MIDDLETOWN — The annual regular-season ending Pennsbury-Neshaminy football game is set for Oct. 25 at Harry E. Franks Stadium.

In the meantime, some players from both schools, along with Council Rock South and Bristol, are on the same team on the same field each Sunday for 90 minutes as part of the Bucks County Challenger flag football program.

The 87 players and the six cheerleaders with the Neshaminy squad are paired up with a special needs "buddy" for the 10 weekly sessions that are free due to Challenger's affiliation with the Pop Warner Penndel Wildcats. The 19th year of the program concludes with the customary on-field banquet Nov. 10 at Neshaminy.

The participating Pennsbury and Neshaminy players, some of whom already know each other from youth leagues and other places, didn't spend as much time together Sunday as they will ("Usually by the third week it's intermingled," said Neshaminy head coach Steve Wilmot). But they have similar goals with the program.

"It's weird because we're supposed to hate these guys," said Pennsbury senior offensive tackle Rocco May. "But here it shows they're just like us."

"It's so nice they can fight against each other on a Friday and come back on a Sunday and work together," said Joan Wargo, the Bucks County Challenger co-director along with husband Bob Wargo.

Pennsbury and CR South had just played two nights before at Falcon Field.

"We all come together Sunday for Challenger," said Neshaminy junior quarterback Mike Eckart.

The sessions start with stretching, followed by throwing, tackling and kicking drills before a break for soft pretzels and water. They end with four games of flag football and a group huddle.

"I think it's not about us (and) we shouldn't treat it like for us — it's for the kids," said Bristol junior receiver/defensive back Talon Nemeth. "We develop really good relationships with them."

Nemeth, a third-year participant, and buddy MJ have a unique handshake and MJ does the Spiderman pose after he hits the tackling dummy, with the others in the group following suit. "It's a great time," Nemeth said.

Pennsbury junior Sean Shuster and buddy Kenny Brown are also quite familiar with each other. Brown goes to Shuster's football and volleyball games and gave Shuster a treasured sweatshirt.

"It says 'Your biggest fan' on the back and on the front is pictures of me and him," Shuster said. "It's the nicest thing ever."

The kids involved range in age from 5 to a few in their 20s and 30s. The grins on their faces are what the program's all about.

"You build a lot of relationship with the kids," said Eckart, who is in his third year with the program. "It doesn't have to be your buddy, either, (because) we spend time with a lot of different kids."

"It lets everyone helping out know how grateful they are for what they have and a chance to know what others go through," said CR South senior linebacker Ryan Small, in his second year.

Eighth-year Bristol football team manager Nick Caywood is among the participants. Caywood, 25, has been involved in the program since he attended Pennwood Middle School in the Pennsbury School District.

"Oh, I love it," Caywood said. "I like the drills, playing games, seeing all the high school kids."

Later, Caywood enjoyed recounting his touchdown on a fumble return during the flag game at the end of the first session.

"He's always there at practice," said Bristol's Nemeth of Caywood. "He's one of our best friends. We do this for him (and) the smile on his face."

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Caywood's presence added an extra element for the Warriors' 16 players there last Sunday, but everybody involved gets something out of it.

"We know they can't play football like us, (so) this hour and a half once a week means the world to them," Nemeth said. "Whatever we can do goes a long way."

Tom Moore: tmoore@couriertimes.com; @TomMoorePhilly is a sports columnist for PhillyBurbs.com. Support our journalism with a subscription.

This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: Bucks County Challenger flag football benefits hs players, teams