WARRINGTON — Matt Harmon had quite a night Friday in Central Bucks South's 49-7 PIAA District One 6A first-round playoff win over visiting Spring-Ford.

Harmon, a senior receiver/safety, returned an interception 85 yards for a touchdown, forced a fumble at the 5-yard line and scored on a 16-yard pass from senior quarterback Owen Pinkerton.

"He's been a little bit low key," said Titans head coach Tom Hetrick. "Danny Gies gets a lot of press and yet there's Matt Harmon on both sides of the ball rarely coming off the field doing those little, dirty things like (forcing) the fumble. And he's done that for two years."

Harmon's team-leading fourth interception of the season was perhaps the 6-foot-1, 175-pounder's biggest contribution because 16th-seeded Spring-Ford had hit on a 70-yard slant pass to set up a first-and-goal situation at the CB South 10.

Two plays later, Harmon jumped the route in the flat and sped 85 yards down the sideline to give the Titans an early 7-0 lead.

"We just needed to set the tone — we weren't really rolling," Harmon said. "The QB doesn't see me and I get the pick and returned it. Really just doing my job."

Hetrick is glad he did.

"I was really excited for him because he's been very dynamic at defensive back all year," Hetrick said. "He's all over the place back there. He makes plays. That was definitely a big play that got the momentum headed in our favor."

The forced fumble occurred at the end of a 64-yard pass play on the Rams' third possession when Harmon hustled from 20 yards behind the play to punch the ball loose at the 7-yard line. Senior linebacker Jimmy Wade recovered in the end zone for a touchback.

The 16-yard receiving touchdown, which came on a corner route, closed out the second quarter and resulted in a running clock during the second half.

"They were in man-to-man (coverage)," Harmon said. "I hit him with a move inside to get him to jump and beat him to the corner of the end zone. From there, it was just a throw and catch. That's it."

Harmon, who has 17 catches for 324 yards and three TDs in 2024, made sure to give credit to his teammates afterward.

"I made some plays tonight," he said. "Without the guys pressuring the quarterback and blocking up front, I wouldn't be able to do any of that. The real MVPs were the O-line and the D-line."

Spring-Ford (4-7) played without star quarterback Matt Zollers, a Missouri commit. Zollers suffered a season-ending left ankle injury Sept. 13 against Downingtown West.

In 2023, top-seeded South won the school's first District One football title. The Titans (11-0) are looking to become the third team to win back-to-back district championships since the PIAA expanded to six classifications in 2016, joining Coatesville (2017-18) and Garnet Valley (2021-22).

But Harmon, who is talking to some Division III schools about playing at that level, and company aren't looking past anyone as they pursue a second straight district crown.

"We'll prepare for the quarterfinals to the best of our ability and work our butts in practice, then come out Friday and hopefully get a win," Harmon said.

CB West upends Pennsbury: In first round of District One football playoffs

What it means for Spring-Ford

The Rams' season ended with Friday's defeat.

What it means for Central Bucks South

The Titans will host their district quarterfinal meeting with eighth-seeded Plymouth Whitemarsh, a 33-14 winner over No. 9 Souderton.

Key play

Central Bucks South senior Matt Harmon's 85-yard interception return for a touchdown after Spring-Ford moved down to the South 10 on the game's opening possession.

By the numbers: Spring-Ford vs. Central Bucks South

CB South sophomore running back Braylen Cape rushed 14 times for 147 yards and a touchdown.

CB South senior quarterback Owen Pinkerton passed for one TD and ran for two more among his seven carries for 56 yards.

Game balls

CB South senior Jimmy Wade recovered a fumble, blocked a punt, had one tackle for loss and ran the ball two times for 46 yards.

Titans senior Austin White returned an interception 43 yards for a touchdown midway through the fourth quarter to close out South's scoring.

They said it

"We feel good going into the quarterfinals," said CB South senior receiver/safety Matt Harmon. "Eleven straight wins does nothing but give you more confidence."

"We're getting better every single week," said Titans head coach Tom Hetrick. "I think we got better tonight. Offensively, we were able to do some things (Friday). Our defense has been good all season. They had a very good performance tonight."

What's next for CB South football?

The Titans host No. 8 Plymouth Whitemarsh, a 33-14 winner over No. 9 Souderton, in next Friday night's quarterfinals.

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: CB South downs Spring-Ford, advances in District One football playoffs