Malvern Prep defense stymies Avon Grove

LONDON GROVE — The Malvern Prep defense forced three turnovers, including a pair of interceptions returned for touchdowns, and held Avon Grove to just 143 yards of total offense as the Friars (5-0 overall) ran away with a 35-7 victory over the Red Devils (4-3, 1-1 Ches-Mont).
“I thought early on we were just getting settled into the game, but did a nice job,” said Friars’ coach Dave Gueriera. “But we kind of hunkered down and played better run defense.”
The Red Devils did a pretty good job moving the ball early on with runs from Sean Glatts (16 carries, 53 yards) and Colby Riddell (20 carries, 64 yards, TD), but each of Avon Grove’s first three possessions ended with a turnover.
After the Red Devils picked up a pair of first downs on the first possession of the game, the Friars forced a fumble. Domir Brown scooped up the loose ball and rumbled all the way down to the Red Devil 23 yard line. Two plays later, Nick Gueriera ran it in from a yard out and a 7-0 lead.
On the ensuing Avon Grove drive, Michael Hussey picked off a J.T. McDonald pass and ran it back 33 yards to the end zone. Minutes later, it was Nathan Daller coming up with an interception, and he too took it all the way to the house, covering 50 yards along the way.
“We had a great play call for that play,” Daller said. “I saw an opportunity and just jumped on it. It’s a great feeling and a great feeling to have all my brothers behind me a cheering me on on the sideline.”
So despite the Red Devils finding some success running the football — they had at least one first down on each of its first four possessions — it was 21-0 and not yet the second period.
“Malvern Prep is a very talented team,” said Avon Grove coach Harry O’Neill. “We just can’t turn the ball over in those kinds of situations. They have great athletes all over the field. But I’m proud of my guys. They never stopped pushing and working hard.”
The Friars tacked on another pair of scores before halftime. First, capping off a 7-play, 68-yard drive, quarterback Drew Gunther (8 for 11, 87 yards, TD) connected with Ryan McGuire for an 11-yard scoring strike. Then, after pinning the Devils back near their own end zone, Lonnie White returned a punt 43-yards for a score.
On the few occasions the Friars offense was on the field — they had just six possessions on the night — they ran the ball effectively, with nine different runners amassing 102 yards on 18 carries. And they were equally effective in stuffing the Avon Grove rushing attack.
“We’re not huge up front on defense, but we’re quick and slithering,” said Gueriera. “We did a nice job with our run stunts, but this game was all about those interception and punt returns. And we ran the ball well.”
Avon Grove got on the board with a late touchdown when Riddell ran one in from 10 yards out.
“There were a lot of people that didn’t think we should have taken this game,” said O’Neill. “But with Octorara leaving the league, we had an opening, and we saw this as a chance to give the kids a chance to go up against some D-I level talent. We’re not afraid of anyone. It’s good for our program to play this kind of competition. And these kids scrapped until the end.”