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| August 17-Bishop McDevitt began the 2002 football season today in fine fashion, outscoring Conestoga Valley four touchdowns to none in the season’s opening scrimmage at McDevitt Field. The Crusader varsity tallied one score, with the remaining 3 touchdowns credited to the second team and the JV’s. On defense, Coach Jeff Weachter opened with Cedric Bowling and Jed Baker at Defensive End, and Quincy Garfield and Uriah Aviles at Tackle. Josh Martinko, Mike Dawson and Jesse Pitt started at Linebacker, with Ryan Williams and Eddie Rodriguez at Cornerback. Starting Safetys were Vince Beamer and Thomas Dunn. Weachter and Defensive Coordinator Shawn Lee substituted liberally, with C.J. Gruber (tackle), Justin Taylor (corner), Mark Accorsi (safety) and Doug Ritter (linebacker) seeing plenty of varsity action. In both of their 10-play series, the starting defense dominated, holding the Buckskins and their talented quarterback, Jordan Steffy, to less than 50 total yards and 4 first downs. Highlights included two violent, fumble-causing hits by Beamer, sacks by Bowling and Baker and aggressive corner work by Williams. The reserve and JV defenses were equally impressive. Accorsi, Curtis Flynn, Matt Yanich and Kris Scott came up with crowd-pleasing plays, as the JV caused 3 more fumbles. The defense even contributed a score, when Kent Staudt alertly scooped up a CV fumble and dashed 25 yards for the final touchdown of the scrimmage. |
NC State-recruit Marcus Stone started at Quarterback, with Pitt, Dawson and Bowling filling various spots in the backfield. Michael Mitchell and Martinko held down the Tight End spot, with Justin Crum and Jamie Thomas at the Tackles. Gruber and Garfield were an imposing pair at Guard, and Josh Stefanic started at center. Beamer, Accorsi, Dunn, Taylor and Chris Nauss held down the Wide Receiver position. In their two possessions, the varsity offense managed 154 yards and one score, on a flashy 67 yard run by Pitt. Other highlights were a 21 yard, Stone-to-Beamer strike in the first series, and a 30 yard Stone-to-Dunn play in the second. Stone finished 4 for 11, for 63 yards with one interception. Pitt led all ball carriers with 88 yards on 9 carries. The second team and the JV’s moved the ball impressively, on the ground and in the air. Backup QB Kevin Rombach had an outstanding day, throwing for two touchdowns. The first was a 65 yard pass to promising Freshman running back La Sean McCoy. Rombach’s second TD throw was a 21 yard dart to Greg Williams. Center Mike Berry and Running Backs McCoy and John Butler helped key the solid running game.
Injury Update
Junior Tackle Quincy Rain did not dress for the scrimmage, still bothered by a knee injury. Team Doctor Dan Kambic reported no injuries during the scrimmage, and noted the team reacted well to the 900 heat.
Quotes
Head Coach Jeff Weachter
I thought we were just a little nervous in our first series on both sides of the ball, although Beamer’s hit loosened things up a bit. In the second defensive series I saw a lot of good things. We’ve been working on the defense flying to the ball and we saw a lot of people around the football. Martinko lost 23 pounds this summer and he’s a lot quicker filling holes. Overall, the linebackers played well. Our corners were aggressive, but still need some work on their technique. They’ll get better as the season goes on.
On offense, I thought overall our offensive line played well, especially the pass blocking. We ran the ball as much as we wanted to. I was pleased with the effort the guys gave us, especially Jesse Pitt. We need to get the timing down on our passing game a little bit, but we keep improving.
Offensive Line Coach Steve Spoljarac
If our big guys continue to wear down the other team’s defensive line, Marcus will have another big year. This was a good first step, but we still have a lot of work to do. We have a good attitude on this team right now.
DT/OG Quincy Garfield
We’re still learning and we’re not up to game speed just yet. We’ve conditioned hard this week, so we’re used to the heat. I was happy with the way we played.
LB/DB Mike Dawson
We need to stay focused, keep working hard. We still need more conditioning, but the coaches are taking it hard on us so we’re getting better every day. The key for us is to keep working together.
LB/RB Jesse Pitt
I think the season is going good so far. Our defense played really good; it’s all about discipline. It’s a big improvement from last season.Our timing is a little bit off on offense now but we’ll get better. The heat didn’t bother us at all.
DT/OG C.J. Gruber
I think we did well but there’s always room for improvement. We’ve made great strides from last year. It’s always gonna be hot out this time of year; you can’t let it bother you. We’re taking it one day at a time.
DE/OT Jed Baker
I’m not a talker. I’m not saying anything.
QB Marcus Stone
Practice is a big change. We’re upbeat, no fooling
around, everybody ready to go play hard. Coach is good with pushing us
in the heat, so we were ready today. I need to pick up my reads a little
better, but that’s what scrimmages are for. The offensive line? A dramatic
change. I had plenty of time out there. If anybody should be credited today,
it’s them. They’ve been really working in the heat and it paid off today.