I'm not sure if it was all the sugar from Halloween candy, or the possibility of an undefeated season, but the crowd at tonight's match-up between the North Penn Knights (9-0 entering the game) and Central Bucks West (6-3 entering the game) was extremely excited. The last game to be played at Crawford Stadium in the regular season, "Senior Knight" and Halloween all fell on the same night, October 31, which turned out to be a good one for the Knights.

The first quarter began as the Knights received the kickoff but went 3 and out. The possession of the Bucks was much the same, punting to the Knights after 4 downs. North Penn capitalized on this opportunity as Jim Casertano scored the first touchdown of the game with 6 minutes left on the clock. The extra point from Jon Striefsky was good to give the Knights a 7-0 lead.

The second quarter was more action packed, with 28 points scored in the quarter. Kevin Akins opened up the quarter with a touchdown only 6 seconds into the period. After a penalty pushing the Knights back a few yards, Striefsky added another point, making the score 14-0. The Bucks answered back however, with fumble recovery after quarterback Adam Hearns was sacked. This led to a Bucks touchdown with 6 minutes left in the quarter, closing the gap to 14-7. The running game was strong for the Knights tonight as Kevin Akins scored his second touchdown of the game, and quarter, on a run of more than 50 yards. Deanco Oliver also had a touchdown as he and QB Adam Hearns connected in the back of the endzone for a score. With 2 seconds left in the half, Central Bucks attempted a "Hail Mary" pass to the end of the field that was picked off by Hearns, who was working hard on both offense and defense. This interception allowed the North Penn Knights to enter half-time with both the ball and a 28-7 lead.

The third period went much as the previous two had gone. Akins scored once again on another impressive run to give the Knights a 35-7 lead. Adam Hearns had his second interception of the game in the third period. The pass from the Bucks was picked off in the endzone which gave North Penn a first down at their own 20 yard line. The Knights kept possession of the ball until the end of the 3rd quarter, and on the first play of the 4th period, Hearns kept the ball and found a path that led him into the endzone for a score only 13 seconds into the quarter.

Defense was a key tonight, as the Bucks (a cross-town rival) were itching to upset the Knights. Seniors Chris Tribanas, George Farrell, Andrew Brown, and Ryan Adams played well with tackles and big stops throughout the night. Junior Eric Halberstadt also added with a strong defensive game, while fellow juniors Bobby Huber and Shane Gallager were strong on offense in the fourth quarter. Sophomore Ian Carpenter also added with some yards in the fourth.

The North Penn Knights went on to win tonight's game 41-7, defeating the Bucks of C.B. West. This victory clinched the Knights undefeated season, leaving them 10-0 in the Suburban One League, National Conference, Patriot Division. The next game is the first of the playoffs, opponent and location: yet to be determined.

- Meghan Halberstadt, NP 2005