In overtime, Neshaminy wins thriller over Emmaus in football season opener

MIDDLETOWN — An instant classic Friday night at Neshaminy.

Neshaminy and visiting Emmaus went to overtime, and the game ended in thrilling fashion, with Nick Sassano taking a pitch from quarterback Michael Eckart and tossing a 7-yard touchdown pass to Chris Long to give Neshaminy a 20-17 victory.

"I was running across the end zone and I saw him roll out and stare right at me," Long said of Sassano, a former JV quarterback. "I was stoked. My legs were shaking, and everybody was running toward me. I've never been so happy in my whole life."

Neshaminy, looking to rebound from a losing season in 2023, led much of the way before Emmaus tied it late in the fourth quarter and took the lead with a field goal in overtime.

Neshaminy, 4-6 last season and toughened up by a scrimmage with powerful La Salle, yielded a first-quarter touchdown, but things changed in the second quarter, when Nahsir Moore and Eckart ran for short scores. Emmaus, though, evened the score on a touchdown with 2:54 to play in the game.

Entering the season, Neshaminy was expected to have a run-first offense, with standout junior running back Carter Clee getting most of the carries. Clee ran well early in the game until departing on the second play of the second quarter with a dislocated right elbow. As the student section chanted, "Carter," Clee gave a thumbs up with his right hand before leaving the field.

The rest of the way, Neshaminy used four different backs, along with Eckart.

Bucks County high school football scores Week 1

Going forward, Neshaminy might be in good hands with Moore, a 5-foot-5, 137-pound sophomore speedster who finished with 13 carries for 106 yards and a touchdown.

What it means for Neshaminy

Neshaminy played pretty good defense, and it looks like the offensive line might be good enough to open holes for speedy Nahsir Moore and other backs to run through.

What it means for Emmaus

The Green Hornets moved the ball at times, but left some points on the field with a field goal attempt that was blocked, a long field goal attempt that hit the upright and another FG try that missed due to a high snap. The Hornets forced two crucial turnovers on defense.

Key plays in Neshaminy vs. Emmaus game

• In overtime, Neshaminy's Michael Eckart pitched to wide receiver Nick Sassano, who hit Chris Long with a 7-yard touchdown pass to give Neshaminy a 20-17 overtime victory.•  Down 7-0 in the second quarter, Neshaminy scored on touchdown runs of 3 yards by Nahsir Moore and 1 yard by Eckart.

By the numbers: Emmaus vs. Neshaminy

• Carter Clee ran 6 times for 25 yards for Neshaminy before leaving with a dislocated right elbow injury early in the second quarter.• Neshaminy's Nahsir Moore carried 13 times for 106 yards and a touchdown.• Reilly Bechtel, of Emmaus, carried nine times for 92 yards and a touchdown and caught three passes for seven yards.

Unsung heroes:

Neshaminy senior defensive end Shaakir Whiting recorded two second-quarter sacks, one that led to a 3-and-out and a subsequent touchdown and the other on the final play of the half as Emmaus was trying to tie the score.

Neshaminy senior defensive lineman Woody Moise had a sack on a key third down in the third quarter.

Neshaminy's Tom Schoepfer blocked a 22-yard field goal attempt late in the third quarter as Emmaus was trying to close the deficit.

They said it:

• Neshaminy senior Chris Long: "That was a very tough team we played. We came together as a whole and got it done."•  Neshaminy coach Steve Wilmot on the winning play: "We put that one in about two weeks ago. Nick was the JV quarterback last year, and we knew we could count on him to throw the ball."• Wilmot on running back Nahsir Moore replacing the injured Carter Clee: "He really gave us a burst of energy."

What’s next for Neshaminy:

They play Friday, Aug. 30, 7 p.m., vs. Council Rock North.

What’s next for Emmaus:

They play Friday, Aug. 30, 7 p.m. vs. Bethlehem Catholic in an Eastern Pennsylvania Conference South Division.

This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: In overtime, Neshaminy wins thriller over Emmaus in football season opener