Neshaminy Pounds Its Way to District 1 Final

Langhorne, Pa., The Neshaminy Redskins used a ground and pound offense controlling the line of scrimmage and the running of Tailback Anthony Woodroffe enabled the Skins to dominate in a 33-7 victory over the Bayard Rustin Golden Knights in last night’s District 1, AAAA semifinal at Neshaminy’s Harry Franks stadium.

Both teams came into the contest with 11-1 records and from the outset Neshaminy coach Mark Schmidt’s plan was to rotate his three headed monster running attack of Woodroffe, Corey Majors and Sean Ulmer and it worked to perfection all night long. On the Skins second possession they used a 12 play, 50 yard, seven minute drive (Woodroffe accounted for 45 of those yards) ending with Majors one yard touchdown run. After a Rustin three and out Neshaminy only needed eight plays with Majors scoring again this time from the two yard line and a 14-0 lead they took into the locker room at halftime.

Neshaminy took the second half kickoff and again generated another time consuming six minute drive going 74 yards and culminating with a Quarterback Charlie Marterella 14 yard touchdown pass to Dwight Williams.  On the Skins next possession Marterella went to the air again connecting on a 60 yard toss to Ulmer setting up another Majors 2 yard TD and a 27-0 lead. They put an exclamation point on the victory with Woodroffe’s 55 yard touchdown run.

“Our defensive game plan was to try to eliminate the big play strike offense Rustin has used a lot this year, especially with their number 18 (Rustin WR star Anthony Nash)” quipped Schmidt. I was very proud of the way the defense adjusted to him and their entire offensive attack” Rustin has averaged over 300 yards and 33 points per game but the Skins held their big play offense to only 210 yards in this one.

It was also a heartwarming playoff for the Skins faithful. The entire program has dedicated the season to the recovery of a lymphoma condition that Senior RB Marco Dapkey has had to endure. Dapkey was all over the Skin sideline coaching up the defense and looked like he could put the pads on and play. Schmidt, in a solemn moment was very realistic about this year’s team. “I wasn’t sure how the guys would respond this year especially with what Marco has had to overcome. His passion out there absolutely energized this entire team game in and game out”

Neshaminy now heads toward a showdown with North Penn (a 28-14 winner over CR South) and the District 1 crown. Knowing Dapkey he’ll no doubt be the 12^th man on the field in that one.