North Penn Clicks on All Cylinders in 31-20 Victory over Central Bucks East(Video Recap)

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Cody Brady | September 27, 2025

North Penn v CB East TV by PAFootball Newsdotcom

A week ago, North Penn struggled to get anything going on offense against Pennridge. But as Rylei Gray batted a Matt Bucksar pass to himself and raced down the middle of the field for a 24-yard touchdown, it was clear that the Knights had everything going their way at home against Central Bucks East.

Bucksar was on point from the word go. The Knights’ second offensive play of the night was a 29-yard completion to Mason Franek. He then hit Rylei Gray for a 10-yard touchdown catch and run to put the Knights up 7-0 midway through the first quarter.

Two plays later, Lucas Oropeza came up with a fumble recovery that put his team on the Patriots 41 yard line. Central Bucks East held the Knights off, forcing an incompletion on 4th & 3, but were quickly forced ot punt when their next drive netted just two yards.

Matt Pownall took the first play of the ensuing possession 17 yards, showcasing an offensive line that allowed North Penn running backs to combine for 200 yards on the night. A 33-yard strike to Will Rittenhouse put the team in prime position to score again. And they did just that, as Pownall scored from five yards out with 11:40 to go in the second, pushing North Penn’s lead to 14-0.

On the Patriots’ next drive, a common theme of big plays called back by penalties began to emerge. Liam Hoey had a long run called back for an illegal block. Jacob Garrett had an enormous third down hit that forced CB East into an early but important 4th & 7 on their own 40. The long pass from Hunter Pulford was broken up by Pownall, forcing a turnover on downs.

Rylei Gray had an incredible run moments later. He initiall cut right, but found himself in traffic. Somehow, he managed to escape and run to the other side and cut upfield, dodging another tackle and going into the end zone. There was just one problem. The play was called back on an illegal shift.

A few plays later, Bucksar, under heavy pressure, chucked the ball up in the middle of the field. Gray was in position and went high to try and catch the ball, but only got one hand on it. Fortunately, he batted it right to himself and went 24 yards for the score, bringing the Knights’ lead to 21-0. Rylei talked about this catch in our postgam interview, noting that Bucksar told him he never saw Gray.

Magnus Figeuroa provided a defensive spark for Central Bucks East, sacking Bucksar as the half expired. With North Penn due to receive to open the third quarter, the Patriots needed a play. They went to the onside kick and managed to recover it at midfield, following a penalty.

It took the Patriots nine plays and a lot of perseverance to finally get on the scoreboard. First, a long pass to Asher Green was called back. An illegal substitution prior to the next play moved them back further. Then, an 18-yard touchdown run by Pulford was called back. He finally reached the end zone on a 2-yard score with 6:55 to go in the third, putting the Patriots on the board at 21-7.

The ensuign onside kick was taken by North Penn. Three plays into the drive, Matthew Pownall went around the left side and into the end zone from 29 yards out to move the lead right back to 28-7 with 5:33 to go in the quarter.

After forcing a three-and-out, the Knights chewed up the next six minutes of game clock. Rylei Gray’s 21-yard run set North Penn up in a Goal to go situation. After Figueroa got to Bucksar for the second time on the night, North Penn booted a 26-yard field goal to bring the lead to 31-7.

Hunter Pulford’s legs carried the Patriots on their next drive. Gains of 17, 7, and 8 on designed runs by the quarterback quickly moved his team down the field. He scored from six yards out with 6:08 to play, bringing the Patriots to within 31-13.

Matthew Bucksar responded with a carry of his own, a 35-yard touchdown run down the near sideline. However, the score was waved off on a penalty. The Knights eventually punted, facing 4th & 23.

Central Bucks East showed no quit. Pulford hit Asher Green, who took it 64 yards into the red zone. Pulford scored with 1:18 to play and Central Bucks East trailed 31-20. The ensuing onside kick was taken by the Knights who then kneeled out the remainder of the contest.

North Penn running backs Matthew Pownall and Rylei Gray combined for 200 all-purpose yards and all four touchdowns. Bucksar completed 11 of 17 passes for 174 yards and two touchdowns to Gray. The Knights look to keep the momentum going when they host Central Bucks South next Friday night.

Central Bucks East got a great effort from Hunter Pulford, who ran for 111 yards and three scores. He also went 10/13 for 100 yards through the air. The Patriots host Abington next week before facing a gauntlet of Neshaminy, Pennridge and Central Bucks West.

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