Fisher, Chandler power Sun Valley over Chichester
UPPER CHICHESTER — Mike Fisher put on the Sun Valley No. 7 uniform for the first half of the Vanguards’ Thanksgiving Day game at Chichester High’s Anthony Apichella Memorial Field Thursday morning.
“I’ve been asking to carry the ball all season,’ said Fisher, a senior who wore No. 56 as a Sun Valley linebacker. “In the second half, I went back to my old number because they told me they needed me on the offensive line. Whatever it took for us to win this game and bring this (Turkey Bowl) trophy back home.’
Fisher, his teammates and coach Ray Gionta and his assistants were happy to put the trophy on the bus for the short drive back to Aston after Sun Valley claimed a 27-0 decision over Chichester, which came into Thursday’s game having won two of the last three Thanksgiving contests. Sun Valley owns a 26-21 lead in the overall series.
The win was the first Turkey Bowl success at Sun Valley for Gionta, who took over as the Vanguards’ head coach earlier this year after stepping down at Marple Newtown.
“I think I only lost once to Chester when I was at St. James,’ Gionta said. “It’s great being back involved in a rivalry game like this, with all its tradition. I’m very happy for our players.’
Fisher got 27 yards on his nine carries in the first half as Sun Valley built a 21-0 lead. Senior Juwan Chandler (18 carries for 80 yards) opened the scoring with a four-yard run behind a big block by junior Bobby Koons at the end of the Vanguards’ first possession. Chi (3-8) fumbled the ball away four times, the first coming on the second play from scrimmage to help the visitors to their first score.
“The blocking was there, and I was happy to be able to do something for my team,’ Chandler said. “When Mr. Gionta came to be our coach, he told us how much he wanted to win. We learned what he was all about, and we were all right with that.’
Chichester’s second chance to move the football lasted only three plays, and Wali Sabree was the Valley player who covered the second Eagles fumble. Three plays later, sophomore quarterback Gabe Boccella put the ball up for 6-3 senior Nate Cusumano, who used his leaping ability to claim the ball between defenders, then coasted into the end zone as the Valley’s lead grew to 13-0.
“The throw was there, and once I got it I sort of backed my way into the end zone,’ Cusumano said. “This game turned out the way we wanted our season to end.’
Chichester’s third lost fumble came on the Eagles’ first play from scrimmage in the second quarter. Senior Ed Racine claimed the ball for the Vanguards (5-7), and seven plays later Boccella sprinted up the middle on fourth-and-goal for six more points. Boccella ran for two points on the conversion, giving his team a 21-0 halftime advantage.
“When we had four games left to play, our coach told us they would be the games that defined our season,’ Racine said. “And we won three of those four games.
“When there was about a minute left in this game, I stood there realizing that it was all over and that hit me kind of hard because I’ve loved high school football. But I know that I have to move on, so I’ll be working hard all winter trying to be ready to make the move to the next level.’
Senior Kyle Herre raced 52 yards to close out the scoring on the fourth play of the second half.
“The kids just kept getting better all season,’ Gionta said. “We were so young when we started, but it’s been great winning three of the last four games.’
Chichester got a strong defensive effort from senior co-captain Colin McAllister, who had a pair of quarterback sacks, several hurries and a dozen tackles. The Eagles got to the Sun Valley 13 late in the game, but a late hit penalty and a sack by Racine helped the Vanguards complete a shutout.
“That was one of the things we came here for,’ Racine said as he looked over the field for the last time before joining his teammates for what promised to be a happy ride home.
