CRUSADERS OFF TO A GOOD START
AUGUST 18- The 2008 football seaason got off
to a good start for the Bishop McDevitt Crusaders this morning in
On defense the Crusaders started junior Steve Mosey and senior Vince Sullivan at the tackle positions, with junior Stefan Belle seeing lots of playing time. Impressive freshman Noah Spence (6’2”, 211 lbs.) and junior Ryan Kuntz were the defensive ends, with junior Anthony Pyzikiewicz also playing. The linebackers were senior Dante Ushery, a 3 year starter, senior Pat Vargo and junior Fred Dietz. Juniors Brandon True and Tyrai Anderson held down the corners, while junior Jon Duckett moved over from linebacker to take over one of the safety positions. The other safety spot was taken by senior Kyle Koncar, looking very comfortable with his move from quarterback. The starting defense allowed only 28 total yards to CV in the first possession, most of which came on a single completed pass.
When McDevitt’s offense took the field for the next 10 plays, sophomore Matt Johnson was the quarterback, with sophomores Jameel Poteat and Sean Barowski in the backfield behind him. Senior C.D. East transfer Aaron Marks rotated at running back. Kuntz and Spence played tight end, with Mosey and imposing junior Victor Shaffer (6’2”, 274 lbs.) at the tackles. Veteran Sullivan and junior Derek Harhigh were the guards, and senior Mark Sallinger started at center. The wideouts included Koncar and juniors Salath Willams, Aaron Sye and Dan Leonard. Poteat started things off with a tough 8 yard run before Johnson hit Koncar with a swing pass good for 12. After an incompletion (Johnson was 5 for 11, for 92 yards and 2 TD’s), Johnson kept the ball on a broken play and managed 7 yards. Marks then bulled for 7 more yards before Johnson threw 2 more incompletions. On the next play Poteat (3 carries for 58 yards and a score) weaved through the middle of the Buckskin defense before streaking down the left sideline for a 33 yard scoring run. Newcomer Kyle McDonnell booted the PAT, and then Johnson connected with Sye for an 11 yard gain before an incomplete pass ended the series.
The reserves took the field on the next series and had success similar to the starters. CV could only muster 34 total yards before the backup offense, led by Koncar at quarterback, took the field. Although they didn’t score, the second offense consistently moved the ball behind the running of Marks (4 carries for 42 yds.) and a 16 yard completion to Leonard. The next 10 marked the return of the starting defense and, once again, CV was thwarted. A strong pass rush, led by Belle, Spence and Ushery kept constant pressure on the CV passing attack. When the starting offense returned Poteat promptly broke into the clear before losing his balance and falling, settling for a 17 yard gain. Marks followed with a tough 9 yard dive and then Johnson dropped back to pass. With his receivers covered, Johnson took off downfield and proceeded to level a Buckskin linebacker as the Crusader coaching staff held its collective breath and Johnson’s teammates roared their approval. Then, following an offsides penalty, Johnson bobbled a shotgun snap bur recovered quickly. The talented soph fired a dart to Koncar (2 catches, 49 yds. and a TD) all alone at the goal line to complete the 37 yard scoring play. After McDonnell tacked on another PAT, Johnson overthrew a receiver before Marks rumbled for a 26 yard gain. Then Johnson fired a bullet over the middle and Salath Williams went high for the reception and a 23 yard gain. Poteat followed with a 9 yard run before Johnson passed to Williams in the right corner of the end zone. Williams couldn’t find the handle but Johnson was undeterred. He again passed to Williams on the last play of the series and this time the lanky junior made the catch. The 9 yard scoring play and subsequent PAT by McDonnell effectively ended the varsity scrimmage.
The Crusaders next scrimmage is Friday
night, August 22nd, at