Comeback kids Quakertown come up short against Upper Dublin in SOL Continental battle

FORT WASHINGTON — Two weeks ago, Quakertown used a comeback for the ages to stun Souderton.

Lightning nearly struck twice for the Panthers on Friday night.

Trailing host Upper Dublin by 17 points with less than nine minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, Quakertown fought all the way back, taking a three-point lead with 64 seconds remaining on a 23-yard touchdown catch by senior Matt Thomas from junior quarterback Brady Martin that sent the Panthers' bench into a frenzy.

"We never quit," Martin said. "We came back against Souderton (after being down 28-0) with a big second half and won and this team never gives up at all."

However, the Flying Cardinals quickly moved deep into Quakertown territory and, facing a second and goal with four seconds showing, senior quarterback Kevin Etkins connected with senior wideout Eric Berman in the middle of the end zone to pull out a wild 37-34 win a Suburban One League Continental Conference thriller.

"We can't keep doing this live and die with trying to make big comebacks," Quakertown head coach George Banas said.

"It's always a playoff-like game when we play Upper Dublin and this one sure was."

The loss dropped the Panthers to 3-4 overall and 3-1 in the SOL Continental while Upper Dublin improved to 5-2, 4-0 in the conference and alone in first place.

Quakertown trimmed the deficit to 31-21 with just over six minutes to go when Martin found senior Aiden Burgy for their second touchdown connection of the night. Then, after the Panthers recovered an onside kick, it was junior running back Kyler Roesener finishing off another TD drive with a 3-yard run.

"We believe in each other and know that we're never out of any game," Burgy said. "Brady has a lot of guys to throw to and we just give it everything we have every game."

After forcing a three and out, the Panthers again quickly moved down the field before Thomas put them ahead with his catch in the corner of the end zone.

"We know that Quakertown never quits and I told our kids that we had to be ready for it," Upper Dublin head coach Bret Stover said.

"George does such a good job and this was just a crazy one to watch."

What it means for Quakertown football?

With three games left before the start of the PIAA District One playoffs, the Panthers will likely have to run the table to qualify.

What it means for Upper Dublin football?

The Flying Cardinals, a Class 5A program, who have only lost to undefeated Central Bucks South and CB West, the win puts them in the driver's seat for the SOL Continental crown.

Key play

That's easy. The game's final play with Etkins finding Berman to win it for the hosts was the biggest in a game full of big plays.

Game balls

Matt Thomas, Quakertown. The senior caught nine passes for 146 yards and the touchdown.

Kevin Etkins, Upper Dublin. The senior threw for 209 yards and had five touchdown passes.

Quakertown edged in thriller: Five games to watch in Week Seven of PA high school football in Bucks County

They said it

"We've been on both ends of this with these type of games this season," Banas said. "Now, we have to have a short memory and I'm happy we play again Thursday."

"We knew we had to go for it (on the game's final play instead of trying a tying field goal)," Stover said. "Quakertown had so much momentum and I don't think we would have been able to stop them (in overtime)."

What's next for Quakertown football?

The Panthers host Harry S. Truman on Oct. 10 (7 p.m.).

What's next for Upper Dublin football?

The Flying Cardinals host Cheltenham on Oct. 10 (7 p.m.).

Drew Markol covers local sports for PhillyBurbs.com . Support our journalism with a subscription.

This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: Comeback kids Quakertown come up short against Upper Dublin in SOL Continental battle