Pictured from left: James Managine, Deaglan Budd, Owen Johnston.

In preparation for the regular season, the North Penn Squires Flag team wrapped up its preseason with a game against the Norristown Bandits in the 19th annual Thomas Barone Day Tournament named in honor of a Norristown police officer who was killed in the line of duty while answering a domestic dispute.

The Squires captains for the week were Owen Johnston, Patrick McGee, Joseph Bogle, and Quinton Laughlin as North Penn and Norristown finished in an 18-18 tie.

On the first play of the game, the Squires’ Justin Egner scampered around the right end for an 80-yard touchdown aided up by the North Penn offensive line that included Roman Patrone, James Bones, Joseph Bogle and Ben Freer.

After Norristown punched in two touchdowns in the first half, the Squires defense forced the Bandits to turn the ball over on downs in two consecutive series with major stops by Nick D’ Angelo, Luke Cody, Deaglan Budd, Norm Gee, Levar Talley and Zack Smith.

The Squires defense pulled a total of 26 flags by a combined nine players.

Following at Norristown punt, North Penn’s Justin Egner scored another touchdown led by the downfield blocking of Kevin Pico, James Mangine and Cole Ostroff to tie the game.

The next series, Norristown took the ball down field and took the lead with a touchdown. With 2:35 remaining in the contest, the Squires offense put together a memorable drive, which Justin Egner capped off with his third touchdown to tie the game.

The Bandits received the ball back with 56 seconds left and two timeouts, but the Squires defense stood tall to preserve the tie.

North Penn opened its regular season Saturday, Sept. 24 at home.