The Seals were able to put the ball in the air and capitalize on great field position especially in the 2nd half. Harvard-bound QB Cory Briggs was 17/29 for 229-yards and 2TD’s.

The game was filled with penalties and turnovers often times halting deep drives by both teams. There were a total of 8 turnovers. ACC (12-2) had 5 (3 fumbles and 2 INT’s) with the Seals at 3 (1 fumble and 2 INT’s).

The first half was running by ACC and passing by Selinsgrove. ACC Sophomore QB Brendan Nosovitch rushed for 133-yards in the first half. He was the only runner that the Seals couldn’t stop that is until the 2nd half where he had only 10-yards. His first run in the 2nd half of 19-yards put him over 1,000 yards rushing for the year. He is only the 2nd player in state history to pass for 2,000 yards and run for 1,000-yards in one season. The other District 11 player was Liberty’s Dan Persa.

Selinsgrove’s defense held the Viking’s to just 40 total yards in the 2nd half often sacking the QB while they began to get their running game going which was non existent in the 1st half.

ACC was unable to get their passing game on track all game which has been their bread and butter as of late. In fact, both teams excelled at what they didn’t in last week’s contests.

The seals 2nd half TD’s came on a 4-yard run by Kyle Reinard, a 3-yard run by Bryant Trautman, and a 4th quarter 3-yard pass by Matt Ruby. Their 1st quarter score was a 14-yard pass to Ryan Keiser.

ACC opened the scoring on their first drive of the night with a Nosovitch 6-yard TD. Each team added a FG in the 1st half as well.

Next week Selinsgrove will play Archbishop Wood in a rematch from last years Eastern Final game.

Once again it was super sophomore QB Brendan Nosovitch who directed his team down the field. Nosovitch was 13/23 for 191-yards and 3 scores. He also rushed 20 times for 56-yards against a stingy Comet’s run defense.

On ACC’s first drive of the game, Nosovitch put his team on his back completing 4/4 passes for 77-yards with his last completion being a 24-yard TD strike to Jack Sandherr.

A few series later it again was Nosovitch at work this time hitting Shane McNeely for the 10-yard score.

ACC took a 14-0 halftime lead.

To start the 2nd half and after a nice KOR, the Vikings went 47-yards in 9 plays with Nosvitch hitting Kevin Mckellock for the 14-yard TD to put the Viking’s up 21-0.

Although Abington Heights was unable to be consistent with their running game, they would finally get on the board with a 60-yard TD run by speedster James Fruehan.

On the ensuing kickoff, ACC’s Kevin Gulyas returned the kick 80-yards to the house to put the Viking’s back up by 3 scores.

The Comets would get on the board one last time thanks to a dropped punt return by ACC’s Gallagher at his own 23-yard line. The result was Mike Bemish to Morgan Craig for the 6-yard TD pass.

The Viking’s were able to contain the larger and much hyped Abington Heights running game led by Juniors Paul Gallagher and James Fruehan. ACC constantly had 8 or 9 men in the box often sacking or pressuring the QB and forcing the Comets to throw.

Next week ACC will meet (13-0) Selinsgrove who was a 35-3 winner over Greater Johnstown.

This was the ACC’s first title since 2003. Wilson was the 3A champion last year.

Nosovitch amassed 371 total yards ( 285-yards passing and 86-yards rushing) while taking part in 6 of the 7 ACC TD’s (4 passing and 2 rushing). His main target tonight, Kevin Gulyas, had 6 receptions for 215-yards and 3TD’s.

Wilson and Maryland-bound QB Tyler Smith threw for 277-yards breaking the D11 single season (3,128) and career passing records (8,033) to go with 87 career TD’s. Ironically, he broke former Warrior QB DJ Lenehan’s records.

The end of the first quarter was 7-0 in favor of ACC with Nosovitch taking it in from the 7-yard line.

ACC would jump out to a 14-0 lead on another Nosovitch run from 6-yards out.

Wilson would finally get on the board in the 2nd quarter with a 22-yard TD pass from Smith to Kowan Scott cutting the lead to 14-7.

With seconds left in the 1st half, Nosovitch hit TE Shane McNeely for a 46-yard score. 21-7 at the half.

In the 2nd half ACC was looking to put the game away early and did so with an 80-yard TD strike to Gulyas on 3rd and 7 at their own 20-yard line. 28-7.

The rest of the second half both ACC and Wilson would trade touchdowns until the final gun sounded with ACC claiming gold in a 49-21 win.

ACC will play the winner of Abington Heights/Dallas at BASD next Friday at 7:00pm.

This game not only had LVC title implications on the line but also District 11 playoff positioning.

Easton was able to move the ball through the air which is something they have been missing in earlier weeks.

The game started out sloppy for both teams as each fumbled the ball away on their opening possessions.

On Easton’s second series the Red Rovers were able to get on the board with a 3-yard TD pass to TE Justin Souders. The drive was aided by a Quran Hughes 31-yard run.

The rest of the half was punt after punt for both teams with Easton leading 7-0 at the break.

Early in the 3rd quarter and behind the running of Webb, Freedom was able to get on the board with a 33-yard FG to cut the lead to 7-3. After Webb ran down the field he was shaken up at the 16-yard line after a strong run. He came out for the rest of the series and Freedom was not able to move the ball forcing the FG attempt.

The next series Easton attempted to fake the punt to no avail. There was a 5-yard loss leaving the Patriots to take over on it’s own 36-yard line.

On 4th and inches Webb took it in to give Freedom the lead 14-7.

Late in the 4th quarter Easton drove the ball down the field while converting on 3rd and 4th downs. They eventually took the lead on a 4th and 1-yard TD run by Hughes. Easton back up 14-10.

Freedom had one last chance with about 1:30 left in the game. They did move the ball down the field but a Patrick Murphy INT off a tipped pass at the 26-yard line sealed the game and moved Easton into a tie with ACC in LVC play with 1 loss each.

Next week (6-1) Easton hosts (3-4) Northampton while (5-2) Freedom takes on (3-4) Bethlehem Catholic.

Webb took the first play of Freedom’s first possession and raced 65-yards for the TD. He followed up with TD runs of 66, 27, 85, and 52-yards respectively.

For the year Webb has 996-yards rushing and 19 total touchdowns. (17 Rushing, 2 on KOR’s). Teams just kick the ball out bounds to keep it away from him. He averages an amazing 71-yards per KOR.

Parkland did all they could running behind their Boston College-bound RB Andre Williams but the night belonged to Webb. Williams rushed for an estimated 145-yards and a 4-yard TD. He did have an 81-yard score called back for holding.

The final score was somewhat not indicative of how the game flowed. Freedom jumped out to a quick 13-0 lead but Parkland kept fighting back. They stayed within 1 touchdown until late in the game. The also missed a 1st quarter FG.

William’s and company consistently moved the ball on the ground but could not punch it in when it counted.

Parkland which had only been 3 for 28 passing all year was able to air it out at times. Their second score was a 21-yard TD pass from Dominic Posocco to Kurt Konis which ended the half at 20-14 Freedom.

Eventually Freedom pulled away on the legs of Webb and upping their record to (4-1). Parkland dropped to (3-2).

Next week (4-1) Freedom takes on  (3-2) Northampton while (3-2) Parkland host (0-5) Allen.

Tonight Easton avenged last years 26-0 shut out with stellar defensive line play led by DT David Caldwell, inspiring running by Quran Hughes, and overall enthusiastic play.

As most predicted this would be a grind it out, low scoring, hard fought game. Well that prediction came true as both teams had numerous “turnover on downs” series.

After an Easton turnover (INT) on the first play of the game, each team holding the other to “turnover on downs”, it was Parkland who was on the scoreboard first kicking a 22-yard FG on 4th and 5-yards.

Midway through the 1st it was Jashaad Gaddy who picked off Parkland’s Dominic Posocco in a tip drill and returned it 32-yards for the score changing momentum for the game. Easton 7-3.

The game would stay 7-3 until the 4th quarter when Quran Hughes finished off a 65-yard 8-play drive ending in him taking a quick trap7-yards for the score. Easton 14-3.

Easton dominated the running game with 198-yards on the night while Hughes rushed 16 times for 122-yards and 1 score.

Next week (3-0) Easton takes on (1-2) Emmaus and (2-1) Parkland faces (3-0) Nazareth.

Liberty playing with an injured Anthony Gonzalez who will get operated on Tuesday to repair damage in his knee could not avoid mistakes and collect their first win of the season. Gonzalez injured his meniscus in the first quarter of last weeks shackling from North Penn. He was able to play as doctors said he could not do anymore damage but will miss the next 2-3 weeks.

For Parkland it was the spark of backup QB Dominic Posocco who got things rolling for the Trojans. He was inserted into the game in the 2nd quarter after starter Casey Cooperman had poor play and threw 2 INT’s.

This game was about who could survive the elements and turnovers. Parkland had 4 while Liberty had 3. It was a game of field position as each team had trouble punting due to the wind.  Perhaps the biggest killer was discipline. Liberty had 10 penalties and 8 fumbled snaps.

Liberty was first to get on the board with a 4-yard fade from Gonzalez to West. A few turnovers later it was Kurt Kaunas who scooted in from 14-yards out tying the game at 7.

Just like last week against North Penn, Liberty was trying to stop a 4th and goal from the 1-yard line with 5 seconds left in the first half. The result was a Posocco keeper for the TD and the 14-7 lead.

In the second half Parkland kept on rolling as Boston College-bound Andre Williams took a sweep 36-yards to paydirt while outrunning everyone. Parkland 21-7.

Liberty would get back in the game as Gonzalez finished off a promising drive taking the QB sweep in from 3-yards.

Liberty had several chances to tie up the game and possibly force overtime but Parkland would have none of that. They held Liberty on downs at the 22-yard line and then Dan Castillo sealed the win by picking off Gonzalez with 1:30 left to play. The Trojans then ran out the clock.

Next week (0-2) Liberty takes on (2-0) ACC while (2-0) Parkland battles with (2-0) Easton.

Craig Needhammer picked a perfect night for a career game as he and his Night’s ran through, around, and over visiting Liberty who are the defending PIAA 4A state champions.

His speed and hard running led him to 14 carries/219-yards/2TD’s. He had runs of 81 and 99-yards (TD) which proved he will be a standout RB in District 1.

It first appeared as if Liberty was picking up where they left off last year by getting on the board on their first possession. After a few Anthony Gonzalez runs followed by a perfect 54-yard TD strike to Stanford- bound Jarred West, it seemed like business as usual.

After a North Penn punt, Liberty was on the move again getting the ball down to the 1-yard line. Two penalties later and a double reverse that was fumbled and recovered by the Night’s changed momentum.

North Penn started out their scoring with a 22-yard FG. After an attempted Liberty punt gone bad, resulting with West taking the loss at the 12-yard line, Needhammer ran a trap 11-yards to paydirt. North Penn took the 10-7 lead.

Liberty got on the scoreboard one last time with a 32-yard FG tying the game at 10-points apiece.

After that point it was all North Penn as they scored 32 unanswered points.

Brandon Mercer, the fastest player on the team, was sidelined early with a broken Collarbone which paved the way for Mike Culbreath to do his damage with 3TD’s. He had runs of 1,2,and 3-yards respectively.

Ralph Reed made his presence known in the 4th Quarter as he took a TE screen 25-yards for the score.

After a Liberty punt down to the North Penn 1-yard line, the man of the night, Craig Needhammer was at it again breaking off a 99-yard TD run to seal the win for the Nights.

Next week Liberty plays Parkland (1-0) a 16-0 winner of George Washington and North Penn takes on cross-town rival Lansdale Catholic.

Coatesville, Pa: Bethlehem Liberty (14-1) redeemed itself from its only loss of the season in beating North Penn (14-1) 21-14. This win advances the Hurricanes back to the 4A state final next Saturday in Hershey at 7p.m.

In week one, Liberty lost to North Penn 23-15, which was their only blemish of the season. In that game the Knights stormed out to a 20-0 halftime lead until the Canes came back with 15 points of their own thus keeping the game from a blowout to making it interesting.

This was not the first time the two teams have met. In 2005, Liberty won a slugfest over North Penn 14-12 also in the Eastern final.

With this win Liberty rides a 14-game winning streak to face off against Western power Bethel Park who beat Wilson West Lawn in triple overtime 38-35.

This win puts Liberty in the state finals for the 3rd time in 4-years. The Hurricanes hope that the 3rd time is a charm as they were humbled in 2005 and 2006 by McKeesport Area and Upper Saint Clair respectively.

This win also makes it 4 in a row and 5 out of 7 for an LVC team (D11) to reach the finals as Parkland split winning in 2002 against Woodland Hills and losing last year to Pittsburgh Central Catholic.

Liberty received the opening kick off and marched 80-yards on 18 plays while consuming 9:14 of the first quarter. Liberty attacked the heart of North Penn by running their belly option series with a steady diet of FB Daryl Klotz and QB Anthony Gonzalez. Gonzalez finished off the drive with a 1-yard sneak. The extra point was blocked and Liberty led 6-0.

On the ensuing kick off North Penn drove down the field on a long drive of it’s own covering 64-yards on 12 plays with Ronnie Akins taking it in from 2-yards out. PAT was good, North Penn 7-6.

After a tip drill INT from Gonzalez to Klotz, Devon Street was the benefactor of a 3-yard TD pass from Gonzalez. The drive, once again time consuming, took 11-plays.

Liberty went for the 2-point conversion and made it on a shuffle pass to Brandon Brader. Liberty 14-7. That’s how the half would end.

North Penn received the 2nd half kickoff and went straight to trickery. Akins threw a WR pass to a wide-open Tyler Smith for a gain of 42-yards. Akins capped off the drive with his 2nd touchdown of the game from 4-yards out which tied it at 14 all.

Once again it was Liberty that responded. On 3rd and 20 Gonzalez hit TE Horvin Latimer for a 32-yard gain. Brader put the Hurricanes ahead with an 18-yard TD run. Liberty 21-14.

It appeared Liberty would go up by 2 scores but were held on 4th and 1 at the 4-yard line.

There was 3:20 remaining but Liberty’s Mark Olivo sealed the win with an INT as Liberty then ran out the clock.

In the City of Bethlehem also known as the “Christmas City” two familiar teams faced off for the second time in a few weeks. It was billed as “Liberty vs. Freedom 2”. This time around it was for the D 11/2/4 sub-regional title, district 11 title, and the right to play in the state quarterfinal against D12 winner George Washington (10-1)

Liberty (12-1) and Freedom (10-3) met in week 10 with Liberty prevailing 20-14 in a hard fought game. This contest just added 8-points to Liberty’s final score.

This game, played in super cold weather, was just another day at work for the Hurricanes. Although Freedom jumped out to a 7-0 lead on an Eddie Mateo 35-yard run, it was the “Canes” all everything QB in Anthony Gonzalez who stole the spotlight once again. He rushed for 28 times for 166-yards and all 4 TD’s (8, 3, 36 and 43).

Gonzalez couldn’t do it alone as RB Brandon Brader chipped in 102-yards rushing and his massive line opened up beautiful holes for him to glide through.

At half the game was tied at 7-7 with Gonzalez scoring on an 8-yard option keeper as time expired.

Gonzalez (also the LVC MVP) really pored it on in the 2nd half mainly in the 4th quarter where he scored his final 2 touchdown in the last 5-minutes.

Although Freedom lost this game, they have set a school record for wins in a season (10) and reaching the district playoff for the first time in school history. Head coach Jason Roeder has slowly built this team into a constant winner over the last few years.

As for Liberty, it seems as if reaching the state playoffs has become old hat for them.

Liberty will prepare to take on D12 winner George Washington of the Philadelphia public league who was a 23-14 winner over favorite and Philadelphia Catholic league champion LaSalle. The game will be played next Saturday at Northeast’s Charles Martin Stadium. Kick off is set for noon. The winner will advance to take on D1 champion (North Penn or Neshaminy) in the Eastern Finals.