Photos/Videos: Lennie Malmgren, Ethan Puth, Krystal Williams
By: John Knebels
PHILADELPHIA – One game does not a season make.
But an early victory sure does help.
Heading into Week Two, four teams snatched an early one-game lead in the Philadelphia Catholic League Blue Division Standings.
None of the four contests offered significant drama.
Bonner-Prendergast dominated visiting Archbishop Carroll, 48-0, on Friday night. The Friars built a big early lead and coasted behind a career performance by senior quarterback Justin Shepherd, who tossed five touchdown passes, three of them to senior Zac Coneys.
Shepherd finished 9 of 13 for 173 yards. On the ground, junior Avery Hankey accumulated 119 yards and a touchdown on 13 carries. The Friars’ defense forced three turnovers and held the Patriots to nine yards of total offense. For Carroll, senior quarterback Andre Groce completed 11 of 20 passes.
“It’s an awesome feeling beating a team by a lot and shutting them out,” said Bonner-Prendergast junior Austin Cannon. “After a big game like that, the team and coaches are in a good mood and get ready for next week’s game.
“This shows how hard we work each week as a team and push each other. Props to the coaching staff for getting us ready each and every week. They make sure we are prepared. No matter what a team’s record is, we will come out ready just like any other team and play our best to the whistle. All that matters is getting the win and moving onto the next, no matter what the score is.”
MBAP vs. Carroll - PSD Highlights by Lennie Malmgren
Bonner-Prendergast vs. Archbishop Carroll - PSD Gallery by Lennie Malmgren
Conwell-Egan also blanked its opponent. With the defense surrendering only 87 yards and forcing three turnovers Saturday, the visiting Eagles beat Archbishop Ryan, 20-0.
The Eagles’ ground game accumulated 230 yards on 30 carries. Senior Colin Majors (10 carries, 77 yards, touchdown), freshman Sincere Fairey (3-75-1), and senior Craig Graves (8-42) kept the Raiders’ offense on the sideline. Junior quarterback Stephen Tryon fired a 25-yard touchdown pass to junior Sam Cooper, who also snared an interception, as did junior Tim Gipli.
‘It was definitely good to get the win,” said senior Luke Trunell. “It was our first league game, so it was important for us to bounce back after two tough (non-league) games.
“Our coaches laid out a good game plan for us during the week, and we came out on Saturday and executed it. Our defense played lights out, forcing a few turnovers and getting the shutout, while the offense was able to consistently drive the ball down field.”
Conwell-Egan vs. Archbishop Ryan - PSD Highlights by Krystal Williams
Cowell-Egan vs. Archbishop Ryan - PSD Gallery by Krystal Williams
Also on Saturday, Neumann-Goretti ruined Lansdale Catholic’s home opener.
With senior Shawn Battle gaining 96 yards and scoring a touchdown on 16 carries, junior quarterback Mekhi Wharton scoring on a rush while completing 7 of 12 passes for 76 yards and a touchdown pass to senior Denim Smith, and freshman Terrance Page adding another score on the ground, the Saints upended the Crusaders, 26-7.
“This victory was important in the matter of kicking off things in the league,” said Neumann senior Jose Rivera. “It’s important for us to come together as a team and come out with a win as a unit. We tweaked some things and did our jobs and got the win.
“The non-league game (21-0 loss to Penn Charter) made no difference really. It’s always all about the mental part, and that goes for any play and any team really. It’s about the energy and the psyche. The only disadvantages we’d ever have is ‘us against ourselves,’ and not doing what we know we’re capable of.”
Neumann-Goretti vs. Lansdale Catholic - PSD Highlights by Ethan Puth
Neumann-Goretti vs. Lansdale Catholic - PSD Gallery by Ethan Puth
Strong efforts on all aspects of the game lifted West Catholic to a 20-7 win Saturday over visiting Cardinal O’Hara.
Senior K’Saan Greene was sensational in the backfield. He finished with 250 yards and a touchdown on 22 carries.
Sophomore Kal-El Durham completed 12 of 18 passes for 165 yards and touchdown strike to junior Amir Smith (four catches, 57 yards). Sophomore Jiaire Greene and junior Owen Suah each grabbed an interception.
***(Individual statistics come courtesy of Ed “Huck” Palmer.)***
West Catholic Burrs - PSD Photos by Krystal Williams
(Contact John Knebels at jknebels@gmail.com or on Twitter @johnknebels.)