CARDINAL O'HARA LIONS - PSD Photo
BISHOP MCDEVITT LANCERS - PSD Photo
Philadelphia Sports Digest - PCL Game of the Week:
Who: Cardinal O’Hara vs. Bishop McDevitt
When: 1:00 PM Saturday, September 14, 2019
Where: Springfield Montgomery County High School
Records: Cardinal O’Hara (1-1); Bishop McDevitt (1-2)
Most Recent Performance: Cardinal O’Hara appeared listless in a 28-6 loss to visiting Father Judge; Bishop McDevitt was pounded by visiting Germantown Academy, 48-15
Importance: Blue Division opener for both teams. Since the Catholic League adopted the division format (Red and Blue) in 2016 and the best regular-season record determined the respective champions, all of the championship squads finished undefeated. So the losing team will probably be eliminated from any realistic chance at ultimately seizing a crown.
All-Time Record: Cardinal O’Hara leads, 7-6; however, McDevitt has won the past two – both defensive battles (12-7 in 2018; 10-7 in 2017).
Cardinal O’Hara Notes: Senior quarterback Cole Sprague can hurt a team running and throwing. He has rushed 21 times for 75 yards while completing 16 of 26 passes for 134 yards and a touchdown. Keed Kpoto is an accomplished ground gainer. In 6 1/2 games last season, he contributed 771 yards and eight touchdowns. In the Lions’ opener, a 17-13 win at Hudson Catholic (NJ), the senior gained 113 yards and scored a touchdown. Second-team All-Catholic senior tackle Joe Kelly anchors the offensive line.
Bishop McDevitt Notes: After a satisfying 35-21 win at Central,the Lancers were outscored 104-15 in their two losses . . .One of the league’s best all-around players,senior Tyrone Fowler is a returning first-team All-Catholic defensive lineman and a second-team offensive lineman . . . At quarterback, senior first-team All-Catholic senior quarterback Lonnie Rice (300 yards rushing and four touchdowns; 418 passing yards and three TDs so far) scored 13 TDs last season.
LION CHAT: “I think a plus is, honestly, the loss to Father Judge,” said senior offensive tackle Joe Kelly. “I feel like it humbled us and made us realize we need to work harder. Our team knows what every game from here on out means, so I believe everyone has that in the back of their minds. We are focused on our game plan and approach every game as if it was for the PCL championship, ’cause in a way, it is.”
Cardinal O'Hara Football Highlights:
“Our preparation switches to be geared towards McDevitt,” said senior quarterback Cole Sprague. “We’re building more chemistry each week, and the fact that we had a good week of practice is a plus. We definitely have more intensity knowing that it’s now league play, and we’re now ready to go for the championship.”
LANCER CHAT: “It’s just the next game on our schedule,” said senior two-way tackle Hakim Dodson. “It’s the PCL, so the intensity is turned all the way up right now. We fell short last year and we now have the opportunity that’s in front of us. That’s what’s at stake.”
“We are exited because it’s our first taste of the Catholic League this year,” said junior defender Lance Dawson.
Bishop McDevitt Football Highlights:
“We are ready to get our young guys to step up. Playing a league game is more intense. We are locked in more than ever, and practice is way more competitive.”
Prediction: Doubtful that either of these two teams would beat the other two straight. McDevitt is determined to right the ship on defense, and numerous O’Hara players used the word “embarrassed” about its aforementioned 28-6 loss to Judge. Game will remain close, but in the end, Cardinal O’Hara will eke out a 21-16 victory.
(John Knebels can be reached at Jknebels@gmail.com or on Twitter @johnknebels.)