HAVERFORD, PA--They scored twice as many points and accrued almost 100 yards more their opponent. How does a team accomplish such a feat?
“It was huge to come out if that game with a win,” said Germantown Academy senior Joe Cawley, “but it was the way we got it by dominating both sides of the ball that made it so great.”
The visiting Patriots indeed dominated Haverford School, 28-14, in an Inter-Academic League Saturday afternoon. The Patriots scored on their opening drive, watched the Fords tie the game two drives later, and then took a 14-7 lead before halftime.
Senior quarterback Colton Niedzielski supplied most of the offense with three touchdown runs and 72 yards rushing on only seven carries. He also completed 9 of 19 passes for 85 yards. Sophomore Trae Vance added 56 yards and a touchdown on 13 hauls.
“It was a great team win,” said GA coach Matt Dence. “That’s a very tough place to play. To win a game there you have to play a pretty complete football game.”
Senior quarterback Colton Niedzielski supplied most of the offense with three touchdown runs and 72 yards rushing on only seven carries. He also completed 9 of 19 passes for 85 yards. Sophomore Trae Vance added 56 yards and a touchdown on 13 hauls.
“It was a great team win,” said GA coach Matt Dence. “That’s a very tough place to play. To win a game there you have to play a pretty complete football game.”
GA sophomore running back Trae Vance goes in for the TD against HS in League Opener (video Ed Morrone)
Dence credited defensive coordinator Steve Moll for his game plan. The Patriots (4-2 overall, 1-0) received interceptions by senior Mike Reilly and junior Elijah Wroten. Senior standout linebacker Tanner Long overwhelmed the Fords (1-5, 0-1) with 15 tackles.
“You always want to win every game, especially in a unique sport like football where you only play about 10 games,” said Dence, “You work all year to have 10 chances to do what you love to do. The league games, though, are most important.”
(John Knebels can be reached at Jknebels@gmail.com or on Twitter @johnknebels.)