Lower Moreland ends season with hard-fought loss to New Hope Solebury
It’s been a rough year for the Lower Moreland football team. With eight losses on the season with an average margin of loss well above 30 points Lower Moreland got a shot in Friday’s District One AA playoffs to avenge its worst loss of the season. Although Lower Moreland lost it played much better this time in a 27-0 defeat.
“This one more game, this was a gift from God,” Lower Moreland senior linebacker and tight end Matt Faust said. “I’m very proud that we got another game to play.”
The loss, a 55-8 drubbing by New Hope Solebury, came on October 17th that took Lower Moreland all the way until the final plays of the game to put points up.
“We really wanted to come out here and get pay back,” Faust said. “We came out here, gave it our best and that’s just the best we could do.”
Entering this season Lower Moreland figured it would rely on running backs Matt Gallagher, Josh Wattenmaker and Pat Giordano. The seniors were solid when healthy, which is a big disclaimer, but saved some good ball for one final performance as all three continually finished hard runs all night.
On the defensive side of the ball Matt Faust lived in the New Hope backfield, blowing up run plays and pressuring New Hope’s talent sophomore quarterback Nick Garrantano.
“I definitely wanted to come here and give it my best shot for my last game,” the senior said. “I gave it all I got and that’s the most I can do.”
As Lower Moreland put together one more gutsy effort, the play of Lower Moreland last night and the final drive of the first New Hope game really epitomized the Lower Moreland season; a team full of guys who never quit, play hard and will take you down to the last whistle.
“That’s the way they play,” Lower Moreland coach Mark Mayson said. “They stick together, they play hard, they play hard every down, they’re not dissuaded and they played great tonight.”
That kind of hustle and determination was on full display last night, it was there all season you just might have need a little bit more of a keen eye but it was blatant for everyone to see Friday night.
“I’m very proud of our kids and I’m very thankful that I’m associated with them,” Mayson said.
