McCoy Runs Wild in 41-21 Win
The McDevitt defense had another fine game, limiting the CV ground attack to 89 yards and creating 4 turnovers. Tucker had a big day at linebacker, registering 2 sacks as well as a number of tackles for losses. Defensive backs Vince Comasco and Greg Williams contributed interceptions to give the Crusader offense a shortcut to the goal line, and Eric McGovern added big hits from his safety position. Defensive linemen Jason Kates, Sebastian Sullivan, Pat Berry and David Dunn were successful in containing CV quarterback Jordan Abner while keeping constant pressure on the junior signal-caller. Abner completed a third of his 39 pass attempts
After Gerard Oliver’s 10 yard return of the opening kickoff spotted the ball on the McDevitt 34, McCoy followed the powerful Tucker through the CV line on the first play from scrimmage and burst into the secondary. Sliding past Mike Goldston’s downfield block, McCoy streaked into the end zone and, after Mike Comasco’s successful PAT, McDevitt had a 7-0 lead only 17 seconds into the game. The Eagle’s first series netted a couple of first downs before Dunn’s sack of Abner stalled the drive. Ricker’s only major mistake of the game came on the possession that followed, as he threw an interception to the Crusader 35 yard line. The defense stopped CV on downs, though, and McDevitt regained possession at its own 34. A key 15 yard Ricker-to-Berry connection resulted in a first down at midfield, and 2 plays later it was Shady time again. From the 40, he dashed straight upfield for a 40 yard touchdown jaunt and a 14-0 McDevitt lead with 2:54 left in the opening quarter. The Crusader “D” forced another punt, this time to the home team’s 45. McDevitt looked to stretch the lead even further when Ricker hooked up with Berry for a 40 yard gain to the Eagle 15, but Berry fumbled on the play and CV recovered. The Eagles were grounded by another sack, by Tucker, and the quarter ended on a booming 58 yard Eagle punt.
The
second quarter started poorly for McDevitt. After gaining a first down on an
Oliver run, consecutive bad snaps in the shotgun formation cost the Crusaders a
staggering 34 yards in losses. Ricker, punting from his own end zone, kicked to
the McDevitt 40, but Bubba Heisler returned it to the 18. Five plays later
Cumberland Valley was on the scoreboard, on the strength of a 1 yard Andy Casale
run that narrowed the Crusader lead to 14-7. The Eagle defense then forced a
punt, but Ricker boomed a 49 yarder to the CV 11. Four plays later CV tried an
inside handoff that was fumbled, and Dunn recovered at the Eagle 16. Ricker then
targeted Brandon Brown on a slant, but the usually sure-handed Junior couldn’t
make the catch. Not to worry, though, because, on the next play, McCoy ducked
under a would-be tackler and scampered 15 yards for his third score of the half.
Again it looked like McDevitt would blow the game open when the Eagles fumbled
the ensuing kickoff and Matt Vargo pounced on the loose ball at the CV 25.
Ricker then lofted a pass to the corner of the end zone. Jimmy Owen made a
brilliant diving effort and caught it, but the ball was jarred loose as he
landed. On the next play McCoy circled left end for 9 yards but fumbled at the
16 and CV recovered. The Eagles managed a couple of first down before the end of
the half, but McDevitt took a 21-7 lead into the locker room at halftime.
The Eagles returned the 3rd quarter kickoff to the CV 32 and promptly gained a first down on 2 running plays. When Abner attempted a pass on the next play, Tucker flattened him for a 7 yard loss. Then Abner tried to hit Heisler in the right flat, but Vince Comasco intercepted at the McDevitt 42 and returned it 18 yards to the CV 40. On the first play after the turnover, McCoy followed another booming Tucker block and raced to a 40 yard score at the 9:08 mark in the third quarter. Now trailing 28-7, things went from bad to worse for the Eagles. First the CV return man slipped down at his own 10 yard line on the kickoff. Then Abner tried a pass over the middle, but Greg Williams made the pick at the 25 and brought it back to the CV 17. The Eagle defense stiffened, however, forcing a 32 yard field goal attempt by Mike Comasco, which was wide right. The Eagles couldn’t advance, thanks to a couple of key tackles by McGovern, and punted to the McDevitt 36. After a 2 yard McCoy run, Ricker passed to Derek Michtich and the rugged tight end rumbled 22 yards for the first down. McCoy followed with a swerving 13 yard run, and then Oliver gained 2. Shady then added another 13 yards to the record book and the Crusaders had reached the CV 12. Two plays later McDevitt faced a third-and-13. Ricker dropped back to pass and, aided by good pass protection, calmly waited for Aaron Berry to cross the field from left to right. He fired the ball to the wide-open Berry and the fleet receiver cradled it in the corner of the end zone to bulge the Crusader lead to 34-7 with 50 seconds remaining in the 3rd quarter.
The final stanza began with Cumberland Valley driving 59 yards in 8 plays. The drive ended with a 2 yard scoring run by Mitch Kislan and McDevitt’s lead was now 34-14. At this point the Crusaders, with a 20 point fourth quarter lead, were looking to keep the ball and let the clock run, but CV was determined to regain possession. The Eagles sacked Ricker to force a McDevitt punt and CV regained control of the ball at its own 42. The Eagle offense went nowhere, however, and a sack by Sullivan capped a strong showing by the McDevitt “D”. CV punted to the McDevitt 25 and McCoy’s return spotted the ball at the 37. The Crusaders were then successful in burning time off the clock, sticking to running plays by McCoy and Oliver and using 6 plays to advance to the CV 40. On a 4th-and 2 play, McCoy appeared to have a first down on a dive, but a puzzling spot by the referees allowed Cumberland Valley to take possession with under 3 minutes left. Abner quickly dropped back and hit Greg Herrold for a 61 yard scoring play. Now trailing by 13 points with 2:28 left in the game, the Eagles attempted an onside kick. John Butler was ready for the play, though, and covered the bouncing pigskin at midfield. After 2 runs netted 12 yards, McCoy put the finishing touch on a brilliant performance by weaving 38 yards for his 5th touchdown of the game. The Crusaders denied the Eagles on the final series and celebrated a hard-fought win.
McDevitt’s next game is Friday, November 5th, at Chambersburg. If the Crusaders win they will clinch a playoff spot for the first time since 1997. Game time is 7:30 PM.
QUOTES
Head Coach Jeff Weachter
We did make some mistakes today but we cut them down a lot. I told the team all week but especially last night: we have the passing game, we have the best running back in the state, and our defense is getting better each week. It’s the line that’s keeping us from being a very good football team. When we can run like we did today that really opens up the passing game. Once we got the lead, other than the tight end dump to Michtich and the wheel route to Aaron to score, we just wanted to run the ball. We knew that they were a comeback team so that’s what we wanted to do. When we got up 28-7 we wanted to run clock. When the line plays like that then this offense is very tough to stop and our passing game on a dry field will be tough to stop, too. Last week when we got behind early we had to throw the ball on just about every down. Now I know everybody wants to see Shady run on every play but you can’t do that. You have to back some people off. I’m just proud of the team. The boys, well, I’m real proud of them. This win meant a lot to Pat Berry. He coached with Tim and Garry and Pat has been such a Godsend to us. Pat and the rest of his staff do such a great job of preparation and they know how to make adjustments. Pat was very intense this week because he’d never beaten Tim and Garry, so we’re all real happy for Pat. I thought Vince Comasco had a great coverage game. You know, those big receivers are tough to defend, especially on those jump balls, and Vince did a great job. Jimmy Owen hasn’t played any defense all year, and today he stepped in at free safety and did a great job for us. I told the kids to enjoy the weekend because it’s a short week and Monday we have to get back to work.
Assistant Coach Pat Berry
I thought we played a great defensive game and the offense really helped us out driving that ball time and time again. It was just a good day for McDevitt football. We got beat deep a little bit at the end but things like that are going to happen. I’m just proud of the kids right now. To be honest, I didn’t call one defensive blitz today. We had it set up that we were going to blitz in certain formations and the kids just did the job. It’s a real neat system when it’s working because you give the power to the kids on the field and they did a great job with it. For Chambersburg next week, we have to come ready to play. This is big.
T Nate Dade
I’m pretty satisfied with how we played today. Whenever my guys get big numbers I’m really satisfied. Cumberland Valley was all right. Not to take anything away from them, they’re a good team, but we knew the kind of game we had to play and we did without too much of a problem. Now with Chambersburg, we can’t take them lightly. Other than last year our team hasn’t really played good down at Chambersburg. They have some good skill guys so we have to take them like any other team.
DE Sebastian Sullivan
I was happy with our defensive pressure. Coach Berry stressed all week that we had to keep Abner contained and I thought we did a good job of containing him. Once we kept contain our defensive tackles stepped up and gave him a lick. We have to come ready for next week to make the playoffs. When we were scoring, well, I was loving that. It’s easy for a defense to play when we’re scoring like that.
LB Lawrence Edward
We played real well. We had a good finish and I just hope we come out next week and beat Chambersburg. I really don’t know much about them yet but I know we’re going to come out Friday and play hard to get a playoff berth.
DB Greg Williams
On my interception, well, at practice all week long all I did was key on the tight end. I knew he was going to throw a waggle because that’s their main play. I saw it coming so I just stepped right in front of it. I loved the defense today. We stepped it up; the defensive backs came up and made big hits. McGovern, Tuck, the linebackers, everybody did their job. We keyed on our assignments and we won the game.
G Ryan Finney
I like going to McDevitt. The teachers are starting to like me and I’m getting along with everybody. It’s going great. The offensive line played awesome today. We all knew this game meant we could get to the playoffs so we all stepped it up today. Last week was my first time on defense and it was definitely an experience for me. It prepares me because I will be playing a lot of defense next year.
S Eric McGovern
It was a really intense game and I was really up for them. I like to hit people. We knew their game plan. We knew that they were going to come out and pass. Coach Berry did a great job of preparing us for this game. The defense has been holding it down so it was good to see the offense bringing it back. For next week I have to be vocal and I have to lead by example. That’s two things that go with leadership.
TB LeSean McCoy
Today we had the opportunity to play for the playoffs
and that’s what we’re here for. Man, the holes were wide open today! After the
holes were open they started slanting to the strong side so I started cutting it
back. Ice was really there today. Jeremy was checking at the line on a lot of
plays. We went over it in practice. You know, “If they play this kind of
defense, we’re going to check to this and that”. We had a great game plan and it
worked. I feel real good. I’m still working on my acceleration but it feels real
good. Next week we have to practice hard and then play hard and stay focused.
Now we have the chance to go to the playoffs. Now that we know it we have to go
out and get it. We’re a better team but Cumberland Valley is really good.
They’re a scrappy team, they come out hard and aggressive but I think we wanted
it more. We had a great week of practice. We went over a lot of mental things so
we could get this win.