Upper Moreland ended its Thanksgiving Day losing streak with a 35-7 win over Hatboro-Horsham on Thursday. To view photos of all the action, check back later this weekend.
By Mary Jane Souder
WILLOW GROVE - Upper Moreland's defense had just made a stop on third-and-long late in Thursday's Thanksgiving Day showdown against Hatboro-Horsham. As Todd Cappiello came to the UM sidelines, he said, "I want one more defensive play."
The senior defensive lineman, who already had a fumble recovery, didn't get his wish, but it was easy to understand why Cappiello was enjoying himself. The Golden Bears' defense limited the Hatters to just 131 yards of total offense as Upper Moreland rolled to a no-doubt-about-it 35-7 win. The win avenged last year's 44-0 Thanksgiving Day loss to the Hatters.
"It was a nice game to go out on because we lost a playoff game," senior Chris Kitchen said of the Golden Bears' district playoff loss to Academy Park. "It's a good ending because last year was a bad game.”
For those who think Thanksgiving Day games are a thing of the past, Kitchen would beg to differ.
“They’re important,” he said. “They’re a rivalry game. We actually haven’t beaten them the whole time we were here. It was good to win our senior year.
“This is a good way to go out. I’m going to miss all my teammates. It’s my last time playing with them.”
Kitchen certainly did his part to ensure the Golden Bears' season would have a happy ending this time around, accounting for 126 yards of offense and also turning a fumble recovery into a touchdown on the defensive side of the football.
For his efforts, Kitchen earned Defensive Play of the Game honors for the Golden Bears for the second consecutive year. Robert Knox earned the Offensive Player of the Game trophy for Upper Moreland. The senior standout had 20 carries for 140 yards and three touchdowns.
On this day, no one was concerned about individual honors. Winning is what mattered most.
“Obviously, we wanted to go further in the (district) playoffs, but to come out here and get a win and end your career here on top – there’s nothing better,” Knox said. “Last year, they beat us bad, and we got kind of embarrassed.
“For us to come out this year and win and really take it to them, that’s just a great feeling.”
The Golden Bears wasted absolutely no time setting the tone when junior Torin Grumm ‘intercepted’ a toss out of the Hatters’ option offense, giving the Golden Bears the football on the Hatters’ 25-yard line.
“That turnover was big,” coach Dave Heying said. “It was a nice play by Torin Grumm. He did a good job. He learned his lesson last year as a sophomore. Thank god he’s coming back. He’s going to be one of the kids we look to.
“We wanted to get up on them early, so that was nice.”
It took just five plays for the Golden Bears to find the end zone. Knox had the big play, taking it 18-yards up the middle to the four-yard line on a huge third down play. Two plays later, Knox punched it in from one yard out. Danny Cripps’ PAT gave the Golden Bears a 7-0 lead at the 9:06 mark.
“That was huge,” Knox said. “There’s no better way to start the game, and it was great to be able to do that.”
Another costly Hatter turnover resulted in a second Golden Bear TD when Kitchen scooped up a loose ball after a fumble at the Hatters’ six-yard line and took it in for the score. Cripps’ extra point made it a 14-0 game.
“That was big,” Kitchen said. “I wanted a touchdown, and I got it. I kind of got lucky on it. It bounced right in my hands, and I looked ahead. No one was ahead of me. It was a really good feeling.”
A 54-yard return by Jimmy Murphy on the ensuing kickoff gave the Hatters the ball on Upper Moreland’s 31. A pair of Chris Ejimonyeugwo runs, the second a 24-yard scamper for a TD, made it a 14-7 game after the PAT by Bobby Stumpp.
Upper Moreland responded with a play that may have broken the Hatters’ collective backs when quarterback Charlie Hooker found Dan Cummings in stride on the right sideline for a 51-yard touchdown that made it a 21-7 game.
“I think the biggest play that gave us the momentum was the fade to Dan Cummings,” Heying said. “I’m glad he caught a fade. We set a goal for him at the beginning of the year to get 10. He didn’t have that opportunity as much because we ran the ball well, but he made a big play.”
The Golden Bears took that 21-7 lead into halftime.
“The first three touchdowns were tough,” Hatboro-Horsham coach Gary Pagliaro said. “On our first play from scrimmage, we fumbled inside the red zone and let them get momentum and get the first score.
“Then we had the fumble in the other red zone, so right away we gave up some valuable field position, and it turned out to be costly.”
Any thoughts of a Hatter comeback were all but put to rest when Knox, who had a 29-yard run on the first play of the drive, took it in from 21 yards out, putting the Golden Bears on top 28-7 at the 3:18 mark of the third quarter.
“We just knew if we came out, executed and continued to do it that we would come out on top, and that’s what we did,” Knox said.
The Golden Bears put the finishing touches on the big win when Knox capped a five-play 52-yard scoring drive with a 12-yard TD run. A Hooker-to-Cummings completion for 12 yards and a 21-yard run by Jayvohn McCown highlighted the drive, which gave Upper Moreland its final margin of victory.
“I just think our kids remember last year a lot more than their kids, so it’s a different end of the spectrum,” Heying said. “I told my underclassmen – next year this time they’re gong to come out for revenge, and our kids really remember last year and how they felt.”
The Golden Bears lose a large contingent of seniors, including 10 out of 11 starters on their wishbone offense with Hooker the lone returning starter.
“Their dedication and hard work has meant so much,” Heying said of his seniors. “I thanked them. I can’t ever say enough in words.
“We look at last year’s photo, and they all have baby faces. Just the time they put in the offseason really paid off. They matured. That’s why we coach football, that’s why we’re here is to teach people life lessons.”
The game was not only the final one for the Hatters’ seniors but also for Pagliaro – who announced his resignation earlier in the week.
“Obviously, disappointed about the result but I’m proud of the effort,” the Hatters’ coach said. “We’re a young team. The kids fought hard. It’s been a very tough season, but I’m proud of the kids.
“They didn’t quit today. They kept going, and I truly believe they played the best football they were able to play today.”
While the Hatters closed out their season with a 1-11 record (1-6 SOL), the Golden Bears were 7-5 overall (4-3 SOL).
“It’s definitely a high emotion game,” Knox said. “You don’t want it to end, but you’re going out there trying your hardest, trying to win, and it’s just great to come out with a win.”
Hatboro-Horsham 0 7 0 0-7
Upper Moreland 7 14 7 7-35
UM-Robert Knox 1 run (Danny Cripps kick)
UM-Chris Kitchen 6 run after fumble recovery (Danny Cripps kick)
H-Chris Ejimonyeugwo 24 run (Bobby Stumpp kick)
UM-Dan Cummings 51 pass from Charlie Hooker (Danny Cripps kick)
UM-Robert Knox 21 run (Danny Cripps kick)
UM-Robert Knox 12 run (Danny Cripps kick)
HH UM
First Downs 6 14
Rushing Yards 110 214
Passing Yards 21 126
Total Yards 131 340
Passing (C-A-I) 2-5-1 5-8-0
Fumbles-Lost 3-3 4-2
Penalties-Yds. 2-17 5-56
Punts-Yds. 3-34.5 4-25.0
RUSHING:
Hatboro-Horsham: Chris Ejimonyeugwo, 12-55, 1TD; CJ Pessolano, 6-33; Luke Spahits, 10-12; Steven Palo, 13-10.
Upper Moreland: Robert Knox, 20-140, 3 TDs; Chris Kitchen, 8-58; Jayvohn McCown, 4-22; Vince Cardelli, 1-6; CJ Jackson, 1-0; Charlie Hooker, 3-(-12).
PASSING:
Hatboro-Horsham: Steven Palo, 1-4-0, 1 INT; Matt McPoyle, 1-1-21.
Upper Moreland: Charlie Hooker, 4-6-75, 1 TD; Zach Carroll, 1-2-51.
RECEIVING:
Hatboro-Horsham: Chris Ejimonyeugwo, 1-21; Ryan Scheidler, 1-0.
Upper Moreland: Chris Kitchen 2-68; Dan Cummings, 2-63, 1 TD; Robert Knox, 1-(-5).
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