Neshaminy Outlasts Emmaus in Overtime, 20-17
Tagged under: District 11, Gameday Hub, News
Billy Splain | August 24, 2024
Special Contributor: https://x.com/LSVSports
With a retooled Eastern Pennsylvania Conference alignment, teams were able to schedule more out of conference opponents beginning this season. Emmaus traveled to Heartbreak Ridge in Langhorne having not lost an opening night game since 2013.
Question marks loomed for the Hornets’ offense on the heels of devastating news that leading WR Rafael Terrero tore his ACL in last week’s scrimmage against Downingtown West. This gave new offensive coordinator Andy Cerco a tough challenge.
With two evenly matched teams on the gridiron, it was Emmaus that had the best chances early. On the final play of the first quarter, Reilly Bechtel went in from four yards out to give Emmaus a 7-0 lead. Bechtel was a force in the first quarter, breaking off a 41 yard run and Jerek Cooper found Kai Jefferson-Rushing on a 21 yard hookup.
Less than a minute into the second quarter and early in their third drive of the night, Carter Clee took a hit and went down. He was eventually helped off, but with his arm in a sling. The Redskins quickly joined Emmaus in losing one of their best players early in the year. Nahsir Moore carried most of the load from there on out and in impressive fashion. Meanwhile, the drive was kept alive early on by an Emmaus pass interference call, moving the ball from Neshaminy’s 24 to the 39 on would have otherwise been a 4th & 1 call. Shortly after, Moore broke one 46 yards down to the Emmaus 3 and then took it in for the game-tying score with 7:33 to play in the half.
After early success running the ball and QB Jerek Cooper having a lot of time to survey the field, Emmaus was shut down by a swarming Neshaminy defense. The Redskins forced a quick three-and-out and got the ball back on the Emmaus 48 with 5:39 to go. Mike Eckart found TE Connor Frederick for 15 and four plays later, Moore exploded through the middle for 31 yards, putting Neshaminy on the 1. On third down, Eckart plunged into the end zone and Neshaminy had their first lead, 14-7.
In their final drive of the first half, Emmaus started at their own 32 and Cooper found Jefferson-Rushing over the middle at midfield. On the next play. Cooper overthrew a wide open Jefferson-Rushing over the middle. On the next play, Shaakir Whiting got to Cooper and sacked him for a loss of 13, ending the late Hornets opportunity.
Emmaus got the ball back to start the second half, but quickly had an 18 yard gain wiped out on a hold. The untimely penalty forced a punt; Neshaminy took over at its own 45. Emmaus dodged a bullet when Mike Eckart’s 23 yard completion to Jason Gilardi was called back on holding. Emmaus forced a punt.
With Reilly Bechtel walking the sidelines since halftime, Emmaus was down another big playmaker. The Hornets relied on Jerek Cooper’s dual threat capability. Unfortunately, his 30 yard scamper on this drive was called back for holding once again. He rattled off another 27 yard gain, and this one counted, setting Emmaus up to potentially tie the game. The nine play, 67 yard drive ended with no points when Will Buck’s 23-yard field goal was blocked.
From there, Emmaus forced a punt and got the ball back at midfield. On thre plays, they drove to the 28 and Will Buck attempted a 43-yard field goal. It would glance off the right upright and Emmaus was again turned away. Neshaminy took over on their own 20 and began a drive designed to run the clock down. On 3rd and 8, Eckart connected with Lucas Stewart for 15 and a key first down. After another first down, Eckart went back to pass from near midfield and was hit, fumbling the ball. Valentino Rivera pounced on the ball and Emmaus had another life. With 3:51 left, Cooper faked a pass and took off running up the gut, 20 yards for a touchdown to knot the game at 14.
Brock Williams took the ensuing kickoff to his 41 and Emmaus aided them with a personal foul. Three plays later, Eckart fired over the middle inside the Emmaus ten yard line. The pass was initially caught, but fumbled, and Daniel Duggan got on the ball for the second Neshaminy turnover in as many drives. Reilly Bechtel returned to the game and rattled off a 24 yard gain. Emmaus drove to the Neshaminy 15 and called timeout with five seconds left to try for the game-winning field goal. Will Buck’s kick was tipped at the line, going short and wide, marking his third miss of the night. The teams were headed to overtime tied at 17.
In the overtime, Emmaus gained three yards and Will Buck finally connected on a 22-yard field goal. Neshaminy went to the bag of tricks, as Eckart swung a lateral to Nick Sassano, who fired to Chris long for a 7-yard game winning touchdown.
Both teams were penalized six times on the night, but the penalties on Emmaus always came at the worst time for to either kill a drive or extend a drive for their opponent. Despite losing the turnover battle, coach Steve Wilmot’s team made adjustments to keep Jerek Cooper uncomfortable and force him to run. The special teams battle went to the Redskins, as Brock Williams provided solid kick returns and Emmaus ended up 1-for-4 on field goals. Moore finished his night with 106 yards on 14 carries and a touchdown. In the loss Jerek Cooper was 9/18 for 106 through the air and 17-94 and a touchdown on the ground.
Emmaus will welcome Bethlehem Catholic to EPSD Stadium next Friday night, while Neshaminy will host Council Rock North.
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