McAdams, Kerwood shine as Upper Darby rolls

MIDDLETOWN — It was one of those nights where Upper Darby could do no wrong, not much went Penncrest’s way and the final score reflected it.

The Royals cruised to a 64-7 Central League victory over the Lions Friday night at Scott Field.

The Lions lone score came in the fourth quarter on a 75-yard kickoff return by senior Vincent Brown. That’s the way it went for Penncrest (1-3 overall, 1-2).

“We just have to focus on fundamentals,” Penncrest ciacg Andrew Pidgeon said after holding a coaches meeting on the field after the game. “I know our players are trying, I know the effort is there, we just can’t keep making mistakes.”

As for the Upper Darby (3-1, 2-1) the Royals scored early and often to extend their winning streak to two games. Everything worked. And with the score 42-0 with 5:46 left in the first half, UD coach Rich Gentile pulled his starters. It didn’t take long for Gentile to start thinking about next week’s opponent, Strath Haven (3-1, 3-0). The Panthers, who blanked Penncrest, 35-0, last week and defeated Conestoga, 17-7, Friday night to extend its winning streak to three games. 

“Coach (Kevin) Clancy still plays the Wing-T,” Gentile said. “We used to use the Wing-T offense but not anymore. In fact, nobody runs the Wing-T anymore except Kevin. So that team really scares me and we have to be ready.”

The Royals started the game with 12 straight runs, all by junior running back Kareem McAdams. The 5-foot-10, 205-pounder finished the drive with a two-yard touchdown run. He was the only player to take the ball from quarterback Kevin Kerwood on the drive.

“I knew coach was going to me early,” McAdams said. “I was a little gassed at the end of the drive but I wanted to get into the end zone.”

McAdams got into the end zone three times before Gentile gave him a seat for the night. He finished with 113 yards on 19 carries. Kerwood completed all six passes he threw for 172 yards and two touchdowns.

“This is just one game,” McAdams said. “Now we have to but that behind us because every game is different.”