Decenzi, Chichester off to flying start
UPPER CHICHESTER >> Lower Merion and Chichester might not have gotten their respective names on the Delco Football marquee this weekend as a potential game of the week, but the two squads hooked up for a fun, raucous, roller-coaster ride of game that the Eagles ultimately won 21-18.
Using a dangerous and multi-faceted offensive attack, Eagles coach Ryan Smith was pleased to see his team race out of the gates, even if it was a bit nerve-wracking at times.
“I’m ecstatic and I’m not usually happy after games,” Smith said with a laugh. “Knowing personnel-wise what they had and knowing they’re a senior-laden team, we knew it would be a grind like it always is against this team. To walk away with a win, I’m happy. I don’t know how I’ll feel after I watch the film, but right now I’m happy.”
Smith had many reasons for that joy, especially early in the game. Chichester jumped out to an early 7-0 lead when Nate Decenzi hit Jamese Lundy-Byrd with a picture perfect 46-yard scoring pass on the season’s opening drive.
“This feels great, honestly,” said Decenzi, who completed nine of 19 passes on the night for 162 yards. “This was my first varsity start, so to come out and get a win, there’s nothing better. We slowed down in the second half, but if we can come out and play a full game like we did in the first half, then we’ll be good.”
On Chichester’s next drive, the Eagles got tricky. Kicker Zach Taylor took a direct snap on a field goal attempt and hit Antonio Perez (three catches, 34 yards) for a six-yard touchdown.
“(Zach) is smart, he’s a good athlete, and I trust him very much; that’s why we were able to execute that,” Smith said.
Adding to the frustration for Lower Merion, Chichester had some early success defensively. Nate Resine was one of the key defensive players as he registered a sack and forced fumble to help stymie the Aces’ attack. Lower Merion, however, was not ready to roll over and play dead.
After a two-yard scoring run by Deshawn Jemison, the Aces used the strong arm of quarterback Matt O’Connor to power the offense. O’Connor sandwiched touchdown passes to Jaden Helton and Ian Goodman around a Chi touchdown from Decenzi to Tyler Bardwell to leave the Eagles ahead 21-18 at halftime.
O’Connor showed great poise and arm strength in completing 20 of 32 passes for 232 yards on the night.
“Matt is a really smart kid and a really good quarterback and he’s got a ton of weapons out there,” Lower Merion coach Evan Breisblatt said. “We’re not easy to defend, but Chi did a nice job.”
Breisblatt was not unfamiliar with Chichester heading into the game. Last season, when Breisblatt was the head coach at Phoenixville, his Phantoms dropped a 34-7 decision to the Eagles. Friday night was much more competitive.
“Being down 14-0, we made a ton of mistakes in the beginning, but we showed a lot of resiliency,” Breisblatt said. “Chi has very tough kids and they’re very athletic. Hats off to Ryan and his staff. It was a good a good football game and I think everyone got their money’s worth.”
The second half saw the game morph into a defensive battle as both teams struggled with cramping, but Chichester showed the grit and fortitude that its coach would like this team to be known for.
“This is a tough community and these kids know toughness; they’re born and bred that way,” Smith said. “In these kinds of situations, I’ll take my kids any time.”
