Upper Merion’s defense leads way in win over Norristown

UPPER MERION >> On the first play from scrimmage Thursday night, Upper Merion defensive end Elijah Davis batted down a Norristown pass at the line of scrimmage. Mike Scavello made a tackle in the backfield on second down before Sheldon McClain wrapped up the quarterback to force a three-and-out.

That was a sign of things to come for the Vikings defense. They forced two turnovers that turned into short touchdown drives for the offense and the special teams blocked a punt for a touchdown to lead Upper Merion to a 20-13 win over Norristown in the Battle of the Bridge at Upper Merion Area High School.

“I think the defense was the best part of our game,” Davis said. “I think I set the tone coming out with that deflected pass and let them know we were ready to play. We let up a little in the second half, but we finished the job.”

“The defense is setting the tone for us right now,” Upper Merion coach Davis Chubb said.

“Our defense is amazing. Our defense is keeping us in games. They gave up two big plays – that’s it. That’s high school football, you’re going to give up big plays.”

The first turnover came on Norristown’s second drive. Scavello ripped the ball out on a wide receiver screen and defensive back Justin Besz scooped it up, racing 67 yards to the Eagles 11-yard line. Two plays later, quarterback Jackson Solley hit receiver Zahaid Edwards for a 10-yard score and 7-0 lead.

Edwards grabbed an interception three possessions later. On a 3rd-and-long throw down the field, Edwards picked it off at the Norristown 25 and returned it to the five-yard line. Two plays later, running back Isaiah Robinson punched in a two-yard touchdown run.

On Norristown’s next possession, the Vikings (1-1) forced a 4th-and-1 at the Norristown 29-yard line. Issac Wallace blocked the punt and Richard Savior recovered it on the goalline for a touchdown and 20-7 lead.

“Our achilles heel has been turnovers,” Norristown coach Joe Milligan said. “We gave them a short field at least two or three times. We can’t win a football game doing that. We know that. Our defense is playing well the last couple weeks, hopefully we keep that up. Offensively we’re getting better each week with the new system we’ve got. It’s all three phases of the game – we have to play better on special teams.”

The Vikings defense appeared in trouble at the end of the third quarter, when they allowed a long drive to get to 1st-and-goal on a pass interference penalty in the endzone. They switch ends of the field facing a 2nd-and-goal from the five to start the fourth and – aided by a few pre-snap Norristown penalties – held the Eagles (0-2) on four downs to maintain a 20-13 lead.

“At that point, when it gets to where we were at (at the end of) the third quarter,” Chubb said of his defense’s stand, “it’s all heart. It’s all pride.”

They had to make one more stop with 3:23 left in the game. Still holding the same seven-point edge, they forced a three-and-out and the offense never gave the ball back to Norristown.

The Vikings offense didn’t do much for three quarters, but delivered in the fourth. After the defense made its goalline stand, the offense put together a 16-play drive that took 8:20 off the clock. Solley found Kylee Hill on a 4th-and-3 to keep the drive going.

The two sophomores connected on a 3rd-and-12 for 22 yards on their next possession to seal the victory.

“We just had to come together and make big plays,” Hill said, “just come together and finish the game.”

Norristown’s defense also played a strong game, holding Upper Merion to just three first downs through three quarters. The Eagles forced three turnovers, highlighted by Rashon Giddens grabbing an interception and recovering a fumble.

Wide receiver Jayden Byrd provided the offense for the Eagles. He caught two touchdown passes from quarterback Brendan Farrel – the first for 80 yards and second for 33 yards – and drew the pass interference in the endzone at the end of the third quarter.

“I think this is his sport,” Milligan said of Byrd, who’s in his first season of football. “He’s a heck of a basketball player, I give him that, but I definitely think this is the future for him. I could definitely see someone coming in, taking a look at his film and possibly giving him a scholarship right there.”

Upper Merion 20, Norristown 13

Norristown 7 0 7 0 – 13

Upper Merion 13 7 0 0 – 20

Scoring

First Quarter

UM – Zahaid Edwards 10-yard reception from Jackson Solley (Cyrus Palladino kick) 8:04

N – Jayden Byrd 80-yard reception from Brendan Farrel (Brett Murphy kick) 5:48

UM – Isaiah Robinson 2-yard run (kick blocked) :11.1

Second Quarter

UM – Richard Savior blocked punt recovery (Cyrus Palladino kick) 10:20

Third Quarter

N – Jayden Byrd 33-yard reception from Brendan Farrel (kick blocked) 4:45

TEAM STATISTICS

N           UM

First downs 9           9

Rushes-Yards 34-95   25-20

Passing yards 119           103

Total yards 214         123

Passing 6-14-1    14-21-1

Punts 5            2

Fumbles-Lost 3-1         5-2

Penalties-Yards 13-75        4-33

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING

N: Meyon Ferrell 19-81; Brendan Farrel 5-(-18); Marzon Carr 7-33; Marcello Pabon Jr 3-9.

UM: Isaiah Robinson 12-22, TD; Justin Besz 10-2; Jackson Solley 3-(-4);

PASSING

N: Brendan Farrel 6-14-119-2-1.

UM: Jackson Solley 7-21-103-1-1.

RECEIVING

N: Jayden Byrd 3-107, 2 TD; Jibril Easley 1-2; Jaden Pratt 1-10; Quadir Drummung 1-0.

UM: Zahaid Edwards 1-10, TD; Mike Scavello 3-25; Kylee Hill 5-53; Isaiah Robinson 2-(-11); Issac Wallace 1-12; Desmond Savior 1-6; Bryson Cherry 1-8.

INTERCEPTIONS

N: Rashon Giddens.

UM: Zahaid Edwards.