skip navigation

FOOTBALL: PCL Game of the Week - Conwell-Egan vs. Bonner-Prendergast

By John Knebels, 10/20/22, 7:00PM EDT

Share

CATHOLIC LEAGUE GAME OF THE WEEK:

Who: Conwell-Egan at Bonner-Prendergast

When: 5:00 PM Friday, October 21, 2022

Where:  Bonner-Prendergast High School

Records: Conwell-Egan 5-3, 4-1; Bonner-Prendergast 6-1, 5-0

Most Recent Performance: Conwell-Egan defeated Neumann-Goretti, 29-14; Bonner-Prendergast upended Lansdale Catholic, 42-14.

Importance: Regular-season games don’t get much bigger than this upcoming clash, as the winner will clinch the Philadelphia Catholic League Blue Division championship.

All-Time Record: Bonner-Prendergast leads the series, 5-2.

Conwell-Egan Notes: The Eagles are searching for their second-ever Blue Division title, having triumphed in 2018 . . . C-E has won three straight and is coming off a somewhat stunning success over defending champion Neumann-Goretti behind an enormous interception touchdown return by senior Mekhi Harper – his second pick-six in as many weeks . . . The running game of senior Colin Majors, junior Tayshaun Thenor, and sophomore Sincere Fairey have collectively rushed for more than 1,200 yards and all but six of their team’s 25 touchdowns . . . Fairey and junior linebacker Gavin Pond have combined for 12 sacks, which helps explain the Eagles surrendering only four touchdowns in their last five games.     

Bonner-Prendergast Notes: Program is vying for its first PCL title since 1994 . . . During their five-game winning streak, the Friars have averaged 40 points per game . . . Only once this season have they allowed more than two touchdowns . . . Junior Avery Hankey has rushed for 624 yards and six touchdowns. Senior quarterback Justin Shepherd has tossed 10 TDs . . . Stat leaders include senior Zach Coneys (11 receptions but six touchdowns), sophomore Jalil Hall (six receiving touchdowns), junior Isaiah Sessions (33 combined tackles, three fumble recoveries), and junior Mylachi Williams (6.5 sacks).

EAGLE CHAT: “It’s a big game for us and this game determines who wins the PCL Blue,” said senior defensive back/wide receiver Mekhi Harper. “We are going into this game humble and prepared. Even though we came off a great win, we are hungry for another one.”

FRIAR CHAT: “All week, coaches and players have been reminding each other what’s on the line this Friday and how this is our chance to start leaving our mark since Bonner hasn’t won this game since 1994,” said senior linebacker Nick Smith. “Coaches and players seem really confident in ourselves, especially over the past two weeks, on how we’ve performed and have come together as a team.

“Our main goal for this week is to come out and put a stop to their run game. I believe defensively all we need to do is keep starting out strong and forcing turnovers like we have been and try our best to set up our offense in a good position to score.”

Prediction: Although Conwell-Egan is playing its best football of the season and has the ability to take over time of possession, a few big plays and home field advantage helps Bonner-Prendergast capture the PCL Blue title with a 27-13 victory.

 

*** Individual statistics courtesy of Ed “Huck” Powers.

 

(John Knebels can be reached at Jknebels@gmail.com or on Twitter @johnknebels.)