LANSDALE — Christian Johns-Wallace is a difference-maker for North Penn.

Johns-Wallace, a senior linebacker/running back, leads the Knights with 25 tackles and five sacks in their first three victories.

"Christian is a big play waiting to happen," said North Penn head coach Dick Beck. "Whether it’s a sack or INT or fumble recovery, he makes a lot of those plays for us."

In the season-opening 28-25 win over 2023 district semifinalist Downingtown East, Johns-Wallace had an interception Beck referred to as "a game changer."

"I kept hearing (from multiple NP coaches that) we need the ball back," Johns-Wallace said. "I told them I'll get the ball back. I ended up doing that."

As a junior, Johns-Wallace had 96 tackles, including 10 for loss, plus five sacks, four interceptions and three forced fumbles to earn first-team All-Suburban One League National Conference honors.

"I have a good nose for the ball and my defensive IQ (are strengths)," he said. "When I watch film on own time, I can (sometimes) sniff out a play — like when the quarterback makes eye contact with where he's going on a quarterback sneak."

The 6-foot-2, 210-pound Johns-Wallace and North Penn opened SOL National Conference play with a 37-7 win over previously undefeated Neshaminy on Friday night at Crawford Stadium.

Johns-Wallace had three tackles for loss in a dominant first half in which the Knights led 31-0, then didn't play much after intermission.

"It really got us going and kept the energy high," Johns-Wallace said. "After the first tackle for loss, that flipped the switch for the whole team and we knew it was over. We kept gaining momentum."

While he has been a real factor on defense, Johns-Wallace believes he's having quite an impact as a short-yardage back on offense. He has four touchdowns in four games.

"When we need two yards for a TD, I can power my way through," said Johns-Wallace, a 17-year-old Lansdale resident.

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He scored the Knights' first touchdown of the season on a 1-yard run and added a 19-yard rushing touchdown later in the Downingtown East game. Johns-Wallace had a 3-yard TD run against Quakertown in Week 3 and contributed a 1-yard score vs. Neshaminy in the first quarter.

Johns-Wallace is quite versatile off the football field, too. He taught himself how to throw the javelin primarily by watching YouTube and was the only Class AA freshman to qualify for the PIAA state track championships at Lansdale Catholic in 2022 before transferring to North Penn for 10th grade.

Johns-Wallace has been getting some attention from colleges but is waiting for a better offer.

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"I believe I have the physical and mental ability to make it to Division 1," he said.

Senior tight end/linebacker Aidan Eves, who has played with Johns-Wallace since third grade on the North Penn Squires, wouldn't bet against him.

"Christian's an amazing player," Eves said. "The crazy thing is as good as he is now, he keeps improving every week. He's definitely one of the hardest workers at practice. Christian is phenomenal."

What it means for Neshaminy

Neshaminy couldn't make a big play on offense or stop North Penn in the first half, when the Knights scored touchdowns on their first four possessions.

What it means for North Penn

The Knights' much-improved defense isn't forcing the offense to have to put up big numbers to win, though Dick Beck's team is averaging 33.5 points this season while allowing 12.5.

Key plays

North Penn senior defensive end Cole D'Ambrosio recovered a Neshaminy fumble at the Neshaminy 29-yard line two plays after the Knights took a 7-0 lead. Three Matt Pownall runs later, with the final pitch covering 21 yards, NP was ahead 14-0.

Neshaminy went for it on fourth-and-3 at its own 27 trailing 14-0. The defense held and North Penn scored five plays later on a 1-yard run by senior Aidan Eves for a 21-0 advantage.

By the numbers: Neshaminy vs. North Penn

Knights senior Ryan Bocklet kicked a career-long 49-yard field goal just before halftime.

North Penn senior running back Josiah Coleman had 13 carries for 146 yards, highlighted by an 89-yard touchdown run in the second quarter.

Neshaminy junior quarterback Mike Eckart ran for a 76-yard touchdown up the middle after dropping back to pass midway through the third quarter. He made a defender miss with a nifty move at the 33-yard line and was gone.

Game balls

North Penn junior running back Matt Pownall ran for a 21-yard touchdown and caught a 13-yard TD pass from junior quarterback Matt Bucksar in the corner of the end zone.

Neshaminy senior defensive lineman Moise Woodolf and junior linebacker James Grasmeder recovered fumbles to thwart a pair of second-half North Penn drives.

They said it

"We showed that we're resilient and consistent," said North Penn senior linebacker/running back Christian Johns-Wallace. "They were 3-0 and we were 3-0. We came out (of Friday's game) 4-0 and they came out 3-1."

"They've got a good football team," said Neshaminy head coach Steve Wilmot. "The ball was definitely bouncing North Penn's way. They played well and we didn't play as good, that's for sure."

What's next for Neshaminy football?

Neshaminy hosts 1-3 Abington on Sept. 20.

What's next for North Penn football?

The Knights host 3-1 Pennridge on Sept. 20.

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: PA High School Football: Johns-Wallace, North Penn remain undefeated