Pennsbury advanced to the District One AAAA title game, thanks to the Falcons’ 25-14 win over Upper Dublin. To view photos of all the action, please visit the Photo Gallery.
By Scott Huff
Fairless Hills – Pennsbury head coach Galen Snyder would be an extremely boring mystery writer. The Falcon offensive playbook might be filled with plays scripted for other players, but come playoff time, almost all the featured plays have the same ball carrier – Charles Snorweah.
Snorweah rushed for a game-high 296 yards and four touchdowns and lugged the pigskin an astonishing 45 times over the frozen tundra of Falcon Field. Pennsbury (12-1) – which ran 60 offensive plays - advanced to the PIAA Quad-A finals with a hard-fought 25-14 victory over # 6 seed Upper Dublin (11-2).
The # 2 seeded Falcons will face the unbeaten # 1 seeded Coatesville (13-0) in the finals next Friday night – at Souderton. The Red Raiders advanced to the finals with a 31-12 victory over # 5 Downingtown East (9-4).
“I really haven’t used (Snorweah) all that much during the regular season,” smiled Snyder. “I paced the way we used him – and now we’re really going to ride him down the home stretch in the playoffs.”
“All I want to do is win the game – I don’t worry about anything else,” said the electric Snorweah – who is Rutgers-bound next year. “I get a lot of the spotlight – but I run behind a great line.”
Oftentimes, the ‘great line’ quote is obligatory from a good running back. In Snorweah’s case – though - it is right on the money. The Falcon offensive line is both extremely big – and extremely punishing.
Snorweah’s rushing totals are impressive, but take a look at the size of the Black & Orange offensive line that leaves an opponent Black & Blue by the end of the night.
Senior center Mason Houriet (6-1, 262); junior right guard Chris Rupprecht (5-10, 224); senior left guard Austin O’Neil (5-11, 265); sophomore left tackle Maurice Stukes (6-7, 350); senior right tackle Sam Raywood (6-1, 375); and junior tight end Vinnie Ratamess (6-3, 210).
“Snorweah is a terrific back – no question,” said Upper Dublin head coach Bret Stover. “But running behind that offensive line sure helps. They can wear a team out toward the end of the game.”
Last week Pennsbury was tied with Garnet Valley 14-14 at the half – and this week the Falcons trailed the upstart Cardinals 14-13 at intermission. Pennsbury would dominate Garnet Valley in the second half enroute to a 45-14 victory, and the Falcons would outplay Upper Dublin in the second half to secure the win.
“We blew some opportunities in the first half, and we were doing the types of things that can get you upset at home,” said Snyder. “At the half we went over what we had to do to win the second half – and win the game.”
Upper Dublin scored on its first possession of the game to take the lead. Junior quarterback Ryan Stover came out throwing and completed two passes – senior fullback John Lee had a 29-yard burst – and on third-and-two from the seven-yard line, the Cardinals scored first. Lee took the handoff and had the ball stripped on his way to the end zone. The loose ball was recovered in the end zone by Upper Dublin tackle Henry Winebrake. Cole D’Andrea added the placement to give the Cardinals a 7-0 lead.
Pennsbury would score in a flash before the close of the first period. Snorweah took a simple handoff and jetted 61 yards for a touchdown. The point after touchdown failed – and the Falcons still trailed by a 7-6 score.
Upper Dublin answered the Pennsbury score with a touchdown on its next possession. The Cardinals scoring drive covered 75 yards on eight plays as junior Kaleif Lee capped the drive with a one-yard touchdown run. Featured in the drive was a 26-yard bolt by John Lee – who finished with a team-high 80 yards. D’Andrea’s placement boosted the UD lead to 14-6./p>
Pennsbury answered the Upper Dublin score with a touchdown on its next possession. The Falcons scoring drive covered 63 yards on 10 plays and culminated with a seven-yard scoring dash by Snorweah. Highlighted in the drive was a 29-yard pass from quarterback Mike Alley to Cody Tabeek. Josh Leon added the PAT – however – the Falcons still trailed 14-13 at the half.
Pennsbury scored what proved to be the winning touchdown midway through the fourth period. Snorweah carried the ball all six times in the scoring drive and capped the march with a nifty eight-yard scoring run.
“We were down a point, and the season could have come to an end if we don’t score there,” said Snorweah. “That was the only thing I had on my mind during that drive – get the ball into the end zone.”
Upper Dublin turned the ball over on downs on its ensuing possession behind a pair of huge sacks by defensive end Ashanti Rumph – and Pennsbury would score one final time in the fourth period. Snorweah – who else? – scored his fourth touchdown on a dazzling 11-yard touchdown scamper.
“We’ll enjoy this win tonight,” said Snyder. “But we get right back to work tomorrow to get ready for next week.”
There will be no next week for Upper Dublin. The Cardinals closed out a terrific season that saw them collect a school record 11 wins and the first ever wins in the playoffs over Council Rock North and West Chester Rustin.
“I hope we gained some respect that we didn’t have coming into the playoffs,” said Stover. “We showed that we could swing it out against the big boys. Things just didn’t go our way tonight.”
The talented Charles Snorweah – and his impressive cast of offensive linemen - made sure of that.
Upper Dublin Cardinals 7 7 0 0 * 14
Pennsbury Falcons 6 7 0 12 * 25
UD: Henry Winebrake recovers fumble in end zone (Cole D’andrea kick)
P: Charles Snorweah 61 run (kick failed)
UD: Kalief Lee 1 run (D’andrea kick)
P: Snorweah 7 run (Josh Leon kick)
P: Snorweah 8 run (pass failed)
P: Snorweah 11 run (kick failed)
Upper Dublin Cardinals Pennsbury Falcons
12 First Downs 20
114 Yards Rushing 325
82 Yards Passing 29
196 Total Offense 354
1-5 Penalties / Yards 2-20
4-34 Punts / Average 2-36
Upper Dublin:
Rushing: John Lee 12-80; Ryan Stover 8-29; Michael Cottom 1-3; Kalief Lee 2-2 & TD. Totals 23-114 & TD.
Passing: Ryan Stover 11-22-0; 82 yards.
Receiving: Michael Sowers 3-33; Matt Thompson 3-21; John Barrett 2-8; Will Derr 1-9; Gary Fields 1-7; and Danny Boggs 1-4. Totals 11-82.
Pennsbury:
Rushing: Charles Snorweah 45-296 & 4 TD; Raheem Thompson 3-16; Mike Alley 9-11; Luke Snyder 1-2. Totals 58-325 & 4 TD.
Passing: Mike Alley 1-2-29 yards.
Receiving: Cody Tabeek 1-29.
- Log in to post comments
