Bishop Shanahan starts fast, runs away from Pottstown
DOWNINGTOWN >> Coming into Friday’s nonleague contest with Pottstown, goal No. 1 for Bishop Shanahan was to start fast. Well, four touchdowns in the first quarter checked that that box off with authority.
“We took care of business,” said Shanahan head coach Paul Meyers. “We wanted to play four quarters. We started a little slow in our first two games. Tonight, we came out fast.”
The Eagles cruised after the emphatic 12 minutes to blank the Trojans, 35-0, at Jack Mancini Stadium and move to 3-0 on the season.
“We wanted to come out fast and show what Shanahan can do,” said junior quarterback Cooper Jordan. “We trusted our coaches and each other.”
The first Pottstown drive lasted just four plays before surrendering the ball to the Eagles at their 44-yard line. Brandon Choi set Shanahan up with a 23-yard run on the first play to the Pottstown 33. Five plays later, Colin McGrory burrowed in from the 2 to stake them to a 7-0 lead.
Shanahan didn’t wait long for another trip into the end zone. Trojans’ sophomore quarterback Mason Miller was rushed and his pass was picked off by linebacker Liam Blakely to put them at the Pottstown 30. Gus Ross punched it in from the 1 yard line to give Shanahan a 14-0 advantage.
On the Eagles’ next possession, Jordan dropped back to pass, then took off running. He raced 32 yards for the score, sliding in inside the right pylon.
“It was supposed to be a pass to Brandon Choi over the middle,” explained Jordan. “I saw an opening, stepped up, and took off. I made sure I got in when I got to the pylon.”
The defense got involved in the scoring explosion on the final play of the quarter. Matt Coladonato picked off a Miller pass as he was being pressured again. He took it 33 yards to make it 28-0 after one.
“We did some things that we don’t think they were ready for,” said Meyers. “We were too big and physical for them.”
For the young Trojans (0-3), who start just two seniors, they have been playing catch up all season. Head coach Jeff Delaney lamented the turnovers.
“That has been our Achilles’ heel all season,” he said. “We’re just trying to be more consistent. We’re extremely young, and it’s tough against a good team like Shanahan.”
The Shanahan defense held the Trojans to negative-8 yards rushing and negative-5 overall.
Pottstown featured senior wide receiver Jahzeel Watson. He caught all five passes Miller completed, for 46 yards.
“We moved the ball when we were facing players of our same age and size,” added Delaney. “We want to take every opportunity to give Jahzeel some exposure.”
Shanahan ended the scoring as McGrory notched his second of the evening to cap off a long drive to open the second half.
The Eagles will take on Lansdale Catholic in another nonleague contest next Friday.
“We’re staying positive,” said Jordan. “We have a good mindset and we just want to out and put Shanahan on the map.”
