty-four yards out. Cope and Knepp were both able to rush for over 100 yards, with Knepp scoring three touchdowns and Cope had one. Cope though is the heart and soul of this team and shows great leadership on the field, and leads one of the nastiest defenses ever.
Next week the 2-0 Rams will travel to face the Council Rock Golden Eagles.
