Steich directs Quakertown past Souderton in District 1-6A first round
QUAKERTOWN >> It was a balanced machine that Quakertown rolled onto its home turf for the start of the District 1-6A Playoffs, and Will Steich was at the controls.
Said Panthers coach George Banas of his senior quarterback: “It might have been his best decision making of the year.”
Steich led fifth-seeded Quakertown to an impressive 33-7 victory over rival Souderton Friday night, advancing the Panthers to the district quarterfinals next week at No. 4 Downingtown East.
Steich threw a pair of touchdown passes, added a rushing touchdown on a QB sneak, and was instrumental in raising the Panthers’ unbeaten record to 11-0.
“It’s definitely a great way to get the playoffs started, especially at home,” the senior said. “I haven’t been on a team playing this well ever in my life. These guys really want it. They believe. I think we can go a long way with them.”
Steich completed 18 of his 24 passes for 178 yards and knew when to pull the ball down and run for key gains: he added 14 yards rushing and was emblematic of the Panther versatility.
“I’ve been preaching it all year. We’re pretty well balanced – offensively, defensively. We’re balanced across the board,” Banas said. “We can run. We can throw. We can play the run, play the pass. It’s a good group of kids. It really is.”
The Panthers scored on all four of their first-half possessions.
Steich capped a 71-yard drive when he threw to Tyler Woodman (132 yds rushing) for a 10-yard touchdown pass in the right corner, making it 7-0 Quakertown on a cold night at Alumni Field.
The Panthers got an interception (Woodman) and forced a punt to end Souderton’s first two series, and then were back in the end zone early in the second quarter.
This time, it was John Eatherton racing in from six yards out, boosting the advantage to 13-0 (the extra-point attempt was no good).
“Especially in districts, that’s key,” Banas said of the fast start. “To get momentum, keep things positive, it sort of keeps things rolling.”
No. 12 Big Red got on the board, with a 15-yard run by Brayden Porter (88 yds, TD), cutting the margin down to 13-7.
But Quakertown responded with a six-play, 50 yard march.
On a 1st-and-10 at the Souderton 30, Steich rolled right and hit Zach Fondl in stride for the touchdown that widened the gap to 19-7 (the two-point run attempt was stopped).
“Our receivers caught the ball, we had good play calls and the line blocked very, very well,” Steich said. “I was just having fun.”
The Panthers closed out the first half in commanding fashion, scoring with zeroes on the clock when Woodman dashed in from eight yards out, making it a 26-7 Quakertown lead at the break.
After a scoreless third quarter, Steich provided the final points with his one-yard sneak in the fourth.
“Souderton’s a good team, and you add to that all the injuries they’ve fought through all year,” Banas said. “They tackle well, they come down hill, they’re physical. The first game (a 36-14 Quakertown win) was a tough game with them. It doesn’t matter what your record is when you’re playing a rival. It’s always gonna be a close game.”
It was a tremendous run by Big Red. The defending district champs battled back to the postseason for the third straight year.
“The kids fought. I’m proud of these guys,” coach Ed Gallagher said. “They went through a lot of adversity this year with all the injuries and all the things that didn’t go our way. I’m super proud of the effort they gave.
“Quakertown just came out and made plays. I’m happy for George and good luck to them in the playoffs. If they play like they did tonight, they’re gonna win again next week.”
Quakertown 33, Souderton 7
Souderton 0 7 0 0 – 7
Quakertown 7 19 0 7 – 33
First Quarter
Q-Tyler Woodman 10 pass from Will Steich (Riley Gaj kick), 7:53.
Second Quarter
Q-John Eatherton 6 run (kick failed), 10:46.
S-Brayden Porter 15 run (Ty Quintois kick), 7:12.
Q-Zach Fondl 30 pass from Steich (run failed), 4:05.
Q-Woodman 8 run (Gaj kick), :00.
Fourth Quarter
Q-Steich 1 run (Madison Peacher kick), 1:50.
S Q
First Downs 14 20
Rushes-yards 33-164 42-189
Passing (c-a-i) 8-14-1 18-24-0
Passing yards 75 178
Total yards 239 367
Punts 1 1
Penalties-yards 6-42 2-15
Fumbles-lost 1-0 1-0
Turnovers 2 0
Rushing
S: Brayden Porter 18-88, TD; Jared Zimmerman 10-36; Sean McGoldrick 3-27; Elijah Goods 2-13.
Q: Woodman 28-132, TD; Eatherton 9-34, TD; Steich 4-14, TD; Fondl 1-9.
Passing
S: Zimmerman 8-14-75-0-1.
Q: Steich 18-24-178-2-0.
Receiving
S: Caleb Hageman 2-34; Porter 4-24; Goods 2-17.
Q: Woodman 1-10, TD; Fondl 7-91, TD; Eatherton 6-51; Zach Greulich 3-23; Kaden Roesner 1-3.
Interceptions
Q: Woodman.
