Henley leads Knights past Bucks

Justis+Henley+hands+off+to+Xzavier+Gorsky

Anissa Gardizy

Justis Henley hands off to Xzavier Gorsky

DOYLESTOWN-  “I just wanted to have fun with it,” said Henley.

After being just a quarterback option, Justis Henley finally got a full game to showcase his full potential at the position. Calm, poised, and polished, Henley led the Knights in one of their best offensive games overall this season. Along with a defense that has really transformed since their first two games, North Penn (2-2)  beat Central Bucks West (3-1) 28-14.

North Penn looked smooth in the first quarter with Henley at the quarterback position. Khan Jamal ran the ball well, and Henley didn’t hesitate to run either.

“The holes were there. Our offensive line did a great job, and then I did what I had to do,” said Jamal.

North Penn advanced all the way to the West 3 yard line, but the relentless Bucks’ line kept Khan from scoring after the Knights attempted to run it in three times.

“They made a great stop, but we weren’t going to let ourselves get down. We knew our defense could stop them, and we promised ourselves we would score on our next drives,” said Henley.

The Bucks’ offense was lead by senior quarterback Joshua Crecca. After one good carry and two incomplete passes, the Bucks were forced to punt before the first quarter was over.

Immediately starting the second quarter, North Penn kept their promise. A spot on pass from Henley to senior AJ Catanzaro in the end zone put the Knights on the scoreboard (10:55, 24 yards).

“Coach Beck drew [the play] up in our huddle, actually. AJ ran a great route and I just tried to get the ball to him,” said Henley.

Coach Beck drew [the play] up in our huddle, actually. AJ ran a great route and I just tried to get the ball to him

— Justis Henley

The Bucks started to see some offensive success with senior running back Jake Reichwein. However, although Reichwein was coming up with big runs, the Bucks were kept off the scoreboard. When asked about the West offense, junior Nick Interieri noted one of their strengths.

“It was the CB West running back. He had a good game and was tough to bring down. He was a big kid,” said Intrieri.

The Knights’ offense was putting serious pressure on the Bucks. After two carries by Jamal, a short pass from Henley to Shamar Edwards took him 64 yards into the end zone (3:49).

“We were in the huddle and Coach Beck told me that when I run my route I should break in and then break back out. When I broke, out I was open, and Justis threw a good pass. Then, once I caught it, I knew I had to score,” said Edwards.

“It’s always nice when you can throw the ball short to one of your receivers and they can take it the distance,” said Henley.

Right before the second quarter ended, North Penn was lined up on the Bucks’ 15 yard line ready to start the next play.

“We lined up, but then [West] called a timeout. We all huddled together and were like ‘Yo, this play is definitely going to work’,” said Catanzaro.

And work it did. North Penn struck again with another perfect pass to Catanzaro in the end zone (0:06, 15 yards).

The Knights led 21-0 going into the second half. Their impressive lead was soon increased after Henley ran for 22 yards and then used Dars Bowsky to get the ball on the 2 yard line. On the fourth down, it was Jamal who plowed through the Bucks line into the end zone (8:04, 2 yards).

“I wasn’t going to let it end up like the first time on the goal line, so I knew I had to punch it in,” said Jamal.

I wasn’t going to let it end up like the first time on the goal line, so I knew I had to punch it in

— Khan Jamal

Ahead 28-0, North Penn rotated some of their second strings onto the field in the fourth quarter; senior quarterback Garret Quallet made his first appearance of the 2017 season. The Bucks took advantage of the Knights’ second string defense and utilized sophomore Jack Neri and senior Chris Arzberger. The two ran the ball down the field and it was Arzberger who broke away for a 27 yard touchdown (3:46).  The Bucks scored again before the game was over but North Penn’s 28-14 lead prevailed.

“I thought we played pretty well. To give up over 60 points to Downingtown and then let up zero against [West] was a huge improvement [for our starters],” said senior Matt Bevan.

Not only did the defense step up, but so did Henley during his first full game as quarterback.

“He did really well. He did everything you can ask for out of a quarterback. He didn’t force anything, and he threw the passes that he needed to,” said Catanzaro.

North Penn will be traveling next Saturday to Pennridge to face the Rams (3-1).

Anissa Gardizy