QUAKERTOWN — Once a quarterback, always a quarterback.

Well, sort of.

Growing up, Pennsbury senior Walker Murray had a strong arm and an understanding of football, so he played quarterback, from fifth grade until his sophomore year of high school.

Then he was moved to the defensive line.

"We knew we had to get him somewhere on the field because of what he could do," Pennsbury head coach Galen Snyder said. "And he's only gotten better and better."

Murray and the Falcons took a 17-7 win over the Quakertown Panthers in Week Two of the PIAA high school football season when Pennsbury traveled to the Upper Bucks County school on Thursday night, kicking off the holiday weekend of games.

Jordan Brensinger and Jaydyn Bright each ran for 133 yards and a touchdown and Pennsbury's defense stifled Quakertown all night to pick up the victory. The win moved the Falcons, who overcame an early 7-0 deficit, to 1-1 on the season. The loss dropped Quakertown to 0-2.

Murray, who had 11 tackles, made his biggest play of the night late in the second quarter when he intercepted a pass and returned it 36 yards to the Quakertown 20 with just five seconds left before intermission.

From there, junior kicker Angelo Pereira drilled a 36-yard field goal to end the half and give the visitors their first lead at 10-7.

And after the Falcons scored on their first possession of the second half, on an efficient 11-play, 91-yard drive all on the ground that was capped with a 13-yard score from Brensinger, to go up 10, the defense did the rest.

The Panthers ran just six plays from scrimmage over the game's final 14 minutes and did not cross their own 40.

Last season, the 6-foot-1, 215-pound Murray was moved to linebacker (the quarterback of the defense) and he thrived, being named first-team Suburban One League National Conference at that spot.

"I'll always have a quarterback mindset," Murray said. "But I love being at linebacker. I get to call the defenses and there's a lot more thinking that you have to do when you're playing on the defensive line."

What does it mean for Pennsbury football

After a 24-2 Opening Night loss to Northampton in which they had four turnovers, the Falcons righted things Thursday night. They did have three fumbles, losing two of them, but neither turnover hurt.

What does it mean for Quakertown football

The loss dropped the Panthers to 0-2 and things don't get any easier as they have undefeated North Penn, who won its Week 2 game Thursday, up next.

Game balls

Jordan Brensinger, Pennsbury. The senior didn't enter the game until the second quarter, but still rushed for the aforementioned 133 yards (a game high) and the touchdown.

Angelo Pereira, Pennsbury. His field goal to close the first half not only gave his side the lead, it gave the Falcons a huge shot of momentum heading into halftime.

Jaydyn Bright, Pennsbury. His number was called 28 times and Bright consistently picked up the tough yards inside to keep several Falcon drives going.

Aiden Whiteley, Quakertown. The senior led the Panthers in rushing with 58 yards (15 carries) and scored Quakertown's lone touchdown early in the second quarter.

They said it:

"It was important for us to get this win after losing last week," Pennsbury head coach Galen Snyder said. "The team rebounded and we'll keep getting better."

"We have to regroup and give it our best next week," Quakertown head coach George Banas said. "And these kids will do that."

What's next for Pennsbury football

The Falcons host 1-1 Council Rock South on Sept. 6 in their final non-conference game.

What's next for Quakertown football

The Panthers play at 2-0 North Penn on Sept. 6 in their final non-conference game.

Drew Markol covers local sports for PhillyBurbs.com. Support our journalism with a subscription.

This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: PA High school football: Pennsbury beats Quakertown