Pennsbury turned the ball over four times, but the defense picked off two Pennridge passes in the final two minutes to hang on for a 27-24 victory Saturday afternoon at Truman High School.
For the second week in a row, the Falcons jumped out to an early 14-0 lead. #24 G. Mulbah took the opening kickoff 93 yards to the house (why kick to this guy?), then after a Pennridge punt, PHS QB #12 McGurrin kept around left end for a 50-yard TD run. But just like CB East last week, Pennridge quickly circled the wagons. The Rams needed one play to get on the board - a pitch left to #22 who took it 59 yards for the TD. A bobbled snap led to a missed 2-point pass on the fire drill, 14-6 Falcons.
Pennsbury came back with 11 straight running plays, aided also by facemask and unsportsmanlike penalties on Pennridge, to go up 21-6 after a 5-yard TD run by Mulbah. LB #9 Gabbett lined up twice on this drive (including the TD) as FB, with Mulbah dotting the "I", marking the first use of I-formation by the Falcons this year. Undaunted, Pennridge answered with an 80-yard drive capped by another TD run by #22, making the score 21-12 after the 2-pointer failed.
On the ensuing drive, McGurrin turned the ball over on an ill-advised option pitch to the turf, and Pennridge hit a 44-yard fly pattern on the next play. The Rams' drive ended with a 23-yard TD pass and another missed 2-point conversion, leaving PHS up 21-18.
Pennsbury drove for a 28-yard FG with 0:02 remaining on the first half clock. Pennridge then watched the squib kick-off roll across the field towards the sideline, but failed to cover it before the Falcons fell on it. No time had elapsed, and Pennsbury kicker #87 Zelenko nailed a 41-yarder as time expired to take a 27-18 halftime lead. Those points would turn out to be the difference.
A nice second half opening kick return and horsecollar penalty lead to another Pennridge TD run (and another missed 2-pointer) to get to the final score of 27-24. It is worth noting that if the Rams kick those 3 extra points, the game would have now been tied.
Pennsbury's next three drives ended in a McGurrin deflected INT in the end zone (only pass he threw on the day), a Mulbah fumble and a fumble on a McGurrin to Mulbah exchange. Taking over mid-fourth quarter, Pennridge mounted a nice drive to get to a second and goal at the 2. But two losing plays and a delay of game penalty later, the Rams went for it on 4th and goal from the 13. CB #22 David picked off the pass to end the threat.
But the Falcons could not get a first down and had to punt with under a minute to go. The Rams just missed the punt block and took over at their own 49. However, on the next play, Gabbett intercepted a pass over the middle. McGurrin kneeled once and the Falcons escaped with the W.
Pennsbury rushed 45 times for 241 yards, while Pennridge gained 351 yards with a balanced attack. Mulbah was a workman-like 27 for 134 and a TD, with a long run of only 19 yards. The Falcons' Ground and Pound attack has rushed for 1,239 yards and 13 TDs in the four straight wins against the CB schools and Pennridge. Almost unbelievably, in those four wins, they have exactly one pass completion for 8 yards.
Next week, Pennsbury (6-1) travels to North Penn. Pennsbury HC Snyder has never beaten North Penn as a coach.
For the second week in a row, the Falcons jumped out to an early 14-0 lead. #24 G. Mulbah took the opening kickoff 93 yards to the house (why kick to this guy?), then after a Pennridge punt, PHS QB #12 McGurrin kept around left end for a 50-yard TD run. But just like CB East last week, Pennridge quickly circled the wagons. The Rams needed one play to get on the board - a pitch left to #22 who took it 59 yards for the TD. A bobbled snap led to a missed 2-point pass on the fire drill, 14-6 Falcons.
Pennsbury came back with 11 straight running plays, aided also by facemask and unsportsmanlike penalties on Pennridge, to go up 21-6 after a 5-yard TD run by Mulbah. LB #9 Gabbett lined up twice on this drive (including the TD) as FB, with Mulbah dotting the "I", marking the first use of I-formation by the Falcons this year. Undaunted, Pennridge answered with an 80-yard drive capped by another TD run by #22, making the score 21-12 after the 2-pointer failed.
On the ensuing drive, McGurrin turned the ball over on an ill-advised option pitch to the turf, and Pennridge hit a 44-yard fly pattern on the next play. The Rams' drive ended with a 23-yard TD pass and another missed 2-point conversion, leaving PHS up 21-18.
Pennsbury drove for a 28-yard FG with 0:02 remaining on the first half clock. Pennridge then watched the squib kick-off roll across the field towards the sideline, but failed to cover it before the Falcons fell on it. No time had elapsed, and Pennsbury kicker #87 Zelenko nailed a 41-yarder as time expired to take a 27-18 halftime lead. Those points would turn out to be the difference.
A nice second half opening kick return and horsecollar penalty lead to another Pennridge TD run (and another missed 2-pointer) to get to the final score of 27-24. It is worth noting that if the Rams kick those 3 extra points, the game would have now been tied.
Pennsbury's next three drives ended in a McGurrin deflected INT in the end zone (only pass he threw on the day), a Mulbah fumble and a fumble on a McGurrin to Mulbah exchange. Taking over mid-fourth quarter, Pennridge mounted a nice drive to get to a second and goal at the 2. But two losing plays and a delay of game penalty later, the Rams went for it on 4th and goal from the 13. CB #22 David picked off the pass to end the threat.
But the Falcons could not get a first down and had to punt with under a minute to go. The Rams just missed the punt block and took over at their own 49. However, on the next play, Gabbett intercepted a pass over the middle. McGurrin kneeled once and the Falcons escaped with the W.
Pennsbury rushed 45 times for 241 yards, while Pennridge gained 351 yards with a balanced attack. Mulbah was a workman-like 27 for 134 and a TD, with a long run of only 19 yards. The Falcons' Ground and Pound attack has rushed for 1,239 yards and 13 TDs in the four straight wins against the CB schools and Pennridge. Almost unbelievably, in those four wins, they have exactly one pass completion for 8 yards.
Next week, Pennsbury (6-1) travels to North Penn. Pennsbury HC Snyder has never beaten North Penn as a coach.
