Entering round two of the playoffs having suffered a regular season loss to the Knights, the Pennridge Rams were looking for revenge. With a regular season record of 8-2, the Rams came out fired up and ready for anything in hopes of making it past North Penn to the third round.

Starting at their own 20 yard line Pennridge made it clear that they were all about business. Within five plays the Rams were threatening the North Penn goal line, and after only 4 minutes of play Pennridge's Brian Greiser opened the game with a touch down to give the Rams a quick 7-0 lead. The North Penn offense was slow to react tonight, and after a quick 3 downs the Knights attempted a punt fake, but turned the ball over on downs after the attempt failed. However, on the next play and interception by Adam Hearns returned for a touchdown tied the game at 7. Hearns connected also in the first with Deanco Oliver for a score with only 30 seconds left. This gave the Knights a 14-7 lead at the end of the first.

The second quarter was much the same, as Pennridge was first to strike, with only 4 minutes left in the half. The Knights played well in the second period, with great blocks by Adam Hearns, and senior Andrew Brown with a block in Oliver's punt return to the Ram's 20 yard line. This set up a pass to the back of the end zone after a "hurry-up" offense that was grabbed by Deanco Oliver to give the Knights a 21-14 lead into the half.

Entering the second half with only a 7 point lead, the Knights opened the half with a kick off return by Kevin Akins to the Rams 42. A touchdown by Casertano later in the play was brought back on penalties, and the Knights failed to convert. Jim Laky set up the Knights later in the quarter however with a nice run. To complete the play a TD by Kevin Akins with 3:45 left made the score 28-14. The Pennridge defense could not stop the Knights as they scored again, only 2 minutes later, after an amazing 40 yard play by Hearns and Oliver set up a touchdown. After another big touchdown by Pennridge to once again cut the lead to 7, Kevin Akins answered with one of his own to increase the lead to 14.

The Knights defense suffered numerous penalties in tonight's match up but even though "the penalties were frustrating, they didn't hurt in the end"(Kicker, Jon Striefsky) Strong plays were made by John Kalis, Dave Mims, and Chris Tribanas. The Knights looked strong on their pass coverage as well with Eric Halberstadt, Andrew Brown, and Adam Hearns breaking up plays. A final interception by Hearns with the Rams threatening to score gave North Penn control of the ball with 4 minutes left in the game.

In what may have been the best game either team has played all season, North Penn ends up victorious, with a 42-21 win over the Pennridge Rams. The Knights will take on the Interboro Bucs in the next round.

-Meghan Halberstadt 2005