Late scores gives Marple Newtown the victory over Harriton

Duffy’s daring dashes were the difference for the Marple Maulers this past Friday night. Thanks to this energetic running back’s noble efforts (235 yards on 41 rushing attempts, 3 touchdowns) Marple Newtown dispatched visiting Harriton 28-20 at Harry Harvey Field. The Tigers did not have an easy time of it besting this feisty foe though. The rugged Rams refused to go easily and kept the pressure up throughout the frosty fall evening. At the end of the first quarter the score was 7-6 in favor of Marple Newtown.

When intermission beckoned the Tigers were able to increase that margin only slightly to 14-12. Finally, in the third quarter Marple Newtown was able to put some breathing room between themselves and Harriton when Duffy ran in on a two yard scamper about half way though that period. Then in the fourth quarter the Tiger tailback gave his squad a lot of momentum and a nice 16 point cushion when he replicated his third quarter feat with another modest (but vitally important) 2 yard run to give Marple a 28-12 lead.

Harriton registered the first score of the game with a 32 yard touchdown run with 9:42 left in the first quarter. However, Ryan White (34 yards on 8 carries) responded with a 1 yard run to give Marple a 7-6 lead with 2:25 remaining. The Rams were unfazed. They came back with another score to grab a 12-7 advantage. Duffy then came through with his first score with just two minutes left before half time. That allowed Marple to march to the locker room with a 14-12 lead.

Duffy registered a pair of touchdowns in the second half, one in the third quarter and his final one in the fourth. Those scores seemed to settle down the Tigers and take some wind out of Harriton’s sails.

In other Central League games last Friday night, Matt Craig scored five touchdowns and rushed for 221 yards (on 12 carries) to lead Springfield past Radnor 42-12.

Strath Haven cruised by Penncrest, 35-7, as Thurman Fortune ran for 192 yards (on 28 rushing attempts) and scored three touchdowns. Penncrest’s Juhwan Young rushed for 59 yards in the setback.

Ridley routed Garnet Valley 38-0 as Shahaid Smith rushed for 194 yards (on 23 carries) and a pair of touchdowns. He was not the only Green Raider who enjoyed a good evening. Teammate Jalen Randolph rushed for two touchdowns and 54 yards in the victory.

Upper Darby dropped a non-league game to Salesianum, 42-0.

In Del Val league action, Penn Wood moved one step closer to a title with an, 18-9, win over Academy Park. Kavonne Nottingham ran for 126 yards and two touchdowns. Kali Smith also scored for the Patriots.

Interboro lost a heartbreaker, 28-27, in overtime. The Bucs battled Glen Mills tooth and nail throughout the long, grueling contest. Mitch Helmandollar rushed for 84 yards and a touchdown. In overtime with Glen Mills leading 27-20 Interboro rallied for a touchdown and then decided to go for the win with a two point conversion. Unfortunately, the effort went incomplete and the Bucs were saddled with a very gut wrenching loss.

In Catholic League play Bonner thumped Carroll, 41-14, behind a great, all round effort. Several Friars contributed to the win in significant ways. Quarterback Sean Quarterman passed for 154 yards and two touchdowns. Running backs Jamie Juisti (92 yards, 2 touchdowns) and Ismir Gibson (91 yards, TD) complemented Quarterman’s adroit aerial attack. The victory means that Bonner (1-2 League; 5-4 overall) will take on O’Hara (2-1; 8-1 overall) in the first round of the Catholic League playoffs.

Unfortunately, for O’Hara they ran into a buzz saw called Archbishop Wood last Saturday. . I had thought that the Lions would be able to vanquish the favored (and slightly higher ranked) Vikings. O’Hara, hampered by injuries to some key players, did give their guests all they could handle. The final score of 48-34 indicates how competitive this contest was.

However, in a reversal from the ancient days of the Roman Coliseum, these Lions did not devour people. In this latter day clash, the Peoples – that is the dynamic and dashing duo, first cousins, Brandon and Desmond Peoples – teamed up for over 500 all purpose yards and five of Wood’s seven touchdowns. O’Hara rallied several times, tying the score in the second quarter 20-20 and then making things close in the third at 41-34. But a triumph was not to be O’Hara’s.

Sun Valley lost to West Chester Rustin 46-0. The game marked the debut of freshman quarterback, T.J. Mancini, who passed for 24 yards under intense pressure from a very tough Golden Knights’ defense.