Adams helps Interboro get a ‘Buc win’
THORNBURY >> It was ugly.
Interboro coach Steve Lennox called it that. Connor Adams, a senior wide receiver/defensive back, echoed those sentiments.
The Bucs didn’t bring their A-game to Glen Mills’ Jack Pearson Stadium for a rare Thursday night Del Val League showdown.
Or you can look at the outcome in a more positive light. You could call it a “Buc win.”
“That’s exactly what it was,” Adams said.
Adams caught the winning touchdown pass from Nate Murtha early in the fourth quarter. Nobody else found the end zone. Adams also converted the two-point conversion run and Interboro’s defense did the rest. The Bucs spoiled Glen Mills’ homecoming night with an 8-0 victory.
“Our offense just wasn’t pushing it,” said Quentin Frangelli, senior captain and offensive lineman. “But our defense really stepped up.”
That sums it up.
“I don’t know how to explain it,” said Adams, who had two catches for 27 yards and six rushes for 22 yards. “I think we came into this game unfocused. I think (playing on) Thursday had something to do with it, I don’t know. But we tightened up and stayed together.”
The Interboro way, right?
“That’s what the Buc win is,” Adams said.
Considering the Bucs accrued 121 yards of total offense, as their excellent running back Chris Thomas (42 yards) was held in check, the win required some big stops on defense. The Bucs got plenty of them, forcing four turnovers, including three interceptions.
But the biggest play was a curious decision by Glen Mills to run a fake punt on fourth-and-12 early in the fourth quarter. The move backfired on the Bulls (3-5, 0-3), who lost 12 yards and gift-wrapped Interboro a wonderful scoring chance.
On the next play, Murtha rolled to his left, as far as he could go without stepping out of bounds, then threw an 18-yard strike to Adams in the corner of the end zone.
“Our captain, Nate Murtha, told us before the play, ‘Right now, we have to take this game in our hands. We have to capitalize.’ That’s exactly what we did,” Adams said. “I was a read on that play and he saw me as I was coming back to him. I was able to find an open spot and he threw it right to me.”
Frangelli was half-expecting Murtha to take off running.
“I was looking to be his lead blocker,” Frangelli said. “But I’m just looking to block someone, really.”
Despite the touchdown, the Bucs weren’t ready to celebrate. Twice in the fourth quarter Glen Mills moved the ball inside Interboro territory and twice Interboro’s defense made a stand.
Kallie Kuyateh made a tackle on fourth-and-4 with four minutes to go. After an Interboro punt, Glen Mills leaned on power running back Quadir Gibson, who amassed 165 yards on 24 carries. But Glen Mills was forced to throw the ball on first down with less than a minute to play. James Timmons overthrew his intended receiver, allowing safety Shane Beckwith to record his second interception of the night.
“First time for everything,” Beckwith said, referencing his career-high two picks. “I was expecting them to go deep. I was right there.”
Interboro (7-1, 3-0) faces undefeated Academy Park at home next Friday in a game that could determine the Del Val League championship.
“We’re looking forward to getting ready for it,” Adams said. “It all starts tomorrow.”
