Pennsbury wins first outright league title since 1993 27-20

Coming into the annual Neshaminy–Pennsbury football game, there were a lot of similarities between the two teams.

Both had identical 8-1 records, both having Abington as their only loss, both tied atop the Suburban One National Conference and both tied with Downingtown West for third place in the District One AAAA Football Playoff Rankings.

But in the end, Pennsbury needed a one yard overtime touchdown run from Quarterback Brandon Pepper, his third one yard touchdown run of the game and a deflected pass by Eric Williams on fourth and goal in Neshaminy’s overtime period to garner a 27-20 win in the storied rivalry Friday Night played in Fairless Hills.

With the win, Pennsbury (9-1 overall, 6-1 SOL National) claims their first outright league championship since 1993 and most likely the second seed in the upcoming District One AAAA Playoffs.

This is the biggest win since the “06 State Championship game,” said Falcon Coach Galen Snyder. “It’s always a battle with them. Last year we lost 16-13 over there and it was a long walk back to the buses, but this year the kids rose up,” he added.

“This feels good,” said Pepper (18 carries 102 yards and the three touchdowns). “When they made their comeback in the fourth quarter, we didn’t panic. We knew we could run on these guys.” Pennsbury finished with 246 yards rushing from their Wing-T attack.

Neshaminy (8-2 overall, 5-2 SOL National) trailed 20-7 entering the fourth quarter but staged a comeback and almost pulled the game out in regulation.

Brain Dean (14 carries 38 yards) scored on a five yard touchdown run with 9:00 minutes left in the game to cut the Falcon lead to 20-14. Following a three and out by Pennsbury, Neshaminy started with the ball on their 15 yard line and needed just one play, a 85 yard fly and bomb from Brian Titus to Ricky Williams to tie the game at 20 with 6:27 left in regulation.  Placekicker Ricky Domico then had his extra point attempt partically blocked and the score remained 20-20.

After three three and outs, the Redskins took over one last time in regulation and almost stole another win from the Falcons.

Starting on the Falcon 49 and two incomplete passes later, Redskin coach Mark Schmidt went to the last page in the playbook and pulled out the old Hook and Lateral play and the kids ran it to perfection. Charlie Martarella hit Rick Brebner for the seven yard hook pattern and Brebner lateraled to a trailing Ricky Williams who took it an additional 14 yards down to the Falcon 28. A couple of incomplete passes and a 10 yard run by Corey Majors (7 carries 34 yards) set the ball up on the Falcon 18. Three more incomplete passes later and Domico lined up for a 35 yard field goal to win the game. Domico, who got a high snap on a field goal attempt in the first quarter once again recieved a high snap but this time got the kick away and it was just short, sending the game into overtime.

“The deciding factor in the game was we scored in overtime and they didn’t,” said Snyder.

Both teams will now await to see who they will play in the first round of the District One AAAA Playoffs. Pennsbury will be home until the District Championship unless top seeded North Penn looses along the way, while Neshaminy will wait to see if they get a home game or will travel in the first round.