The Hatters opened their 2009 campaign by outlasting the Frankford Pioneers 7-0 in a defensive struggle in Philadelphia.

Hatboro-Horsham kicked-off the season by kicking off the ball to Frankford. After a three and out that include a tackle for a loss by #33 Dom DeFazio it was the Hatters’ offense turn. They opened their drive at their own 45 yard line. #47 Matt Coyle and #25 Darrel Neville snapped off a series of long runs to march the ball down to the 10 yard line when #27 Nick Dovidio scampered off the left side for a touchdown. Freshman kicker #14 Bobby Stump added the point after. What followed was three and a half quarters of smash-mouth defense and anemic offense.

The defensive showcase was not without its heroes. In the next position Frankford threw a long pass into the endzone but it was brilliantly broken up by #28 Bret Saverio. #55 Kevin James shut down the inside running game of the Pioneers all day long. Ends #5 Ryan Mullen and #18 Connor Posten put incredible pressure on the backfield. The linemen #78 Mike Fitzpatrick and #62 Tom Gerringer clogged up the middle, made some key tackles behind the line of scrimmage and had a couple sacks. #1 Casey Saverio made a couple brilliant plays fighting off blockers and containing runs to the outside.

The second half started out with a thrill. #25 Darrel Neville took the kick-off at the 20 yard line and returned it 65 yards all the way down to the Hatters 15 yard line. However, after a couple offensive miscues the team had to attempt a 34 yard field goal which was just a little wide to the left.

Neither offense produced much in the second half until the final drive of the game. Half way through the fourth quarter Frankford took the ball on their own 35 yard line. They were able to finally pick up a couple first downs and finally penetrate the Hatters side of the field. But once the got to the Hatters 35 yard line the defense stiffened. After an unsuccessful screen, #62 Tom Gerringer made a huge tackle for a loss. On third down another screen netted only a couple yards and the Pioneers were faced with fourth down and seven yards with only a minute left. The quarterback dropped back but #5 Ryan Mullen provided almost immediate pressure, the quarterback ran a couple yards but was wrapped up short of the first down. At that point he lateral the ball to a line who was able to run past the first down sticks but back may not lateral the ball to a linemen that is a penalty. So the game ended 7-0.