PAC-10 champ Spring-Ford has more to prove against Neshaminy

He enjoyed the weekend.

Now, after digesting their 28-14 win over Perkiomen Valley in the PAC-10 title game, Spring-Ford’s Matt Gibson is all business as the Rams enter the District 1-AAAA playoffs for the fourth time in school history … and with a lot to prove.

“We want to try and prove that we can beat teams out of our conference,” Gibson said. “With the way our coaches have been preparing us, we’re confident that we can compete.”
Friday’s contest will be one of the toughest yet.

The No. 4 seed Rams enter the District 1-AAAA playoffs after a year hiatus from the tournament field and will look to advance past the second round for the third time in their four trips as they take on No. 13 Neshaminy Friday night.

Gibson and fellow running back Selwyn Simpson will look to build off their success from last week’s win over Perkiomen Valley — Gibson finishing the game with 187 yards and Simpson with 94 — as the Rams face the same team that ousted them in the quarterfinals in 2013.

That season the Redskins utilized a heavy dose of D’Andre Pollard as the back rushed for 178 yards on 37 carries in a 56-27 victory.

This year, the name’s have changed, but it’s still a run-dominated Redskins offense.

Neshaminy running back Will Dogba has emerged as one of the premier backs in the Suburban One League, rushing for 1,303 yards on 243 carries and 16 scores in his junior season.

“They’re big guys,” Gibson said. “They’re very big and they like to run that ball down your throat. The whole offense likes to run it straight down the middle, nothing changes with them.”
Senior Daulton Fox leads the team with 65 tackles (6.5 for loss) while senior Harmon Yalartai leads the team with 9.5 sacks for a Redskin defense that allows 16.8 points per game, second best in the Suburban One National.

However, defensive numbers aside, Gibson has full confidence that his offensive line consisting of Matt Rice, Nick Salomone, Sean Tatum, Alex Nagy and Casey Callahan will be able to open up lanes for him.

“I’m very confident in my line,” Gibson said. “They had a huge game against PV. I’m just hoping for the same success.

“I’m ready. If I rush for 50 yards or one yard at a time, at least I’m getting yards, it’s good for the team.”