[tps_title] North Penn Knights [/tps_title]
Gene Walsh Digital First Media
North Penns Owen Thomas August 3, 2017.
North Penn looks to reload in ’17
TOWAMENCIN >> Things will be a little different with the North Penn offense in 2017. That just comes with the territory in graduating several key players from a unit that posts 40.4 points a game, including a Division I receiver in Ricky Johns and Reece Udinski, the first District 1 quarterback to throw for more than 4,000 yards in a season.
“You don’t replace Reece in one day,” Knights coach Dick Beck said. “I’m not sure we’re going to be throwing the ball as much as we did last year but I don’t think we’re going to have to throw the ball as much as we did last year.” 
But some things will remain the same for the Knights — like big expectations. A tough loss to St. Joseph’s Prep kept North Penn from reaching the PIAA Class 6A championship game, but the Knights’ 14-1 season including a District 1 title — their seventh district crown under Beck and first since 2011 — and senior Justis Henley is confident this team has what it take to be just as successful.
“I think we didn’t lose a beat this year,” he said. “We retooled a lot, got a lot of new guys, transfers that came in. I think we’re going to pick up right where we left off and can be even a better team than we were last year if we keep working every day in practice going hard.”
Second behind Johns on North Penn last year in receptions (49) and receiving yards (940), Henley leads another strong group for new quarterback Steven DePaul — a junior who transferred from Norristown — to throw to, including junior Jon Haynes and seniors Owen Thomas and AJ Catanzaro.
“It’s a little strange not having Reece back there running the show but we got Steve this year. I think he’s going to be a great quarterback,” Henley said. “I tell him every day if he keeps working hard he can be just as good as Reece.”
DePaul won’t be expected to put up the numbers Udinski did as Beck aims for a little more balance in the Knights’ attack.
“I think we do what we do best. And last year, we probably threw it the best compared to running it,” he said. “And maybe this year we might run it better than we throw it but hopefully we’re going to be doing it equally.”
North Penn has its options on who gets the ball in the rushing game in seniors Dars Bowsky, Khan Jamal — a transfer from Plymouth Whitemarsh who was second-team All-SOL American — and KJ Cartwright, a Germantown Academy transfer. The offensive line returns seniors Matt Bevan — a all-conference first team selection — and Ryan Cody.
“I think our running backs are pretty good,” Bowsky said. “We’ve got a lot of speed backs, power backs so I think we’ll be solid.”
Secondary will be the strength of the Knights’ defense with the return of Henley — first team All-SOL Continental at defensive back — Haynes and Bowsky.
“I think our biggest problem that we have to worry about is that we just got to tackle this year,” Henley said. “We can defend the ball in the air I think we’ll be fine with that but we’ve got to wrap up, we’ve got to tackle guys this year.”
Jamal joins Thomas in the linebacking corps while Beck sees junior Julian White making an impact at defensive end.
“He’s gotten bigger and stronger and faster and he’s one of these high-energy guys that give you everything,” said Beck of White.
Opening Test >> For the eighth consecutive season, North Penn’s first game comes against La Salle, this year’s clash coming at the Knights’ Crawford Stadium Aug. 25.
Last season, North Penn topped the Explorers 33-24, ending a four-game skid against the Philadelphia Catholic League side — NP’s previous win in the rivalry coming in 2011 PIAA Class 4A semifinals.
“Obviously La Salle’s going to be such a challenge,” Beck said. “If you’ve looked at a newspaper, those guys they’ve got five, six Division I players. So we expect to have just a great game against La Salle.
“I think win-lose in that game we’re going to win either way.”
By Mike Cabrey; mcabrey@21st-centurymedia.com
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