LANSDALE — North Penn junior running back Matthew Pownall had been told to expect a lot action at running back. However, he still was able to go out on Halloween night.

On Saturday afternoon, Pownall was a treat for Knights fans to watch, while trying to tackle him proved very tricky for Ridley.

"I had a great Halloween," said Pownall. "I went out. I just made sure to rest before the game."

Pownall certainly did not get much rest on Saturday afternoon. He rushed for 221 yards and, as a defensive back, had a key interception, as No. 4 seed North Penn rolled to a 24-14 victory over No. 13 Ridley in a PIAA District One Class 6A first round game.

The Knights will next face No. 5 seed Haverford, a 56-0 winner over Quakertown, in a quarterfinal contest on Friday night at Crawford Stadium.

Pownall basically never left the field. On offense, he rushed 28 times for the 221 yards., and also caught two passes for 16 yards. The Green Raiders had a potent passing game (187 yards) with two dangerous wideouts in Sean Manley and Jackson Solomon, so Pownall had no chance to catch his breath on defense.

"I'm plenty tired," said Pownall right afterward. "It's crazy. It was a hard-fought win. It's even hard for me to breathe right now."

While the Green Raiders (6-5) had a slim chance in the final seconds to come back until Pownall intercepted a pass in the end zone, the Knights (9-2) dominated most of the day. North Penn held leads of 21-0 at halftime and was ahead 24-6 with three minutes remaining.

On the first possession of the game, North Penn scored a touchdown on a 61-yard drive that featured 11 rushing plays (there was one incomplete pass), setting the tone that the offensive line could control the line of scrimmage.

"The whole line takes pride when (running backs) get their yards," said senior center Vinnie Montmore. "We didn't do it in as many games as we would have liked in the regular season. But we showed (Saturday) what the 0-line can do."

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A turning point came late in the first half, on one of the few times the Knights were stopped on offense.

They were punting from their own 26-yard-line but, due to a high snap, punter/kicker Ryan Bocklet was juggling in the ball in the air. As Ridley rushers were about to tackle him, Bocklet had the presence of mind to get off some kind of punt, albeit for no yards. However, the Green Raiders were called for a roughing the kicker penalty as they crashed into Bocklet right after the kick.

That gave North Penn new life, and they drove down field, this time using more of the arm of junior quarterback Matt Bucksar (10 for 19, 115 yards and two touchdowns). An 11-yard pass to senior Aidan Eves gave the Knights a touchdown with 21 seconds until halftime, and a 21-0 lead.

What it means for Ridley

The Green Raiders' season is over. They made the district playoffs after missing out last year.

What it means for North Penn

The Knights advance farther than they did last season, when they lost in the first round. This gives a young team some more postseason experience.

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Key plays

With two minutes left in the first half, Ridley got called for a roughing the kicker penalty on a punt that went for no yards. If the call had not been made, the Green Raiders would have started deep in Knights' territory, with a chance to cut the lead to one score.

On the first drive of the second half, Ridley reached the Knights' 22-yard line. It then fumbled and North Penn recovered.

Matt Bucksar threw a 24-yard touchdown pass in the second period that bounced off the hands of Ridley's Connor Kelly and into the waiting arms of receiver Mason Franek in the end zone. A possible turnover turned into a touchdown.

Ryan Bocklet's 36-yard field goal late in the third quarter gave North Penn a 24-0 lead.

By the Numbers: Ridley vs. North Penn

In the first half, North Penn had 214 yards of total offense to 63 for Ridley.

The Knights rushed for a total of 264 yards.

Ridley quarterback Ryan Carroll went 10 for 18 for 187 yards, one touchdown and one interception.

Game balls

The Knights' offensive line of tackles Charles Ashley and Dom Trazilli, guards Mason Charles and Dylan Webb-Dennis and center Vinnie Montmore had an outstanding game.

Ridley receiver Sean Manley had a big game, netting three catches for 95 yards.

North Penn running back/defensive back Matthew Pownall totaled 221 yards rushing, 19 yards receiving and an game-ending interception.

They said it

North Penn senior center Vinnie Montmore: "We all need to play like it's our last. It's the end of the season for everyone if we lose."

North Penn running back Matthew Pownall on the Ridley defense: "We saw that in most of their losses, the other team was able to run the ball."

What's next for North Penn?

The No. 4 Knights will host fifth-seeded Haverford on Friday night in the quarterfinal round of the District One Class 6A playoffs. Haverford overpowered Quakertown 56-0 in the first round.

This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: PIAA District One Football Playoffs: North Penn defeats Ridley