Delco Christian falls in three overtimes

NEWTOWN SQUARE >> Kipp DuBois Collegiate Academy’s Marvin Viaud will remember his first game as a varsity football head coach for a long time.
Viaud, a former Cheltenham High player, took his Lions to Marple Newtown to face Delaware County Christian School to open the 2016 season Saturday night.
Three hours that included three overtime periods later, Kipp DuBois held off a two-point conversion attempt and claimed a 40-38 victory in a game that had been tied, 20-20, after four quarters.
“They really wanted it,” Viaud said of his players, who are part of a program that is in its third varsity season.
“We were JV the first year we had football, but these seniors have been together for four years. And they really gave me a first head coaching game to remember.”
Tyree Howard had scored a touchdown and sprinted in for two points on the conversion after a Lions penalty on Kipp Dubois’ third overtime possession. Then junior defensive end Yawmir Hayes made the most memorable of the Lions’ big plays.
Luke Gutkowski, who scored in the second OT for Delco Christian, added another six points in the third overtime. When he tried to bust through the middle of the line on the conversion, Hayes met him, stopped him and put an end to the game.
“They were hurting us going up the center,” Hayes said. “I expected them to run there and just had to get over there and stop them. No matter what I did, it’s about doing things better the next time and helping this team.”
Delco Christian coach Drew Pearson was disappointed that his team’s early 14-0 lead didn’t result in a victory.
Sophomore Elijah Thomas took the opening kickoff 85 yards for a DC touchdown, then the Knights’ advantage grew to 14 points with a 75-yard drive which included a 33-yard completion from Jake Allen to Gutkowski. Dan Poirer scored the TD on a short run, and Gutkowski banged over for two points.
A 19-yard run by Chris Chung gave DC a 20-6 edge at halftime, but John Plummer (12 carries, 98 yards) had a pair of scoring runs in the second half for Kipp DuBois. Delco got to the Lions’ 3 late in the third quarter but had a field goal blocked.
“We’re young, but we’re going to improve,” Pearson said. “It was great to see the way both teams kept going all the way through the third overtime.
“We did some good things offensively, but had turnovers that hurt. And we weren’t able to push it in when we got so close. We know we have things we have to correct before we play Lower Merion next week, but I’m sure these kids will get better.”
***
NOTES >> It was the first time Delco Christian has lost its season opener since the Knights dropped a 21-6 decision to Bristol Sept. 11, 2010, the first varsity game in program history. … The Knights are back at Marple Newtown next week to take on Lower Merion. Kickoff is 2 p.m.