CB West runs for 344 yards, 5 TDs in 2nd win over North Penn since 2000

September 23, 2022

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TOWAMENCIN >> Central Bucks West ran on first down, ran on second down and, outside of two pass attempts, ran on third down Friday night.

North Penn’s defense had no answers as the Bucks ran 60 times for 344 yards. West scored on five of its six possessions before running out the clock on the final drive of a 35-14 Suburban One League National Conference win at North Penn High School’s Crawford Stadium. It’s West’s second win over North Penn since 2000 (2019).

Eli Boehm led the rushing attack with 223 yards and three touchdowns on 37 carries.

“I’m feeling amazing,” the senior running back said. “I want 30 more.

“They just couldn’t stop us. Our offensive line was doing amazing, our backs kept pushing, they couldn’t stop us no matter what they tried to do.”

CB West quarterback Ganz Cooper, right, calls a play in the huddle against North Penn Friday, Sept. 23, 2022. (Geanine Jamison/For MediaNews Group)

Vinny Cherubini added 49 yards and two touchdowns while Ganz Cooper had 48 yards and Conor McFadden 24.

“When everybody’s hitting and doing their job,” Cherubini said of the rushing attack, “it feeds off itself and you don’t really get tired. It feels good.”

“We couldn’t beat blocks and we couldn’t tackle very well,” North Penn coach Dick Beck said. “It was a bad night for the Knights.”

CB West’s first possession came with a 7-0 deficit midway through the first quarter. Fourteen plays – all runs – later, Cherubini fell into the endzone for a two-yard touchdown and 7-7 game early in the second quarter.

After a North Penn failed fourth down, West’s only punt of the game and a North Penn punt, the Bucks went on the touchdown drive that put them ahead for good. Cherubini’s second two-yard touchdown capped a 10-play march that left the Knights with only 21 seconds until halftime. Cooper hit McFadden for a 38-yard gain – the only completion of the game – on a 3rd-and-10 to set up the go-ahead score.

CB West wide receiver Conor McFadden (2) makes a catch between North Penn defenders Friday, Sept. 23, 2022. (Geanine Jamison/For MediaNews Group)

The Bucks came out of the half with a 13-play, 86-yard drive that took 7:42 off the clock. Boehm made it 21-7 with a 21-yard touchdown run.

“You can tell when they’ve had enough, honestly,” Cherubini said. “When they’ve had enough of getting pounded every play it’s a visible change. It feels good. Second or third touchdown, probably the third touchdown, when Eli broke through and scored.”

“We just go down the field and play our football,” Boehm said. “This is what happens when we play our football.”

After North Penn scored to get within 21-14, the Bucks offense was at it again. This drive took just five plays. Boehm’s 52-yard score on the third snap of the fourth quarter made it 28-14 with 10:46 to go.

North Penn fumbled the ensuing onsides kick and McFadden recovered at the Knights 41-yard line. Ten plays later, Boehm was in the endzone with another touchdown run and it was 35-14 with 4:35 remaining.

The Knights went 4-and-out before the Bucks ran out the clock on their SOL National victory.

North Penn quarterback Ryan Zeltt went 15-for-24 for 200 yards through the air. Wide receiver Yazeed Haynes made seven grabs for 106 yards.

North Penn wide receiver Yazeed Haynes lines up before the snap against CB West Friday, Sept. 23, 2022. (Geanine Jamison/For MediaNews Group)

“Against a team that’s running the ball with that much consistency,” Beck said, “and we’re throwing the ball a little bit and we drop four or five passes early in that second quarter, it stalled a couple drives that hurt us, but this is all about how poorly we played on defense. That’s on the coaching staff. We have to do a better job.”

Michai Cuffie gave the Knights a 7-0 lead with a 19-yard touchdown run on 4th-and-4 on the game’s opening drive. Amir Major scored their other touchdown on a 12-yard run in the third quarter.