North Penn Dominates Boyertown 42-14 in District 1-6A Opener

In a commanding performance, the North Penn Knights triumphed over the Boyertown Bears with a decisive score of 42-14 in the first round of the District 1-6A playoffs on October 27, 2023. The Knights, seeded No. 2, showcased their strength at Crawford Stadium, advancing to the quarterfinals for the second consecutive season.

Matthew Pownall initiated the scoring frenzy early in the first quarter. On a pivotal 3rd-and-2 play, he sprinted through a gap on the right side of the line, completing a remarkable 68-yard touchdown run just four snaps into the game. “Definitely the blocks up front, everybody locked up well and saw the secondary,” Pownall remarked post-game. “Once I got to the secondary, it was pretty open.” This quick start set the tone for North Penn, who led 21-0 by the end of the first quarter and expanded their advantage to 35-0 by halftime.

Both Pownall and his teammate Rylei Gray displayed exceptional performances, each rushing for over 100 yards and contributing two touchdowns. Pownall finished with 165 yards on 14 carries, including a final touchdown run of six yards in the fourth quarter. Gray added 102 yards on 11 carries, scoring on runs of 20 and 41 yards during the second quarter.

The Knights’ offensive showcase was evident as they scored touchdowns on their first five drives. “We’re just trying to get better each and every single week,” said Pownall. “We just get hot and take it into the playoffs, and we had a good first round of playoffs. We’re just going to take it and roll with it into the second round.”

North Penn (9-2) has now secured six straight victories, positioning themselves strongly as they prepare to host the No. 7 seeded Souderton, who defeated No. 10 Ridley 23-6. This upcoming matchup marks the first meeting between the teams since the 2021 season opener, where North Penn emerged victorious with a score of 42-27. Notably, their last district playoff encounter was in 2008, which North Penn won 35-7.

As the game progressed, Boyertown, the No. 15 seed, struggled to maintain momentum. Michael Boorse and quarterback Tilman Henley managed to score touchdowns in the running-clock second half. Boorse led the Bears with 95 yards on 19 carries, while Henley contributed 90 yards on 10 carries. Boyertown concluded their season with a 6-5 record, marking their first winning campaign since 2013.

Boyertown’s coach, Jami Sands, who took over the program in 2024, expressed pride in his players. “I’m happy for the seniors and the work they put in,” Sands said. “It’s not a mistake they had the season they did. They really worked their tails off.” Despite the loss, Sands acknowledged that the experience gained this season would be beneficial for the future.

In the first quarter, North Penn quickly established dominance, scoring three touchdowns. After Pownall’s initial run, quarterback Matt Bucksar completed a 26-yard touchdown pass to Will Rittenhouse, increasing the lead to 14-0. Following a fumble recovery by Gray, Aiden Ashley scored on a one-yard run, bringing the score to 21-0.

The Knights continued their offensive onslaught in the second quarter. Gray’s 20-yard touchdown run made it 28-0, followed by his second touchdown, which came on a 41-yard sprint. Boyertown managed to score their first touchdown on a 12-play, 78-yard drive that began the second half, with Boorse crossing the goal line.

Ultimately, North Penn’s victory reflects their strategic gameplay and teamwork, setting the stage for their next challenge against Souderton. As they look to continue their playoff journey, the Knights remain focused on improving with each game.