Welde’s faith in defense pays off for Bonner-Prendergast

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UPPER DARBY — James Welde remembered having a conversation with quarterback Kyle Lazer about the Bonner-Prendergast defense.

“I was telling Kyle, if we can score 21 points, I’m confident that we can win,” said Welde, the Friars’ outstanding junior wide receiver. “It’s just because the defense is so good. It’s never a surprise anymore.”

The Friars could have scored a safety and nothing else Saturday, but the offense came to play, too. Bonner recorded its second shutout of the year with a 32-0 victory over Cardinal O’Hara Saturday afternoon.

The Catholic League rivals exchanged pleasantries, resulting in a bevy of unsportsmanlike conduct penalties. The officials ended the game following three consecutive 15-yard fouls against the Bonner defense.

In total there were 10 personal fouls. Although it hardly mattered, Bonner was whistled 11 times for 145 yards.

The Friars dominated the entire way, thanks in large part to a defense that continues to slap teams around.

With one week to go in the regular season, the Friars (7-1 overall, 5-1 Catholic League Blue) locked up a playoff bye and will play the winner of O’Hara and Archbishop Carroll in the Catholic League Class 4A championship on November 9 at O’Hara (noon).

“I knew we were going to be good, but I didn’t know we could be 7-1 good,” Welde said. “I knew we had the potential and we have really showed it this year.”

Welde caught a pair of touchdown passes from Lazer and returned a fumble 10 yards for a score. He finished with five receptions for 44 yards and also snagged a two-point conversion. On his first touchdown, Welde used his 6-3, 185-pound frame to rip the ball away from an O’Hara defensive back.

“The only thing I think about when running a route is, when it’s third down I know I got to get the first down,” he said. “I visualize where the marker is, for example if it’s at the 30-yard line, I’m going to make sure I get to the 31. That’s about all that I think about when I’m out there. I have to trust (Lazer) and I just know I have to catch the ball no matter what.”

Lazer completed 11 of 16 passing attempts for 122 yards, helping the Friars snap a five-game losing streak against the Lions (1-7, 0-6).

“It feels awesome to win this for the seniors,” Lazer said. “It’s been a couple years for us (defeating O’Hara). Obviously, the last couple years haven’t been too good, but now we’re having a really good season and it feels great. To get the win on our senior night, against one of our biggest rivals, it’s a great feeling.

“it’s going to be a dogfight and a battle every time against O’Hara. This time, it wasn’t too close.”

Bonner’s defensive unit, led by linemen Chile Adele (6-0, 285) and Ethan Cottrell (6-3, 335) stymied an O’Hara team decimated by injuries and ineffectiveness. Despite a solid effort by senior running back Keed Kpoto (41 yards on 16 carries), the Lions were held to 15 yards of total offense and had 10 negative-yardage plays.

“It sounds simple, but we’re a better team because our offensive line and our defensive line are better,” Bonner coach Jack Muldoon said. “In the past we’ve been undersized and we’ve struggled. We are able to run the ball and defensively we’ve been very good.

“For us, what we’re doing up front has really worked. Our defense is well-coached and the kids are playing great.”

Oscar Uduma’s 44-yard scoring run in the first quarter gave the Friars a 6-0 lead. Mason Peterson added a scoring run and Welde had his first of three TDs in the second quarter.

On Welde’s second touchdown catch, he made the reception around the five-yard line and used his shoulder to knock over a defender on his way to end zone.

O’Hara’s one positive drive ended in controversy. Senior quarterback Devon Alexander tried to sneak the ball across the goal line from a yard out. He emerged from the pile with his outstretched arms in the end zone, but the sideline judge ruled him down before crossing the goal line. A touchdown would have trimmed O’Hara’s deficit to 12 points at halftime; instead, frustration and disappointment set in for the Lions.

It’s been that kind of year for coach BJ Hogan’s team.

“If you get in there, you’re going for two so maybe it’s 18-8 at halftime insteand of 18-0,” Hogan said. “The officials were telling me that they were 100 percent sure he wasn’t in the end zone … you don’t have instant replay in high school. There’s nothing you can do.”

Junior Solo Bambara and senior John Caponi gave the Lions a spark on defense, which allowed only four yards on the ground.

“We just have to be able to recognize stuff and get stuff defended. Everything they showed us today, we practiced against,” Hogan said. “I thought we played all right defensively, but we gave up a couple of big plays that hurt us. Those negative snaps on offense really set us back and we gave up another one on special teams and gave the ball back. Those are the things that kill you.”

Matt Smith

Matt Smith
Matt Smith is a sports writer with the Delaware County Daily Times. To contact him, email msmith@delcotimes.com or follow him on Twitter @DTMattSmith.

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