Conestoga’s early burst sparks win against Harriton

Lower Merion >> Conestoga came out on fire for the kickoffs that launched both the first and second half, and the result was a 49-12 win at Harriton.
Conestoga jumped to a 14-0 lead in the first six minutes of play; then scored two touchdowns in the first 37 seconds of the second half.
The victory boosted the Pioneers’ record to 4-1, a nice birthday gift for Conestoga head coach Matt Diamond.
“Being 4-1 feels really good because our kids are playing with a lot of confidence,” said Diamond. “They’re taking all the steps, and doing the right things, to build ourselves up to this point. Our kids have a lot of confidence going into each game knowing they have a chance to win, and that’s a great feeling.”
On Friday evening, the Pioneers asserted themselves early. After the opening kickoff to Harriton, the Pioneers stopped the Rams on a three-and-out, and the ensuing short punt gave Conestoga the ball on the hosts’ 19 yard line. Three plays later, Conestoga senior running back Chase Kelly scored on a 12-yard run.
After another three-and-out by Harriton, Conestoga put together a four-play, 57-yard touchdown drive, highlighted by a 38-yard run by junior fullback Jake Allred, giving the Pioneers a 12-0 lead. Conestoga went for a two-point conversion, and senior Christian Lariviere plunged in for the score.
Late in the first quarter, Conestoga senior wide receiver Peter Detwiler caught a pass across the middle from senior quarterback Calvin Shirley and eluded several defenders for a 76-yard touchdown and a 21-0 lead; then midway through the second quarter, Detwiler took the center snap in the Wildcat formation and ran for a 57-yard touchdown to make it 28-0.
“On Detwiler’s [57-yard] run, it was a great job by our line blocking, our fullback created a great hole on an iso, and Peter found a seam and was able to get a touchdown,” said Diamond. “You try to continue to put the ball into guys’ hands that can make plays, and so many of our guys are stepping up and showing us that they can do that.”
Trailing 28-0, Harriton put together a 7-play, 70-yard touchdown drive, mostly on short swing passes from junior quarterback Logan Rothberg to junior receiver Matt Krebbs. Rothberg hit Krebbs in the left corner of the end zone for a 6-yard touchdown to make it 28-6.
“Rothberg has been doing a good job for us; he takes a lot of hits, but he keeps getting up,” said Harriton head coach Justin Mellor. “He’s got a nice chemistry with Matt Krebbs, and he’s developing one with [freshman receiver] Colin Sullivan.”

Krebbs grabbed 12 passes for 86 yards Friday evening.

Conestoga tried to get one more score in the waning seconds before halftime, but at the end of a 30-yard pass completion by the Pioneers, Harriton senior linebacker Josh Smith stripped the ball at midfield and ran 55 yards for a touchdown as the clock expired, cutting Conestoga’s lead to 28-12.
“That was a great play, and gave us some energy,” said Mellor.
Diamond said, “That play gave Harriton a lot of wind in their sails, but we regrouped at halftime and I really challenged our kids, I said, ‘How are you going to come out for the second half?’”
Conestoga’s response was two touchdowns in the first 37 seconds of the second half. Pioneer junior Bryce Beltrante took the second half kickoff and raced 85 yards down the right side for a touchdown to make it 35-12. Then, two plays later, Pioneer senior lineman Hayden Karbiner tipped a Harriton pass, and Conestoga sophomore linebacker Tommy Costigan grabbed the ball and raced 22 yards into the end zone to make it 42-12.
“I was really proud with how we responded at the beginning of the second half,” said Diamond.
Conestoga forced a three-and-out, and took over possession at Harriton’s 32-yard line after a short Ram punt. Six plays later, Allred scored on a 4-yard run up the middle to complete the evening’s scoring.
“I thought [junior tight end/defensive end] Brody Eaton played really well tonight,” said Diamond. “Once again, Peter Detwiler played really strongly. And I thought [senior captain] Christian Lariviere played a really physical game at linebacker. Bryce Beltrante really made some nice plays in the secondary, and really gave us a lift with that kickoff return to start the second half.
“It was a great night, and we’re excited to get into the second half of our season, and keep this confidence going.”