Dean’s interception allows Chichester to hold on
UPPER CHICHESTER >> Chichester’s football team held off a fourth-quarter rally by Lower Merion to edge the Aces, 13-7, in a nonleague football season opener Friday night.
In a mistake-filled but physical contest that saw a total of 19 penalties, the Eagles committed a dozen for 78 yards.
Chichester head coach Ryan Smith was happy to get the victory but knows wins will be hard to come by down the road if his team allows opportunities to get away from them.
“I feel we left four scores out there, at least,” Smith said. “I don’t think it’s a drawing board issue. I think it’s a product of August football. We had some alignment issues tonight and some personnel issues. We have to get better organized in practice and have a better week of practice. So we just have to get better repetitions at what we do.”
The Eagles rolled down the field on the opening drive of the game going 55 yards on seven plays, ending with a 10-yard touchdown pass by Andrew Rodriguez to Omar Smith.
It looked like Chichester was on the way to a big day but fumbles and penalties plagued the Eagles for the rest of the half that ended with the score 7-0.
Lower Merion started the second half by putting a drive together that made it to the Eagles’ 30-yard line.
On a fourth-and-15, defensive back Andre Dean intercepted Marek D’Lonzo and raced 53 yards to the Aces’ 17-yard line. Three plays later Ishaad Maultsby scored on a 15-yard run to make the score 13-0.
“That was a good play,” Smith said. “It was a good play and we’ve come to expect these kinds of plays from these kids. Andre stepped up at the right time and did a really nice job there. The good thing was the offense was able to capitalize on that play and put points on the board.”
Dean talked about mindset and making himself into a ghost on the field for the interception.
“I try to stay humble but I try to be the best player on the field,” Dean said. “I just played my coverage and cut to the ball. No matter how many drives we have to face in a game, we just have to keep working.”
After the Aces scored on a 10-yard pass from Matt O’Connor to Ian Goodman with 3:52 left in the fourth quarter, the Eagles’ offense stayed out on the field long enough to run out the clock.
Rodriguez was 4 of 12 passing for 33 yards and one score. Maultsby led the Eagles with 77 yards rushing on 13 carries.
O’Connor, who replaced D’Lonzo in the third quarter, was 6 of 13 for 100 yards and a touchdown pass to lead the Aces.
Smith was asked if it was a good sign his team can win despite having problems.
“Of course,” the coach said. “That’s what we continue to talk about and be able to respond to those issues and adverse situations. If we can respond well, after making errors we shouldn’t make, can continue to win the games and put drives together, that will help carry us down the road during the season.”
