FOOTBALL: Sadowski runs for 4 TDs, Souderton stays perfect with 309 Bowl win over Quakertown

FRANCONIA – The rushing numbers may go next to his name, but Ryan Sadowski was quick to acknowledge that his teammates on Souderton football’s offense are the reason for his success.

“Let’s just say this is an 11-man sport and I’m the one lucky enough to have the ball,” Sadowski said. “When I’m surrounded by players as good as my o-line and my quarterback and my wingbacks, I think anything can happen.”

A week after running for a school-record 310 yards in a win over Truman, Sadowski was once again sensational in Friday night’s 309 Bowl with visiting Quakertown.

The senior ran for four touchdowns, his first two helping Big Red jump out to a 21-0 early in SOL Continental Conference matchup’s second quarter. Sadowski went on to finish with 159 yards on 16 carries as the Indians pulled away to stay undefeated with a 35-14 victory over the Panthers.

“First quarter was really good,” Souderton coach Ed Gallagher said. “We hung around a little bit and once we got that extra one in there, I felt pretty good. Ryan took over again like he did last week. He’s a dominant back, more people should be talking about him.”

The Indians defense forced four turnovers – three on interceptions – with all four takeaways leading to touchdowns. Sophomore quarterback Ben Walsh returned after missing two games due to injury and finished 10-of-15 passing for 95 yards and a pick as Souderton (6-0, 3-0 conference) earned their second straight win over Quakertown.

“We played Quakertown two years ago, we lost to them twice in a row,” Sadowski said. “So when stuff like that happens we got our first win back last year so I see that as 1-2. We needed to come in, our senior year we need to teach them a lesson. So I love playing Quakertown, I love being home, it was a great game and it was good to get up some points on this team.”

After going three-and-out on the game’s opening series, Souderton reached the end zone on their next three drives, starting with Sadowski taking his second carry to the left side then dashing away for a 51-yard touchdown at 6:59 in the first quarter.

“Everything was set up perfectly,” Sadowski said. That’s what we practice all week. We practiced that linebacker being there, that kick out and when that hole’s there I’m going to hit it, tell you that much.”

A fumble recovery set the Indians up at the Quakertown 45 and six plays later Michael McCormick crossed the goal line from a yard out.

Souderton then made it 21-0 after an interception by defensive lineman Kahlil Williams – Sadowski capped an eight-play, 51-yard drive at 9:55 in the second quarter with a 15-yard touchdown run.

“We have a very good defense,” Gallagher said. “Mike Heath does a great job coordinating our defense. He puts the kids in position to be successful. We don’t do anything flashy or fancy, they play good, sound defense and we get pressure and we’re good.”

Edward Bittner’s four-yard TD run at 7:19 before halftime pulled Quakertown (2-4, 0-2) within 21-7, with the scoreline staying that way until the third.

Timmy Meehan returned an interception to the end zone but the pick six was negated by a penalty. A Quakertown injury on the play required an ambulance be brought on the field.

The game resumed with 6:55 left in the third and Souderton starting a drive at the Panthers 44. Sadowski took a pass from Walsh 13 yards to convert a 3rd-and-12 from the 28 and two plays later Sadowski scored on a 12-yard run at 4:03.

“Once we got that fourth one, I felt pretty good,” Gallagher said. “Once we got it to 28-7, I was like all right we’re going to be able to milk this a little bit. And that’s how it worked out.”

Sadowski’s fourth rushing touchdown came from 63 yards out, the senior getting through the line then down the right side for a 35-7 lead at 9:21 in the fourth to cement the Indians’ 16th consecutive home win.

“I saw a one-on-one, I saw I think it was Grayson Largent had the block on the middle linebacker and I knew I was taking off from there,” Sadowski said. “I couldn’t’ve done it without the rest of the team.”

Bittner had 64 yards on 12 carries to pace Quakertown, which lost its second straight. Panthers starting quarterback Vincent Micucci left the game in the second quarter and did not return, finishing 6-of-10 passing for 72 yards and an interception.

Qtown backup QB Brady Martin was picked off twice, caught a pass from himself after his throw was deflected and also connected with Aiden Burgy for a 10-yard TD toss with 1:10 left in the fourth that made it 35-14.

“Our d-linemen pressured and we have an excellent defensive line, there’s not enough that can be said about what they do,” Gallagher said. “The pressure they put on ‘em. Vince Micucci’s the best quarterback in our league, he’s a great kid, he’s a great quarterback and we knew he was going to hurt us both throwing and running and we hit him a couple of times – nothing cheap but we hit him a couple of times and he was hurting.

“That’s not part of the plan, but unfortunately he took a couple of hits, and once he started taking some hits he started floating the ball a little bit. And then Martin came in and once he started taking a couple hits, he started floating the ball. Our secondary’s good enough they’re going to take advantage of it and make the plays when the ball’s in the air.”

Souderton, which sits fourth in the District 1-6A rankings, steps out of conference for its next game, traveling to Lancaster County to face Warwick Friday. Quakertown, 18th in the 1-6A rankings, hosts Council Rock North in an SOL Continental matchup Friday.

“We have the schedule we have, we have four games left we win at least three of ‘em we get a home game, we win two of ‘em we probably have a home game,” Gallagher said. “If we win all four, we probably have a couple home games.

“That’s awesome, that’s what we want, we want the opportunity to play more games here cause we play well here.”

Souderton 35, Quakertown 14
Quakertown 0 7 0 7 — 14
Souderton 14 7 7 7 — 35
SCORING
First Quarter
S — Ryan Sadowski 51 run (Rylan Zuk kick), 6:59.
S — Michael McCormick 1 run (Zuk kick), 4:22
Second Quarter
S — Sadowski 15 run (Zuk kick), 9:55.
Q — Edward Bittner 4 run (Logan Jeffery kick), 7:19.
Third Quarter
S — Sadowski 12 run (Zuk kick) 4:03
Fourth Quarter
S — Sadowski 63 run (Zuk kick), 9:21.
Q — Brady Martin 10 pass to Aiden Burgy (Jeffery kick), 1:10.

TEAM STATISTICS
Q         S
First Downs 16            11
Rushes-Yards                 40-150   30-189
Passing Yards 98          95
Total Yards 248          284
Passing 10-20-3   10-15-1
Punts 4               5
Fumbles-Lost 1-1            2-0
Penalties-Yards 4-25         5-55

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
RUSHING
Quakertown: Edward Bittner 12-64, TD; Aiden Whiteley 7-25; Gavin Carroll 6-22; Vincent Micucci 7-20; Matt Thomas 4-17; Brady Martin 4-2.
Souderton: Ryan Sadowski 16-159, 4 TD; Michael McCormick 8-35, TD; Zyaire Tann 1-3; Danny Dyches 2-1; Hayden Swartley 1-(-1); Houston Marshall 2-(-8)
PASSING
Quakertown: Vincent Micucci 6-10-1, 72; Aiden Burgy 4-10-2, 26, TD.
Souderton: Ben Walsh 10-15-1, 95.
RECEIVING
Quakertown: Max Morris 3-43; Gavin Carroll 1-24; Aiden Burgy 2-13, TD; Brady Martin 2-9; Tanner Clancy 1-6; Anthony Ferrugio 1-3.
Souderton: Danny Dyches 5-52; Chase Johnson 1-18; Ryan Sadowski 2-15; Hunter Smeltz 2-10.
INTERCEPTIONS
Quakertown: Reagan Payne.
Souderton: Timmy Meehan, Hunter Smeltz, Kahlil Williams.