With a new-look schedule this season, the Emmaus High School football team opened its season with a nonconference game in Langhorne against the Neshaminy Skins.

The Green Hornets jumped ahead early and then had to comeback late to force overtime. After a field goal to take the lead in the first overtime period, Neshaminy found pay dirt to walk off with a season-opening victory, 20-17, last Friday night.

After the two teams traded scoreless possessions to begin the game, Emmaus got on the scoreboard before the opening quarter concluded when Reilly Bechtel ran into the end zone from 4-yards out with just two seconds left. After a good kick by William Buck, the Hornets went on top 7-0 after one.

The Skins, a perennially competitive team in the Suburban One Conference and District 1, answered and had a successful second quarter, scoring two touchdowns to take the lead.

Nashir Moore tallied a 3-yard scoring run to tie the score with 7:33 left and then Michael Eckert ran it in from a yard out to put his team in the lead 14-7 with just 1:26 until halftime.

After a scoreless third quarter, and with time winding down, Emmaus quarterback Jerek Cooper led a game-tying drive that was capped by a 21-yard keeper to tie the score at 14-14 with 2:54 remaining.

With their backs against the wall, the Hornet defense came up big by forcing a fumble and then recovering it at their own 8-yard line. The offense then drove down the field looking to win the game, but a game-winning field goal attempt was no good and the teams went to overtime.

On the opening possession of the extra period, Buck connected on a 23-yard field goal to give Emmaus a 17-14 advantage.

Neshaminy used a trick play to score the game-winning touchdown as Nick Sassano took a pitch from quarterback Michael Eckart and tossed a 7-yard touchdown pass to Chris Long to give their team the victory.

Bechtel carried nine times for 92 yards and a touchdown and caught three passes for seven yards. Cooper finished with 108 yards through the air and 68 yards on the ground with a touchdown. Kai Jefferson-Rushing led the receiving corps with four catches for 74 yards. Bechtel and Robert Edwards led the defense with seven tackles each.

Emmaus next has its home opener against Bethlehem Catholic Friday night.