North Penn Shackles Souderton with Complete Game Effort

Written by: Armand Vanore on Saturday, October 22nd, 2011. Follow Armand Vanore on Twitter.

Lansdale, Pa., The North Penn football team operated on all cylinders and Corey Ernst’s three first half touchdown passes helped the Knights smash their way to a 37-14 win over Suburban One Continental Conference rival Souderton at James Crawford stadium. The loss virtually eliminates all hopes that the Indians will make the AAAA District 1 playoffs which start in three weeks.

Spotting the Indians a 7-0 lead on the strength of a Joe McNamara three yard touchdown run, the Knights controlled thereafter with a balanced mixture of running and passing. Ernst hit Dan Gevirtz with a 68 yard touchdown three plays later and followed that with strikes for 38 yards to tight end Ralph Reeves and seven yards to Shayne Watson.

From the outset North Penn was controlling both lines of scrimmage. The offensive line, led by John Garland, T.J. Smink, Joe Potkovac and Josh Cook provided great protection for Ernst and opened holes for the running backs. This group looks to be about the best offensive line in all of District One.

The second half was much the same as the first as Reeves (operating as a tailback) scored from one yard out. Tailback Kyle Mayfield’s 82 yard touchdown run in their next series closed out the scoring.

Coming into this game Reeves felt that his number would be called on passing plays. “We had a feeling they would key me with a linebacker on passing routes” said Reeves. “On the touchdown pass Corey threw it where only I could make the catch. It was a great throw”. Gevirtz, for his part was a major contributor every time he touched the ball. His speed makes it very difficult for defenses to game plan on. “Getting Dan isolated in space and with the great protection the line gave me makes it easy to make plays” chimed Ernst. “We have a lot of weapons”.

With the victory, North Penn supports a 6-2 record (5-0 conference) and will be a very tough foe for anyone they face come the District One playoffs. The balance of a solid running/passing attack and the size and athleticism of their line gives this team the potential to make a run at Hershey. They will take on Hatboro Horsham next week. Souderton falls to 4-4 (3-3 conference) and host Central Bucks East.

Notes: North Penn’s offensive line averages 265 pounds and provided sensational drive and pass blocking throughout. Reeves was the most versatile player on the field garnering a host of tackles as linebacker, catching the touchdown pass from Ernst and running for one TD. He is a four year starter whom is getting interest from Villanova and the University of Delaware. Gevirtz also runs track (he was the SOL long jump champion) and hopes to do both sports at the next level. Ernst was 13-18 for 218 yards and three TD’s. Mayfield’s 82 yard TD gave him 107 rushing yards for the night on 8 carries.

Scoring By Quarter

1^st Quarter

Souderton: Joe McNamaro: 3 yard run: PAT: Jeff Wolf: 7:49

North Penn: Dan Gevirtz: 68 pass from Corey Ernst: PAT: Brandon Mandes: 6:07

2^nd Quarter

North Penn: Ralph Reeves: 38 pass from Corey Ernst: PAT: Brandon Mandes: 11:51

North Penn: Brandon Mandes: 35 yard field goal: 3:52

North Penn: Shayne Watson: 7 yard pass from Corey Ernst: PAT: no good: :56

3^rd Quarter

No Scoring

4^th quarter

North Penn: Ralph Reeves: 1 yard run: PAT: Brandon Mandes: 11:57