PERKASIE – The Knights are in victory formation. Quarterback Matt Bucksar takes the knee and as the clock hits zero the Knights celebrate their hard fought victory. The North Penn Knights were victorious over the Pennridge Rams beating them 21-14 to claim their 8th district championship title.
The Rams had the first possession of the game but were forced to punt. The Knights then got the scoring started with a 15-yard rushing touchdown from Matt Pownall with 5:28 left to go in the first quarter. After another Rams punt the Knights would extend their lead [14-0] off an explosive 67-yard rushing score from Rylei Gray with 1:36 left to play in the first.
The Rams would cut the Knights lead in half [14-7] on a 3-yard run from Trevor Picciotti with 6:38 in the first half. The Knights next drive would be slowed down from false start penalties; eventually leading to a turnover on downs. It would not matter though as the Knights defense stood strong and forced another punt.
Right as they were gaining momentum they fumbled the ball giving the Rams a chance to score before the end of the half, but with 18 seconds left in the half Nate Schepian picked off Noah Keating. The Knights had all the momentum going in their favor as they walked to the locker room for halftime.
“It felt great finally getting that pick after dropping one earlier,” Schepian stated. “I was so proud of the defense tonight.”
The third quarter was filled with an intense defensive battle from both teams as the Knights turned it over on downs and the Rams were forced to another punt. The Knights would end the stalemate with 3:57 left in the third off a 16-yard rushing score from Pownall extending their lead to 14 [21-7].
Pennridge would not be able to find the endzone in the third, but with 4:46 left in the fourth quarter Ryan Rowe lowered his shoulder and scored from 3-yards out on a toss play to cut the Knights lead back to 7 [21-14]. The Knights would turn the ball over on downs with 0:37 left to play, giving the Rams one last chance to tie or take the lead. A Ziyon Smith interception would be the dagger to finish a very entertaining district championship game.
“Ziyon [Smith] making that pick at the end of the game, very exciting for us,” head coach Dick Beck said.
The Knights defense once again proved to be the X-Factor in the win.
“The defense played big and I thought the defensive line was amazing,” Beck added. “So proud of the kids. Couldn’t have been happier for them.”
“Could not have asked for a better senior year,” Schepian concluded.
The Knights will play La Salle in the 6A state semifinals next week. For now though, they are the District champions.
