Payback: North Penn Wins District 1 Title at Pennridge
Tagged under: District 1, News, pfn, Playoffs
Cody Brady | November 22, 2025
Pennridge v North Penn Week 14 by PAFootball Newsdotcom
Back in September, Pennridge ended a 13-year drought, turning a 6-3 halftime lead into a 34-10 convincing victory over North Penn. But in Week 14, with a District 1 6A title and spot in the PIAA state semifinals on the line, the Knights rewrote the script. Rylei Gray’s 67-yard touchdown run late in the first quarter propelled North Penn to an early 14-0 lead that allowed them to play from ahead all night long and hang on for a 21-14 victory.
The major difference in this matchup was in the first quarter. Pennridge’s first two drives resulted in a net of four yards. North Penn’s first two both ended with touchdowns. The Knights forced an opening punt after Marsalis Kimber wrapped up Ryan Rowe in the backfield for a five yard loss. Rowe entered the game coming off an injury late in last week’s win over Coatesville.
The Knights opened with a steady dose of Matt Pownall and Rylei Gray. Steady gains moved them down the field to the Pennridge 28, where Matthew Bucksar connected with Mason Franek for a 13-yard gain. On first down, Pownall took off through a gap over the right side and made a cut to the outside, heading for the end zone and the first score of the night. With 5:28 left in the first, the Knights were on top 7-0.
Later in the quarter, after a quick three-and-out for the Rams, it was Gray’s time to shine. On the fourth play of North Penn’s second drive, he cut through a seam to his left and raced untouched to the house, putting the Knights up 14-0 with 1:36 still to go in the opening quarter.
Pennridge responded, putting together their longest drive of the night–12 plays covered 69 yards. Will Dougherty ran hard late in the drive, picking up 21, nearly fighting his way in for the score. But Trevor Picciotti picked him up on the next play, battling his way in from three yards out to put the Rams on the board. With 6:38 to go in the half, Pennridge trailed 14-7.
Mike Ferguson gave the Rams some momentum, breaking up a fourth down pass in Pennridge territory, forcing a turnover on downs. Unfortunately, upon getting the ball back, the home team couldn’t do anything with it. Worse yet, they were flagged for a personal foul blindside block that backed them into a 4th & 19 hole. The Knights drove into plus territory one more time in the half, but Mason Franek had the ball stripped on a completion by Chase Clontz. Four plays later, Nate Schepian picked off Noah Keating. The half closed with North Penn leading 14-7 and due to receive first in the third quarter.
Pownall made his mark early in the second half, providing even more momentum for the Knights. Two plays into the first drive, he took off for 70 yards, flipping the field and immediately putting the road team in a Goal-to-go situation. However, Pennridge got the all-important stop that they had to have at the time. Bucksar floated a pass out in the flat that fell incomplete, and the keeper came up short on 4th & Goal froim the 1.
The Rams took over from there and quickly were forced to punt. North Penn took over at the Pennridge 42. Pownall would end up scoring from 17 yards out on a play that was nearly identical to his first score of the night, cutting through the right side of the line. That extended the lead to 21-7 with 3:57 to go in the third quarter.
Pennridge did not cross midfield on their next drive, but did get the ball back with 10:32 to play in regulation, taking over on their own 36. Keating uncorked a 28-yard pass down the middle to Sean Leuthe, his longest completion of the night and Pennridge’s longest play from scrimmage. Keating then took off on a keeper up the middle for 13 yards. Rowe gained eight and then scored from three yards out. That touchdown made it a 21-14 game, but Pennridge had chewed up nearly six minutes of fourth quarter clock and only 4:46 remained.
The ensuing kickoff went out of bounds and North Penn took over on its own 35. Pownall churned his legs forward on 3rd & 6 for a key first down that allowed the Knights to keep bleeding the clock. Another first down nearly sealed the game. Pennridge used its timeouts and finally held on fourth down, getting the ball back from their own 32 with 37 seconds remaining.
But it was not meant to be for the Rams. A last second deep pass was picked off down the far side, ending the comeback hopes and cementing the District 1 6A championship for the Knights.
North Penn outgained Pennridge on offense 390-142. Strangely, both teams had issues with pre-snap fouls, combining for nine false starts. Pennridge was held to four plays of 10 yards or more. By contrast, the Knights had ten such plays.
North Penn now advances to the state semifinals where they will faceoff with powerhouse LaSalle College HS at a site and time to be determined.
Follow LSV Sports on X: @LSVSports
Follow PA Football News on Twitter @PaFootballNews
