Beck earns 200th career victory as North Penn wins big over Central Bucks East

BUCKINGHAM >> Dick Beck’s 200th career coaching victory was a tribute to the 199 that came before it, as his Knights powered forward with a robust ground attack, a dominant defense, and a big-play passing attack.

North Penn romped to a 42-7 victory over Central Bucks East Saturday, in a performance so commanding that the running clock kicked in during the fourth quarter.

When that hurried clock ticked away its final seconds, Beck dodged and weaved away from his players as they tried to douse him with a couple of celebratory buckets of ice water. They finally caught up to him.

“I didn’t think he could move like that,” wide receiver Levi Carroll said.

North Penn had all the right moves on this overcast afternoon at East, some of which were provided by Carroll, who hauled in three touchdown receptions — two for over 40 yards — to help raise NP to 3-1 (3-1 in the SOL National) on the year.

Carroll’s production plus a 50-yard touchdown run by Khalani Eaton along with a defense that shut out East (1-3) in the second half helped ensure it would be a special day for the Knights.

Since Beck took over at North Penn in 2002, the Knights have known nothing but winning football.

“I used to joke — people would ask me how long I wanted to stay, and I said when I got my 326th win, I’d want to retire because I would never wanna beat coach (Mike) Pettine,” said Beck, who played for Pettine and also coached on his staff at Central Bucks West.

Beck played his college ball at Temple University, starting at center for the Owls and serving as captain his senior year.

At William Tennent and North Penn, Beck was the top assistant under Pettine Jr., now the defensive coordinator with the Green Bay Packers.

“I’ve been blessed to be with so many good coaches,” Beck said. “Dave Franek has been with me since Day One and he’s like family. I see it as him and I have both won 200. I’ve been around so many great coaches: Pettine Sr., Pettine Jr., Mike Carey (at West and NP)…I’ve just been super blessed.

“I’ve tried to take what they taught me and turn it into as many wins as possible.”

KNIGHTS GET GOING >> Eaton’s (128 yds) early burst provided NP a 7-0 lead.

A few minutes into the second quarter, Ryan Zeltt (153 yds/4 TD’s) hit Carroll in stride for a 43-yard score and a 14-0 lead. The Patriots trimmed the margin to 14-7 when Pat Keller hooked up with Will Silverman for a 42-yard touchdown, but North Penn went sprinting into halftime with a Zeltt-to-Carroll TD connection (17 yards) that had the Knights’ sideline screaming “great route.”

“I like the passing game a lot. I like our quarterback,” Carroll said. “I practiced (that route) all week and I was running it kind of weird. I was supposed to come back to the ball, and once I did, it was perfect.”

North Penn success continued into the third quarter, with Zeltt lofting a 49-yard strike to Carroll (130 yds) for a 28-7 lead.

Andrew Berry scored on a five-yard pass and freshman Dave Dawes’ rumbling 11-yard TD run made it 42-7 in the fourth.

The celebration was only minutes away.

Said Beck of his time at NP: “I’ve enjoyed every year. The kids will always be special. I always remember the players.”

North Penn 42, Central Bucks East 7
North Penn 7 14 14 7 – 42
Central Bucks East 0 7 0 0 – 7
First Quarter
NP-Khalani Eaton 50 run (Grace Macnamara kick), 11:14.
Second Quarter
NP-Levi Carroll 43 pass from Ryan Zeltt (Macnamara kick), 8:32.
CBE-Will Silverman 42 pass from Pat Keller (Alec Seserko kick), 3:40.
NP-Carroll 17 pass from Zeltt (Macnamara kick), :52.
Third Quarter
NP-Carroll 49 pass from Zeltt (Macnamara kick), 8:09.
NP-Andrew Berry 5 pass from Zeltt (Macnamara kick), 3:07.
Fourth Quarter
NP-Dave Dawes 11 yard run (Macnamara kick), 8:49.
NP CBE
First Downs 16 12
Rushes-yards 28-262 40-119
Passing 8-12-4 6-15-1
Passing yards 153 91
Total yards 415 210
Punts 1 3
Penalties-yards 2-30 3-25
Fumbles-lost 1-1 0-0
Rushing
North Penn: Eaton 11-128, TD; Dakari Luby 8-72; Dave Dawes 2-15, TD; Andrew Berry 3-48; Isa Andia 1-1; Ethan Spann 3-(-2).
CB East: Ethan Shine 24-101; Carter Theiss 1-1; Kyle Szarko 1-(-1); Ryan Burnetta 2-(-1); Pat Keller 6-(-9); Declan P. Kelly 6-28.
Passing
North Penn: Ryan Zeltt 8-12-153-4-1.
CB East: Keller 6-15-91-1-1.
Receiving
North Penn: Seth Walton 1-16; Levi Carroll 5-130, 3 TD; Rashad McNeil 1-2; Andrew Berry 1-5, TD.
CB East: Will Silverman 4-66, TD; Mark Lapioli 1-4; Matt LaBouliere 1-21.
Interceptions
North Penn: Eddie Quinn.
CB East: Jack Vogelsong.