Mason Jones throws three TDs as Neshaminy football wins opener with Roman Catholic

Langhorne >> A lot of wild, borderline surreal stuff happened in the kickoff game of the 2016 high school football season at Neshaminy High School Friday night (Aug. 26), but one absolute truth emerged.

These aren’t your grandfather’s Redskins, except perhaps in one important category. Winning.

Neshaminy did in fact overcome Roman Catholic, 28-20, but only after beating back a dogged challenge from the Cahillites, who are no strangers to top-notch competition as a result of their affiliation with the Philadelphia Catholic League’s powerful Red Division.

Neshaminy passed a lot, even on first downs in what was a close game throughout. Senior quarterback Mason Jones, who begins his third season as the starter, racked up 261 yards and three touchdowns passing. He also added a rushing touchdown.

Senior halfback Will Dogba, the Redskins’ go-to guy a year ago with more than 1,400 rushing yards, ran for just 16 in the first quarter and 40 in the first half. Although he ended up with 120 yards by game’s end, he did his most damage as a pass catcher, snagging two of Jones’ tosses for touchdowns.

On the flip side, the Redskins never seemed quite comfortable with Roman’s athleticism. And the Cahillites have a ton of that.

Halfback A.J. Gaymon juked and slashed his way to three touchdowns – a one on the ground, one as a receiver and one on a scintillating 87-yard punt return that allowed Roman to take a 14-7 lead midway through the second quarter.

Neshaminy, which held a big advantage in offensive yardage early on, answered right away. Zach Tredway’s 47-yard catch and run from Jones pulled the Redskins even, 14-14, before halftime.

Coming out of the break, Roman tried an ill-advised fake punt that gave Neshaminy prime field position. Jones and Dogba capitalized with an 8-yard touchdown connection.

But just when the Redskins looked to be pulling away, Gaymon left them in his wake again. He caught a short swing pass, made a quick cut and raced untouched 34 yards for a Roman touchdown with 11:31 left in the fourth quarter. Roman missed the extra point kick, its second such miss of the game, so Neshaminy retained a 21-20 lead.

Jones’ seven-yard keeper on a third-down play, followed by Dylan McDonald’s fourth extra point of the night, gave Neshaminy an eight-point edge with nine minutes to play.

Roman didn’t die easily however. In the final minute, they stripped Dogba in a pile and returned the fumble about 40 yards to Neshaminy’s 27. The Redskins protested that an official had whistled the play dead before the ball came loose. After a conference, the refs ruled that there indeed had been an early whistle, but it had been inadvertent and had blown after the fumble (during the return presumably).

The officials ultimately spotted the ball at Roman’s 35 and gave it to the Cahillites.

Roman advanced to Neshaminy’s 22 with five seconds left. On the next play, two Redskins sacked and stripped Butler, only for Gaymon to scoop the ball and run to Neshaminy’s 10. That’s where the Redskins finally corralled him for good to end the game.

Neshaminy 28, Roman Catholic 20

(Aug. 26 at Neshaminy)

ROMAN (0-1)     0              14           0              6              —           20

NESHAMINY (1-0)           0              14           7              7              —           28

SUMMARY

Second Quarter

RC — Gaymon 9 run (kick failed)

N — Dogba 22 pass from Jones (McDonald kick)

RC — Gaymon 87 punt return (Cooper run)

N — Tredway 47 pass from Jones (McDonald kick)

Third Quarter

N — Dogba 8 pass from Jones (McDonald kick)

Fourth Quarter

RC — Gaymon 34 pass from Butler (kick failed)

N — Mason 7 run (McDonald kick)

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

Roman Catholic

Rushing: Gaymon 22-155; Cooper 6-48; Butler 3-14; McLeod 5-14; Haynes 1-4; Flaherty 1-0.

Passing: Butler 14-26-1, 159 yards, 1 TD.

Receiving: Haynes 4-53; Gaymon 3-46, 1 TD; Bristow 2-24; McLeod 2-13; McCants 2-12; Galasso 1-11;

Interceptions: None.

Neshaminy

Rushing: Dogba 20-111; M. Jones 4-12, 1 TD; Rooney 1-0.

Passing: M. Jones 12-30-0, 268 yards, 3 TDs.

Receiving: Tredway 3-105, 1 TD; Garlick 4-98; Dogba 3-35, 2 TDs; Manzyk 1-20; Canimore 1-10.

Interceptions: Garlick.