August 23- Displaying a balanced offense and a solid defense, Bishop McDevitt overwhelmed an outmanned Manheim Township squad in tonight’s scrimmage at Manheim. In their four possessions in the down-and-distance scrimmage, the Crusader varsity offense rolled to 292 total yards and four touchdowns. The defense was equally impressive, holding the Blue Streaks to a total of 30 yards and only 2 first downs in 17 plays. McDevitt started by going 75 yards in 9 plays, keyed by a 44 yard Marcus Stone-to-Vince Beamer pass on 3^rd and 18. Two plays later, Jesse Pitt dashed 9 yards for the opening score, and Freshman Jeremy Ricker kicked the first of his 4 PAT’s.

After the defense, led by hard hitting Safety Thomas Dunn, held Manheim Township to a quick 3-and-out, the offense was at it again. Starting at the McDevitt 32 yard line, Stone hit Mike Gohlston for 6 yards, then Fullback Cedric Bowling rumbled for 8. Next, Stone found Beamer deep again, this time for 47 yards to the 10. After a 10 yard penalty for an illegal block, Stone lofted a perfect fade to a Beamer in the far corner of the end zone. The defense, this time led by Bowling and Tackle Uriah Aviles, stuffed the Blue Streaks again in 3 plays. The next Crusader scoring drive was a quick one. Starting at the 29, Pitt opened with a 9 yard run. Then, Stone ran a keeper around left end, broke a tackle at midfield and outran the Manheim Township secondary for a 62 yard score.

The Blue Streaks finally managed to move the ball for 2 first downs on their next possession, but stalled after key plays by Linebackers Pitt and Mike Dawson. They punted to the 22 to end the First Quarter. The 11 play, 78 yard drive that followed was a tribute to the Crusaders offensive line. Center Josh Stefanic, Guards C.J. Gruber and Quincy Garfield, Tackles Jamie Thomas and Justin Crum, and Tight End Michael Mitchell consistently opened holes for the McDevitt runners. Freshman Tailback LeSean McCoy darted 4 yards to finish the drive. The defense’s final series was like the previous 3, as Defensive End Jed Baker and Cornerback Ryan Williams teamed up to hold Manheim Township to 7 yards and forced another punt. The varsity handed the game over to the reserves and JV’s after that and, despite some impressive work by Quarterback Kevin Rombach and Receiver Kevin Blackwell, were unable to consistently move the ball. The Blue Streak’s 2^nd team did manage to find paydirt, however, scoring on a crisp, 80 yard drive against the 2^nd McDevitt defense, despite the efforts of Safety Mark Accorsi.

Stone completed 4 of his 7 passing attempts for 111 yards and one TD, while Pitt rushed for 82 yards and a score in 11 carries. Stone rushed 3 times for 78 yards and a touchdown, and the leading receiver was Beamer, with 3 catches for 105 yards and 1 TD. The Crusaders open the 2002 season next Friday night, August 30^th, at 7:00 PM against State College High School, at State College.

Defensively we looked pretty good, pretty fast. We did make some mistakes, but we’ll look at the film and I’m sure it’s nothing we can’t correct in practice. I can’t wait for next week. We hope to be ready for State College; they’re a good team. We’re anxious to get up there and start the season.

WR/S Vince Beamer