The District One Class AAAA quarterfinals ended Friday night in a Neshaminy victory, the score, Neshaminy 56, Spring-Ford 27. The Neshaminy defensive unit certainly showed up to play, forcing a total of six turnovers. Neshaminy is now the highest seeded team remaining in the district playoffs.
Working their way down field, junior running back D’Andre Pollard, and senior running back Denny Lord outdid the Spring-Ford defense. Lord would bulldoze his way into the end zone on a short rushing touchdown, the point after would be blocked. The first quarter would Neshaminy 6, Spring-Ford 0.
The beginning of the second quarter would mark the only time Spring-Ford had the upper hand over Neshaminy. After receiving the kickoff at the end of the first, the Rams conversed on fourth down, it paid off. Junior quarter back Matt Daywalt completed a 12 yard pass to senior wide receiver Gary Hopkins, the point after was good.
Neshaminy’s next possession would be short lived, as they fumbled it on their own 28 yard line, Spring-Ford would capitalize. Senior running back Jarred Jones ran for a 28 yard touchdown, the point after went through the uprights making the score Spring-Ford 14, Neshaminy 6. After the kickoff, senior quarter back Tyler Wombough threw an interception directly into the arms of a Spring-Ford defensive back.
“I was watching the quarter back, the ball went up, the receiver tipped it to me and I was on top of it,” said senior defensive back Devon Brown on intercepting Daywalt’s first pass immediately after the turnover. Following the two consecutive turnovers, Pollard would go to work, scoring on an eight yard run. Head coach Mark Schmidt would keep the offense on the field for a two point conversion, a successful pass from Wombough to senior tight end Luke Carrezola would bring the score to an even Neshaminy 14, Spring-Ford 14.
On the kick return, the Spring-Ford kick returner fumbled the catch; Brown would recover it putting Neshaminy deep in Spring-Ford territory. Neshaminy would not waste the opportunity to jump ahead. Pollard’s three yard run put Neshaminy in the lead by a touchdown. The second quarter would end Neshaminy 21, Spring Ford 14.
The beginning of the second half would start with Spring-Ford having possession, and shortly thereafter punting. On their next possession, sophomore defensive back Denzel Hughes would intercept a pass. Wombough, after completing 45 yard pass to sophomore wide receiver Hamiid Pack, would hand the ball off to Pollard for a 10 yard rushing touchdown.
Yet again, Spring-Ford would turn over the ball on the next drive; senior line backer Trokon Buesmail recovered the fumble bringing the ball to midfield. Pollard would eventually run the ball into the end zone for a 31 yard rushing touchdown. On the next possession Daywalt would complete a nine yard touchdown pass to senior tight end Tyliek Freeman, however the point after would miss wide right.
The third quarter would end Neshaminy 35, Spring-Ford 20. The third quarter would be the nail-in-the-coffin for Spring-Ford. Working their way downfield the Neshaminy offensive unit dominated at the beginning of the third quarter. Senior full back Blake Sullivan cleared his own path on a 20 yard touchdown run.
“When Devon got that interception I knew we had it,” said Wombough. The highlight of the game would happen on Spring-Ford’s first drive of the third quarter. Brown would yet again intercept a pass, this time, returning it for a 50 yard touchdown.
The Spring-Ford Rams morale clearly took a hard blow; the next drive would be a repeat. Junior defensive back Matt Magdelinskas intercepted the ball and returned it for a 35 yard touchdown. Showing great determination, Jones would run the ball 35 yard into the end zone.
However, the fourth quarter was nearly over, too late to stage a comeback. Neshaminy would take no chance; Schmidt sent in the reserves and ran the clock out. The game ended Neshaminy 56, Spring-Ford 27.
“Tonight I am really proud of everybody, Tyler did a great job tonight,” Schmidt said. Neshaminy will be playing the Abington Galloping Ghosts on Nov. 22, Neshaminy beat the Ghosts during the regular season 31 to 14, however this is the playoffs and anything can happen.
