Central Bucks East notched a come-from-behind win over Pennridge to clinch a berth in the District One 6A playoffs. CB East/Pennridge photos provided courtesy of Kim Supko. Check back for a gallery of photos.
Stats used in the wraps are provided courtesy of the Intelligencer/Bucks County Courier Times. For complete high school football coverage, visit the web sites: http://www.theintell.com/sportsand http://www.buckscountycouriertimes.com/sports.
CENTRAL BUCKS EAST 24, PENNRIDGE 20
Eight seconds.
That’s all that remained on the scoreboard clock when Evan O’Donnell and Chris Lochetta worked their magic one last time, connecting for a six-yard touchdown pass that not only gave the Patriots the electrifying win but also punched their ticket into the District One 6A Tournament.
“It was kind of ironic – when (Lochetta) caught it, there was eight seconds left on the clock, which is his number, and I have to verify it – with that reception, he broke the school record for touchdown receptions,” East coach John Donnelly said.
The win capped an emotional 24-hour span for the Patriots.
“Going back to last night when Haverford lost, we thought that finished our chances to get into the playoffs,” Donnelly said. “People were like, ‘Not so fast. Owen J Roberts lost, and you might be in,’ so it was a roller coaster for four hours last night.
“Some of our players went to bed thinking that we didn’t get in, and they woke up in the morning to the fact that we would get in if we won. We’ve had so many tight games this year, and down the stretch, we’re winning those close games.”
Saturday’s win was the sixth game decided by seven points or less, and this one didn’t come easily. After struggling to find their offense the entire second half, the Patriots went 82 yards for the game-winning score. The drive included a pair of Ram penalties and three fourth down conversions, none bigger than the fourth-and-13 that also featured an O’Donnell to Lochetta pass, this one for 17 yards.
“We moved (Lochetta) inside to the slot – it’s a play that we’ve run many times, and he can do it in his sleep,” Donnelly said. “He slipped the first guy, and Evan (O’Donnell) drove the ball right into the perfect spot. Chris looked like he was going to score, but he slipped a few guys, got a big first.
“He came running over, and he literally called the last (game-winning) touchdown. He said, ‘Coach, run this. I’ve got it.’ We did. It’s another play him and Evan have run over and over again. The O-line gave us just enough time, and Evan threw it on time. The coverage was actually good. Evan just threw it right to a spot, Chris caught it with his hands away from his body.
“We converted some huge plays in that drive. It was tough sledding in the second half. The wind obviously was a factor for both teams. Going against it kind of limited what you could do.”
In the opening half of Saturday’s contest, the Patriots opened up a 17-7 lead. Jake Ventresca had a nine-yard touchdown run, and Michael Smigley connected on a 30-yard field goal.
Zak Kantor scored from one yard out for the Rams – who also needed a win to advance to the postseason. Bryan Kelly’s 71-yard touchdown run sent the Patriots into halftime with a 10-point advantage.
Momentum swung in the Rams’ favor when Shane Hartzel blocked a punt and took it 30 yards for a touchdown. The Rams took a 20-17 lead – their first of the game – on another short Kantor TD run in the fourth quarter, but the Patriots refused to lose.
“What you keep saying about this team – it’s really everybody from top to bottom,” Donnelly said. “Everybody can be a star in their role. Like this team has done all year, they’re all grit, no quit.
“They have what I’ve been telling them all along – they have that ‘it’ factor. We had some things happen this summer at a passing scrimmage where we really defended each other and had each other’s backs. We went to a team camp up at Millersville, which really strengthened this bond as a group. We’re not the biggest, the strongest and the fastest, but our guys play with a tremendous amount of heart and passion. They’ve found a way to will themselves to this position.”
Donnelly lauded the defensive play of Drew Bethke, Otto Maeglin and David Moyer.
“From a kicking game and playing defense, Michael Smigley did a nice job – hit a big field goal and made some big pass breakups against a very good receiver in Jon Post, who’s 6-5 or 6-6 and Mike goes about 5-9 if he’s lucky.”
Ryan Garner led all ground gainers with 146 rushing yards on 30 carries. Kelly led the Patriots with 90 yards.
On a day when the elements – wind and rain – were a factor, O’Donnell threw for just 58 yards and one touchdown, but no play loomed larger than his final completion to Lochetta.
“He’s an awesome individual,” Donnelly said of O’Donnell. “One thing he told the team in his senior speech this week – ‘One of the things I’ve learned is you never lose. You either win or learn.’ I wrote it down – that’s pretty cool.
“Those two guys have been neighbors forever. They’ve been throwing the ball around the backyard forever. They have a special connection – they’re best of friends.”
The Patriots – who competed in districts in 2015 and 2016 – advance to district play for the third time in four years. Central Bucks East (6-4, 4-2 SOL), the 15th seed, will travel to second-seeded Coatesville for an opening round District One 6A contest Friday.
“It’s one of our goals,” Donnelly said of competing in the postseason. “Two of our three goals we achieved, but we don’t want to just make it to the playoffs. We’re not content with that. We want to earn a playoff berth and we want to advance.
“We all know Coatesville is a tall order, but I know our guys will come not just to compete but to win.”
Pennridge (4-6, 3-3) is off until Thanksgiving when the Rams will travel to Quakertown for a 10:15 a.m. contest.
Pennridge 0-7-7-6 20
Central Bucks East 7-10-0-7 24
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