Big fumble recovery brings Chi its second straight win
UPPER CHICHESTER — Things fell into place at all the right times for the Chichester Eagles Friday night.
As a result, coach Bob Brice’s team knocked off Bishop Shanahan’s Eagles, 31-14, at Anthony Apichella Memorial Field for its second consecutive victory after opening the season with three losses.
Chi quarterback Nate Decenzi had only two words to say now that the first half of the season has been completed: “Del Val.”
Chichester will wipe the slate clean as it prepares to take on Chester High in its Del Val League opener next Friday.
Bishop Shanahan coach Paul Meyers would like to wipe clean the slate listing all of his team’s injured players before facing Ches-Mont powers Downingtown West and Coatesville in the next two weeks.
“We’ve got 11 people who have been starters for us who are out,” Meyers said. “And I’m not sure any of them will be ready to come back next week. But we’re not using that as an excuse.
“Give (Chichester) credit. They were ready to play tonight.”
Chi scored on its first possession, taking only five plays to go 73 yards. The big gainer was Decenzi’s 44-yard completion to Bryen Hamm, putting the ball at the Shanahan 13. Kahsi Jones covered those 13 yards on the next snap.
Hamm added six points to the home team’s advantage with a short plunge on the second play of the second quarter.
A six-minute Shanahan drive cut into Chi’s advantage before the first half ended. Sophomore quarterback Cooper Jordan connected with soph Wesseh Jordan for a 20-yard completion with 45 seconds to play in the second quarter.
“We’re using a lot of sophomores,” Meyers said.
The second half began with a bang for the visitors. On their fourth snap, Cooper Jordan found Gus Ross — also a sophomore — behind the defense for a 53-yard scoring connection, and Connor Bailey’s conversion kick tied the score before two minutes of the third quarter had been played.
A key play in the game came five minutes later when Chi junior Emmerson Walleenkendeh claimed a Shanahan fumble at the visitors’ 43. Chichester got to the Shanahan 16 and called on Zach Taylor, who delivered a 26-yard field goal with 1:30 left in the third.
“He’s as hard a worker as you’re going to see,” Brice said of Taylor, who also was perfect on four extra-point kicks and averaged 30 yards on three punts.
The visiting Eagles got only two first downs the rest of the way, while Chi picked off a pair of passes, the second ending up with Saeed Bradley running 39 yards for a touchdown return. That play came less than three minutes after a 70-yard scoring drive on which Decenzi and Zaquon Bruton teamed on a 23-yard completion before Hamm ran for a TD.
“That fumble was what really hurt,” Meyers said. “We’re driving with the chance to go ahead and turn the ball over like that.”
Bradley gave Walleenkendeh credit for helping him get into the end zone.
“I read the play over the middle and got the ball,” Bradley said. “I cut inside and (Walleenkendeh) made the block for me.
“It was great to make that play, but it’s really great to be able to enjoy a win.”
Decenzi, who threw for 119 yards and ran for 39, agreed with Bradley.
“It feels so good to have two wins in a row,” he said. “But now we have to think about the Del Val League.”
First-year head coach Brice also is looking forward to facing the challenges that Chichester’s Del Val opponents will present.
“It was a great team effort tonight,” he said. “Everything seemed to click when we needed it to.
“The staff and the players have worked very hard since Day One. I’m going to enjoy this victory for now, and then we know we all have to get back to work Monday to get ready for Chester.”
