North Penn’s playoff showdown with Souderton hung in the balance at halftime, the Knights clinging to a 17-14 edge after a back-and-forth slugfest between the backyard foes. Then the third quarter hit, and the Knights flipped the switch, steamrolling the Indians in a dominant second half that turned a nail-biter into a 43-14 rout.
What sparked the turnaround?
“It was our coaches – Coach Beck’s halftime speech,” North Penn senior Christian Barnes said. “He riled us up, and once he gave us that speech, we knew it was time to answer back.
“It was just energy. When we came out, we had a lot of energy but not enough. Souderton came out, and they punched us in the mouth. Coming into the second half, we punched right back. We’re not just letting them overcome us. We’re fighting back, we’re giving it 100 percent effort.”
The Knights seized the second-half kickoff and delivered an immediate haymaker, picking up a crucial third down before Rylei Gray burst for a 32-yard touchdown scamper—putting Souderton on its heels without even touching the ball. A quick defensive stop forced a punt, and North Penn struck again on a slick halfback option, Gray hitting Matt Pownall for a 31-yard score and a commanding 30-14 cushion.
“I think getting that first drive, converting the third down, getting down and scoring and getting up two scores was huge for us,” NP coach Dick Beck said. “Then to get the ball back – we had a big stop on fourth down. Right away, I said, ‘We’re going to run this (halftime pass). I couldn’t wait to run the halfback pass. I thought it would be open.”
Beautifully executed halfback pass from @Ryleigray to @mattpownall27 for a 31 yard touchdown with 1:59 left in the third quarter. @NorthPennKnight 30@SoudyFB 14 pic.twitter.com/KPMNqqxSon
— Suburban One Insider (@S1insider) November 8, 2025
Pownall kept pouring it on early in the fourth, plunging in from five yards for his third rushing TD (and fourth score overall) to make it 36-14. Gray then iced it with a dazzling 47-yard dash, capping a monster night and sealing the 43-14 final.
“Rylei tonight was the difference with how hard he was running the ball,” Beck said of his junior running back who had 196 yards on the ground. “We had a big stop on fourth down. Right away, I said, ‘We’re going to run this (halftime pass). I couldn’t wait to run the halfback pass. I thought it would be open.”
Beck insisted the game plan stayed rock-solid, just sharpened at the break.
“It was going to be – let’s run the ball first, let’s attack them, let’s look at what they gave us in the first half, and let’s see what adjustments we had to make where we were going to run the ball,” the Knights’ coach said. “They were making adjustments with where we were lining up, and we had to make adjustments and say – this is where we want to attack. Our O-line coach, Jason Barrish, does a great job, and he made some suggestions that were really helpful in the second half.”
Up front, the big uglies owned the line of scrimmage.
“Marsalis Kimber and Jack Silvers up front were awesome in the second half,” Beck said.
The first half? Pure fireworks. Souderton jumped ahead 7-0 on Nate Rusike’s four-yard plunge, but Pownall answered instantly with a 14-yard TD run. A 26-yard field goal gave North Penn its first lead, and Pownall’s four-yard score stretched it to 17-7 before Ben Walsh found JoJo Sudi for a 28-yard bomb, trimming it to 17-14 at the intermission.
“Matt Bucksar made some really big throws,” Beck said. “That first drive we got in on third-and-long, and he bangs one over the middle for the first down.
“That was a huge drive because we’re down 7-0, and now we’re in third-and-eight, and he hits that throw – that was huge for us.”
The victory marked seven straight wins for North Penn after early-season stumbles against Neshaminy (18-14) and Pennridge (34-10).
“The end of the Pennridge game – I think everyone had to look themselves in the mirror and say, ‘Are we doing the right thing? Are we working hard enough?” Beck said. “There’s definitely been some changes. I could tell you four guys that weren’t playing in that game that are huge contributors, and now they’re doing a (heck) of a job.”
Barnes headlines that quartet as a disruptive force at defensive end. Darin Burner has locked down defensive tackle, Lucas Oropeza patrols linebacker, and Jacob Garrett anchors the middle.
“Jacob Garrett, who’s playing middle linebacker, has been playing fantastic for us,” Beck said. “Those (four) guys have been outstanding for us.”
For Barnes—fresh off North Penn baseball’s district crown and state runner-up run last spring—gridiron glory is a thrilling encore.
“This is awesome,” Barnes said. “It’s definitely a different feel from baseball, but it’s a lot of energy and it’s another family, a new family.
“It’s great to play another week. We’re ready to go back to work.”
Up Next: The Knights (10-2) host No. 11 Neshaminy (9-3) in Friday’s District 1-6A quarterfinals.
Souderton's (9-3) season comes to an end.
