Pottsgrove overpowers Glen Mills, 43-0

LOWER POTTSGROVE >> Three weeks ago in their regular season opener, Pottsgrove’s box score was as simple as could be — a quarterback, two running backs and a place-kicker.

However, it was a much different story Friday night, as the Falcons spread the wealth en route to a dominant 43-0 win over Glen Mills under the lights at Rick Pennypacker Field.

“It was a complete team effort,” said first-year Pottsgrove head coach Bill Hawthorne of the game, which was ultimately decided by halftime. “We played a complete game in all three phases. I’ll say it every week: Our defensive and offensive lines are at the heart of our team.”

The win serves as Pottsgrove’s second shutout of the season as they improve to 4-0 on the year. Glen Mills drops to 2-2 overall.

Pottsgrove scored all of its points during the first half, spearheaded by running back Isaiah Taylor’s 146-yard performance on the ground. Three different running backs — as well as quarterback Jay Sisko — rushed for touchdowns during the first half — while a pair of receivers pulled in touchdown receptions from their senior signal-caller.

“We know that we can’t just rely on one person like we did last year,” said Taylor, who opened up the game with a 48-yard burst through the middle. “We know that we’ve got to spread the ball around and give everyone different looks on offense.”

A few plays after Taylor’s scamper, fullback Jadore Colbert punched it in from two yards out for the game’s opening score three minutes in.

From that point forward, it was all Pottsgrove.

The Falcons’ defense forced Glen Mills to a three-and-out on their opening possession. Yet disaster struck on the punt attempt — the ball snapped out of the back of the end zone resulting in a safety.

And while the Battling Bulls’ offense continued to falter with consecutive three-and-outs, Pottsgrove kept right on humming. The Falcons scored on their next three possessions — Taylor and Sisko scoring on 2-yard runs before Ethan McMonagle pulled in a 13-yard touchdown reception — to make it 28-0 early in the second quarter.

“We didn’t want to be one-dimensional like we have been before,” said Sisko, who had just nine passing attempts to his credit prior to Friday night. “Whoever is open is open. I trust everyone out there. From up front to my skill guys, I trust all of them with everything. They know what they’re doing every play.”

For the game, Sisko completed five of six passing attempts for 56 yards and a pair of touchdowns. He connected with speedster Jimai Springfield on a 12-yard touchdown late in the second quarter, a few minutes before the defense forced a fumble resulting in a 2-yard touchdown carry from Isaiah Glover for the game’s final score.

“He’s about as efficient as he can be in the air game,” said Hawthorne of Sisko. “He does what he’s asked every play. He’s our consummate quarterback, a great leader.

“He’ll be the first to tell you, he’s nothing without that offensive line, same with our backs. When you’ve got three backs like Taylor, Glover and Jadore Colbert, that’s just a great group to have behind our line.”

For the game, Pottsgrove held Glen Mills to a combined 90 yards — 78 of which came during the second half against the reserves. Quarterback Clentrell George completed seven of 21 attempts for 115 yards, but was picked off twice by Khaliym Smith and Gibson McMonagle and sacked once by Darrian Seaman.

The Falcons held the Bulls to combined -17 yards rushing and forced six turnovers while controlling the line of scrimmage throughout the night.

“We shot ourselves in the foot quite a few times,” said Glen Mills head coach Kevin Owens. “They’re a good football team, but we’ve got to work harder. We’ve got to keep working and get better.”

Up Next >> Pottsgrove enters Pioneer Athletic Conference play unbeaten for the second straight season. The Falcons will hit the road to take on crosstown rival Pottstown at 7 p.m. on Friday night.

Glen Mills, in the middle of a four-game road trip, will travel to Pottsville next Friday night before kicking off Delaware Valley League play at Chichester on Sept. 28.