Jordan, stifling defense propel Shanahan to District 1-4A title over Pottsgrove`

DOWNINGTOWN >> Bishop Shanahan knew if it could lean on veteran quarterback, Cooper Jordan, and a dominant defense, they’d be alright.

Friday, Jordan had a career game and the defense continued its unrelenting play, and Pottsgrove simply had no chance.

After not being able to defends its 2019 District 1-4A title last fall, due to COVID-19 complications, Shanahan fulfilled it’s year-plus goal by trouncing the visiting Falcons, 40-6, for its second district title in three years.

“I’m really happy for the seniors,” Shanahan coach Paul Meyers said. “I thought we had a special team last year and we only got to play four games and didn’t get to play in the playoffs, so from then on, this is what they were working for. We’re a senior-laden team and the guys work so hard.”

Jordan was brilliant, completing 18 of 25 passes for 344 yards and three scores. Touchdown passes to Trevor Barbadora, Evan Kapczynski and Colin McGrory helped the Eagles (9-3) to a 27-0 lead, heading into halftime. The senior slinger’s big night was one of the best in program history, though the record held by Shanahan’s assistant coach, Ryan Egolf, of 482 yards survived.

“We’re almost so used to it,” Meyers said of Jordan. “He makes these plays and you hate to say you’re used to it, but that’s Coop. You almost just expect it.”

Pottsgrove scored on the opening drive of the second half, but Shanahan went on scoring drives of 11 plays and 16 plays, respectively, its next two possessions to erase any notion of a comeback.

Nick Romano led the Eagles with six receptions for 123 yards, and he was joined by Kapczynski with another 100-yard night. Jordan added 44 yards and a TD on the ground, as well.

“We knew, going into the game, that (Pottsgrove’s) pass coverage wasn’t the best,” Jordan said. “We knew we could really run up the score if we played our game.”

Shanahan’s offense has not felt too much pressure this season with the way the defense has excelled. Pottsgrove’s touchdown was the first score the Eagles’ defense gave up in over 12 quarters, and that unit has allowed just 29 points in its nine victories this season.

The Falcons ran for 19 yards on 21 carries, marking the sixth time this season an opponent has tallied 21 or less rush yards in a game.

“They have a heck of a defensive front seven and their secondary is second to none,” Pottsgrove coach Bill Hawthorne said. “They’re as solid as they come.”

McGrory intercepted a pass for the lone turnover of the game, but Shanahan got numerous hands on passes and harassed Pottsgrove quarterback, Ryan Sisko, all night, with strong play from Brandon Choi, Dylan Jones, Liam Blakely among others.

“The heart and soul of this team is the seniors,” said Choi, a senior linebacker and running back. “We’ve been here before and we’re not going to be starstruck by the district title game or the state playoffs.”

Shanahan awaits the champion of District 12, who will host the first round of the 4A PIAA tournament, next weekend. 

“We’re taking it a week at a time,” Choi said. “We accomplished what we wanted to accomplish and now we’ll be ready for whoever we play from District 12. We’ll get back to work, Monday, but we’re going to enjoy this as a team.”

Also of note, Shanahan’s kicker, Zane Domsohn, was part of a second district championship in the same week, after winning one as a member of the soccer team days prior.

Pottsgrove’s season ended, but after somewhat of a surprise trip to the playoffs after a gritty week 10 win over Spring-Ford, the Falcons hold their heads high despite the loss.

“The senior class did what they’ve done their whole career,” Hawthorne said. “They fought until the end and hopefully the underclassmen take that to heart and continue it next year. Credit to Bishop Shanahan, they’re a class program and well coached.”

Bishop Shanahan 40, Pottsgrove 6

Pottsgrove   0 0 6 0-6

Bishop Shanahan  7 20 7 6-40

                                     Scoring

First Quarter

BS- Barbadora 18 pass from C. Jordan (Domsohn kick)

Second Quarter

BS- Whitehill 1 run (Domsohn kick)

BS- Kapczynski 60 pass from C. Jordan (Domsohn kick)

BS- C. McGrory 7 pass from C. Jordan (kick blocked)

Third Quarter

PG- Delp 12 pass from Sisko (kick blocked)

BS- Choi 1 run (Domsohn kick)

Fourth Quarter

BS- C. Jordan 3 run (kick blocked)

                                      Team Totals

                         PG       BS

First downs 7     10

Yards rushing 21-19   41-132

Yards passing  89          344

Total yards      108          472

Passing      7-19-1    18-25-0

Fumbles-lost    3-0           0-0

Punts-avg. 6-31.7     1-25

Penalties-yds 3-30     10-88

                                    Individual Statistics

Rushing: Pottsgrove — Neeson 6-20; B. Caffrey 1-8; Sisko 9-1; Brunson 5-(-10). Bishop Shanahan — C. Jordan 9-44, TD; C. McGrory 8-28; Barbadora 6-20; Choi 7-19, TD: Whitehill 7-19; Phillis 1-3; team 1-(-1).

Passing: Pottsgrove — Sisko 7-19-108, INT; S. Caffrey 0-1-0. Bishop Shanahan — C. Jordan 18-25-344, 3 TDs

Receiving: Pottsgrove — Kaufman 2-49; S. Caffrey 2-22; Delp 1-12, TD; Scarnato 2-6. Bishop Shanahan —Romano 6-123; Kapczynski 4-108, TD; C. McGrory 6-85, TD; Barbadora 1-18, TD; Whitehill 1-10.

Interceptions: Bishop Shanahan — C. McGrory