In the latter stages of the fourth quarter, a Malvern Prep assistant coach took an offensive lineman aside and reprimanded him for missing a block. A few minutes later, a different assistant was demonstrating a preferred tackling technique to a veteran linebacker.
Malvern's Oshaan Allison scores his first of two touchdowns.
At the time, the Friars led by 26 points.
The lesson being taught in visiting Malvern Prep’s 33-14 Inter-Academic League demolition of previously undefeated Episcopal Academy on a chilly Friday night was simple – don’t rest on your laurels.
“You can’t take a play off,” said senior right guard John Skrocki, who also moonlights at defensive tackle. “It’s something we talk about. Everyone works together. That’s what it’s all about.”
Joined by offensive linemen Dave Lynch (senior center), Joe Basiura (sophomore left guard), Nick Leasure (senior left tackle), and Jake Glavin (junior right tackle), Skrocki made life miserable for Episcopal’s defensive personnel.
Time and again, sophomore back Oshaan Allison followed his lead blockers and accrued huge chucks of yardage. By the time he was replaced in the fourth quarter, Allison had gained a whipping 193 yards on 31 carries. He also scored three touchdowns on the ground and one through the air.
“He did great,” Skrocki said. “He ran hard. That’s what we like to see. We are all like brothers to each other and everyone wants to chip in. We try to open holes and have our running backs hit them hard. Everyone did their job tonight.”
After a first quarter in which both teams missed golden opportunities to convert long gains – either because of errant heaves or a dropped passes –the Friars (5-1 overall, 1-0 Inter-Ac) opened the scoring on the second play of the second quarter when Allison rumbled for a one-yard touchdown on fourth down.
Episcopal's Dee Barlee scores late in the fourth quarter.
Malvern’s extended its lead to 13-0 when Allison scored on a five-yard run. The Churchmen fought back. Junior Dan Baker intercepted a pass and raced 50 yards deep inside Malvern territory. A nifty 21-yard scoring jaunt by senior Dee Barlee brought Episcopal to within 13-7.
With only 2:28 left in the half, it appeared as though the Churchmen (5-1, 0-1) had turned the momentum in their favor. But a brilliantly executed drive behind Allison (four runs for 22 yards) and sophomore quarterback Kevin Doyle (three completions for 48 yards) culminated in a 33-yard touchdown pass to senior Rashon Lusane in the left corner of the end zone only six seconds before halftime, and Malvern Prep led 20-7 as they sprinted into the locker room.
Malvern's Oshaan Allison scores his second touchdown of the game.
“I’m not sure that anyone saw that coming,” said senior tight end/receiver Ian Murray. “Kevin made some great throws, especially the last one. That was definitely the biggest play of the game.”
Although he hurried several throws that cost him better overall statistics, Doyle’s composure was still impressive, particularly for a 10th grader.
Protected by his stellar offensive line, Doyle completed 19 passes for 205 yards and connected with seven different receivers, namely junior Mike Fay (5 for 53), senior Chris Brown (6 for 41), and Lusane (2 for 31).
Any remaining suspense was obliterated when, on the second play of the third quarter, the Friars forced a fumble that was recovered by senior Ryan Murray at the Malvern 36. Highlighted by a successful fake punt that resulted in an 11-yard, first-down run by senior Pat Finley, Malvern engineered a 10-play, 64-yard drive punctuated by Doyle hitting Allison for a 13-yard scoring strike.
Allison found the end zone yet again early in the fourth quarter, an eight-yard gallop through a fatigued Episcopal defense. Inside the last two minutes, Barlee scored his second touchdown to make the final score a tad more respectable.
“Inter-Ac games are always spirited,” said the aforementioned Ian Murray, who contributed two catches for 23 yards and several key blocks that helped spring Allison. “There was a lot of talking, but that’s to be expected.”
(John Knebels can be reached at jknebels@gmail.com.)