Truman defeated Conwell-Egan 24-0 to earn its seventh win, the most wins for the program since 1995.
Stats used in the wraps are provided courtesy of Calkins Media. For complete high school football coverage, visit the web site www.PhillyBurbs.com<http://www.PhillyBurbs.com>.
By Mary Jane Souder
Sampson Bloh didn’t see it coming.
With Truman on the one-yard line and leading 17-0 in Friday's Thanksgiving Day showdown against Conwell-Egan, the senior outside linebacker was surprised to receive the nod to go into the game.
“Coach told me he was giving me the ball,” Bloh said. “I was like, ‘I got it coach.’”
Bloh powered in for a touchdown – his first of the season – and the Tigers went on to win by a 24-0 score.
What Truman's back-up fullback didn't know until after the game was that he had been given that opportunity to score the TD at fullback Trysten Hunt's request.
“He asked to come out so (Bloh) could go in and score a touchdown,” coach Jon Craig said.
“It was a special feeling,” Bloh said. “It just showed how much we all care about each other and want each other to shine.”
And shine this year’s Tiger squad has. Thursday’s win was the seventh of the season, the most for the program since 1995. The Tigers closed out the year with a 7-5 record.
“I think we did a good job this year,” senior safety Brandon Hill said. “There are things we could have done, but all the teams we lost to were pretty decent teams. I think all the seniors are leaving with no regrets.”
As endings go, Thursday’s was a good one, especially for the defense, which limited the Eagles to less than 100 yards total offense in the shutout.
“We haven’t played in two weeks,” Hill said. “I think the key was all the film work we did. We watched film every day after practice.
“Every day since the game at Cheltenham we’ve been on the field practicing, even when it was cold, and I think that was a key.”
“We had two weeks off to prepare for the game,” added Bloh. “And we were so anxious to go out and get the ‘w.’ We just worked hard. Coach just told us to read our keys and stay humble.”
Craig tipped his hat to his defense.
“A lot of times this year our offense has pulled us to wins, but today it was defense and special teams,” the Tigers’ coach said. “We got a big kick return to start the game (by Fuquan Caraway) that got us inside the 10, we had a turnover on a punt return they fumbled to us. Special teams were huge. The last touchdown was set up by an interception (by Maurice Jackson) in the red zone.
“The defense has made key stops this year but hasn’t really been a dominant defense, but they came to play. Our defensive staff got them very well prepared. With two weeks to prepare, you hope you get everything that they’re ready for. They knew what was coming, and our kids played well.”
Thursday’s win was yet another building block for a program on the rise. The Tigers are just three years removed from a 1-11 season when this year’s seniors were freshmen.
“People are coming out (for the team) and believing we can win,” Hill said. “In the past, whenever we went on the field, we expected to lose. We never really expected to win, but now people are buying into the system and coming in during the summer and lifting.
“This is a great feeling because I have seen the program in maybe its worst years. When I was a freshman, we were 1-11. To come from that to the best season Truman has possibly had is just a great feeling.”
That turnaround didn’t just happen. It began with the hiring of Ed Cubbage and his staff, which included Craig, and a new culture was born at Truman.
“The kids have worked so hard,” Craig said. “It’s not like we’re doing anything magical. We’re doing things I think good programs do.
“My staff goes to basketball games, wrestling matches, baseball games. My kids know we’re around for them. I think it goes a long way for these kids. That structure we try to bring in, the discipline we
bring in is something they need and want, and when they see it work, it’s a cool feeling.”
The return of former players who are now playing at the collegiate level to Monday’s practice and Thursday’s game underscored the program’s growth.
“It kind of hit me – this is what we’re about,” Craig said. “This is what we want to build.
“I get so carried away getting ready for the game and the x and o stuff, and that moment after practice on Monday, I sat down and said, ‘Wow, that’s what we do this for. That’s what we want to point to.’ Wins are awesome, but when you look at it and you see a kid do well coming out of some rough situations, that’s probably the proudest thing.
“We’re having success, and people are just happy to be around the program. They’re excited for us. It has given energy to our whole building. I think it helps all sports programs. The energy around here the last two years has really been something to be a part of. I’m just lucky I’m there helping out.”
While Thursday’s win didn’t feature a whole lot of offense as the Tigers managed less than 200 yards, it did include some big performances.
“There were some kids today that flew around and did some things I have never seen them do before,” Craig said. “A couple of them were seniors that were really excited to get this one.
“Sampson Bloh came on strong defensively. Maurice Jackson had a key interception that set up a touchdown. Trysten Hunt had one of his best games at middle linebacker. He seemed to be all over the place.”
Craig credited this year’s senior class and last year’s senior class for cementing the program’s foundation.
“They went into the weight room, came to work and got their jobs done,” he said. “Brandon Hill and Trysten Hunt have started as freshmen.
“We kind of joke – all of a sudden we’ll look at middle linebacker and have to put somebody else in that’s not Trysten Hunt. They’ve always been there. It’s going to be tough transitioning without them. They’ve left the program at so much of a better place.”
The program will lose some key seniors but will return a strong nucleus, and while the seniors may be leaving, they are better – according to Bloh - for having been part of the program.
“It showed me a lot of things, like how you have to work hard and you have to fight for what you want,” Bloh said. “It started the end of last year (when the Tigers finished 6-6).
“It was really tough to see it end. It’s a great feeling to go out there on that football field on Friday nights. There was just a lot of emotion today.”
And what will Bloh remember most about his football playing days at Truman?
“Just the whole experience because the whole experience changed everything,” he said. “It made me a better person.”
EXTRA POINTS: A 24-yard field goal by Tim Kenny-Schwartz was followed by a one-yard touchdown plunge by quarterback Mark Lopez-Shefcyk after an Eagles’ fumble on a punt. With 5:11 remaining in the second quarter, junior Justin Fant scored from eight yards out to send the Tigers into halftime with a 17-0 lead. Bloh’s touchdown in the third quarter closed out the scoring for both squads. Lopez-Shefcyk completed 12-of-16 attempts for 136 yards.
Conwell-Egan 0-0-0-0 0
Harry S Truman 10-7-7-0 24
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