Abington defeats Neshaminy, 35-21

It took Abington one half Monday night to surpass its 20-point total in two losses last year to Neshaminy. This time, the Ghosts lit up the scoreboard.

After scoring three touchdowns in the opening two periods, Abington handed the Redskins their first loss of the season, 35-21, at Schwarzman Stadium to shift the balance of power in the Suburban One National conference.

Abington (4-0, 1-0 Suburban One National) is ranked No. 6 in Southeastern Pennsylvania by the Inquirer. The Ghosts led for almost all of the final three quarters, going ahead for good 11 seconds into the second when they converged on Redskins quarterback Joe Bianchino, knocking the ball loose before senior defensive end Chris Ruhl scooped it up for a 10-yard touchdown run.

Trailing by 28-7, No. 4-ranked Neshaminy (3-1, 0-1) staged a comeback, putting two TDs on the board within a minute and a half as the game entered the fourth quarter. Sean Ulmer ran for the for 55- and 4-yard scores. He finished with three TDs and 164 yards on 27 touches from scrimmage.

But Ray Schreiner propelled Abington to the win, picking up crucial yardage as the clock ticked down.

Its lead down to seven, Abington marched from its 15-yard line with about 11 minutes remaining. Faced with third and 12 on the opponent's 27, Abington quarterback Ken Cropper connected with Ruhl, at tight end, for 26 yards. That led to a 6-yard Schreiner touchdown that extended the Abington lead to 35-21.

The drive went 85 yards and took 11 plays, but most important slashed six minutes off the clock.

"When [Schreiner] hits some long runs, your heart goes from your stomach back to your chest," Abington coach Tim Sorber said. "That was a great drive there at the end. It showed a lot of heart by the offensive line."

Schreiner finished with 245 yards and three touchdowns on 20 carries, while Cropper added 57 yards on the ground, including an 8-yard TD. He was 3 for 11 passing for 77 yards. Bianchino was 8 for 16 for 72 yards with an interception and a lost fumble.

Neshaminy faces an uphill battle, hitting the road to take on perennial contender Council Rock South (ranked No. 9) on Oct. 14, and playing at home in just two of its final six National Conference games.

Abington will play three of its final six league games at Schwarzman, including C.R. South on Oct. 28.

Neshaminy    7 0 7 7 - 21

Abington   7 14 7 7 - 35

N: Ulmer 8 run (Tucci kick)

A: Schreiner 20 run (Leatherman kick)

A: Ruhl 10 with fumble (Leatherman kick)

A: Cropper 8 run (Leatherman kick)

A: Schreiner 66 run (Leatherman kick)

N: Ulmer 55 run (Tucci kick)

N: Ulmer 4 run (Tucci kick)

A: Schreiner 6 run (Leatherman kick)

Contact Evan Burgos at rallysports@phillynews.com.