Hatboro-Horsham opens up SOL American League play with win over Upper Moreland
It’s been some through sledding for Hatboro-Horsham through the first four games of the season.
The Hatters entered Friday night’s Suburban One American Conference rivalry against Upper Moreland with only one win in its first four tries with the only win coming against Springfield due to forfeit.
Offensively Hatboro-Horsham was finally able to put all together Friday night behind a great effort from quarterback Chris Edwards.
“He’s a dynamic player,” Hatboro-Horsham coach Mike Kapusta said. “He can get you in both ways. The nice thing is if you spread them out and you get matchups on the perimeter that you like you can use those because his arm is really strong and he’s accurate. If you cover down on the outside he can really hurt you with his legs so he’s a tough game plan for the defense.
Edwards led all rushers with 143 yards rushing on 16 carries capped by a 20-yard touchdown run on his final rush of the night putting a stamp on the 35-14 Hatters victory.
The junior QB was equally as impressive through the air as he tossed four touchdowns; three of four to Brandon Crews, for 136 yards while completing six of 11 passes.
Upper Moreland’s Bryan Mowery intercepted Edwards final throw of the night. Edwards won’t be losing sleep over the pick as the play that was ran netted the three passing scores for the Hatters on the night.
“It was a simple slant-flat route combination and it was cover three so if that outside linebacker sucks up I hit it right off his ear,” Edwards said. “The one play I threw a pick, I got a little greedy on it.”
For Upper Moreland, it was able to move the ball against the Hatter as it totaled 190 yards but the drives got stalled either by penalty or turnover. The most crucial play for the Golden Bears came late in the first half.
The Bears moved the ball deep into Hatboro-Horsham territory trailing by just a touchdown as they had a first-and-10 at the 16-yard line. A six-yard rush on first down by Starlen Barr put the ball on the 10. Billy McKenna ran for two yards on second down but a 15-yard personal foul penalty moved the ball back to the 23-yard line. After an 11 yard sack on third down the Bears fell way short of converting a 4th and 28.
“Anytime you’re down a lot you don’t want to be just one dimensional throwing the ball,” Upper Moreland coach Adam Beach said. “We still like to use our running back, we think they can be explosive and we still try to do that.”
After the Bears blunder, Hatboro-Horsham took the ball down the field and scored to extend its lead to two touchdowns. The Hatters took the two-score lead into halftime where they scored on the opening drive of the third quarter.
“It was a fourth and mile so it’s like what are you going to do?” Beach said. “Its hard to win (with) any offense when it fourth and (28). “
The Hatters are ready to put its rocky start behind them as the start of their “new season” (league play) as Kapusta deemed it begins with a 1-0 start.
