Neshaminy High School delivered a thrilling performance on November 3, 2023, overcoming Central Bucks West with a score of 28-21 in the opening round of the PIAA District 1 Class 6A playoffs. As the tenth seed, Neshaminy’s victory not only marked a significant achievement for the team but also set the stage for a quarterfinal matchup against No. 14 Owen J. Roberts, who pulled off a surprise win against No. 3 Downingtown West.
The game was a rollercoaster for Neshaminy (8-3), who found themselves trailing 14-0 before mounting a comeback. Senior quarterback Michael Eckart was pivotal in the turnaround, showcasing his skills with a total of 335 offensive yards. Eckart rushed for the team’s first two touchdowns and later connected with teammate Mike Sassano for a pair of touchdown passes, covering distances of 10 and 29 yards. He completed 19 of 26 passes for 232 yards and added 103 yards on the ground from 19 carries.
Senior running back Carter Clee also contributed significantly, reaching 101 yards on 15 carries, while both Brock Williams and Sassano recorded five receptions each. This performance demonstrated the resilience of the Neshaminy squad, especially after losing to Owen J. Roberts in the opening round of last year’s playoffs.
In a broader context, this match was part of a larger playoff landscape where five of the eight opening-round winners hailed from the Suburban One League. The results from other matches included Pennridge narrowly defeating Plymouth-Whitemarsh 22-21 and North Penn dominating Boyertown 42-14.
As for Neshaminy’s upcoming game, they will host Owen J. Roberts on Friday night, adding an extra layer of excitement after Owen J. Roberts’ unexpected victory over Downingtown West, which ended in a tight 10-7 finish.
Meanwhile, in Morrisville, the local team continued its dominance by defeating Jenkintown 42-8, securing the district championship for the second time in three weeks. The game was so lopsided that the Mercy Rule was enacted, with Jenkintown failing to score until just one minute remained. Morrisville is set to face Belmont Charter of District 12 in their next outing.
As the playoffs progress, the atmosphere surrounding high school football remains electric, with fans eagerly anticipating the next rounds of competition. Neshaminy’s successful performance against Central Bucks West has reignited hope among its supporters, who look forward to another thrilling encounter against Owen J. Roberts.
