Quakertown rallies past Pennridge

Quakertown couldn't seem to get a touchdown.

The Panthers had first and goal from the 2-yard line, second and goal from the 1, and first and goal from the 7. Each of those series ended with no points.

But on their fourth try, they got in the end zone. Quarterback Alec Vera scored on a 1-yard run on second and goal to give host Quakertown an 8-7 win over Pennridge on Thursday in the 85th Thanksgiving battle between the rivals.

Although this is the first time the Panthers have emerged victorious on Thanksgiving since 2008, it's the second time they've topped the Rams this season. Quakertown earned a 14-10 victory in the District 1 Class AAA first round on Nov. 7.

"You can't put it into words," Quakertown coach George Banas said. "You really can't. To beat your archrival twice in a year, once in a district playoff game, is phenomenal, probably the best thing for our program in school history."

Since Banas became Quakertown's coach in 2010, the Panthers hadn't beaten Pennridge on Thanksgiving.

"As a senior, I know the guys just really wanted to come out here, make history, and beat Pennridge twice," Vera said.

The Panthers defense played extremely well. Pennridge's only touchdown came on a kickoff return, and running back Joe Unangst was held to 60 yards on 17 carries - the first time this season he didn't gain at least 100 yards on the ground. Banas said stopping Unangst was the defense's top priority.

Vera caught his first career pass on a fourth-and-8 play in the third quarter, setting up a first down on the 6-yard line. That was the second of Pennridge's three goal-line stands. Vera was frustrated that the Panthers didn't convert on more chances.

"Hate to say it, but we shouldn't have won that game, to be honest with you," Vera said. "We had so many chances. We kept blowing it and blowing it. We had three chances on the goal line, and we didn't get those in."

"At the end of the day, we won the game, so I'm really proud of my guys. Great thing for the seniors to go out that way."

Pennridge 0 0 7 0 - 7

Quakertown 2 0 0 6 - 8

Q: Safety

P: Matt Firuta 82 kickoff return (Ethan Aigeldinger kick)

Q: Alec Vera 1 run (pass failed)