GAME NINE
GAME NINE
GAME NINE

          Knights too much for Rams

By Andrew Marcus
Sportswriter

TOWAMENCIN – Something had to give on Friday night in a matchup featuring the North Penn football team’s electric offense against Pennridge’s stout defense. Call it the mystique of the Knights, or the reputation they have built up over the years, but they were able to take the Rams' away from the style that has helped hold their opponents to a mere 13 points per game.

The Knights will take the mental edge they may have, but they know it is the players' production and execution that led to the 41-8 win over the Rams and their third straight Suburban One Continental Conference championship.

It not only is three consecutive titles, but three straight years without a loss in the league. The seniors that have been a part of that dominance were recognized prior to the game for Senior Night, then demonstrated why their record is so flawless with their actions on the field.

“That is what we start with,” Knights’ coach Dick Beck said in reference to winning the league. “We strive for a league title and go from there. Now we have that under our belt.”

The seniors jump-starting the Knights in their regular season finale were the usual suspects. Senior Dom Taggart scored on a 27-yard pass from Corey Ernst in the first two minutes. Taggart led the team in rushing and receiving as he accumulated 191 total yards and three scores. The quick strike took the Rams immediately away from their game plan.

“Last week Central Bucks South scored early and we bounced back from that,” Rams’ senior Kyle McCabe said. “We just were not having luck today.”

In the early minutes of the second quarter senior Craig Needhammer increased the Knights' lead to 14-0 and put himself into the record books. His 42nd rushing touchdown of his career, this one from seven yards out, made him the school’s all-time leader in touchdowns and points scored, taking both records from Pete Stoll, who graduated in 2006.

“I was not aware of the record and I am sure he was not either,” Beck said. “He probably does not care much because he just wants to win. He has been super-productive. He is a good football player, but a better kid.”

It proves coach Beck knows his players because Needhammer reiterated the stats are special, but the wins will define his successful career. While Needhammer finished with 73 yards on the ground, the play of his teammates has him excited for what lies ahead in his last games as the Knights’ starting tailback.

“I keep the numbers in the back of mind,” Needhammer said. “It is surreal, but all I want to do is win. I am excited for the playoffs. We are playing good football right now and we are ready for any opponent.”

In addition to Needhammer and Taggart’s production, quarterback Corey Ernst took his game to the next level as he completed 10 of 12 passes for 187 yards and three scores. The Knights' ability to move the chains tired out the Rams' defense and kept the offense on the sideline. The Knights' offense was on the field for 26 minutes, 47 seconds. The Rams had only three of their eight possessions on offense last longer than three minutes.

“Give North Penn credit,” Rams’ coach Randy Cuthbert said. “They are probably the best offensive line we have seen.”

The Rams may not have held possession for an extended amount of time, but the last four minutes, 24 seconds of the game senior Jesse Knepp snapped the shutout with a run from one yard out. Knepp finished with 190 of the Rams' 222 total yards of offense.

While the Knights await to hear who they have in the first round of the District One playoffs, the Rams will spend the week preparing for a non-league tune up against Archbishop Ryan before their annual season finale with Quakertown on Thanksgiving.

“We prepare for every game like it’s against a North Penn,” McCabe said. “We’ll get ready for Ryan and play like it’s our last.”
GAME SUMMARY
Pennridge              0   0   0   8 – 8

North Penn            7  20   7  7 – 41


NP – Taggart 27 yard pass from Ernst (Mandes kick)

NP – Needhammer seven yard run (Mandes kick)

NP – Wendowski seven yard pass from Ernst (Mandes kick)

NP – Taggart 35 yard pass from Ernst (kick failed)

NP – Taggart 50 yard run (Mandes kick)

NP – Moran 25 yard pass from Berstecher (Smink kick)

P – Knepp one yard run (Knepp conversion)

TEAM STATISCTICS

                                  Pennridge    North Penn

First downs                          11               24

Rushing yards                     186             228

Passing yards                       36             223

Total yards                          222             451

Passing                             1-12-0       13-15-0

Fumbles-lost                       0-0              0-0

Penalties-yards                     5-35          7-55

Punts-avg.                            4-33          1-38

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING

Pennridge –Knepp 17-154, TD; C. Peters 5-34; Cope 4-10; Marrero 2-4; K. Peters 5- (-6).

North Penn – Taggart 11-93, TD; Needhammer 10-73, TD; Tilger 6-27; Mercer 5-22; Mayfield 4-11; Ernst 1-2.

PASSING

Pennridge – K. Peters 1-10-0, 36; Krvida 0-2-0, 0.

North Penn – Ernst 10-12-0, 187, 3 TD; Berstecher 2-2-0, 36, TD; Needhammer 1-1-0, 6.

RECEIVING

Pennridge – Knepp 1-36.

North Penn – Taggart 5-98, 2 TD; Wendowski 3-25, TD; Mercer 2-51; Moran 2-36, TD; Gevritz 1-15; Needhammer 1-7.

INTERCEPTIONS

Pennridge – none

North Penn - none

SACKS

Pennridge – none