Plymouth Whitemarsh pounds rival Norristown

WHITEMARSH >> “It’s Town week.”

That was one of the first things head coach Dan Chang said to his Plymouth Whitemarsh football team after its Week 2 win over Methacton last Friday.

A week later, the Colonials were celebrating a win over their bitter rival.

Plymouth Whitemarsh hammered Norristown, 48-7, Friday night at Plymouth Whitemarsh High School.

“It’s a big one,” Chang said of the rivalry. “It’s our biggest one. They’re so close right down Germantown Pike. The guys know a lot of the other players, coaches know the other coaches and they got us last year. We were looking forward to this one.”

Christian Pierce, a member of a military family, transferred into Plymouth Whitemarsh last year after the Colonials lost, 26-14, to the Eagles. Even before he got involved on the field he knew how important the rivalry is.

“I go to a barbershop in Norristown,” Pierce said. “That’s all I heard when I first got here – you better beat Norristown when you get in there. I’ve known of the rivalry since I got here. It just made me want to come play.

“It was fun. I felt the atmosphere from 6:30 all the way til the end. It felt great.”

Quick-strike Colonials

Plymouth Whitemarsh (3-0) wasted no time establishing its dominance over Norristown (0-3). 

Pierce returned the opening kickoff 82 yards for a touchdown and that was just the beginning.

“When I first got the kickoff return I thought it was a big opening,” Pierce said. “I was like, ‘It’s a house call.’ Everybody was telling me you have to bring it to the house on the first play.”

“He’s a gamer,” Chang said. “That kid comes and plays and makes big plays in games. Right from the start it was good to get out early, fast out of the blocks.”

The Colonials added touchdowns on drives that lasted just two, one, three, two and four plays, respectively.

Brian Dresnin scored three touchdowns – runs of 17, 34 and 12 yards. Michael Paciello also scored three times – two six-yard runs and a 35-yard reception from quarterback Larry McLaughlin.

Defensive Dominance

For the second straight week, PW’s starting defense didn’t allow a touchdown. The Colonials pulled their starters late in the second quarter with a 48-0 advantage.

“Our scout team offense does really well in practice setting us up for Norristown’s offense and other team’s offenses,” Pierce said. “They do it really well. We just go 1-0 every day in practice every week.”

PW recovered five fumbles in the game and picked off two passes. Five of those turnovers turned into Colonials touchdowns.

“Our defense has been great,” Chang said. “Every week it’s our linebackers are playing well, our d-line is playing tough up front and our secondary guys are doing their job. They were able to come away with some turnovers and luckily we were able to cash in on them.”

“The defense does it’s job,” Pierce, who plays wide receiver and defensive back, said, “it’s time for the offense to go do what they’re supposed to do – they have to score. I felt like we did a good job executing on both sides of the ball.”