Knights finish off perfect regular season
North Penn too much for Tennent
WARMINSTER >> North Penn put a polished finish on an undefeated regular season Friday night, pulling away early from William Tennent in a 56-14, mercy-rule victory.
“It’s the best way to end the season,” said R.J. Macnamara, who rumbled for 91 yards and a pair of scores in place of injured starter Julian White (sprained ankle). “What else could you ask for?
“We’re really excited to get the playoffs going. It’s gonna be fun.”
The Knights, ranked first in the District 1-6A standings going into the evening, raised their record to a perfect 10-0, including a 6-0 run through the Suburban One League Continental Conference. The Panthers finished the season 2-8 overall and 0-6 in the conference.
North Penn, clinching its second 10-0 regular season in three years, scored on all five of its first-half possessions as well as William Tennent’s first.
“A 10-0 finish, just like two years ago,” Macnamara said, alluding to the 2016 squad that reached the state semis. “Maybe we can do better than they did.”
On the fourth play from scrimmage, Shamar Edwards intercepted Panther quarterback Jason Schweizerhof and raced into the night, 70 yards for a touchdown and a quick 7-0 Knight lead.
On North Penn’s opening offensive series, Macnamara came bursting through the middle and scored on a 16-yard run, boosting the lead to 14-0.
“The focus was to come out and just be explosive,” Macnamara said.
North Penn wasn’t done, and neither was Macnamara.
On the next possession, the junior broke free for 67 yards, widening the gap to 21-0.
“Great blocking,” Macnamara said. “I knew I could step in for Julian if he needed me. He’ll be good for next week.”
Soon after, quarterback Solomon Robinson threw deep down the middle to Evan Spann, who caught it at the five and trotted in for a 55-yard score and a 28-0 North Penn advantage. Onto the second quarter. Edwards (136 yds) raced down the left sideline for a 77-yard touchdown and then scored his third TD of the night, this one an 18-yard run that ensured a running clock for the second half, making it 42-7 at the break.
Sandwiched in between was a nice, 15-yard hookup between Schweizerhof and wide receiver Dawson Pierson for a touchdown.
North Penn added a TD by Kaleem Corbin (two yards) in the third quarter and one by Josh McHoul (two yards) in the fourth.
Tennent closed things out with a 43-yard connection from Kip Mooney to Ryan Savage.
“It was a very nice way to end things,” said Savage, who capped a tremendous career at Tennent. “I wish things could have been better this year but I couldn’t ask for better teammates.
“(North Penn) proved that they were 9-0 and now they’re 10-0. I wish them the best of luck in the playoffs.”