“You guys earned it, we had a couple of tough breaks tonight but we worked through them and won,” Neshaminy Head Coach Michael Frederick said to his team after their win against Abington on Sept. 19. The final score was Neshaminy 21, Abington 18, and although the score was close, Neshaminy remained in control the entire game.
The first touchdown of the game came shortly after Abington received the opening kickoff. Abington quarterback David Kretschman completed a 15-yard pass to Daron Boone. This would be the only time in the game when Abington was ahead of Neshaminy.
In less than half the time it took for Abington to work the ball downfield, Neshaminy running back D’Andre Pollard was able to string together a series of successful running plays that ended in an incredible 35-yard touchdown. Abington, looking to answer right back, would turnover the ball when Neshaminy cornerback Boniface Stevens intercepted a pass attempt. Stevens ran the ball back for a touchdown. The score was Neshaminy 14, Abington 7 at the end of the first quarter.
After switching sides the Abington offense was effectively neutralized by the Neshaminy defense. The only successful moments came when running back Juawine Sowell had the ball handed off to him, but short running gains were not enough to jump-start the Abington offense. Forced to punt to Neshaminy late in the second quarter, Neshaminy was able to capitalize on multiple defensive blunders by Abington.
Flagged for off-sides and underestimating Neshaminy’s sophomore quarterback Mason Jones, the Abington defense gave too much room to Jones by focusing on Pollard. Neshaminy’s third drive of the game culminated in a touchdown on a running play to senior Dan Dogba on second and goal.
Abington was just able to squeeze in a field goal before the end of the half, ending the first half of the game Neshaminy 21, Abington 10. The third quarter started and ended uneventfully. The rest of the game became a stalemate, save for the late fourth quarter touchdown and two-point conversion by Abington, the game became a back and fort defensive battle.
“Tonight was one of those games where we just had to come out and play the best we could and we did,” Pollard said. At the end of the game the score was Neshaminy 21, Abington 18. Frederick is truly changing the way Neshaminy football is played. Creating a better, well-rounded team by focusing on the passing game more and more, will eventually help Neshaminy become a major contender. This upcoming Friday Neshaminy will be away at Pennridge, who is just coming off a 47 to 22 loss against North Penn.
