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North Penn, Pennsbury battle for first in SOL National
A playoff buzz will be in the air Friday night when North Penn travels to Falcon Field to take on Pennsbury in a showdown for first place in the Suburban One League National Conference.
Kickoff is at 7 p.m.
“We gotta peak at the right time,” Knights coach Dick Beck said, “and (Friday night) is gonna be the best time to peak. So that’s what we’re trying to get to.”
![Mark C Psoras--The Reporter Pennridge defenderRiley hager ,17, makes a diving attempt to tackle Pennsbury's Daulton Hose ,30, during first half action of their contest at Pennridge High School on Friday October 16,2015](http://papreplive.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/18167077-300x255.jpg)
Both teams come into this one with perfect 4-0 records in the conference. The winner will sit atop the standings all by themselves, with two games to go.
“I can’t wait. It’s gonna be a good game,” said the Knights’ Ricky Johns, who plays both wide receiver and strong safety.
Johns, whose team put in plenty of preparation this week going against Pennsbury’s Wing-T attack, likes the progress the Knights have made during their four-game win streak.
“Our o-line has improved, our defense has improved, and our passing game has come along,” he said.
North Penn (5-2) has been having plenty of success with the passing game, triggered by quarterback Reece Udinski, and again has a versatile ground attack that features a trio of threats in Nyfease West, Justin Ostopowicz and Nick Isabella, along with yet another weapon in sturdy fullback Dontae Stewart.
Pennsbury’s Wing-T has been bowling over opponents, as the Falcons (6-1) have won five in a row behind the tough running of Dalton Hose and Chris Rupprecht. Quarterback Mike Alley scored a pair of touchdowns last week — one passing, one running — as Pennsbury held off Pennridge 38-32.
North Penn was sharp last week in a thorough victory over Bensalem, and now looks to move one step closer to another conference crown.
“It’s a huge game for us,” Beck said. “You got both teams 4-0 in the league and Friday’s the game. Whoever wins that game is gonna be in the driver’s seat.”
North Penn owns a 15-14 edge in the overall series between the two, with Pennsbury’s last victory coming in 1996, a 28-27 decision in overtime.
In the 13 plus seasons under Beck, the Knights are a perfect 9-0 against the Falcons, including postseason wins in 2011 and 2013.
“They’ve never beaten North Penn so we gotta keep that going,” Ostopowicz said. “We gotta play hard.”