MIDDLETOWN — Looking for just its second win of the season, and its first in five weeks, Penncrest coach Rick Stroup had a proper summation of the 48 minutes of football he witnessed Friday.
“We’re just lucky they missed the extra point,’ the veteran coach said. “Sometimes it’s good to be lucky.’
That was the case for Penncrest on Senior Night, as it eked out a 7-6 victory over Radnor in Central League action. The Lions scored on their first possession, the Raiders early in the fourth quarter. However, Radnor missed its point-after try.
That was the difference in this contest, which featured two teams well out of the playoff picture. Penncrest is now 2-7 overall, 2-6 in league play. Radnor is 3-6, 1-6. But, it went as a win for the hosts.
“I guess,’ Stroup said. “It’s frustrating when you’re turning the stinking ball over.’
Penncrest fumbled four times, including twice late in the fourth quarter in a sequence that saw turnovers on three consecutive plays. It was that kind of night, and it’s been that kind of season, for both teams. The Lions, though, had to be happy they at least put something together in the first quarter.
There, quarterback Dan Fisher led his side on an eight-play, 60-yard drive that culminated with Fisher’s 19-yard touchdown run on fourth-and-2. It was the only time Penncrest was in the red zone, and they made it count.
“We just executed,’ Stroup said. “We just executed, blocked it well. He ran a good dive, a good fake.’
Fisher rushed for 49 yards and threw for 57 to lead Penncrest. The Lions had just 192 yards of total offense. Radnor had 197, most of which came on its scoring drive, which covered 99 yards.
It was capped by Jack Wilson’s 22-yard run, bringing the score to 7-6 with 10:34 left. However, Wilson missed the ensuing extra point, keeping it a one-point game. Radnor had three more chances with the ball. Two ended in turnovers on downs, one was fumbled away.
Penncrest didn’t care how it happened. It just wanted the win.
“It’s great,’ Fisher said. “I know this season didn’t work out the way we wanted, but it’s great to go out on a win on our home field.’
His defense was the reason for it, making plays again and again down the stretch.
“It was huge,’ Stroup sad. “Jonah (Jackson) with the big hand there and the time before.’
With just one game left on the season, it’s almost the end of the line for Penncrest and Fisher.
The senior signal caller is hoping to play football in college. He’s been talking to several schools in the Patriot League, like Lehigh, Lafayette and Bucknell. Coastal Carolina and Old Dominion have also been in the mix. He says offers and decisions will come after the season, once coaches see more tape.
He hopes to play quarterback, but will do whatever’s asked of him.
“If they move me,’ Fisher said, “I wouldn’t mind moving.’
