West Catholic Game Summary

9-26-09

West Catholic 42, Archbishop Carroll 7

West Rains on Carroll’s Upset Bid

     On a wet and rainy night in Radnor the Burrs wasted little time letting their opponent know that they are still the team to beat in the Catholic League AA division. The Burrs scored the game’s first five touchdowns and only 19 seconds into the second half put the game into mercy rule status. They eventually left Prevost Field with a convincing, 42-7 victory.

     After the defense forced a three-and-out, the Burrs’ offense wasted little time finding the end zone. On their first offensive play, senior quarterback Jarred Evans beautifully executed a dump pass to a wide open junior tight end Jim Lynch (2-91). Lynch rumbled, and rumbled, and rumbled some more down the left sideline for a 72-yard touchdown.

     The next time the Burrs had the ball they only needed to move forty-three yards for their second score in as many possessions. Junior running back Joshua Mathis carried three times to cover the yardage. His last run went for a 9-yard score. As it turns out, Mathis would just be getting started.

     The diminutive speedster would go onto score four more touchdowns for the Burrs. All total, he carried just eight times for 161 yards. His other scoring runs covered 13, 1, 1, and 76 yards. His fourth touchdown made the score, 35-0, and was set-up by his 79-yard kickoff return to begin the second half.

     For the game the Burrs accumulated 357 yards of offense, including 256 on the ground. Evans managed a combined 149 yards of rushing and passing.

     The offensive line is nicely rounding into shape and was very instrumental in tonight’s win. Members here include: Sophomore center Dominic DiGalbo, senior guards Jake Zuzek and Marcus Burwell, senior tackle Erik Harper and junior tackle Rodney Linder, and Lynch at tight end.

     Defensively, the Burrs were solid for the most part and only a couple of times were they beaten for significant plays. Tackles Zuzek and senior John Ruppert each made five tackles. Ruppert, as well as sophomore Devante Ford recovered fumbles. Senior linebacker Jeremy Richardson forced a fumble. All total, twenty-four different Burrs were in on tackles.

     After a one-game absence due to an ankle injury West welcomed back senior kicker Tim Carroll. It was good to see him back too, as Carroll converted all six of his point-after attempts.

     Next week, the Burrs will play their last non-league game of the season when they travel to Wissahickon High School to take on familiar foe, Archbishop Wood. The Vikings (2-2) are coming off a 16-0 win over Pennridge H.S. Last season the Vikings were state runner-ups at the AAA level. The Burrs and Vikings played against one another in five straight Catholic League title games from ’03-to-’07. So, these teams know each other well and the game is always a highly-contested affair. Game time is set for 1 o’clock.