NEWTOWN SQUARE — Of all things, Delco Christian put its Districts One/12 subregional semifinal game Saturday night away on — get this — a pass.
The Wing-T squad attempted just nine passes entering Saturday night’s meeting with Jenkintown at Marple Newtown. An 85-yard play action strike from Sterling Williams to Nazim Trammell-Wells early in the fourth quarter was the key, propelling the Knights to a 33-13 victory over the Drakes.
The Knights now advance to the district final next weekend to face Calvary Christian, which these Knights beat last week. They’re there, largely thanks to one big pass play.
“I just caught it,’ Trammell-Wells said. “Next thing you know, I’m running. It was kinda cool.’
Jenkintown had just scored on a 14-yard Jamie Griffin quarterback keeper to cut Delco Christian’s lead to 18-13. On the next play from scrimmage, Williams rolled out to his right, waited, and lofted a pass for Trammell-Wells. The defensive back went for the interception, missed, and left the speedy fullback nothing but green to scamper on.
Knights coach Drew Pearson noticed the Drakes were biting more and more on his tricky Wing-T alignment. They were leaving themselves open. Trammell-Wells had actually been asking the coaching staff to install a pass play to him for a few weeks. He said this week they finally brought the play up.
“We don’t throw it much, but when we do, we need it to be effective,’ Pearson said.
That was case Saturday for Delco Christian (8-2), which threw just three times. Two were completed, including a late-fourth quarter 10-yard score to Kaleal Tucker. As usual, the Knights were dominant on the ground (370 yards) and played strong defense (163 yards against).
Most of it came during the second half, where all but one touchdown was scored. Delco Christian went into the break up 8-0 via a 13-yard run from Williams. The first 24 minutes of game time took just 45 minutes of real time. The final 24 minutes took longer, but were better.
“I thought that our kids really responded in the second half,’ Pearson said. “They played with a lot of emotion and energy.’
Jenkintown (5-6) scored quickly to start the second half, but Delco Christian responded on Ford Harvey’s 31-yard field goal. Three plays later, it forced a fumble. Immediately after that, Trammell-Wells went 45 yards to the house, making it 18-7.
Three possessions later, Griffin scored to make it a one-score game. That prompted the big pass.
“We just played DC Knights football,’ Trammell-Wells said. “With a little passing.’
The victory sets up a rematch with Calvary Christian, which Delco Christian beat 44-35 just last week. The Knights, one win away from setting a program record for wins in a season, have never gotten past this point.
They want 2014 to be a different story.
“Last year we made it, but we ran into a crazy, crazy Bristol team,’ said Trammell-Wells of 2013’s district final. “Coach told us, right there in the huddle, they’re bringing their ‘ A’ game.’
Pearson, along with his players, dismissed what transpired last week. It’s irrelevant now — much the like early-season 41-7 win over Jenkintown was.
The date, time and site of the game will be determined at a later date, possibly Sunday. No matter where or when it is, the Knights figure to be ready. They’ve been preparing a whole year for another shot.
“We’re back,’ Pearson said. “Now we want to get it.’
