Harry S Truman improved to 2-0 on the season with a 46-12 non-league win over Avon Grove on Thursday night.
HARRY S TRUMAN 46, AVON GROVE 12
The Tigers have made scoring points look awfully easy so far this season, putting up a combined 93 points in routs of Methacton (47-0) and Avon Grove. Those big offensive numbers were the furthest thing from coach Mike LaPalombara’s mind after Thursday night’s win.
“I really didn’t think about that – I was thinking that we need to fix our special teams,” the Tigers’ second-year coach said. “That’s what’s on my mind right now.”
While the special teams may need fixing, the Tigers’ offense has been operating on all cylinders.
“Avon Grove is definitely a good football team, but we have a lot of athletes on our team that are allowing us to coach them,” LaPalombara said. “They’re doing what we ask them to do.
“The offensive line has gotten better, and the defensive line is playing better. I just think we’re improving as a football team. We also coached these kids last year, so I think that has an effect on our success so far.”
The Tigers scored early and often against the visiting Devils. Enzo Poulson put Truman on the board with a one-yard TD plunge. Mert Yildirim’s extra point put the Tigers on top 7-0, and when Deondre Winton took it in from 31 yards, the Tigers led 13-0. Winton’s second TD run of the game made it a 19-0 game.
Avon Grove interrupted the Tigers’ tear with a touchdown, but Poulson answered with his second touchdown run of the half. Carson Hearn returned a fumble the length of the field for a TD that sent the Tigers into halftime with a 32-6 lead.
The fun continued in the second half. On the first play of the second half, TJ Rogers – who rushed for more than a hundred yards – sprinted 81 yards for a touchdown and – after a Yildirim PAT – a 39-6 advantage. Quarterback Dylan Snelling connected with Zayyan Saunders for a touchdown from 17 yards out, and a 46-6 lead that put the mercy rule in effect.
Anchoring a big offensive line for the Tigers are veteran center Alex Fisher and Tremere Smith, who moved from tackle to guard.
“We have a bigger offensive line than we did last year,” LaPalombara said. “Tremere is a very good lineman. He moves very well, he pulls, he’s a big kid, he’s strong, and he’s doing a great job.”
Newcomers on the line are junior Lawrence Baldwin and senior Eli Narmah. At tight end is 6-4 Zayyan Saunders, the brother of former standout Sayyid Saunders. Keeping it in the family, Bahir Saunders making his presence felt at defensive end.
“Our defensive line is a very formidable line – it’s a solid line across,” LaPalombara said. “We have two kids that were impactful at linebacker.
“Gabe Gipli was a defensive end last year, and we moved him back. James Koliyah was a noseguard, and we moved him back to play linebacker. We found another kid that’s similar to James – Yaroslav Tkach. He’s playing noseguard for us, and he’s very strong, very quick.”
The Tigers’ coach went on to laud the play of his backfield.
“Javeer Peterson is back on both sides of the ball, and he’s so impactful,” LaPalombara said. “Enzo Poulson got hurt in our third game last year. He plays fullback for us, he’s one of our outside linebackers/safety type position, and he’s very impactful.”
According to the Tigers’ coach, Winton – who is back on the gridiron after two years away from the sport – and Jhani Coleman – who did not finish out the year last year – are also making their presence felt
“Joey Goldey is another tough kid for us, so defensively, we’re doing pretty well,” LaPalombara.
The Tigers – despite losing key players to graduation – are picking up where they left off last year when they compiled a 7-4 mark and earned a district berth.
“I knew that these kids would develop and be better this year because it’s another year in our system, so that has been helpful,” LaPalombara said. “I knew they were athletes, the chemistry is really good – these kids have been playing since they were with the little War Dogs, so they’ve been playing together since then.
“You can see the impact of having that big feeder program, and they’re seeing the effects of that. Being so athletic, I knew they would have success in that regard, but it’s the other kids that surround the athletic kids that really make the team. The kids that have stepped up and are playing on the offensive and defensive lines – those kinds of kids. I think that’s what is making our team play as well as they are right now.”
The Tigers – who will travel to William Tennent next Friday – are 2-0 and creating a buzz in the school community.
“They’re really enjoying it,” LaPalombara said. “People were talking to me today about it – how nice it is to start out the school year with some victories.
“Hats off to the coaching staff and the kids. I have a good coaching staff, and we have some good players. We’re rolling right now, but we’re going to start moving into some of those tougher teams sooner than later, and we’ll see what happens.
Avon Grove 0-6-0-6 12
Harry S Truman 13-19-14-0 46
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