West Catholic Game Summary

10-25-09

West Catholic 28, Bishop McDevitt 12

Burrs Capture 4th Straight League Title

    A regular season league championship was on the line Sunday night at Cheltenham High School and for the fourth consecutive season the Burrs obtained that title. Behind a strong defensive effort, the Burrs knocked-off the host Lancers, 28-12, in a battle of league undefeated teams. 

     The West defense forced four three-and-outs and a fumble on McDevitt’s first five possessions. Ultimately, this led to great field position for the offense. After two possessions with the ball, the Burrs had built a 14-0 lead, as senior quarterback Jarred Evans and junior running back Joshua Mathis each scored a touchdown on 1-yard runs.

     The Burrs would make it a three score advantage late in the second quarter when Evans hooked-up with junior running back Brandon Hollomon for a 25-yard scoring strike. The play was huge, as it came on a fourth-and-goal play and followed a McDevitt sack. Hollomon made a tremendous catch near the sideline while in the end zone and under tight coverage. 

     The Lancers would grab some momentum before the intermission when they scored a touchdown with just 27 seconds left in the half. West entered the locker room with a comfortable 21-6 lead.

     When the second half started the Burrs’ offense sputtered through the third quarter. As the game moved into the final stanza, the Lancers would draw closer with 7:08 remaining. A 7-yard touchdown run moved the score to 21-12, but the Burrs stopped McDevitt twice on two-point conversions to keep the game at more than two scores.

     With the pressure mounting, the Burrs’ offense finally got rolling. West executed a timely 67-yard drive on seven plays after McDevitt’s score. Once again it was Hollomon supplying the dagger with a 28-yard dash to put the game out of reach. Just prior to that, Evans had found junior tight end Jim Lynch down the middle for a 30 yard gain to keep the Burrs’ drive alive. 

     The next two McDevitt drives would end with Burr interceptions by junior Lamont Davis and senior Ray Manuel.

     The defensive unit was stellar all evening long. McDevitt entered the game averaging over 241 yards per game on the ground, but the Burrs’ front seven limited them to just 31 yards on 30 carries and 111 total yards.

     Senior defensive end Brian Mosby was a reckon ball all night with nine total tackles (sack, 5 TFL’s). Senior Dante Dickens made five stops (3 TFL’s, sack, forced fumble). Lynch was effective from the end spot with five tackles and a fumble recovery. Junior linebacker Anthony McDonnaugh notched a sack. Meanwhile, senior defensive tackle John Ruppert made four tackles.

     Offensively, the Burrs were led by Hollomon (179 all-purpose yards) who rushed for 90 yards on 13 carries. Mathis added 50 yards on as many totes. Evans finished 6-for-11, for 111 yards. Junior wide receiver Quran Kent made four catches for 56 yards.

     Nest week, the Burrs’ second season will begin when they play Cardinal Dougherty in a PCL 2A first round playoff. Two weeks ago the Burrs shook off a sluggish start before beating the Cardinals going away, 57-19. The game will be Friday night at 7 o’clock, at Truman High School in Levittown.