Heading into 2001, the Knights season looked
very promising. With one of the best coaching staffs in the state
and with a handful of talented returning starters, the Knights were
labeled with the #1 ranking in the state. Many felt that the ranking
was a fluke because the Knights had not proved to be a #1 team. Every
week teams were out to beat the Knights in order to knock them off
of their high thrown.
The Knights first game took place in sunny
Florida. Emotions were high for the players, playing Lawton-Chiles,
a Tallahassee lam, in a stadium full of spectators in Disney World.
The mixture of the player's nerves and the hot Florida Feat did not
affect the Knights. The Knights went on to an overwhelming 32-0 win
over Lawton-Chiles and a night full of celebrations in Disney World.
After returning home from Florida with a promising
start, the Knights faced the pressure of playing four of the best
teams in the state, all in a row. With the first showdown against
Pennridge, the Knights suffered their first loss of the season. The
loss made the Knights reconsider their preseason ranking. Looking
to the next week, the Knights secured a little worried about going
1-2 due to the fact that the next game was against C.B. West.
The Knights came into the game excited and
ready to play. North Penn struck first against the Bucks and scored
the first touchdown. The stadium erupted and fans went crazy, hoping
that the nights Would will the game. After an emotionally high game.
the Knights ended the game in a 207 win over the Bucks and the first
win against C.B. West since 1995.
The hard games continued for the Knights as
they faced undefeated Neshaminy and a very tough C.B. Fast team. Both
games ended in losses for the Knights, which gave the Knights a wake-up
call. From this point in the season, the Knights vowed to win 9 straight
games to end the season with a 9-3 record. This is exactly what the
Knights had done, winning 9 straight games in an impressive fashion.
Although the season had a rocky start, the Knights ended the season
pleased with a 9-3 record.
- Zach Thomas