FAIRLESS HILLS, Pa. — For the second week in a row, Pennsbury was simply unable to match up physically against an undefeated football team from the Central Bucks School District.
With its offensive line unable to open holes and its defense on its heels much of the evening, Pennsbury was soundly beaten by Central Bucks South, 24-13, Friday night.
With the victory, C.B. South improved to 5-0 and is 2-0 in Suburban One League National Division play. Pennsbury is now 2-3 and in deep trouble in terms of its defending its National title following a 20-3 loss the previous week to Central Bucks West, which went to 5-0 Friday with a 28-0 romp over North Penn.
And it’s not about to get any easier for the Falcons as next week they will hit the road to take on a Central Bucks East team that lost to C.B. South the previous week by one touchdown.
Including last year’s nine-win championship season, Pennsbury has enjoyed tremendous success over the years by often physically beating up the opposition.
In the last two weeks it’s been the Falcons on the receiving end of the punishment and it all started right away on Friday when C.B South roared down the field with the opening possession and scored on a 45-yard run by quarterback Owen Pinkerton.
Pennsbury was able to tie the score early in the second quarter when a 75-yard drive was capped by a 1-yard run by Jordan Czerniak in which he dove over the pile on fourth down.
When C.B. South missed two short second-quarter field goals to only hold a 10-7 lead at the half, it looked like the expected close game was going to unfold.
Instead, it was all the Titans in the second half until Pennsbury finally moved the ball again in the fourth quarter with the visitors in total command with a 24-7 lead.
The third quarter was a disaster for Pennsbury in front of a big home crowd as C.B. South drove the ball at will and received two short touchdown runs by Corey Moore.
Leading the way was Anthony Leonardi, who piled up 176 yards and was consistently able to turn the Falcon flanks. Pinkerton also had some key carries to help move the sticks.
“They didn’t do anything special, they just did it better than us,” said Pennsbury linebacker Walker Murray, who was one of the few Falcon bright spots with a host of tackles.
Another bright spot for Pennsbury was quarterback Nathan Beighley, who scored on a 38-yard in the fourth quarter and finished with over 100 rushing yards in the game.
It wasn’t nearly enough, however, as Pennsbury’s defense repeatedly was unable to get off the field. Czerniak continued to run hard, but was limited to 41 rushing yards and Pennsbury failed to complete a pass in three attempts.
Truth be told, Pennsbury’s passing game seems to only work when the other team is not expecting it. When it’s obvious the Falcons might need to throw the ball, a fierce pass rush gives Beighley no time to look down field.
With half a season now in the books, unless Pennsbury can raise its level a playoff berth will be very much in doubt.
Central Bucks South (5-0) 7 3 14 – 24
Pennsbury (2-3) 0 7 0 6 – 13
CBS-Pinkerton 45 run (Hazell kick)
P-Czerniak 1 run (Pereira kick)
CBS-Hazell 22 field goal
CBS-Moore 3 run (Hazell kick)
CBS-Moore 1 run (Hazell kick)
P-Beighley 38 run (kick failed)
