Where There's a Will, FB 2006

NOV. 10

CATHOLIC RED FIRST ROUND

La Salle 39, O’Hara 38

For the fourth time in two years the La Salle Explorers and the Cardinal O’Hara Lions would meet on the football field. Last season the Lions swept the Explorers. This season La Salle entered the game looking for the sweep. Jr. LB Andrew Wood got LS on the board first when he recovered an O’H fumble and returned it 13 yards for an touchdown. The PAT by SR Ryan Cain was good, giving LS a 7-0 lead. O’H tied the game when SO QB Tom Savage hooked up with SO RB Billy Morgan, who made an outstanding grab for an 18- yard touchdown. The PAT by Tom DuBois was good for a 7-7 tie. A 35-yard punt by SR Joe Colleluori pinned LS down inside their 2 yard line. O’H capitalized on 3rd down when JR LB Mike Grunde brought down SR RB Chris Ashley for a safety and a 9-7 lead. LS struck first in the second half when JR QB John Harrison entered the game after missing the 1st half for an unknown reason. Harrison hit SR WR Jack Forster for an 18-yard touchdown and the PAT was money, giving LS the 14-9 lead. On the ensuing kickoff the ball bounced off and O’Hara up man and from my vantage point it looked like O’H had gotten ball. But the officials didn't see it my way, giving LS the ball on the O’H 44. Three plays later Harrison found JR WR Joe Migiliarese for a 9-yard TD. O’H responded with a 6- play, 73-yard drive. The big play came when Savage hooked up with JR WR DB Chris Smith for a 57-yard gain to the LS 1. Two plays later SO RB Evan Higgins plowed his way in from 1 yard out and La Salle's lead was cut to 21-16. The next LS drive ended when Colleluori came off the end and delivered a bone-rattling hit to Harrison that made him fumble. The recovery went to Grunde, who returned for 7 yards and gave O’H the ball at the LS 22. However, O'H was unable to get points off the turnover. O’H would take the lead on the second play of the 4th quarter when Savage threw a jump ball for 6'7 TE Mark Wedderburn, who was matched up with 5'10 DB Rob Saraceni. Wedderburn came down with the ball for an 21 yard touchdown. O’H coach Dan Algeo decided to try and move O’H within a 3-point deficit and it paid off as Savage and Wedderburn got together again. LS tied the game on its next drive when Cain nailed a 20-yard field goal that capped a 13-play, 64-yard drive. On the ensuing O’H drive, LS took the lead when JR DB Matt Day intercepted Savage and returned it 48 yards for the touchdown. Freshman RB Corey Brown got through the LS defense for a 7- yard score and the PAT was good, tying the game at 31 and things into overtime. LS won the toss and chose to go on defense first. On the second play of the OT, Brown showed his speed by getting in from 15 yards out. The PAT was good. On 4th and goal Harrison would hit Migilarese for an 2 yard TD. Cain came out and lined up for the PAT but O’H tried to ice the kicker by calling the timeout. After having the timeout to think about it, LS decided to go for the win by going for two. It paid off as Harrison and Migilarese again hooked up, giving LS the 39-38 victory and date with Roman in the semifinal.

NOV. 3
CATHOLIC RED
SJ Prep 42, O'Hara 7

Usually when the Hawks of St. Joe's Prep and the Lions of Cardinal O’Hara meet, it's to decide who will be the number 1 and 2 seeds in the playoffs and the winner of the Red Division title. Not this year. The Hawks came in having already clinched their 7th straight Red Division Regular season crown. The Lions came in fighting for their playoff lives. After having some trouble fielding the opening kickoff, Prep showed why they are considered to be one of the top teams in the state as on the first play of the game Sr QB Chris Whitney showed off his cannon as he hit Jr WR Brett Tiagwad in mid-stride for an 82 yard touchdown. The PAT by Tim Edger was good, giving SJP 7-0 lead. After forcing the Lions into a three-and-out, the Prep took over and drove down to the O’H 15 yard line where Edger nailed a 32-yard field goal to make it 10-0. On the next possession, Whitney hit SR WR Brian Brinkmann for a 30-yard TD and the PAT was good for a 17-0 lead. Jr RB Jamir Livingston added a 1-yard TD run and that, along with the PAT, gave Prep a 24-0 lead. Sr RB John Dempsey, who might be the fastest running back in the Catholic League, busted loose and took off down the O’H sideline for a 79-yard TD. The PAT by Tom DuBois was good, cutting the Prep lead to 24-7. Prep would respond has Whitney found Brinkmann again, this time for 18 yards for a TD and a 31-7 lead. Edger added a 37 yard field goal, giving SJP a 34-7 lead at the half. After a scoreless third quarter, Livingston capped off the scoring with a 4-yard scamper and the PAT was good, giving Prep the 41-7 victory. The victory wrapped up the 7th consecutive season without a loss in the division for the Prep. This was the last home game for the Lions and I would like to thank the chain crew of Mr. McMonigle and Mr. Murray for helping out with the chains this year. The Lions will do battle with the La Salle Explorers at Northeast High on Friday at 7.

OCT. 22

CATHOLIC RED

O’Hara 28, Bonner 6

You know the saying that whenever rivals meet you can throw out the teams records? This match-up was no different. In one corner you had the Cardinal O’Hara Lions, who entered the game 2-5 overall and 1-3 in Catholic Red play. In the other corner was O’Hara’s rival, the Monsignor Bonner Friars, who entered 0-7 overall and 0-4 in CL Red play. In these types of games you never know who will have a big game. Today’s winner of the big game award is O’H SR WR Brandon Royal (6'2 165), a Drexel Hill native who played his youth ball for St. Dot's then spent his freshman year at Bonner before transferring to O’Hara to finish his high school career. What did Royal do? Well he set a career high with 2 receptions for 93 yards and a touchdown. The Lions struck first on their second drive, on which they went 86 yards on 3 plays. The big play came when SO QB Tom Savage (also from St. Dot's) found Royal, who made the catch then let his speed do the rest, taking a pass for a 64-yard touchdown and first career varsity TD. The PAT by Tom DuBois was good, giving O’H a 7-0 lead. O’H forced the Friars' offense to punt the ball three times, and forced a turn-it-over-on-downs on the 4 MB first half drives. The Lions came out even more fired up in the second half. On the third play of the half, SR LB/DB Sean Lyons delivered a bone-rattling hit to Matt McGillian. After a MB punt put O’H at their own 30, Villanova recruit Sr RB/DB John Dempsey got through the defensive line and then it was off to the races for a 70 yard touchdown. The PAT was good, giving O’H 14-0 lead. Bonner would get on the board on the ensuing kickoff as Mike Curran took it to house for an 89-yard touchdown. The PAT was blocked by Bill McMonigle. O’H 14-6. Jr RB/DB Steve Werner would add to the Lions lead with a 12-yard TD run and the PAT was good, giving O’H 21-6 lead. With under two minutes left in the game Dempsey would put the final nail in the coffin as he scored from 7 yards out. This PAT also was money. After the game Royal credited WR Coach Greg "Bubba" Bernhardt, a Bonner grad, for helping him to be able to step up. Dempsey said of Royal, "He’s a hard worker during practice and is a big-play threat." O’Hara coach Dan Algeo is happy for Royal. Up next for the Lions is a date with Roman Catholic on Saturday night at 7 pm at Northeast High School.

OCT. 14

CATHOLIC RED

O’Hara 14, Ryan 13
For the first time in years the Cardinal O’Hara Lions were in need of a win to keep their playoff hopes alive. Their opponent for the game, the Archbishop Ryan Raiders, were also in desperate need of a win. Ryan struck first on their second drive of the game when Rus Slawter hit Nick Ferdinand for a 19 yard TD. The PAT by Bill George was good, giving AR a 7-0 lead. O’H would respond in the second quarter when SO QB Tom Savage dove across the goal line from a yard out. The PAT by Tom DuBois was good, tying the game at 7. Ryan would get on the board first in the second half when Slawter found Anthony Vinciguerra, who just got the ball across the goal line. On the PAT SR LB/P Joe Colleluori and SR RB/DB John Dempsey got through the line which allowed Colleluori to block the PAT, keeping Ryan's lead at 13-7. Late in the 4th quarter it looked as if Ryan was gonna run out the clock, but Bob Kilchrist fumbled the ball and SO LB Anthony McCloskey recovered at Ryan’s 30. O’H would capitalize on the turnover when Savage hit a wide open JR WR Chris Smith in the end zone for a TD. The PAT was good, giving O’H the 14-13 lead. Ryan’s attempt to win the game ended when George's field goal try fell short, giving O’H the 14-13 win. Up next for the Lions is a date with arch rival Monsignor Bonner Friars on Sunday at 1 pm at Upper Darby HS.

OCT. 8
CATHOLIC RED
La Salle 24, O'Hara 7
For the first time in this TS.com reporter's career, he made his way over to Springfield Delco. The match up for this event was the La Salle Explorers and the Cardinal O’Hara Lions. Both QBs were sacked on the their opening drive as sr. DE Joe Goldschmidt dropped jr. QB John Harrison for an 11-yard lost, forcing LS to punt, and so. QB Tom Savage was sacked by sr. DL Zach Gilbert for an 8 yard lost. Jr. DB Steve Werner ended the Explorers' next drive when he intercepted Jack Forster on a wide receiver reverse pass giving O’H the ball at their own 25. However, it was La Salle that would get on the board first with a 21-yard field goal by Ryan Cain; it capped a 14-play, 59-yard drive. O’H would get on the board when Savage sneaked in from a yard out on 4th and goal. The PAT by Tom DuBois was good giving O’H the 7-3 lead. LS responded on the next drive, driving 75 yards in 9 plays. The drive was capped when Harrison found Forster for a 13-yard TD and the PAT was good to give LS the 10-7 lead at halftime. In the 3rd quarter both teams traded punts and Forster even launched a 62-yarder. On the first play of the 4th quarter, Harrison found Forster for a 3 yard TD the PAT was good giving LS a 17-7 lead. Joe Perese capped off the scoring with a 27-yard TD and the PAT was good, giving LS the 24-7 victory. Up next for the Lions are the Raiders of Archbishop Ryan on Saturday afternoon at George Washington High School at 2 p.m., while the Explorers will take on the Bonner Friars on Friday night at Springfield Montco. Kickoff is set for 7 pm. Once again I had the pleasure of working the game with my two heroes, Ted and John Lohn from the Delaware County Daily Times. I also had the pleasure of meet Ted’s son, Kevin, and fellow statman Amauro.

SEPT. 22
CATHOLIC RED
Judge 35, O'Hara 28

To say the least the last two times the Crusaders and the Lions met the games were close. Jr Andrew McHale set the tone early by returning the opening kickoff 38 yards to midfield. Seven plays later Jr QB Paul Volpe found SO WR Tom Ryan in the end zone for a 14 yard TD the PAT was good, giving FJ a 7-0 lead. O’Hara would respond by taking their opening drive 66 yards on ten plays. SO RB Evan Higgins' 7-yard run capped the drive and the PAT by Tom DuBois was good to create a tie at 7-7. In the last minute of the 1st quarter, Judge's Dan Luberski attempted a 32-yard FG, which was wide right. O’H would capitalize on the missed FG. The Lions drove 86 yards in 10 plays. SO Tom Savage found Jr TE Mark Wedderburn for an 18-yard touchdown the PAT was good, giving O’H a 14-7 lead. Judge would respond on a Jim Lavelle 4 yard run the PAT was good tying the game at 14. Lavelle finished the game with 170 yards on 25 carries. The Crusaders would strike first in the second half has Volpe found Ryan again this time it was 8 yards the PAT was good giving FJ a 21-14 lead. The Lions would again quickly respond on the second play following the Judge TD. Savage found Jr WR Chris Smith across the middle for a 47 yard TD the PAT no good cutting down FJ's lead to 21-20. Chris Dowling would add to the Judge lead with a 2 yard TD run the PAT was good giving FJ 28-20 lead. That was only the beginning of the most exciting 3 minutes in high school football. Savage had a tough test of leading the Lions back into the game, but he was up to it as he found SR WR T.J. Long for a gain of 50 yard to put the Lions at the Judge 5 yard line. One play later Savage found Wedderburn for a 4-yard TD and the Lions were forced to go for two. Savage found Wedderburn in the back of the end zone, tying the game at 28-28. On the ensuing kickoff McHale would strike again, returning the kick for an 87-yard touchdown. The PAT gave FJ the 35-28 win. Up next for the Lions is the North Catholic Falcons on Saturday at 1 pm.

SEPT. 8
NON-LEAGUE
O'Hara 14, North Penn 0
This game between the visiting North Penn Knights and the Cardinal O’Hara Lions, played at Widener University, matched up a pair of 0-1 teams. For this game the Lions would have to do without Sr RB DB John Dempsey, who was sidelined with an injury. O’Hara wanted to set the tone early and that was what they did. On the opening drive, the Lions drove 90 yards on 17 plays a drive that took 6:53 off the clock. On that drive O’H was led by So RBs Billy Morgan and Evan Higgins and Fr RB Corey Brown, as the trio accounted for 67 of the 90 yards. On a fourth-and-four at the NP 29, So QB Tom Savage hit Jr TE Mark Wedderburn for a 14-yard play that set up Morgan’s 6-yard touchdown run. The PAT by Tom Dubois was good, giving OH a 7-0 lead. The Lions' defense got pressure on QB Kyle Feiser, resulting in a sack by Jr LB Mike Grunde. In the second quarter the Lion defense continue to flex their muscles, only allowing the Knights to two first downs in the first half. In the fourth quarter O'H was faced with another 4th down and five yards. O'H decided to go for it and, boy, did it pay off as Savage connected with Jr WR Chris Smith for a 35-yard touchdown. The PAT was good, giving O'H a 14-0 lead. The defense continue their dominance in the second half as Sr DE Joe Goldschmidt, Jr DE Bill McMonigle, Sr DT Andrew Neubauer and So DT Dennis Mushrush kept getting pressure on Feiser . Jr DB Pat Daly interception at the O'H 16 to preserve the shutout for the Lions. After the game Goldschmidt said, "This was a great win. It got the team's morale up heading into next week." Coach Danny Algeo basically echoed Joe's remarks by saying, "We didn’t want to go into Ohio at 0-2." Up next for the Lions is a trip out to Cincinnati to take part in the Kirk Herbstreit Ohio vs. USA where they will take on the Colerain Cardinals, who enter the match-up averaging 54 points per game. Kickoff is set for 8:30 pm Friday night at the University of Cincinnati's Nippert Stadium.

SEPT. 2
NON-LEAGUE
Easton 6, O'Hara 0
As hard as Tropical Storm Ernesto tried, he couldn’t postpone the 2006 Cardinal O’Hara Lions' season opener vs. The Easton Red Rovers. The Red Rovers came into this game with heavy hearts, as this would be the there first game since the death of a teammate. The anticipation for this game had been building up since July. Early on, the Red Rover defense set the tone getting pressure on So. QB Tom Savage, and that resulted in a sack on the very first drive of the season. In the first quarter both defenses flexed their muscles forcing the teams to trade punts. O’Hara’s best chance to score came in the second quarter when Sr. DE Joe Goldschmidt recovered a fumble on the Easton 21 yard line. But the offense just could not put any points on the board. The half came with the same numbers on the board as when the game started -- zeroes. In the third quarter, Easton put the only points up on the board when Jules Knighton got through the line and blocked a Joe Colleluori punt, which was picked up at O’Hara's 22 by Wyatt DiLauro. He took it in from there and the PAT failed. Late in the 4th quarter, Jr. RB-DB Jarrett Holley, who is considered the best junior in the state by some, intercepted a Savage pass in the end zone to preserve the Red Rovers' 6-0 victory. Up next for the Lions are the North Penn Knights on Friday night at 7:30, at Widener.