The Knights of North Penn returned to Poppy Yoder Field to take on the Rams of Pennridge in playoff action this evening. This was an important game for both teams, and the fans came out in full force to support their side. However, the crowd was not a factor, and the game was decided on the field.

The game opened up with the Knights receiving the ball just inside the 20 yard line on the kickoff. After a 6 play drive to get to their own 34 yard line, North Penn was stopped and forced to punt. Pennridge began their first offensive series with an 18 yard run by star Ryan Greiser. After a penalty, a loss of yards on a QB scramble, and an incomplete pass, the Rams were left with a 4th and 18. The punting team came on, and sent one into the end zone, putting the Knights on the 20 yard line. A big 12 yard gain on a pass to Ian Carpenter from Adam Hearns set up what could have been a nice drive for the Knights, however a fumble on a later play gave the ball right back to Pennridge. Starting on the Knights 46 yard line, the Rams posed a strong threat with Greiser. After 5 plays the Rams were faced with a 4th and 2. North Penn’s defensive line held strong however, and forced a turn over on downs at their own 21. With just about a minute on the clock, senior Shane Gallagher broke free for a 59 yard run to the Rams 20. A QB keep gave no gain, and the Knights ended the first quarter with the ball on the Rams 20, and looking to score.

The second quarter began with an incomplete pass, leaving the Knights with a 3rd and 10 situation. Eric Halberstadt delivered on the next play, with a big 13 yard gain, which set up the first TD of the game. On a short run, Gallagher broke across the goal line, putting the Knights on the board first. After the extra point the Knights led 7-0 only 12 seconds into the second quarter. The kickoff was returned to the 27 by the Rams, as they began their next drive. A run though the middle looked like a sure TD run, however some miscommunication tripped up the Rams, as the ball carrier ran into his own player, knocking him to the ground. The next play seemed to trip up the Knights defense, as a reverse by the Rams led to a gain of 18 by Greiser. Pennridge had the ball with a first down on the Knights 10 yard line. Three plays later a 4 yard QB keep put the Rams on the board. The extra point tied up the score at 7, with 7:24 left in the half. The kickoff return by the Knights gave them great field position, putting them on their own 41 yard line. A 7 yard gain by Peter Stoll on the ensuing play put the Knights almost at midfield. On the next play, a short screen pass from Adam Hearns, to Eric Halberstadt out on the left drew the Rams defense. Halberstadt then threw a 46 yard touchdown pass to junior Ian Carpenter who ran just 4 yards into the end zone for the score. The extra point was good, and with 6:06 left North Penn led the Rams 14 -7. Kickoff returns were key in this game, and the Rams retuned this one to their own 40 yard line. After a 10 yard gain by Grieser, Gerald Bell, with strong defensive pressure forced an incomplete pass. Once again the Rams stepped back to pass, however senior Peter Lee red the pass well, and with just under 2 minutes left, intercepted the pass and ran to the Rams 45 yard line. The Knights were unable to capitalize on the Rams mistake, and were forced to punt on 4 th down. The Rams started with the ball just inside their own 20 yard line. The Rams went to the air again, and once again the Knights were there. With 11 seconds left in the half Alex Johnson intercepted the ball around midfield and ran it back to the Rams 25. In a hurry up offense, Hearns found Halberstadt alone in the end zone; however a penalty (passing beyond the line of scrimmage) called the TD back. With less than 7 seconds on the clock the Knights attempted a long field goal, which fell just short. This ended the second quarter, and the Knights maintained their 14-7 lead over Pennridge.

The second half opened with North Penn kicking off to Pennridge. The Knights defense was strong, and forced the Rams to punt on their first possession of the half. The Knights offense could not produce anything however, and were faced with a 3 rd and 37. The Knights tried to run the ball for some yardage, and were held for no gain. On 4th and 37 the Knights were forced to punt. The punt, from inside the end zone went to midfield, and the Rams retuned the punt for a score. The extra point was blocked, and the Knights held a slim lead 14-13. With 6:53 left in the third quarter, North Penn returned the kickoff to the 26. Once again the North Penn offense had a slow start, and punted the ball away. From the Knights own 30 yard line, Jon Striefsky kicked the bal to the Rams 5 yard line. The Knights defense forced a fumble on the Rams first play of the drive, and the Knights recovered on the Rams 8 yard line. Two short runs by Gallagher set up Peter Stoll from 1 yard out, to put the Knights on the board again. Again the extra point was good, and with about a minute left to play in the 3rd quarter, the Knights led 21-13. The Rams ended the quarter with possession, on their own 37, facing a 3 rd down and 23.

The fourth and final quarter opened, with the Rams QB scrambling, and eventually being tackled by the Knights defense. The Rams punted away, and North Penn had the ball on their own 33 yard line. Three unsuccessful running plays forced the Knights to punt back to the Rams. Again the Knights defense was strong, and Pennridge punted away their next possession. The Knights began their next drive on their own 21 yard line. The offensive series that ate up most of the clock in the 4 th quarter was ended with an incomplete pass to Halberstadt from Hearns. Another punt by the Knights put the Rams on their own 30 yard line. Pennridge looked to their senior leader, #24 Ryan Greiser for an answer, and found one. After a series of drives by Greiser the Rams found themselves on the goal line, threatening the Knights lead. Once again the Rams looked to Greiser, who made his way untouched into the end zone, cutting the Knights lead to 2 points. Pennridge set up for a two point conversion, and again Greiser put the points on the board as the Rams QB found him wide open in the end zone for 2. With only 1:30 left on the game clock, the score was tied 21-21. Once again the kickoff return proved to be the key, as Brandon Turner retuned the kick for 41 yards to the Pennridge 39 yard line. After a 5 yard penalty, Hearns found Gallagher for a big 9 yard gain. A few short plays gave the knights some good yardage; however they were faced with a 3 rd and 9 with just 14 seconds left. After a time out by the Knights to discuss their options, the field goal unit came on the field. Senior Jon Striefsky set up for the 23 yard attempt, and despite a high snap, he put the ball through the uprights. With only 14 seconds left in the game the Knights led the Rams 24-21. On the kickoff Pennridge pulled a reverse, handing the ball off to Greiser, who returned the kick close to midfield. In the last seconds, a desperation heave into the end zone was broken up by the Knights defense. A penalty flag was thrown, causing concern for the Knights, however it was against the Pennridge offense, and the game was ended.

North Penn defeated Pennridge 24-21 in the last minute of the game, improving their record to 10-2, and thus advancing to the next round of playoffs. The Knights take on the Neshaminy Redskins next Friday.

- Meghan Halberstadt, NP 2005