PW wins defensive battle against Abington
WHITEMARSH >> A dazzling pass from Joe Stoberl to George Rocchino was the difference as host Plymouth Whitemarsh got into the 2016 football season win column Friday night with a 7-0 victory over Abington in a non-league matchup at Plymouth Whitemarsh High School.
The Stoberl-to-Rocchino connection, that came with 8:30 remaining in the first half, held up, despite major threats by both teams in the second half.
“We practice it like that,” quipped Colonials head coach Dan Chang when asked about the game-winner. “Acturally, it was intended for Vince Martina, and he almost made a great catch. Fortunately for us, George was alert.”
The game began as if there was no way it would end as a one-score game.
Abington, behind the running of Darrell Davis-McNeil, drove from its own 26 to the PW 24 on its first possession, only for the march to die on downs.
The Colonials took the ball right back down the field, but fumbled inside the Abington 35.
But the scoreboard finally changed on the first drive of the second quarter when the Soberl, facing third-and-33 from the Ghosts 35, hoisted a long pass that was deflected into the arms of Rocchino in the end zone with 8:30 showing on the clock.
Crazily, the score would not change, although the Ghosts appeared ready to do so in the game’s final 3:00 after a 50-yard pass play gave the visitors a first down at the Colonials 30-yard line.
Abington had four cracks at earning a first down. But on fourth-and-four, Davis-McNeil came up a yard short, and the Ghosts had to settle for their second straight loss by one touchdown.
“I take the blame for that,” said Ghosts first-year head coach Kevin Conlin. “I second guess my call there. I called for a pass play on third down and I should have just ran the ball the ball twice down there.
“We moved the ball really well tonight. But when yhou get those long drives you have to finish them. And we didn’t do that.”
