North Penn scores final 28 points to pull away from CB South

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WARRINGTON >> It was almost a second quarter to forget for Reece Udinski.

The North Penn senior quarterback tossed three interceptions in the period, the first two host Central Bucks South turned into touchdowns to cut the Knights lead down to 14-13.

But Udinski’s issues hitting the hands of the Titans rather than his teammates ceased and he finished the first half tossing touchdowns to Ricky Johns and Jake Hubler — the later with just 2.9 seconds left — to send North Penn into halftime up 15.

“We’ve been up so many times in the year, I think it’s good to get a nice test,” Udinski said. “See what happens when you’re down, overcome adversity. And I’m just real proud of my guys. I went down, they picked me back up.”

The North Penn defense proceeded to shut out CB South in the second half and finished a rainy Friday night with five interceptions – three by Justis Henley – while the Knights tacked on two more touchdowns to roll to a 42-13 victory in a battle of 5-0 Suburban One League Continental Conference teams.

“We weren’t too happy with the three interceptions, the one got tipped. I think the other two I thought were tough throws but I thought beside that he had a great night,” said North Penn coach Dick Beck of Udinski. “Nice job scrambling, find the open guy.”

Udinski finished 22-for-41 for 367 yards — 308 coming in the first half as Udinski record his second 300-yard game of the season — with three TDs and three interceptions as the Knights (6-0, 3-0 conference) posted more than 40 points for the third straight game.

“Well, when I have the weapons I have, I almost got in Coach Beck’s ear and said ‘Hey, let’s chuck it,’” Udinski said. “Cause I know my receivers are going to get open, they’re going to make plays. And I think that’s exactly what they did today.”

Both Johns and Hubler went over the century mark receiving — Johns with seven catches for 156 yards and two scores while Hubler hauled in eight passes for 115 yards and one touchdown.

“It was a good night, though. I thought we were productive offensively,” Beck said. “I got to believe our numbers, we were up and down the field I know that.”

After North Penn went up 21-13 on Johns’ 41-yard touchdown catch, the Knights forced a South 3-and-out and got a late chance to add more points.

Twice Udinski kept the drive alive by finding Hubler on third down. Then on 4th-and-10 from the Titans 37, Hubler caught a pass over the middle, spun off a tackle attempt and raced to the end zone for a 28-13 lead with only a few

“That was a huge play,” Udinski said. “We want to go into halftime with the momentum and getting the touchdown over a field goal was huge. I think he made an incredible effort on the play.”

Neither side collected a point in the third quarter. North Penn added two rushing touchdowns in the fourth. Dan Drop scored from two yards out at 11:37 while Xzavier Gorski crossed the goal line on an 11-yard run at 3:30 as the Knights pulled away for their 13 straight SOL conference win in their first road game on 2016.

“With five straight home games at the beginning, that’s not really normal, so I guess going on the road is a nice change, a nice feeling,” Udinski said. “And that bus ride home is just even better with a win.”

The Titans’ Tyler Watson had a game-high 136 yards rushing on 10 carries while quarterback Jack Johns was 8-of-21 passing for 171 yards, one touchdown and five interceptions.

North Penn is back in action Saturday when it visits Central Bucks East. CB South, meanwhile, steps out of SOL Continental play and faces Neshaminy on the road Friday.

Down 14-0, Central Bucks South (5-1, 2-1) turned North Penn’s second-quarter turnovers into big plays and 13 points. Watson picked off an Udinski tipped pass and on the next play Watson cut through the middle of the line and dashed 77 yards to the end zone at 9:38 in the second quarter.

A Noah Collachi interception had South back on offense at its own 49 and again on the series’ first snap Watson hurt the Knights — taking a Jack Johns pass 46 yards down the NP 5. Two plays, later Johns hit Sean Charpentier for a 4-yard TD pass at 6:48.

“Those flashes are only going to get you so far, against a team like (North Penn) you got to be able to sustain drives, you got to be able to convert third downs,” CB South coach Tom Hetrick said. “We just didn’t do that consistently.”

Udinski threw his third interception with North Penn at the South 9, but the Knights defense forced a 3-and-out and Udinski proceeded to right the ship on the next NP possession. He capped a four-play, 64-yard scoring driving with three straight competitions — the final one Udinski rolling to his right and connecting with Ricky Johns for a 41-yard score.

Hubler’s 37-yard TD catch in the final seconds that made it 28-13 finished a 10-play, 75-yard drive.

“What’s funny is we ran the play three plays earlier and the same thing happened and Jake fell down, he tripped,” Beck said. “I told him he should of done that the first time but it was great effort to get it, no doubt great effort.”

North Penn took a 7-0 lead on its first offensive series, going 70 yards on eight plays, the last an Udinski to Ricky Johns 7-yard touchdown at 5:42 in the first quarter.

The Knights defense made it 14-0 late in the opening period as Jon Haynes picked off Jack Johns and took it back for a 55-yard score at 3:30.

Mike Cabrey

Mike Cabrey
Mike Cabrey is the Assistant Sports Editor for The Reporter and Montgomery News. Email him at mcabrey@thereporteronline.com.

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