2002 In Review

Week 12

Friday November 19, 2004

Pennsylvania State Playoffs

District 3 AAA Semi Final

Versus Manheim Central High School

What a Run!!!

In Northern Football History, the 2004 team will rank as one of the best ever, if not the most special. As we look back to balmy Bermudian in week 1, to the cold and rainy field in Newville, to the hook-and-ladder from Coach Lichtel, and to the thrashing of nemesis East Penn and Mickey Shuler, there are so many memories that this team has given us, it would take pages and pages to catalog. All I can think of to say…is thank you.

With the support of the entire community, the Polar Bears hit the field ready to play. On the opening kickoff, Craig Moose stripped the ball from Ryan Huber and took it 25 yards for the score. With the Bears leading 7-0 the defense shut down the Barons forcing a three and out. The teams traded punts and the game was on. The Barons eventually found the end zone on the legs of Junior superstar, Jeremiha Hunter who scored three, 2nd quarter touchdowns. A safety on a Colby Betz' sack in the end zone gave the Barons a 23-7 Halftime lead. Undaunted and un-intimidated, Northern came right back scoring on a Scottie Davies 1 yard run set up by a fantastic Drew Romagnoli punt return. The two-point conversion missed and the Bears were down 10 holding Central scoreless in the 3rd quarter.

In the 4th quarter, the game looked to be turning into a barn burner. Northern had all the momentum going for them. The defense was shutting down Baron QB Riefsnyder and running backs Mast and Hunter and Mike Romagnoli began to get the ground game churning at about 5 yards a clip. Then the momentum switched. A couple of miscues on back to back drives, and the Barons, who've won 13 of the last 15 District 3 AAA titles showed why they are the defending AAA State Champions. Keeping Northern out of the end zone on two critical drives late, Manheim scored on a Nate Mast 35 yard run to put the Barons up 30-13. The pendulum had completely swung the other way and it was just too much for the Polar Bears to overcome. Manheim added two meaningless scores late en-route to their 44-13 semi-final victory over Northern and will head back to Hershey Park Stadium next week to play Mid-Penn Mechanicsburg who bested the Bears in week 3 of this season, 30-27 on a late hook-and-ladder play that Bears fans will not soon forget.

The ride for the Polar Bears was awesome this year. Under Coach Mauck, Northern has gotten better and better with each passing season. The coaching staff has gotten the Bears into the big time now and the program is growing. Ranked #8 in the State by the Patriot News this week, this young Polar Bear team will be around to wreak havoc for seasons to come. Northern will have 12 returning underclassman starters, 4 Sophomores, and 8 Juniors. They will be a strong favorite to repeat as Colonial Division Champs as well as a projected pre-season playoff favorite.

Who knows? We may just get another shot at the Barons next year.

Congratulations on a Fantastic season under the Friday Night Lights.

Final Score

Northern 13

Manheim Central 44