Shorthanded Kennett outlasts Methacton with defense, special teams
KENNETT SQUARE >> If there were any lingering doubts whether head coach Lance Frazier was building a sustainable football program with a winning culture at Kennett, Friday’s opening round of the District 1 5A Playoffs put it all to rest.
Playing without two of its top playmakers – including running standout Julian Sparacino – the host Blue Demons turned to their swarming, no-name defense to deliver taut 7-3 triumph over upset-minded Methacton. The narrow win sets up an epic rematch with Ches-Mont American rival West Chester Rustin in quarterfinal action next week.
“This was a character-building, program-type deal,” Frazier said. “I’m proud of our guys, but we have a lot of work to do.”
A 1,000-yard running back, Sparacino missed the game due to a concussion. And Lillis – the team’s No. 2 runner – did not dress due to a sprained knee. But the entire Kennett squad knew all week that they would not be available, and turned to some underpublicized players like quarterback Brett Kauffman, runner Ian Guyer and two-way starters like Colin Jung and Luke Frinfrock.
“It’s all about the collective — the next man up,” Frazier said. “Our guys were prepared for it all week. They didn’t hang their heads or make excuses, and we got an ugly win.”
Now 8-3 overall, the sixth-seeded Demons will travel to No. 3 Rustin next Friday with a berth into the district semifinals on the line. Kennett topped the Golden Knights 24-14 in mid-September and went on to win the division crown.
“We are excited for the opportunity,” said Jung, who scored the game’s lone touchdown.
“(Rustin) is well-coached and hard-nosed, and they are going to be (motivated) because we beat them at our place,” Frazier added. “It’s what you play the game for – this type of matchup.”
The 11th seeded Warriors season ends at 5-6. But Methacton did not go down before putting a scare into Kennett, holding the Demons to just 154 yards of total offense.
“(Kennett) is a very good football team – no doubt about it,” said Warriors’ head coach Brian Kennedy. “So this was two evenly-matched teams. I’m proud of what our guys did this season. It was a long bus ride down here and we gave it everything we had.”
In a grind-it-out first half, where both teams combined for just 164 yards, the only scores came after turnovers.
With the Demons already in field goal range with Penn State-bound kicker Ryan Barker, Methacton’s Josh Cancro forced a fumble while registering a sack and teammate Tyler Deal recovered the ball. The Warriors’ Tyler Read later booted a 32-yard first quarter field goal, which came soon after runner Tyler Weil-Kaspar notched a 50-yard run.
Late in the second period, Kennett’s Aiden Ritch and Aiden Zdebski combined to block a punt in Methacton territory, and five plays later Jung grabbed a 4-yard TD toss from Kauffman to make it 7-3 at the half.
“We never gave up, but that’s what we are about here at Kennett,” said Frinfrock, a tight end/defensive end. “We had our ups and down, but we persevered.”
In the third period, Kennett’s Josh Brown blocked another punt, but the Methacton defense stiffened and turned it back over on downs at its own 26. Early in the fourth, the Demons got back into field goal range and Barker nailed a 38-yarder. But the Warriors were offside, and on the retry, a bad snap sabotaged a 33-yarder.
Barker was also key for Kennett as a punter, booting three of at least 50 yards and giving his team a field position edge.
“We always preach all three phases,” Frazier said. “You never know who or what is going to win it for you. Today is was defense and special teams.”
Methacton had one last chance to take lead, and runner Wesley Conover ran the ball three times for 28 yards and into Demons’ territory. But a holding penalty was costly and the Warriors turned it over on downs with 2:57 to go.
“Maybe (on punts) it wasn’t our best effort schematically,” Kennedy said. “In hindsight, that probably hurt us a little bit. But I don’t think that defined the game. We just didn’t move the ball and punch it into the end zone.”
Weil-Kasper finished with a game-high 75 rushing yards on 15 carries. But Methacton managed just one completed pass, which was hauled in – ironically – by quarterback Michael Wolbers on a trick play. In all, the Warriors had a mere 152 yards of total offense.
“Our defense is scrappy and plays inspired all the time,” Frazier said.
“Without our defense, we are not the team we want to be,” added Jung, a tight end/defensive end.
“And on offense, without two of our important players, we came out not knowing what to expect. But guys stepped up. I am just proud of my teammates.”
Filling in for Sparacino and Lillis, Guyer ran for 57 yards on 17 attempts, and Jung grabbed a career-high seven receptions for 60 yards. Kauffman was 10-for-17 for 102 yards and no interceptions.
“Ian Guyer is a sophomore and he has a super-bright future,” Frazier said. “Guys that don’t usually make it into the newspaper hit the stat line today and that’s what we needed.”
Kennedy added: “This group has moved our program forward. This was the first time since 1994 that Methacton’s been in the district playoffs, so they have something to hang their hat on.”
Kennett 7, Methacton 3
Methacton 3 0 0 0 — 3
Kennett 0 7 0 0 — 7
Scoring
M — Read 32 FG
K: Jung 4 yard pass from Kauffman (Barker kick)
Team Totals
First downs 7 6
Yards rushing 143 52
Yards passing 9 102
Total yards 152 154
Passing 1-9-0-0 10-17-1-0
Fumbles-lost 2-1 3-2
Penalties-yds 4-40 5-55
Punts-ave 6-27.6 5-5-44
Individual Statistics
Rushing – M: Weil-Kasper 15-75; Perrillo 7-16; Conover 18-54; Wolbers 4-(-2). K: Guyer 17-57; Kauffman 10-2; Good 1-(-7).
Passing – M: Wolbers 0-8; Weil-Kasper 1-1, 9 yards. K: Kauffman 10-17, 102 yards, TD.
Receiving: M: Wolbers 1-9. K: Guyer 3-27; Jung 7-60, TD; Finfrock 1-15.
Sacks – M: Iacovino, Cancro, Boworski. K: Finfrock 2.
