CB East and CR North were winners in SOL football action on Saturday. Check back to view photos of both games.
CENTRAL BUCKS EAST 37, NORRISTOWN 21
By Scott Huff
West Norriton –The game plan for Central Bucks East against Norristown was simple – don’t share the football with the explosive Eagle offense. And the Patriots didn’t play nice with the ball on a chilly Saturday afternoon as CB East (5-2, 2-2) captured a key 37-21 SOL Continental Conference victory over host Norristown (3-4, 1-3).
“We wanted the ball right away,” said Central Bucks East head coach John Donnelly as the Pats won the coin toss and elected to receive. “We felt that we wanted to set the tone early – and we were able to do that on our first drive.”
The game plan could not have been followed any better as the Patriots pounded the Eagle defense for a punishing 17-play scoring drive that covered 72 yards and consumed 7 minutes and 56 seconds of the first period. The scoring play came on a fourth and goal from the 14-yard line when senior quarterback Jack Lamb shrugged off would-be tacklers to locate senior running back Alex Gibson for the scoring pass. Senior Oliver Boucher added the PAT to give the Pats a not-so-quick 7-0 lead.
“If I was coaching against us – that’s what I would try to do,” said Norristown head coach Jason Powel. “I thought there for a moment that we would just bend but not break. They did a great job of controlling the ball and finishing the drive.”
When the final numbers were added up – CB East ran a total of 67 offensive plays to just 37 offensive snaps by the Eagles.
“We had a lot of respect for Norristown after seeing what they did against (Council Rock) North,” said Lamb who returned to action after missing last week with an injury. “They have some amazing playmakers – and our game plan was to go on some long drives.
“We had a great week of practice and we were ready for the game,” continued Lamb. “We wanted to play East Side football – and we did.”
Gibson – who was a workhorse and rushed 31 times for 131 yards – scored his first rushing touchdown in the second period on an 11-yard burst. The score capped a seven-play drive that covered 64 yards and featured a 40-yard double-pass completion from senior Sammy Killough to Logan Nelsen. Boucher was successful on the extra point to extend the lead to 14-0.
CB East would add a pair of field goals in the second period to snatch a 20-7 halftime lead. Boucher was perfect on a 25-yard field goal – and sophomore Barney Amor blasted a 40-yard field goal.
“We are blessed to have two really good kickers,” said Donnelly. “It’s a great advantage that we have on this team.”
In between the Patriot field goals was a highlight reel touchdown by Norristown senior Khalif Sinclair. Sinclair jetted 59 yards for the score on a run that probably covered over 90 yards with all the twists and turns enroute to the end zone.
“That was an amazing run,” said Lamb of the Sinclair touchdown burst. “To be able to shut down that offense for most of the game says a lot about how well we played on defense.”
CB East extended its lead to 30-7 by the close of the third period. Boucher connected on 27-yard field goal – and Lamb capped a seven-play scoring drive with a one-yard sneak.
The Patriots added another score in the final period to boost the lead to 37-7. Gibson culminated a 10-play scoring drive with a one-yard touchdown run. Amor added the placement.
Norristown scored a pair of late touchdowns to make the final score appear closer than the game.
Senior Desmond Gorski fired a 19-yard fourth quarter touchdown pass to senior Simeon McCray – and Gorski would again connect with McCray for a 70-yard scoring strike in the final moments of the game.
“We have to go back to work and get ready next week for William Tennent,” said Powel. “We learned some lessons today – CB East is a good football team. We will be able to turn this around.”
CB East – with a 5-2 overall record – still has legitimate district playoff hopes.
“The guys are aware that we have to win football games,” said Donnelly as the Patriots will face Truman next week. “And they will embrace the challenge.”
Central Bucks East Patriots 7 13 10 7 – 37
Norristown Eagles 0 7 0 14 – 21
CBE: Alex Gibson 14 pass from Jack Lamb (Oliver Boucher kick)
CBE: Gibson 11 run (Boucher kick)
CBE: Boucher 25 Field Goal
N: Khalif Sinclair 59 run (Shane Hammer kick)
CBE: Barney Amor 40 Field Goal
CBE: Boucher 27 Field Goal
CBE: Lamb 1 run (Boucher kick)
CBE: Gibson 1 run (Amor kick)
N: Simeon McCray 19 pass from Desmond Gorski (Hammer kick)
N: McCray 70 pass from Gorski (Hammer kick)
Central Bucks East Norristown
17 First Downs 9
174 Yards Rushing 91
146 Yards Passing 148
320 Total Offense 239
2-28 Punts / Average 4-22
3-35 Penalties / Yards 6-60
CB East Patriots:
Rushing: Alex Gibson 31-131-2 TD; Jack Lamb 14-38-TD; Owen Griffin 2-7; Logan Nelsen 1-2; Evan Ridolfi 5-0; Luke Borrajo 2 (-2); and Jake Miscio 1- (-2). Totals – 56-174-3TD.
Passing: Jack Lamb 4-10-0; 106 yards & TD; Sammy Killough 1-1-0; 40 yards. Totals – 5-11-0; 146 yards & TD.
Receiving: Logan Nelsen 2-82; Owen Griffin 2-50; and Alex Gibson 1-14 & TD. Totals 5-146 & TD.
Norristown Eagles:
Rushing: Corey Davenport 15-74; Khalif Sinclair 9-36 & TD; and Desmond Gorski 2 (-19). Totals 26-91 & TD.
Passing: Desmond Gorski 6-11-0; 148 yards & 2 TD.
Receiving: Simeon McCray 2-89 & 2 TD; Rashon Wiggins 2-21; Derik Cross 1-36; and Khalif Sinclair 1-2. Totals 6-148 & 2 TD.
COUNCIL ROCK NORTH 34, HARRY S TRUMAN 15
On a day when a thumb injury prevented standout quarterback Brandon McIlwain from throwing the ball, the Indians scratched and clawed their way to a hard fought win, blowing open a close game with a pair of fourth quarter touchdowns.
The Indians opened up a 13-0 lead on touchdown runs by Devon Bibbens (11 yards) and McIlwain (46 yards). A 55-yard touchdown run by Truman’s Maurice Jackson and successful two-point conversation made it a 13-8 game.
McIlwain took it in from one yard out to extend the Indians’ lead to 20-8 at the intermission. In the third quarter, the Tigers made it a 20-15 game when Matt Olsen returned an Indians’ fumble for a touchdown. That’s as close as the Tigers would get, and the Indians sealed the win with a pair of TDs.
McIlwain finished with 170 yards and four touchdowns while Jackson led the Tigers with 130 yards on the ground.
Council Rock North (4-3, 3-1 SOL) will be on the road at Central Bucks West on Friday while Truman (2-5, 0-4) will host Central Bucks East next Friday.
Harry S Truman 8-0-7-0 15
Council Rock North 13-7-0-14 34
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