Clock Strikes Twelve on 'Cinderella Falcons' as Knights Advance

Lansdale—There is no asset more valuable to a football team than experience in big time game situations. This was something the Knights made blatantly obvious Friday night, as tenth seeded North Penn slammed the door shut on the Cinderella season of Pennsbury by a tally of 27-3 in the PIAA District One Semi-Final.

Led by a sensational performance from senior Dan Gevirtz, who had a hand in all four Knights touchdowns, North Penn advanced to the District One Championship game for the eighth time in ten years.

North Penn (11-2) who won their tenth game in a row, took control of the line of scrimmage from the outset. On the opening play from scrimmage, James Fielder broke off a 43 yard run setting up a first-and-goal. Two plays later, Gevirtz snagged a 9 yard scoring toss in the flat from senior signal caller Corey Ernst to put the hosts up 7-0 less than two minutes into the tilt.

“James Fielder epitomizes this team and what we are about,” said long time Knights head coach Dick Beck. “We thought he was done after the Pennridge game, just to have him suit up tonight was a big lift for everyone, he would run through a wall for this team, he is a special individual.”

The Knights defense allowed a 19 yard field goal as the only Falcons score. This followed a 90-yard, 16 play drive in which North Penn stopped the vaunted Pennsbury “ground and pound” offensive machine on a third-and-seven, forcing the kick.

“The last two games are probably the best I have ever seen our defense play in my career,” added Beck. “These are two quality teams we have played to get to this point, and our defense which starts with the play of the line, has been nothing short of spectacular.”

North Penn responded to the Falcons drive by mounting an 8-play, 64 yard drive of their own, culminating in a 23 yard touchdown scamper by Gevirtz. This boosted the lead to 11 after the PAT from Bandon Mandes. North Penn will now face Council Rock South, a 38-24 winner over Garnett Valley in next week’s title game.

The defense stood up to the challenge again by stopping Pennsbury, who was four-of-nine on fourth down conversions, on a fourth-and-two from the Knights 40-yard line, giving the home team 1:17 to work with before the intermission.

“I am very proud of our guys and the way they responded to the challenge this season,” said Pennsbury head coach Galen Snyder. “We had one of those nights when things just didn’t go our way. That’s football, but it does not detract from the effort they gave on both sides of the ball. We have to tip our hat to North Penn, they took advantage of their scoring chances.”

On a blown coverage, Gevirtz picked up 43 yards on a strike from Ernst, who called his own number two plays later. He scrambled into the end zone from 8 yards out, and all of a sudden it was a three possession game, which did not favor the Falcons.

“There is something special about putting on this jersey and this helmet with the sword,” said Gevirtz. “There is pressure no doubt, but to be part of the North Penn tradition and take this field for the last time as seniors, is something we will never forget.”

Pennsbury looked as though they would be able to cut the lead to 16 as they embarked on a 15-play, 60 yard drive that ate up six minutes of clock at the start of the fourth quarter. But again, the Knights were able to prevent any further damage, stopping the Faclons at the three-yard-line.

As the Knights closed out the scoring drive with a 63-yard punt return by Gevirtz in the second half, the final seconds ticked off the Crawford Stadium clock. Several of the North Penn seniors including John Garland and T.J Smink went to the center of the field and claimed a piece of the home turf that they protected so well over their careers.

Pennsbury            0            3            0            0            -3

North Penn           7            13          7            0            -27

10:50   NP            Gevirtz 9 yd pass from Ernst  (Mandes kick)

10:12   PB            Knieaziewicz 19 yard FG

  5:36   NP            Gevirtz 23 yd run (Mandes kick)

  1:17   NP            Ernst 8 yd run (kick blocked)

10:05   NP            Gevirtz 63 yd punt return (Mandes kick)