Pottsgrove’s diverse attack at it again in 35-0 win over Pottstown
POTTSTOWN >> It was another high-scoring night for Pottsgrove Friday.
And not just from its trademark ground-pounding oriented offense, either. In their game with Pottstown, the Falcons again got help from other aspects of their team en route to a 35-0 win at Grigg Memorial Field.
To be sure, the running game got things going for the visitors, getting them off to a 14-0 lead in the first quarter. But by the time its scoring was completed seconds into the second half, the defense and special teams got into the act.
Bryce Caffery, who returned a punt for a touchdown in Pottsgrove’s Homecoming game with Phoenixville two weeks earlier, did it again in this clash of neighboring Pioneer Athletic Conference rivals. Taking a punt on the run at the Pottstown 35, the speedy sophomore ran it to the end zone inside the four-minute mark of the second quarter, helping stake his team to a 28-point lead at the half.
One play into the second half, with less than a minute gone, Vinny Scarnato showed his opportunistic side. The senior, covering the left side of the Pottstown offense from his free-safety slot, scooped up a fumble at the Trojan 10 and ran it in for the Falcons’ fifth score of the night … and a 35-point lead that got them the running clock for the rest of the second half.
“Being in the right place at the right time,” he said. “That’s what we preach. We take a lot of pride in our defense and special teams.”
The respect opponents have for Pottsgrove’s kicking teams was demonstrated on the opening kickoff, when Pottstown (0-3 division, 0-7 overall) recovered the ball at the Falcon 31. It wasn’t able to cash in on the opportunity, though, and punted the ball over to the Falcons (3-0, 5-1).
“We wanted to go out and pop the ball … neutralize their punting and kicking games,” Pottstown head coach Jeff Delaney explained. “We practiced it all week.
“One thing that hurt us most was a long pass (Gabe Hicks to Chris Thomas) got called back for illegal procedure.”
It was one of the Trojans’ two best chances to replace the “0” on its side of the scoreboard with a more-substantial number. They got the ball on downs off a misplayed punt attempt by Pottsgrove around the 10-minute mark of the fourth, but turned it over on downs after getting within five yards of the end zone.
“It was a challenging game,” Delaney said. “but we beat ourselves.”
The Falcons’ passing game, spare as it was, also factored in the scoring. As the first half wound down, Ryan Sisko (4-for-7, 61 yards) connected with Riley Delp on a 22-yard pass play set up by an 18-yarder to Scarnato.
Scarnato was key to Pottsgrove’s aerial success, catching three passes good for 39 yards. His play notwithstanding, Scarnato admitted he wasn’t feeling the need to get more touches.
“We work toward putting up the next play,” he said. “I just run through my routes. We have that ‘next play’ mentality.”
Max Neeson made the most of his early touches by scoring Pottsgrove’s second rushing TD. He covered the last three yards on a three-play series, running twice up the middle with 18 seconds left in the first quarter.
As is general practice, the Falcons’ senior fullback heaped praise on the teammates who line up in front of him and create running room.
“The line did its part,” he said. “When they do what they’re supposed to do, it makes my job easier. It all starts with the offensive line.”
Particular note was made of Luke Makins and Eli Zayas, who were cited for rising to the occasion when injuries to other players occurred.
“When injuries have happened, we’ve had guys who stepped in,” Neeson said.
Then there was Amir Brunson, the workhorse of the running game who got things going with his four-yard touchdown run at the 3:14 mark in the first.
It all has Pottsgrove on track for an Oct. 23 date with Pope John Paul II, one that could decide who sits atop the Frontier Division standings. To that end, the Falcons look to ride an unselfish mindset through the rest of the season.
“We do what comes first,” Neeson said. “We’re a selfless team that focuses more on what we can do to insure we’re playing next week.”
NOTES >> Pottstown staged its Senior/Parent Recognition ceremony for fall sports prior to the game. Seniors from the football team, marching band and cheerleading squad were among those recognized. … Delaney on a principal situation impacting his team’s performance against Pottsgrove: “We were giving them short fields, and long punt returns,” he said. … Pottstown’s star on the offensive side was Jamiere Williams, who ran the ball 10 times for 24 of the Trojans’ 46 yards total offense. He also recovered a Falcon fumble at the Pottstown 15 early in the first quarter.
Pottsgrove 35, Pottstown 0
Pottsgrove 14 15 6 0 – 35
Pottstown 0 0 0 0 – 0
Pg- Brunson 4 run (Shivak kick)
Pg- Neeson 1 run (Shivak kick)
Pg- B. Caffery 35 punt return (Neeson run)
Pg- Delp 22 pass from Sisko (Shivak kick)
Pg- Scarnato 10 fumble return (run failed)
TEAM STATISTICS
Pg Pt
First downs 11 2
Rushing yards 117 46
Passing yards 93 0
Total yards 210 46
Passes C-A-I 6-9-0 0-2-0
Fumbles-Lost 1-1 1-1
Penalties-Yards 11-95 7-37
Punts-Avg. 0-0 5-23.4
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
Rushing
Pottsgrove – Brunson, 12-51, 1 TD; Mayes, 5-50; Neeson, 4-19, 1 TD; B. Caffery, 1-11; Sisko, 5-5; Palladino, 1-3; Mayes, 3-3; Shivak, 1-(-24); Team, 1-(-1).
Pottstown – Williams, 10-24; Booker, 3-10; Bostic, 8-7; Thomas, 4-0; Team, 1-5.
Passing
Pottsgrove – Sisko, 4-7-61, 1 TD; No. 13, 2-2-32.
Pottstown – Hicks, 0-2-0.
Receiving
Pottsgrove – Scarnato, 3-39; Delp, 1-22, 1 TD; Miller, 1-20; Cook, 1-12.
Pottstown – None.
Interceptions – None.
Sacks – None.
