WEST CATHOLIC 63, ARCHBISHOP CARROLL 12

Sept. 19th, 2008

Burrs Race to Convincing Victory

     Two weeks ago, the West Catholic football team suffered a heart-breaking defeat to the LaSalle Explorers. The loss broke a 13-game winning streak and dampened the spirits of many.  However, it didn’t take the talented Burrs long to remove that nasty taste from their mouths this past Friday night at Widener’s Quick Stadium. West throttled Archbishop Carroll, 63-12, to get back on the winning track, and more importantly, secure their first league win of the season.

     If you were a spectator at the game, then chances are that you missed a Burr score if you took time to use the bathroom or visit the concession stand. That’s how quick the offense did its damage!

     On just twenty-seven offensive plays the Burrs rolled to a staggering 563 yards of offense. Yes, that was good for 20.9 yards per play. The offense scored eight touchdowns in the game, while special teams added a ninth. Five of those offensive touchdowns occurred on the first play of a series. Another score came on the second play of a possession. Indeed, the Burrs were an impatient bunch in this game.

    Though, West only rushed the ball twenty-one times, ten different ball carriers took part in the action. No Burr had more than five carries and five different rushers paid visits to the end zone.

     The West offensive line of junior center Jake Zuzek, senior guards Paul Murtagh and Covisia Wilson, senior tackles Austin Peters and Victor McNair, and sophomore tight end Jim Lynch did a fantastic job in creating space for the Burr backfield throughout.

     Senior running back/defensive back Rob Hollomon was a two-way force all game long. His first carry, on West’s first offensive play, went for a 74-yard touchdown. His last carry, which occurred on the first play of the second half, traveled another 62 yards and a score. In between, he added another 74-yard touchdown on a kickoff return that gave the Burrs some breathing room after Carroll had closed to within, 7-6. All total, Hollomon accumulated 267 all-purpose yards (5 rushes for 149 yards) on just seven touches. Defensively, he added a pair of leaping interceptions and made a fumble recovery, all in the first half.

     Other Burrs to reach the end zone were: Senior fullback Juan Rozier (61-yard run), senior running back Raymond Maples (15-yard run), sophomore quarterback Kyle Heggs (1-yard run), sophomore fullback Leroy Wesley (70-yard run), and senior quarterback Curtis Drake (88-yard run). Drake (3-for-6, 91 yards) also struck through the air when he beautifully found senior wide receiver Eric Young on a 34-yard scoring strike.

    

    Defensively, West started off strong and then used an opportunistic approach to fend off the Patriot offense. Contributing sacks were Zuzek on the defensive line and junior linebacker Dante Dickens (6 tackles). From his linebacker position Maples forced a fumble. Sophomore linebacker Anthony McDonnaugh led with eight total stops. Defensive lineman junior John Ruppert, sophomore Ike Ugwu, and junior Dontae Lewis all made four tackles.

    

    Next week, the Burrs will take on a tough Archbishop Wood team. These teams have clashed for the last five Catholic League Blue titles. Though, they no longer will vie for such a crown, don’t expect the intensity of the two teams to subside even a little. The game is scheduled for 7 o’clock Friday night, at Charlie Martin Stadium at Northeast High School.