Berry, North Penn finish on high note
Nor th Penn missed out of the District 1-6A playoffs this season but the Knights made sure to end their 2020 in emphatic fashion last Friday by rolling past Central Bucks South 52-20 for a fourth straight victory.
One senior Knight that capped his career in style was captain Andrew Berry, the fullback rushing four times for 96 yards — most of that coming as he burst up the middle and raced for a 72-yard touchdown in the second quarter.
“It was crazy and the sideline was going crazy for me, they ran on the field going crazy,” Berry said. “It was incredible cause it was only my second touchdown.”
If someone was deserving of an uplifting moment on the field it was Berry. On Oct. 17, a fire ravaged the Berry family’s home. A gofundme was created to support the family (https:// www.gofundme.com/f/jnvv4berry-family-house-fire/) and on Wednesday the amount raised was double the $5,000 goal.
“It was incredible. The whole team gathered around me,” Berry said. “Even the day of the fire I had a bunch of kids come over, they showed so much support it felt incredible.”
North Penn coach Dick Beck said Berry – who also caught a 15-yard pass to reach the South 1 with NP scoring at TD a play later – has put in the work
day in and day out for the Knights and was a vital piece to a NP ground game that racked up an astounding 552 yards on the ground against the Titans.
“It was a tragedy for the family and they ’re displaced right now and did a nice fundraiser for them,” Beck said. “But this kid never missed a practice and he had that touchdown run which was awesome for him.
“Last year he didn’t play as much as he wanted to do and he’s playing lots of JV. And this year he’s such a hard worker we named him captain and he’s just a top-notch kid. And as a blocker at fullback he was awesome.”
GA STARTS WITH WIN » German town Academy began its four-game schedule with victory last Saturday, Jerry Griffen-Batchler having a rushing touchdown, a kick return TD and also threw for a TD as the Patriots won their third straight season opener by going on the road and beating Haverford School 28-13. GA hosts SCH Academy 1:45 p.m. Saturday.
BIG RED, RAMS GET READY FOR DISTRICTS » Souderton capped off its regular season with a resounding 55-12 win at Bensalem last Friday. The Indians’ double nickel was the most they’ve scored since beating Bensalem 6020 in 2014 — the 60 being Big Red’s high-water mark for points under coach Ed Gallagher.
Souderton (5-0), who earned the third seed in the District 1-6A playoffs, visits No. 2 Spring-Ford in the semifinals Friday. A win by the Indians would give them a 6-0 start for the second straight year and also their first district playoff victory since 2006 when it beat Downingtown East 42-14 in the 4A first round.
The Indians have lost their last six district games, most recently falling to Coatesville in last year’s 6A first round. Souder ton and Spring-Ford last met in Week 1 of 2007 with the Indians winning34-13.SpringFord comes into the contest 6-0 after a 2014 victor y at home over Cumberland Valley la st Friday.
In Friday’ s other 6 A semi final, top-seeded Pennridge (5-0) welcomes No. 4 Coatesville (4-0) to Helman Field.
The Rams’ run of shutouts ended at three but kept its perfect mark intact and earned their first playoff berth since 2017 by beating Abington 21-15.
Coatesville won District 1-6A titles in 2017 and 2018 — claiming the later crown at Helman Field against North Penn — but had its three-peat dreams end in last year’s district final by Ches-Mont rival Downingtown West.
MORE PLAYOFFS » Wissahickon plays in the district postseason for the f irst time since 2012 when the No. 3 Trojans (3-2) head to No. 2 West Chester Rustin (3-1) for a District 1-5A semifinal matchup while top seed Upper Dublin (41) hosts No. 4 Kennett (21) in the other semi. Both games are set for 7 p.m. kickoffs Friday.
In Class 4A, Upper Moreland (4-1) visits Bonner & Prendergast (3-0) in the PIAA first round 6:30 p.m. Friday.