WARMINSTER, PA – In a game that took 15 hours to complete, St. Joseph’s Prep defeated Archbishop Wood in a key Catholic League football contest Friday night.
Okay. That’s obviously an exaggeration. But the Prep’s 43-24 Red Division victory over the Vikings at William Tennent High School needed an inconceivable three hours, 15 minutes to finish, an acquiescence to ESPNU’s national broadcast that required numerous television timeouts.
Combined with a plethora of penalty calls on both sides of the ball (one official anonymously admitted that “a lot” more could have been whistled), a contest that had been circled on the calendar since it was announced months ago occasionally resembled a pre-season affair rather than a battle between two of the area’s perennial best programs.
Game Photos (46 Photos )
Nerves, perhaps?
“It started out real slow for both teams,” said Hawks senior Richard Carr, who starred on both offense and defense. “I think that played a big part to the game being on ESPN. Teams try to play perfect. Try not to make mistakes. Look good for the camera.”
Wood quarterback Jack Colyar opens the scoring
Trickery gives Prep its first touchdown
Marquez McCray scores on a one-yard keeper and Anthony Tigano adds the extra point
The key reason for the national exposure involved Prep sensation D’Andre Swift, a University of Georgia signee. Entering with 212 yards receiving, 201 rushing, and six total touchdowns versus national powerhouses Oaks Christian (California) and Don Bosco Prep (New Jersey), Swift has drawn comparisons to some of Philadelphia’s all-time great gridironers. Coincidentally, Wood blue-chip wide receiver Mark Webb had also decided on Georgia.
In a major blow to any and all television advertisers, however, Swift tweaked an already sore ankle during the Prep’s first series and only returned for a few plays in the second half, serving mostly as a decoy.
Amazingly, the Prep’s offense – though occasionally aided by its defense and special teams providing solid field position – wasn’t affected nearly as one would have imagined.
“We stayed calm and did what we had to do,” said Prep junior linebacker Zach Snider. “You have to trust the process.”
Snider acknowledged the “really slow pace” of the first quarter, which included a go-ahead, eight-yard touchdown run by Wood sophomore quarterback Jack Colyar.
“It was the worst first half we’ve played all year,” said Snider. “At least we know that we still have a lot to work on.”
Senior lineman Sal Cinaglia recognized the Prep’s early struggles. Though down one touchdown against one of the Red Division’s strongest squads, he said, there was certainly no need to panic.
“No matter who we’re playing, we come out and get the job done,” he said. “League, non-league, really doesn’t matter. We work so hard during the week that when it comes time to play, we can’t wait to get started. It’s a very special team.”
Fan Photos (13 Photos)
Anyone who bought tickets expecting a defensive clash probably left disappointed. After Colyar’s TD, the Prep took a 12-10 lead with two touchdowns via a niftily designed 12-yard pass from Carr to quarterback Marquez McCray, and a 25-yard jaunt by senior Christian Waller.
Back came the Vikings. A 36-yard field goal by senior kicker Dan Zanine early in the second quarter cut the Vikings’ deficit to 12-10, and a 12-yard strike from Colyar to senior Shawn Thompson put Wood back in front at 17-12. Undaunted, the Hawks responded with a 36-yard touchdown connection from McCray to Carr and a subsequent same-method two-point conversion toss just 18 seconds before halftime, and the Hawks led, 20-17.
After a safety increased the Prep’s edge to 22-17, McCray scored on a one-yard keeper early in the fourth quarter. A 46-yard touchdown pass from Colyar to junior tight end Kyle Pitts trimmed the margin to 29-24, but a Terrence Greene nine-yard scoring run (on his only carry of the night) and a 55-yard bolt by Waller sealed the victory.
Richard Carr talks about being on the national stage
Chris Lowndes wasn't worried when the Prep fell behind
The soft-spoken Waller’s two-touchdown, 131-yard effort increased his season total to 336 on 44 carries. McCray’s 11 completions in 24 attempts went for 134 yards. Greene, a senior, caught five for 60 yards. For the Vikings, Thompson and senior Raheem Blackshear combined for 161 yards rushing on 20 carries. Harassed often, Colyar completed 7 of 21 passes for 113 yards and two scores.
Carr, who blanketed Webb and held him to one reception, lauded his team for responding to the challenge without relying on Swift.
“We have a lot of good players that nobody really knows about,” said Carr. “Our system is always ‘next man up.’ People are ready to go.”
Senior Chris Lowndes, one of the game’s defensive stars with a fumble recovery and several tackles for losses, agreed.
“We just get the job done,” said Lowndes. “There wasn’t anything to worry about (after Wood took an early lead). Just continue to do our thing. Fight and play aggressive football. Philly football.”
The Prep will host Archbishop Carroll on Saturday night and Wood will welcome Roman Catholic on Friday night. Neither game will be nationally televised and should take a little more than two hours.
Thank goodness.
(John Knebels can be reached at jknebels@gmail.com and on twitter @johnknebels)