North Penn, Neshaminy clash in playoffs again in District 1-AAAA semifinals
If it’s District One Class AAAA Playoff time, chances are it’s also time for another North Penn-Neshaminy battle.
“Here we go again,” Knights coach Dick Beck said. “It’s a right of passage. Every year, we play Neshaminy in the playoffs.”
North Penn takes on its longtime rival in a District One Class AAAA Semifinal contest, Friday night at Crawford Stadium.
Kickoff is at 7 p.m.
The Knights come into this one fresh off a resounding 27-14 victory over top-seeded Downingtown East, which included a dominant showing by the NP offensive line and a 247-yard rushing performance by Nyfease West.
“Neshaminy again. They’re a great team,” West said. “We gotta prepare for another great week, a hard week too.”
West and the No. 9 Knights enter Crawford Stadium Friday riding a nine-game winning streak, with a 10-2 overall record.
In a game that swung back and forth, the Suburban One League National champs rallied to beat Neshaminy 22-17 back in Week Nine. The No. 13 Skins would go on to finish the regular season 7-3, which included a 5-2 mark in the National, and earned consecutive playoff victories over Spring-Ford (31-16) and Quakertown (31-17).
The Skins took advantage of five Quakertown turnovers last week and were able to move the ball affectively behind the running of Will Dogba and the timely passing of quarterback Mason Jones.
North Penn, in addition to the whopping amount of yards on the ground, had a passing attack that clicked time and time again, with quarterback Reece Udinski consistently finding the open man.
Wide receiver Ricky Johns beat defenders deep as well as finding space over the middle, bringing in a total of seven catches for 166 yards.
NP hopes to ride its balanced attack into the District final, where it would meet the winner of the Pennsbury-Upper Dublin matchup, next Saturday at noon at Souderton.
North Penn owns the overall series with Neshaminy 20-13, including a 4-3 mark in district playoff contests.
This will be the eighth time in 12 years the two teams have squared off in the postseason.
Neshaminy at North Penn
District 1-AAAA Semifinals
Time/Place: Friday, 7 p.m., at Crawford Stadium, North Penn High School.
On the Air: The game will be broadcast live on the radio on 1440 AM and live on the internet at wnpv1440.com.
On Twitter: @srichards31.
Records: The No. 9 Knights are 10-2 overall and finished 7-0 in the Suburban One League National Conference. No. 13 Neshaminy is 9-3 overall and finished 5-2 in the SOL National, tied for second.
What’s at Stake: A spot in next Saturday’s District One Class AAAA Final, 12 noon at Souderton, against the winner of the Pennsbury-Upper Dublin matchup.
Last Week: The Knights knocked off top-seeded Downingtown East, 27-14, while Neshaminy was a 31-17 winner over Quakertown.
Last Meeting: The Knights rallied in the fourth quarter to top the Skins, 22-17, in Week Nine.
Players to Watch: North Penn running back Nyfease West is coming off a 247-yard rushing performance against the Cougars. West’s production, coupled with a passing attack that calls on a variety of receivers, gives the Skins plenty to worry about on defense. Neshaminy will counter with the running of Will Dogba and looks to build on a solid outing last week by quarterback Mason Jones.
Prediction: North Penn 35, Neshaminy 21.
