Wissahickon falls short in opener to Martin Luther King
LOWER GWYNEDD >> Bruce Fleming’s head coaching debut featured picture-perfect weather but lots of early-season rust, as Wissahickon fell to Martin Luther King High School 26-0.
The Trojans struggled offensively and, at times, defensively from the onset of its Friday night game against the Cougars. The offense’s first half consisted of 44 total yards, 2 interceptions and a change at quarterback. The defense surrendered several big plays at the hands of MLK’s tandem of quarterback Daquan Robinson and wideout Isaiah Allen. The team as a whole was sloppy. They committed 5 penalties for 30 yards and muffed several fumbles they were fortunate enough to recover.
Fleming, who was promoted to head coach after spending several years as the Trojans’ defensive coordinator, equated the struggles to inexperience.
“I think tonight was more so our youth,” Fleming said. “We are a team that is heavy with sophomores and juniors, and a lot of guys having their first varsity experiences. We knew we were going to make mistakes.”
The MLK Cougars’ defense was strong as they clung to a 6-0 lead at halftime. On offense, Robinson and Allen stole the show. They connected on plays of 19, 42 and another for 19. Robinson scored the lone touchdown on a quarterback sneak from six yards out. Safety Clarence Battle picked off Wissahickon’s starting quarterback Eric Schreiner twice.
Schreiner was eventually replaced by Caleb Kemp in an attempt to salvage what was left of the first half and the game. It was Fleming’s attempt to keep the game from getting away from him.
The first possession of the second half started differently but was ultimately more of the same. Trojans running back Marice Johnson ripped off consecutive runs of nine and 15 yards before backfield mate Jalen Smalls lost a fumble after a miscommunication with Kemp. It stopped a promising drive dead in its tracks.
On the second play of the ensuing MLK possession, Robinson again hooked up with Allen for 33 yards. The very next play was a highlight reel 26-yard touchdown reception courtesy of, who else, but Allen. The Cougars led 12-0.
With 2.5 seconds left in the third quarter, Robinson and Allen struck again. The Trojans had Robinson stuffed in the backfield before he broke loose and fired a 30-yard strike. Allen waltzed untouched into the end zone. MLK increased its lead to 18-0 heading into the final quarter.
“Those two guys, they are a dynamic duo,” Fleming said. “They will be something to watch for the rest of this season.”
Fleming made a second change at quarterback at the start of the fourth as Schreiner reentered. It was a desperation move that proved to be moot.
Wissahickon was without starting quarterback Nick Santo, who is ineligible until week three because of the new transfer rule. Santo, who played for the Trojans last season, transferred to LaSalle before deciding to return to the Trojans.
“Each (of our quarterbacks) bring something unique to the position,” Fleming said. “One shows a better ability to run the ball and control the offense, the other shows the better ability to throw the ball. When we are able to get Santo back, he brings a little combination of both. He can control the offense and get us in a good position.”
Robinson would tack on another touchdown pass to wideout Tyrell Mims. He finished 13-for-19 for 268 yards and four touchdowns, one of them on the ground. Allen finished with 8 catches for 204 yards and two touchdowns.
Wissahickon never found its footing and MLK never let its foot off the gas.
“Tonight is about being resilient,” Fleming said. “We can’t get our heads down right now. We have to be able to bounce back, come back to practice on Monday and prepare for Council Rock North. (We need to) work on the mistakes that we made, perfect the things that we did well and continue to grow as a team.”
As a first-year head coach, Fleming is part of the youth movement at Wissahickon. With that will come growing pains. What Fleming contains is confidence and familiarity with the program.
“14 years in, being the head coach does not feel any different (than being defensive coordinator),” Fleming said. “I still had the same feelings before the game. Once in awhile I maybe second guessed myself a little bit, but I will improve on that as I go on.”
Martin Luther King 26, Wissahickon 0
MLK 6 0 12 8
Wissahickon 0 0 0 0
MLK – Robinson 6 run (2-point conversion failed)
MLK – Allen 26 catch 2-point conversation failed)
MLK – Allen 30 catch (2-point conversation failed)
MLK – Mims 3 catch (2-point conversation successful)
Individual Stats
Passing: MLK: Robinson 13-19, 3 TDs, 1 INT. Wissahickon: Schreiner 3-7, 2 INTs; Kemp 4-14, 1 INT.
Rushing: MLK: Manners 5-19; Robinson 5-18, 1 TD; Phillips 4-30; Cooper 4-25; Williams 2-10; Allen 1-8. Wissahickon: Johnson 6-48; Schreiner 2-11; Benjamin 3-20; Baldwin 3-18; Smalls 2-10; Kemp 1-3; Akridge 1-0.
Receiving: MLK: Allen 8-204, 2 TDs; Mims 2-23, 1 TD; Hall 1-4. Wissahickon: Caso 3-31, Willis 1-9; Benjamin 1-14.
