For most of the 2009 High School Football Season North Penn and Ridley were ranked Numbers One and Two in the District One AAAA High School Football Ratings.
After a Week 9 loss to Garnet Valley dropped the Green Raiders down to number 7, not to many people gave Ridley much of a chance to even get to the finals.
But with the way the 16 team tournament played out, here were the two teams ranked 1-2 for most of the season–North Penn and Ridley playing for the District One AAAA Championship, the fourth time in the last eight years they have met in the playoffs.
Ridley’s defense forced three North Penn turnovers and held the Knights in check in a stunning 19-10 victory Friday night before 6,000 fans at Coatesville’s Multi-Purpose Stadium.
“I’ve said all along Ralph Batty is the best defensive co-ordinator in District One and maybe even the state,” said a very drenched Dennis Decker.”I told the kids that they were going to have to smack them in the mouth before they smack you.”
And smack they did!!
Linebacker Sam Dixon-Dugan put on a smack down clinic all game that included probably the biggest and best hit of the season for Ridley.
Trailing for the first time all year at halftime 13-10, North Penn took the second half kickoff and drove down to the Green Raider 6 yard line. On fourth and one from the six, North Penn runningback Craig Needhammer was completely stopped behind the line of scrimmage by Dixon-Dugan as he shot the gap and stopped the North Penn drive. Needhammer was held to 36 yards on eight carries by the Green Raider defense.
“We just keep doing what Coach Batty tells us to do,” said Dixon-Dugan. “We all kept pushing and we all believed in each other. ”
“Holding a team like North Penn to 10 points is a tribute to Ralph Batty,’ Decker added.
North Penn, who finishes the season at 13-1, opened the scoring with 6:11 left in the first quarter on a 32 yard field goal by Dylan Harris. The play was set up by a 65 yard run by Brandon Mercer that put the ball on the Green Raider 15 yard line.
It seemed that was going to be the halftime score until a flurry of activity in the last 2:59 set the tone for the second half.
Ridley, also now 13-1, took a 6-3 lead when Colin Masterson hit Norm Donkin on a 26 yard pass that capped a 42 yard 4 play drive. Masterson finished the night 8-15 for 101 yards.
North Penn then went to the last page in the playbook and pulled out a play left in there by the previous coach. Faced with a fourth and two on the Green Raider 31, Needhammer took the direct snap, bent over, Quarterback Todd Smolinsky faked the quarterback draw and Needhammer found Dom Taggert in the endzone for the 31 yard touchdown with just 39 seconds before halftime for a 10-6 lead.
That lead was short lived as Alex Nicolino, who also put on a hit clinic on when he was on defense took the ensuing kickoff and went 93 yards for a touchdown as Ridley regained a 13-10 lead.
“I told the kids if we played a good first half, good things will happen in the second half,” said Decker. “I felt we played ok in the first half. There were some opportunities we didn’t capitalize on. ”
Ridley then put the game away in the fourth quarter as Shahaid Smith went over form the three with 8:13 to play in the game that ended a 29 yard seven play drive all on the ground. Smith ended the night with 80 yards on 22 carries.
With the win Ridley now plays the winner of LaSalle–Easton next week in state semi-final round at a site to be determined.
38 Responses
Looks like the Philadephia Catholic League is good. Two in championship last and 1st season in PIAA (3A & 2A) and in semis in all classes this season. Go Catholic League…
Prediction:
Ridley 26
LaSalle 13
LaSalle has a few key players at wideout and there quarterback is solid and there best runner, unfortunately the only runner and Ridley will spy the QB and do DE containments. Worst thing about Ridley is there kicking game. At least 1-2 missed extra points and don’t hold your breath on a field goal. All in all, it should be a solid game and the weather is playing out to be a non factor other then being cold, but hey, it’s December. Go GREEN!
Ridley should win, even if they have half the intensity they had with NP. Us NP fans are used to going that far & farther. We had Hershey on the mind this year. Maybe too soon. Not bragging, but we are probably the most successful District one program in the last 10 years. We’re a little spoiled. Neshaminy used to be our nemisis, now it’s Ridley. To NPKNIGHTFOOTBALL: I assume you are part of the coaching staff. 10 years ago you took a district 1 doormat & made them a state powerhouse. Kudos. Us NP fans are lovin’ it!!!!
To NPKNIGHTFOOTBALL
Well put and you need to give ur guys alot of credit for going that far. Both teams played a great game. Defense wins games and fundalmental play also is a big part, as for the injury’s yes that part of any game around. Both Teams showed alot, NP nice fake wonderful play faked all in the stands Ridley never seen it, but on the other side Ridley Ran ok against you. But still a very nice game by both sides, one advantage Ridley has is their quickness on Defense..and how they move left and right to the ball. They will give Lasalle a good game as well as if NP was there both would have.
My predicting a LaSalle victory is just wishful thinking. I doubt it will happen. Injuries are usually the result of hard hitting from the opposition. And I beg to differ. Injuries not only changed the flow of the game, but very probably the outcome. But like you said, it’s part of the game. You’re showing good sportsmanship and giving credit where credit is due Beck. That’s admirable. Us NP fans are taking it harder then the staff.
Like NPKnight and Blue Boy’s comments- Ridley’s Dixon-Dougan has been playing with bad knee- Following 14 games- Lots of people are banged-up! If LaSalle is one dimensional- Cud be in trouble- Ridly is good at taking away what team does best………
Agree with NPKnightFootball- After 13 games everyone is nicked- Ridley’s Nicolino, Donkin and Shaw were all limping- Np was also flagged for Chop blocking (unfortunately nature of game) Ridley won game by “Physically Beating” NP and dominating line of scrimmage, particularly late-with a 155lb running back- Have never seen LaSalle- Any objective viewpoints?
For all of you folks out there that are predicting a big win by Lasalle on Saturday you better rethink your analysis. A week ago I was counting down the days to Hershey until the upset I saw my squad receive on Friday night. Ridley is no doubt quick and tough as nails especially on D. Yes, the injuries may have changed the flow of the game but there’s no question that the outcome would not have been different. Injuries are just nature of the game and quite frankly, most were the result of Ridley’s hard hitting. Ridley is more than capable of blanketing Lasalle’s receivers in pass coverage as they did on Friday to NP and seem to be loaded at the skilled positions. I would think Lasalle’s bread and butter passing game plays into the hands of Ridley’s personnel and defensive scheme anyhow. From what I’ve seen of Lasalle this year they’re big, slow and soft. Lasalle fans stop being so subjective and discontinue the underestimation(as I did)of Ridley’s toughness and skill because that’s exactly what they want.
“footballfan”: He meant North Penn was #1 in the District ( actually, in the entire East). He was right. Also, half the State wide polls had Bishop Mcdevitt Harrisburg #1, the other half had North Penn #1 ( including the Pittsburg media). So Ridley did indeed beat the #1 team.
north penn was the #2 team in the state clark bishop mcdevitt was the # 1 team. all you ridley fans yea they have a good defense and speed but guess what lasalle is quicker and they have a better defense. its going to be a long day ridley
LaSalle:35 Ridley:9 . Only kidding. I have no idea. How’s Ridley’s pass defense? That’s what they’ll need against LaSalle. One of the best QB’s in the state. NP would have blitzed him. Probably what Ridley needs to do. Their receivers are good. QB is very mobile.
Garnet Valley 20 Ridley 14
LETS GO RIDLEY. YOU BEAT THE # 1 TEAM ON FRIDAY NIGHT AND NOW LETS BEAT THE NEXT TEAM AND MOVE ON TO STATES. IT SHOULD BE A GOOD ONE. IM GOING TO SAY THE SCORE WILL BE RIDLEY 23 AND LASALLE 17. MAY THE BEST TEAM WIN. “GOOD LUCK”