The North Penn Knights braved the wind and cold, as they traveled to Council Rock North for their last regular season game.  Looking for an upset and a big win on their senior night, the Council Rock North Indians came out ready to play this evening.

The Knights kicked off to the Indians to open up the game.  After a few plays the Knights defense forced a fumble, which was quickly recovered by NP’s Alex Johnson.  This fumble recovery led to the Knights first score of the night as QB Adam Hearns kept the ball for a significant run to put the Knights on the board.  The extra point was no good, giving the Knights a 6-0 lead early in the quarter.  After exchanging drives the North Penn defense took over for the quarter.  Led by Chris Cazier, whose sack on 3^rd down led to an eventual turn over on downs, the Knights defensive line held the Indians scoreless in the first.  The first quarter ended with Council Rock in possession of the ball on their own 30 yard line.

The second quarter opened up with a bang, as senior Kyle Lynch put a hit on an Indians receiver that forced him to leave the field (he would later return).  Despite the big gain on that play, the Indians could not produce much more of a threat, and once again turned the ball over on downs.  The Knights capitalized on this mistake, and junior Peter Stoll broke through the line for a 47 yard touchdown run.  The Knights attempted the two point conversion, but were unsuccessful, as the pass from Eric Halberstadt to Hearns was incomplete.  With 8:02 left to play in the half the Knights led the Indians 12-0.  On Council Rock’s ensuing drive, an interception by Matt Burke began the Knights next possession.  Big plays from Stoll and a 21 yard run by Brandon Turner on a reverse set up the Knights next touchdown.  From 3 yards out Shane Gallagher broke through tackles to increase North Penn’s lead to 18.  Once again the Knights tried for 2, and were unsuccessful.  The quarter ended with another interception, as Peter Stoll prevented what could have been a scoring drive for C.R. North.  At the end of the half North Penn led Council Rock 18-0.

The second half opened with yet another Knights score.  Only 1 minute into the quarter senior Peter Lee found his way 62 yards into the end zone, to increase the Knights lead once again.  The third time was the charm tonight, as the Knights third 2pt. conversion attempt was good.  The Knights took a commanding 26-0 lead; however the Indians had a response to this.  Just four minutes later Council Rock connected on a 9 yard pass to make the score 26-7.  The Knights punted away their next possession, and the defense took over for the rest of the quarter.  Cazier and John Kalis led the way with big tackles and a sack.  The third quarter ended with the Knights up 26-7.

North Penn once again opened up the quarter with a scoring drive.  After working 4 minutes off the clock, Gallagher found the end zone for his second TD of the night.  After a blocked extra point, the Knights held a 32-7 lead.  The Indians returned the kick to the 45 and, after a 3 minute drive, to the one yard line, Council Rock cut into North Penn’s lead.  With 5:41 left in the game, the score was 32-14, with North Penn on top.  The Knights were forced to punt on their next possession, but after a poor snap, Council Rock was left on the Knights 8 yard line with 4 downs to score.  The Knights defense was strong once again, and held the Indians off, forcing a turnover on downs.  The game ended as the Knights took a knee to let the final seconds tick off the clock.

The North Penn Knights ended their season with a 32-14 win over Council Rock North.  The Knights won their 6^th straight, and ended with a 8-2 record.  Playoff are next for the Knights.

- Meghan Halberstadt, NP 2005