Upper Dublin’s offensive line clears the way to District 1-5A final

UPPER DUBLIN >> When it mattered most, Upper Dublin’s offensive line bit down hard and cleared a path.

In the fourth quarter of its District 1-5A semifinal battle with Plymouth Whitemarsh Friday night, the Cardinals produced a drive that consumed clock as well as yards, and wound up in the end zone for a game-clinching score.

Let’s hear it for the men up front.

“Cohesive – that’s the word I would use,” said senior Dominic Lapa. “Most of us have been playing together our whole lives. Most of us are seniors and we’re excited to be going to the district championship. I’m so excited, and I know all the other people on this team are excited too. I can’t wait.”

The top-seeded Cardinals got it done again, adding two late defensive scores to earn a commanding 30-0 victory over PW and advance to the district final against West Chester Rustin.

“I experienced this my sophomore year and I’m so excited to experience it again,” said the 6-foot, 215-pound Lapa. “My guys and I just can’t wait to play in the district championship.”

Upper Dublin’s offensive line has been a rock all season.

Lapa is joined by fellow seniors Alex Rossman (5-9, 185), Kyree Butler (6-1, 315) and Bill Brightcliffe (6-0, 195). Sophomore Christian Holland (6-3, 250) has come on strong and senior tight end Coleman Zamborsky also chips in.

The unit did give quarterback Colin O’Sullivan valuable time to throw, and he again delivered.

But on a night when Cardinal Stadium at times resembled a snow globe, the ground attack was key.

Said Lapa: “The running is the key thing in this offense. That’s what keeps us moving downfield. We have a great passing attack but the running really holds it all together.”

Upper Dublin hasn’t lost a game since last year’s district quarterfinal against PW. The Cardinals are 13-0 and steamrolling towards the final.

The team attacked last offseason and showed up to training camp a very determined group. That development shows up front.

“We’ve grown so much since the summer,” Lapa said. “And we keep growing every week. I’m just excited to see what we can do next week.”

Of the clinching fourth-quarter drive, Lapa said: “We knew we have to win or go home. We knew this could be our last chance playing so we had to give it everything we had.”

Lapa feels they can play even better.

“We looked sloppy at times but we got the job done and that’s all that really matters in the end,” he said.