Bonner-Prendie Football - PSD file photo
Bishop McDevitt Football - PSD file photo
CATHOLIC LEAGUE GAME OF THE WEEK
Who: Bishop McDevitt vs. Bonner-Prendergast
When: 7:00 PM Friday, September 21
Where: Bonner-Prendergast High School
Records: Bishop McDevitt 3-1,1-0; Bonner-Prendergast 2-2, 0-1
Most Recent Performance: Bishop McDevitt squeaked past Cardinal O’Hara, 12-7; Bonner-Prendergast dropped a forgettable 54-14 decision to Neumann-Goretti.
Importance: This is the second Catholic League Blue Division game for both teams. Because the division has displayed exciting parity in the early going, McDevitt wants to maintain momentum while Bonner-Prendergast aims to prove it belongs in the mix . . . McDevitt will attempt to beat B-P for the first time ever. Last year, B-P’s only victory in a 1-10 campaign was 20-16 over McDevitt, which finished 5-5.
All-Time Record: Bonner-Prendergast leads the series, 3-0.
Bishop McDevitt Notes: A stingy defense was responsible for the win over O’Hara. A terrific secondary led by junior Lonnie Rice has intercepted four passes, one of which was returned for a TD by Rice . . . The Lancers’ offense movies through Rice at quarterback (26 for 41, 368 yards, 3 TDs; seven rushing TDs) and sophomore running back Jon-Luke Peaker (635 yards and four scores on 85 carries).
Bonner-Prendergast Notes: The young and improving Friars (only 11 players on the roster are seniors) have already doubled their win total of last year . . . After intercepting five passes in 11 games last fall, B-P has already thieved four . . . B-P has displayed an opportunistic defense (junior end Jimmy Basler returned a fumble for a TD) and special teams (junior Jared Nesbitt returned a blocked punt to the end zone). Basler and senior Nasim Cooper spearhead the defense . . . B-P’s offense is highlighted by junior Charles Ingram. Of B-P’s near 600 rushing yards, Ingram has collected 340 of them to go along with four rushing touchdowns. Of his seven receptions for 75 yards, two have resulted in touchdowns . . . Sophomore quarterback Kyle Lazer has tossed three TD passes and rushed for three more scores.
LANCER CHAT:
“We really just have to play for each other,” said senior lineman Matt Hennessey. “It's the little things that are done in the week that determine how we are going to play. I have confidence that our guys will make plays and in the end come out with a win.”
“We have to come out strong and confident,” said junior running back Charles Ingram. “All we have to do is play together as a team and not let the mistakes get to us so that we stay locked in.”
“If we wanna win, our corners have to play disciplined and know we can’t give up any big plays and everyone has to tackle better,” said senior defensive back Nasim Cooper. “On offense, we need our passing game to be more of a threat, but all around, we just have to execute.”
Bishop McDevitt Football - Video by Zamani Feelings
(Edited by Austin Ampeloquio)
FRIAR CHAT: “All we have to do is execute on both sides of the ball,” said sophomore running back Jon-Luke Peaker. “We have to dominate them from the jump.”
“It’s the little things,” said junior quarterback and safety Lonnie Rice. ”If we do the little things, big things will come.”
“We have to stay disciplined and play our game,” said senior linebacker Richard Cotton. “Execute both sides of the ball, including special teams, and do the little things we were taught and the big things will fall in place and we’ll be good.”
Bonner-Prendie Highlights - Video by Zamani Feelings
(Edited by Austin Ampeloquio)
Prediction: Even though Bonner-Prendergast is much better at this point of the season than last year, Bishop McDevitt possesses too much firepower and a staunch defense that can dominate stretches. Though B-P holds its own, Bishop McDevitt wins, 27-14.
(John Knebels can be reached at Jknebels@gmail.com or on Twitter @johnknebels.)