PA EAST WEEK 4 FEATURED GAME • POSTGAME
Late-Game Heroics Lift Pennridge Past CB West in 14-7 Thriller
There was an absolute battle in Perkasie Friday night when Central Bucks West traveled to Pennridge for a massive Week 4 District 1 matchup. The hype surrounding this game had been building all week, and it DID NOT disappoint.
CB West received the opening kickoff, with Louie Cipollo giving the Bucks solid field position after a nice return to their own 30-yard line.
The Bucks' offense came out firing, driving all the way into the red zone. Senior RB Braylen Cape ripped off runs of 10 and 14 yards on the drive, giving CB West all the momentum right out of the gate.
Then came the game's first major swing.
The Bucks lost a costly fumble, and Pennridge recovered to take over in its own territory.
Pennridge's first drive was led by QB Aiden Tetkowski and WR Bradley Dornon. The two connected for a pair of big chunk plays, including a huge conversion on third-and-long that moved the Rams into CB West territory.
But Pennridge gave the ball right back.
The Rams dialed up a trick play near the goal line, and senior Mason Darrows intercepted a pass from Dornon for a HUGE turnover. Just like that, both teams had turned the ball over on their opening possessions.
It foreshadowed exactly what this game would become: a defensive battle.
CB West eventually moved the ball to its own 33-yard line and faced a huge fourth-and-inches. Pennridge's defense stood tall, stuffing the Bucks and forcing a turnover on downs.
The first quarter ended exactly how you would expect after that start: 0-0.
PENNRIDGE BREAKS THROUGH
Late in the second quarter, Pennridge's offense finally started cooking.
RB Trevor Picciotti broke loose for a massive 43-yard run that moved the Rams into CB West territory. After several more productive plays from Dornon, Picciotti and Matt Schaefer, Tetkowski found TE Blake Landherr wide open near the corner of the end zone for a 5-yard touchdown.
Pennridge took a 7-0 lead into halftime.
And the second half was every bit as physical as the first.
Pennridge opened the half with a 12-yard reception by Dornon. A few plays later, the Rams faced fourth-and-2 from around their own 30-yard line. They went for it. They converted. The Rams eventually punted, giving CB West another opportunity.
QB Josh George helped ignite the Bucks' offense with a tough 13-yard run, lowering his shoulder and absorbing a hard hit from a Pennridge defender. That type of physical play from their quarterback clearly fired up the Bucks.
After the teams traded punts, CB West started putting together another promising drive late in the third quarter. TE Liam Laphen took a screen pass into Pennridge territory.
Then Blake Landherr took over.
On third down, Landherr made a MASSIVE tackle for loss to force fourth-and-long. On the very next play, Landherr got into the backfield again and brought down the quarterback, turning the Bucks over on downs.
It was one of the biggest defensive sequences of the entire game.
FOURTH-QUARTER DRAMA
Pennridge couldn't capitalize offensively, though, and CB West got the ball back to begin the fourth quarter.
That's when the Bucks finally broke through.
Senior Nick Miletto ripped off a 35-yard run to start the quarter, bringing CB West near midfield. Miletto followed that with a huge 25-yard reception to move the Bucks into Rams territory.
A few plays later, CB West found paydirt.
Senior Louie Cipollo took it into the end zone for a 12-yard touchdown, tying the game at 7-7.
It was an impressive drive by the Bucks, who had started all the way back around their own 10-yard line.
Pennridge's next possession stalled after CB West senior Davis Parisi came up with a HUGE pass breakup on third down.
The Bucks got the ball back with an opportunity to take control of the game—but disaster struck.
CB West fumbled near its own 30-yard line, and Pennridge recovered.
The Bucks' defense refused to break. CB West held Pennridge to a 47-yard field-goal attempt, and Rams senior kicker Austin Keller JUST BARELY missed what would have been the go-ahead kick.
CB West got another chance.
After a few productive runs, the Bucks were forced to punt. Mason Darrows delivered a key kick, sending the ball from around the CB West 40 all the way to the Pennridge 15-yard line.
The Rams now had a long field and very little time.
It didn't matter.
Picciotti came up with a HUGE 30-yard reception that moved Pennridge near midfield with roughly a minute remaining.
Then absolute madness broke loose.
With just 28 seconds remaining, Tetkowski found WR Sean Leuthe for a 36-yard touchdown, putting Pennridge ahead 14-7.
CB West got one final opportunity, but junior CB Devin Kelly intercepted George to slam the door shut.
FINAL: PENNRIDGE 14, CENTRAL BUCKS WEST 7.
Pennridge walked away still undefeated at 4-0, while CB West suffered its first loss and fell to 3-1.
It was an outstanding battle from start to finish between two talented football teams—and it wouldn't be surprising to see these programs cross paths again later this season.
PA EAST TAKEAWAYS
CENTRAL BUCKS WEST
Don't get it twisted because of the loss—CB West played a very good football game.
The Bucks' defense played well throughout the night, while the offense was hurt by a couple of costly turnovers. They battled until the final seconds and have exceptional talent all over the field.
CB West will look to bounce back next week at home against North Penn.
Nick Miletto — SR RB/MLB
88 yards on 14 carries
Miletto also made key receptions throughout the game. He's a tough, physical runner who is just as impactful on the defensive side of the football. An outstanding player to watch.
Mason Darrows — SR WR/CB/K/P
Darrows impressed throughout the entire game. He's a true do-it-all athlete. He made an impact defensively with his goal-line interception and was outstanding in the kicking game, including a crucial fourth-quarter punt that pinned Pennridge deep in its own territory.
Josh George — SR QB
George had a solid game for the Bucks, making an impact both through the air and on the ground.
What also stood out was his leadership. After a Bucks receiver dropped a pass, George didn't get on him. Instead, he lifted him up, and the two threw together on the sideline during the following defensive possession.
That's leadership. CB West has a talented quarterback leading its offense.
Louie Cipollo — SR WR/FS
Cipollo had another strong performance. He made several key plays offensively, including the 12-yard touchdown run that tied the game at 7-7, and made his presence felt defensively throughout the night.
His instincts and ability to read an offense really stand out.
Braylen Cape — SR WR/CB
Cape is impressive to watch. The kid can flat-out fly and gives the Bucks' offense an explosive element whenever the ball is in his hands.
He had multiple runs of 10-plus yards and also played tremendous defense at corner.
PENNRIDGE
Pennridge moves to 4-0, and this is an impressive football team.
The Rams were without star receiver Nate Derstine, but other players stepped up BIG TIME in his absence.
Pennridge's defense was outstanding, holding a talented CB West offense to just seven points. The Rams repeatedly came up with stops when they needed them most.
Pennridge will try to keep its undefeated season rolling next week when Central Bucks East comes to town.
And here's something that makes this team even more interesting: the vast majority of the players highlighted below are juniors. The future is bright in Perkasie.
Blake Landherr — JR OLB/TE
7 tackles • 1.5 TFL • 1 fumble recovery • 1 reception • 10 yards • 1 TD
Landherr had a MASSIVE game for the Rams. This dude is legit.
He was a constant presence in the Bucks' backfield and seemed to be around the football all night. He's a physical, old-school linebacker who plays with tremendous toughness and leadership.
Offensively, he also caught one of Pennridge's two touchdowns. Outstanding game from Landherr.
Sean Leuthe — SR WR/FS
Leuthe delivered the biggest offensive play of the night, hauling in the game-winning 36-yard touchdown with 28 seconds remaining.
He also made other important receptions and helped hold down the back end of Pennridge's defense. Great game from Leuthe.
Bradley Dornon — JR WR/CB
5 receptions • 69 yards
Dornon stepped up BIG in the absence of Nate Derstine. This kid was impressive.
His routes were crisp, his hands were reliable, and he played with great intensity. He consistently found ways to get open, eventually forcing CB West to pay additional attention to him and creating opportunities elsewhere.
Trevor Picciotti — JR RB/MLB
99 rushing yards on 15 carries
Picciotti had an outstanding game and provided several explosive plays for the Rams. He's a physical runner with tremendous power who can also make plays as a receiver. His late 30-yard reception helped set up Pennridge's game-winning touchdown drive.
Picciotti also made an impact defensively. Another impressive player to watch.
Aiden Tetkowski — JR QB
11-of-22 • 163 yards • 2 TDs
Tetkowski delivered when Pennridge needed him most.
He maintained his composure throughout the game, and with everything on the line late in the fourth quarter, he delivered a strike to Leuthe for the game-winning 36-yard touchdown.
He's smart with the football and showed tremendous poise in a huge moment.
Matt Schaefer — JR RB/OLB
11 carries • 59 yards
Schaefer consistently gave Pennridge productive runs. Schaefer and Picciotti complement each other extremely well. That running back duo gives Pennridge two physical options out of the backfield.
And remember: five of these six Pennridge players are juniors—and Nate Derstine is a junior, too.
Watch out for Pennridge.
PA EAST PLAYER OF THE GAME
Blake Landherr — #42 | JR | OLB/TE
7 tackles • 1.5 TFL • 1 fumble recovery • 1 reception • 10 receiving yards • 1 touchdown