Bensalem football comes up big for first conference win over CR South

BENSALEM — Thomas Bailey was a busy young man on Friday night, as he played four positions. However, by excelling at them all, he helped make Bensalem's Homecoming Game quite successful.

Bailey, a 5-foot-10, 167-pound junior, scored two touchdowns, made an interception in the end zone, and also punted four times for a 38-yard average, including letting a punt die at the 2-yard line. Bailey's efforts at a multitude of positions helped host Bensalem (3-3, 1-3 SOL) roll to a 31-13 victory over Council Rock South (2-4, 1-3 SOL) in a SOL Continental Division game.

Being a running back/'wildcat' quarterback/punter/cornerback seems to fit Bailey.

"I just think I'm an athlete," said Bailey, who is also a standout baseball player. "I just play where they need me."

Kicking is usually a specialty and rarely does one of a team's main offensive weapons also do punting. But Bailey does put in the time to practice his kicking.

"I've been the backup punter since I was a freshman," he said. "Thirty minutes before practice, I'm practicing (punting), and I do it non-stop."

Despite the final score, the game was up for grabs entering the second half. With 21 seconds left in the second quarter, Golden Hawks' quarterback Marley Emerson had hit Nate Szydlik for a 28-yard touchdown pass pass to tie the score at 7-7.

To start the third quarter, CR South drove to the Owls' 32-yard line but an offside call wiped out a first down and the drive stalled at the 37-yard-line. On Bensalem's first play from scrimmage, Bailey had the ball snapped directly to him, and he ran around the left end for a touchdown. When the Golden Hawks came right back to threaten again, Bailey outfought the receiver for the ball to net an interception in the end zone.

Bensalem's Aidan Mayfield would then end up with a 39-yard touchdown run to put the Owls ahead, 21-7, and they were in the driver's seat.

"I saw the ball coming, and I just got it," said Bailey.

Bailey had missed the previous two games, and coach Alex Houston was happy to have him back.

"Thomas is a very talented kid. He's a great kid and has had multiple touchdown games," Houston said. "We actually have 'wildcat' plays for all our running backs. We had no choice, (since CR South) was putting eight men in the box, so we had to have a quick response time to get our runners going."

What it means for Council Rock South:

This was a tough loss to a team the Golden Hawks beat 24-0 last year. They will need to get some healthy bodies and turn things around quickly for a successful season.

What it means for Bensalem:

After getting hammered by Cheltenham the week before, the Owls showed a resiliency to bounce back that should prove useful the rest of the year.

Key plays:

• A strip sack by Bensalem senior linebacker Kenley Silaire and ensuing 30-yard run for a score put the Owls ahead 7-0.
• A 28-yard touchdown pass from CR South's Marley Emerson to Nate Szydlik tied the score at 7-7 at halftime.
• Bensalem defensive backs Bailey, Miles Annan and Christian Siracuse each had an interception.
• Twice the Golden Hawks reached at least the Bensalem 13-yard-line and failed to score.

By the Numbers: Council Rock South vs. Bensalem

• CR South sophomore quarterback Marley Emerson went 10-for-16 for 158 yards with two touchdowns and three interceptions.
• Bensalem junior running back Aidan Mayfield ran for 137 yards on 15 carries and two touchdowns.
• CR South senior receiver Jake Maurer had five catches for 114 yards and a touchdown.

Game Balls :

• Bensalem's Thomas Bailey for contributing on offense, defense and special teams.
• The Owls' offensive line for opening holes for Bailey and Mayfield to break off long runs.
• Golden Hawks quarterback Emerson for not getting down despite a rough night and finishing the game with his second touchdown pass.

They said it:

CR South coach CJ Szydlik on using a lot of young players:  "We need to get healthy. At least a lot of young guys are getting playing time. We just made too many mistakes."

Bensalem coach Alex Houston on what he told his players before the game: "I told them to go out and have fun. You're playing with your friends, so just enjoy it. I feel like they felt the weight of the world because they are representing Bensalem. I emphasized having fun."

What's next for Council Rock South football?

The Golden Hawks (2-4) host Harry S. Truman (1-5) on Saturday at Walt Snyder Stadium in an SOL Continental matchup.

What's next for Bensalem football?

The Owls (3-3) visit Souderton (3-3) next Friday in an SOL Continental matchup.

This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: Bensalem football comes up big for first conference win over CR South