Special teams seal Pottsgrove’s shutout of Methacton

FAIRVIEW VILLAGE >> Friday’s game at Methacton between the Warriors and visiting Pottsgrove was an old-school coach’s dream.

Both defensive lines dominated for extended portions of the contest. Only one pass was completed before halftime.

And best of all, the old credo about special teams deciding the game came true.

Pottsgrove kicker/punter Mike Sereny averaged 45 yards per punt, and boomed four kickoffs into the end zone for touchbacks. On a rainy night where offense was at a premium, that was enough to propel the Falcons on their way to a 34-0 victory.

 Pottsgrove (2-0, ranked No. 13 in this week’s PA Prep Live Top 20) was clearly affected by the conditions, fumbling five times before halftime and losing possession twice. But after Sereny pinned the Warriors inside the five-yard line with a 64-yard boot, Jimai Springfield returned Tonee Ellis’ subsequent punt 38 yards to open the scoring with just seconds remaining in the first quarter.

“I’ve been putting in work all summer, went to Penn State’s kicking camp and Kohl’s Kicking Camp,” said Sereny, a senior with ambitions of playing at the next level.

“I don’t really consider myself a kicker or punter first — I do both,” he said. “Where ever the team needs me. Tonight, it was about changing the field position.”

In the second quarter, after both teams committed turnovers, a Rylee Howard interception gave the Falcons the ball just outside the Methacton 40. Pottsgrove’s running game took it the rest of the way, with Isaiah Taylor powering over from 15 yards out to make the halftime margin 14-0.

Springfield opened the second half with another big kick return to the Warriors’ 44, but the drive ended on a missed field goal. From there, the Falcons’ defense took control, forcing a three-and-out then avenging their own fumble with a strip sack at the Methacton 40.

Two plays later, Taylor went untouched over left tackle for 26 yards and his second score to extend the lead to 21-0 after three quarters.

“I have some big shoes to fill,” Taylor said, referring to graduated 2017 Player of the Year Rahsul Faison. “But ground and pound, that’s our game. I’m splitting carries with Isaiah Glover, and we know that having two strong running backs gives us an advantage.”

While the rain slowed considerably after halftime, Pottsgrove was content to keep to the ground game to preserve the lead. The Falcons completed only one pass on the evening, but the ground game was led by Taylor, who racked up 116 yards on the evening, a career high (“so far, it’s a career high,” said Taylor with a smile.)

“I feel great about our ground game,” said Pottsgrove coach Bill Hawthorne. “Our guys up front worked hard on our power play, got us some momentum.

“We can improve in so many areas though. Mistake-free football — no fumbles, no penalties, just taking care of the football in general.”

Taylor would add his third TD midway through the 4th quarter after a tough run by Jadore Colbert took Pottsgrove inside the Methacton 5, and the defense came on to preserve its shutout. Isaiah Glover (10 carries, 65 yards) extended the lead to 34-0 with a late score.

For the Warriors, Dylan Schultz and Mike Merola split snaps at QB. While offense was hard to come by on this evening, coach Dave Lotier said the QB position will rotate based on the team’s needs.

“Dylan can throw the ball for us, and Mike brings a little added athleticism.”

Lotier was proudest of his team’s resolve, on a miserable night, playing hard into the fourth quarter against the defending District 1-4A champs.

“Last week, we played a solid quarter-and-a-half against Truman,” he summarized. “Tonight it was three solid quarters.

“Next week, hopefully we’ll put together four solid quarters. It’s a process. That’s why our motto is “brick by brick.”