Episcopal Academy - PSD File Photo
Springside Chestnut Hill - PSD File Photo
INTER-AC GAME OF THE WEEK
Who: Episcopal Academy vs. Springside Chestnut Hill Academy
When: 2:30 PM, Saturday, October 14
Where: Springside Chestnut Hill Academy
Records: Episcopal 3-2, 0-0; Springside Chestnut Hill 4-2, 0-0
Most Recent Performance: Episcopal was defeated by Salesianum School (DE), 28-20; SCH was edged by Northeast High School, 25-24, in overtime.
Importance: After six weeks of preparation, it is time for the Inter-Ac to embark on a five-week journey against league foes. Because there are so few games, one league loss severely damages the chance of winning a title.
All-Time Record: Episcopal leads, 50-31-5.
Episcopal Notes: After staring with three wins, the Churchmen have lost two straight . . . EA has allowed 13 points or fewer on three occasions . . . Against Catholic League Blue Division squads Bonner-Prendergast and Conwell-Egan, the Churchmen defeated both opponents by a combined score of 82-21 . . . Junior sensation DeeWil Barlee has been unstoppable. Including a 259-yard, five-touchdown performance vs. CE and a 130-yard effort vs. B-P, Barlee has amassed 673 yards and 11 touchdowns on 91 rushes and 246 yards and three TDs on 18 receptions . . . Sophomore quarterback Marcus McDaniel has thrown four touchdowns among his 43 completions.
SCH Notes: The loss to Northeast severed a four-game winning streak . . . Led by sophomore Aaron Rascoe’s 343 yards and three touchdowns, nine different Blue Devils have found the end zone . . . Two capable QBs include junior Aaron Angelos (47 for 77, 701 yards, 7 TDs) and senior Jake Elliott (18 for 27, 207 yards, 3 TDs . . . The main recipients of those passes have been junior Pat Elliott (24 for 316, 3 TDs) and sophomore Ke’Shawn Williams (14 for 244) . . . The secondary has intercepted five passes, including two each by senior Myles Hugee and sophomore Delonce Hines . . . This will be SCH’s Homecoming Game.
Churchmen Chat: “Every game for us is a big game,” said junior running back and strong safety DeeWil Barlee. “It’s upon us to execute in these games because at then end of our actual season, we want to be on top. It’s a lot different because of the type of offenses we’ve faced. Non-league games only prepare us for the games that matter. All of our hard work we put in as a team over the summer and through our first five comes down to these last five. I expect for them to be tough games, but I believe that we can overcome those games. We played hard in games we lost, but we’ve cleaned up our mistakes and we’re ready for our season to start.”
“I feel like league games are a lot more amped up and everyone seems ready to go,” said two-way tackle Adam Klein. “! I feel like something clicks when league comes because it so important because you can't afford to lose anymore. SCH is a very good team. They’re big and athletic. It will be a great test for our offensive and defensive line because they are so big and strong. They have some very athletic skill guys that could hurt us if we don't come out firing. I think it will be an awesome first test for us and I'm looking forward to it.”
Blue Devil Chat: “I think this is a very big game,” said senior linebacker, wide receiver, and backup QB Jack Elliott. “Our goal is to win the league and every time you lose in this league you make that a lot harder on yourself. Every single game matters a lot more when you only have five of them. The biggest difference between non-league and the league is just how much more intense the games are because the stakes are higher and you know that, every game, you’re playing for a title.”
“Our game versus EA is enormous for us,” said senior two-way tackle Anthony Marrone. “We are playing EA on homecoming in front of our biggest crowd this year and do not want to disappoint. This game is also big for us because we have not won an Inter-Ac game the last two years and we want to break this streak. It’s very different to be playing league games vs. non -league games. The league is a five-game playoff and hopefully, if we do well, we will be playing for the league championship. Every mistake is amplified since we only get five games to decide who will be league champ.”
PSD File Photo
PSD File Photo
PSD File Photo - Zamani Feelings
PSD File Photo - Zamani Feelings
PSD File Photo - Zamani Feelings
Prediction: In what is the true definition of a pick’em, this will undoubtedly be an extremely physical battle between two teams that truly believe they will win. SCH is anxious to begin league play with a winning streak, but can the Blue Devils stop running back DeeWil Barlee? Going out on the proverbial limb here. Encouraged by an uproarious Homecoming crowd, SCH ekes out a memorable 24-21 triumph.
(John Knebels can be reached at Jknebels@gmail.com or on Twitter @johnknebels.)
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