PERKAISE – Four weeks ago, North Penn watched Pennridge spoil its senior night and celebrate on its home turf. On Friday night, the Knights returned the favor.
Behind an offensive explosion, headlined by senior wide receiver Will Rittenhouse’s three-touchdown night, the Knights rolled the Rams 38-21 to advance to the second round of the PIAA 6A playoffs.
“We came in pissed; they came to our stadium on senior night and won,” Rittenhouse said. “We didn’t handle that well. We wanted to end their season tonight, and we played angry every snap.”
In their first meeting in October, the Rams traveled to Crawford Field and knocked off the Knights 20-8 on a night when their defense had all the answers. Pennridge forced three takeaways, including a pick-six; however, North Penn flipped the script Friday night.
“It’s been a tough year,” North Penn head coach Dick Beck said. “We lost three in a row, and didn’t score against CB South. It’s been tough, but the kids have persevered.”
“I would say most of our success had to do with us being healthy, even though we lost Jacob Garrett, who has maybe been our best defensive player this year. But we got Jamal (Bell) back and a couple of other big pieces up front. I think that certainly helped having those guys back.”
The Knights got the ball first and immediately went to work, as sophomore kicker Matthew Kasitz drilled a 33-yard field goal on their opening drive.
After forcing a quick Pennridge punt, North Penn went back to work. On the first play of the drive, senior quarterback London Evans connected with junior wide receiver Duke Horgan on the play-action pass for a 54-yard gain, setting up first-and-goal from the one.
Two plays later, North Penn reached into their bag of tricks.
Senior running back Sal Colella hit Rittenhouse in the back of the end zone on the toss pass for a touchdown. With 1:54 left in the opening quarter, the Knights led 10-0.
“We have so many great skill players on our team,” Rittenhouse said. We got so many great running backs, so many great wide receivers. So it's hard for everybody to have their shine. When it's my moment, I'm just going to make the most of it, and I'm going to run with it. I'm going to do what I know I can do.”
Chaos then ensued.
On the following kickoff, senior corner Michael Ferguson took it 96 yards to the house, igniting life into Hellman Field. Then, on the Rams kickoff back to the Knights, senior safety Adam Francis popped the ball loose, and Pennridge recovered.
In a flash, the momentum of the game completely flipped, but the Knights never blinked.
With Pennridge starting on its 25-yard line, North Penn’s defense made a crucial stand. The Knights pushed the Rams back to the 34-yard line to force a 51-yard field-goal attempt that they blocked to close the opening quarter.
As both defenses started to settle in, the Knights put together a game-changing drive before the break.
Starting on their own 5-yard line, North Penn drove the length of the field late in the second quarter. On first and goal, Evans connected with Rittenhouse in the back corner of the end zone to put the Knights back up double digits with 1:14 remaining in the half.
Rittenhouse’s second touchdown sent North Penn into the locker room with a 17-7 lead.
In the second half, the Knights continued to pour it on.
North Penn’s defense allowed just two first downs in the first half, and picked up right where they left off out of the break, forcing a turnover on downs on Pennridge’s opening drive.
“We knew they were going to keep us on our feet defensively,” Rittenhouse said. “I think we just stayed mentally disciplined and each person just did their job. We weren't trying to be superstars out there. We were all just trying to do our job.”
A few plays later, Evans connected with a wide-open Horgan downfield as he raced into the end zone for a 62-yard touchdown with 3:58 left in the third quarter. The Knights junior wide receiver finished the night with 3 catches for 149 yards and a score.
Pennridge responded as junior running back Trevor Picciotti ran through a defender and barreled in for a 19-yard touchdown. The 2-point try was no good as the Rams cut the deficit to 11 with 48 seconds to go in the third.
However, every time the Rams threw a jab, the Knights responded with a haymaker.
On third and 12, Evans launched it downfield for Rittenhouse, who came down with it and dragged a defender into the pylon for a 45-yard touchdown early in the fourth quarter.
Evans finished the night with 251 passing yards and 3 touchdowns, while Rittenhouse brought in 5 catches for 85 receiving yards and 3 touchdowns.
“Our quarterback is special,” Colella said. “Our coaches draw up great schemes for every team we play, and when we execute them, I truly believe, talent for talent, nobody can hang with us. But it all comes down to execution.”
The Rams continued to battle as junior quarterback Aiden Tetkowski hit junior wide receiver Bradley Dornon in the open field as he raced in for a touchdown with 4:03 left in the fourth to draw Pennridge within two scores.
“Our guys are going to play to the last minute,” Pennridge head coach Kyle Beller said. “Our guys are never going to give up. They’re always going to keep playing hard.”
However, two late interceptions from junior defensive backs Ziyon Smith and Josh Prince and an earth-shaking touchdown run from Colella thwarted any chance of a Rams comeback as the Knights held on to avenge their senior night loss.
North Penn’s chances at back-to-back District Championships remain alive, as they await the winner of Downingtown West and Council Rock South.
Unlike a lot of teams that lose in the playoffs, Pennridge will take the field one final time Thanksgiving morning when they travel to Quakertown.