By Josh Kipple, Tigers Radio Network
September 06, 2010
ASTON, PA – Friday night marked the beginning of a new season for the Marple Newtown Tigers, and they did not disappoint, rolling to a 26-0 shutout over the Sun Valley Vanguards.
The Tigers started things off with a powerful rushing attack. They ran into a 4th down situation on the Vanguard 26 yard line and were able to convert to keep the drive alive. Cimirrow Moat tallied the first points of the 2010 season on the second 4th down of the drive. He took the hand-off from starting quarterback Jamie Ridinger and punched it over the goal line from 3 yards out.
The Marple Newtown defense held the Vanguards to only 20 yards on their opening drive of the season. They continued to put on the pressure during the next Sun Valley offensive series and allowed them to move the ball just 17 yards. A huge 10-yard sack by Matt Gregory put the cap on the following Sun Valley series as the Tigers closed out the first half on defense.
The Tigers were set to kick the ball off to the Vanguards at the start of the second half, but would get the ball back after the Sun Valley kick returner fumbled the ball right into their hands. Unfortunately, the Tigers fumbled the ball right back, but the Vanguards’ penalty woes got them into trouble when a 3rd down personal foul call that pressed them back against their own 5 yard line. After a horrendous 20-yard Sun Valley punt, the Tigers offense kicked into overdrive and put another 6 points on the scoreboard. Ryan White punched in the football from the Vanguard 9-yard line and, after the successful Anthony Nicolardi extra point, extended the lead to 14-0.
The 4th quarter would prove to be the most impressive for the Marple Newtown Tigers. The defense stopped the next two Vanguard drives, allowing just 24 yards on the first series, and only 6 yards on the next. Then, with the help of running back Mario Dioguardi, the offense turned it up a notch. Dioguardi took the hand-off at the Vanguard 38-yard line and carried the ball all the way to the end zone on an electrifying run. After the defense held Sun Valley to another 6-yard 3 and out, Dioguardi ran in another touchdown from the opponent’s 28-yard line.
An impressive night on both sides of the ball, The Marple Newtown offense finished with 262 yards and the defense held the Vanguards to just 118 total yards. All of the offensive yards came on the ground. Cimirrow Moat would finish with 100 yards off of 21 touches, and Dioguardi would end up with 126 yards on just 12 carries.
The Tigers (1-0) look to build off of their success as they host the Springfield Cougars (0-1) in their home opener at Harry Harvey Stadium this Friday.