FOOTBALL: Defense, special teams set up Pottsgrove in win over Upper Merion

by ed morlock

LOWER POTTSGROVE >> Pottsgrove got the ball six times in the first half of its Pioneer Athletic Conference Frontier Division game against Upper Merion Friday night. The Falcons ran 26 offensive plays across the opening 24 minutes and gained 77 yards.

They scored 27 points.

Special teams and defense created plenty of opportunities and allowed the Falcons to build a 21-point halftime lead before cruising to a 38-20 win over the Vikings at Pottsgrove Senior High School.

“(Special teams) is really a big emphasis at practice and during the week,” Pottsgrove’s Bryce Caffery said. “Earlier in the season we had some issues with special teams, but now we’re starting to figure it out, all playing together. I think that’s a big part of it.”

Caffery gave the offense two short fields with a pair of electrifying punt returns, Riley Delp recovered a fumble in the end zone and Brandon McGinley returned an interception to Upper Merion’s 5-yard line to account for the Falcons (4-4, 2-2 PAC Frontier) four touchdowns and 27-6 lead in the first half.

After the teams traded three-and-outs to start the game, Caffery returned a punt 53 yards inside the Vikings’ 10-yard line. Three plays later, quarterback Gabriel Rinda ran for a four-yard touchdown.

“I’m just seeing the hole and taking it,” Caffery said, “taking whatever I can get. If there’s a hole I take it. If someone’s in my way I lower my shoulder and get what I can get.”

Early in the second quarter, Caffery returned a punt 15 yards to Upper Merion’s 39. On 4th-and-goal from the 15, Rinda hit Tommy Sambrick in the end zone for a score and 14-6 lead.

Upper Merion’s ensuing possession got to midfield, but a 3rd-and-9 loss of eight yards and three consecutive unsportsmanlike conduct penalties resulted in a player being ejected and a 4th-and-52 from their own 7-yard line. The snap got away from the punter and Delp eventually jumped on the loose ball for a touchdown and 20-6 advantage.

“I was just at the right place at the right time,” Delp said. “That’s my guys making him fumble. It’s not me – I’m just recovering the ball.”

“I don’t want to say that was the game because we had some guys who came out and fought in the second half,” Upper Merion coach Davis Chubb said, “but it didn’t help. Those are little things. I found out I didn’t have a kicker or punter (Thursday) at two o’clock, so that was the reason for a lot of special teams gaffes – that’s unfortunate. Little things, man. You’re not going to win a whole lot if you can’t get in the end zone from the two-yard line. We’ve got a group of guys that have to learn to practice the whole week, be on time, be available, be ready to go and we’re struggling with that right now.”

The Falcons added one more score in the first half after McGinley grabbed an interception around midfield and brought it back to the five. Caffery ran for a touchdown on the first play to send his side to the locker room ahead by three touchdowns, 27-6.

“(Short fields) get our line and everyone hyped,” Caffery said. “We’re in good field position to get points on the board. That’s all we want as a team.”

Caffery had one more special teams play in him. He had a 42-yard punt downed at the Upper Merion 2-yard line at the beginning of the fourth quarter. Two plays later, the defense was celebrating a safety and 32-14 lead. The three-possession lead and getting the ball with less than 10 minutes left essentially sealed the win.

Upper Merion (2-6, 1-3 PAC Frontier) was a bit shorthanded on special teams without their kicker and punter, senior Cyrus Palladino.

“It was open tryout (Thursday) and we didn’t have a lot to go on when we have one practice to figure it out,” Chubb said. “We were trying our best and I give credit to the guys I put out there, they’re willing to do it, but that’s tough. People don’t understand – the NFL has taken away special teams other than field goals from 50, 60 yards – but special teams in high school is unbelievably crucial.”

Despite the loss, the Vikings had a strong showing from a pair of sophomores. Zahaid Edwards caught three passes for 75 yards and a touchdown and was ruled out of bounds for a near-touchdown later in the game. Kylee Hill returned a kickoff 99 yards for a touchdown.

“We’ve got a few sophomores that keep showing up every week,” Chubb said. “Zahaid – I know what he can do offensively – I was even more impressed with him defensively, coming down making plays in the alley. Kylee Hill is another guy – kid’s a gamer. He’s going to give you everything he’s got all the time. We’ve got some young guys we’re building around and that’s an exciting thing. There’s definitely hope, we just have to get ourselves to a place to know that we have to work hard for an entire week of practice. That’s what we’re lacking right now.”

Pottsgrove 38, Upper Merion 20

Upper Merion 6 0 8 6 – 20

Pottsgrove 7 20 3 8 – 38

Scoring

First quarter

P – Gabriel Rinda 4-yard run (Cole Williams kick) 7:59

UM – Zahaid Edwards 26-yard reception from Jackson Solley (2-point failed) 4:59

Second Quarter

P – Tommy Sambrick 15-yard reception from Gabriel Rinda (Cole Williams kick) 7:24

P – Riley Delp 0-yard fumble recovery (kick failed) 5:22

P – Bryce Caffery 5-yard run (Cole Williams kick) 3:45

Third Quarter