Norristown’s Khalif Sinclair scores 4 TDs in win over Wissahickon

UPPER MERION >> Norristown’s Khalif Sinclair scored just about every way possible and from just about every distance in Friday night’s 38-13 win over Wissahickon at Upper Merion Area High School.

The senior totaled 214 yards on his four touchdowns. He scored from 78 yards away on a punt return, 64 yards on a backwards swing pass, 52 on an interception return and 20 yards on a reception. He also recorded a second interception on a ball he didn’t return for six.

On all of Sinclair’s scores, his teammates helped him with excellent blocks and put him in position where he only needed to beat one Trojan to get to the end zone.

“First thing I look at is their waist,” Sinclair, who has never scored four touchdowns in a game, said. “If there feet are flat-footed, I know I’ve got them beat. If they are on their tippy toes then I have to use a move — but if they are flat-footed, it’s 100% they’re beat.”

“He can make those plays when you need him to,” Norristown coach Jason Powell said. “When he makes a play — it’s a big one. He brings a lot of momentum with him. We build on that momentum and our guys are starting to believe — in everybody — that when we touch the ball good things can happen. He’s a big part of that.”

The Eagles (2-0) trailed, 13-7, in the third quarter before scoring the game’s final 31 points.

Sinclair’s rushing and interception return touchdowns came on the next two possessions after Wissahickon took its six-point lead. Derik Cross Jr. recorded an interception on the next drive, which was followed by Sinclair’s receiving score. Quarterback Diavante Lloyd connected with Rashon Wiggins for a 39-yard touchdown early in the fourth quarter and kicker Shane Hammer boomed home a 37-yard field goal to cap off the scoring for the night.

After trailing 7-0, the Trojans (1-1) scored 13 straight points to take the lead. Quarterback Mike Marino threw a second quarter touchdown to Antaun Lloyd to tie the game and a third quarter strike to Donovan Hartsock to put his team in front.

That second score may be the only mistake Sinclair made on the night.

“I love my team,” he said. “We all fight through the adversity. Wissahickon scored because of me. Nobody yelled at me. I didn’t put my head in the dirt — I just kept my head up.”

Norristown built its 7-0 lead with Sinclair’s punt return touchdown.

That was the only way Norristown was able to move the ball in the first half. The Eagles offense only managed 29 yards in the opening 24 minutes.

“We didn’t hit this week (in practice) as much as we like to,” Powell said. “(The offensive line) came out and saw they were playing a little softer than they normally would. Thank God we came out (in the second half) and started putting the pedal to the metal a little bit and we got it going.”

Norristown faces Plymouth Whitemarsh on the road next Friday at 7 p.m. and Wissahickon travels to Souderton.

“Last year we started 0-2,” Sinclair said. “I think next week is our biggest test. That’s when our streak stopped. Right now we just need to go back in the weight room, keep practicing, work hard and hopefully we’ll be 3-0 — have to take it one game at a time.”