Cheltenham defeated Upper Moreland in key SOL American Conference game on Friday. Photos provided courtesy of Dave Tucker. Check back for a gallery of photos.
SOL American Conference
CHELTENHAM 32, UPPER MORELAND 21
Troy Gore took over the helm of Cheltenham’s football program in June, which didn’t leave a whole lot of time to get to know his players much less implement his system.
There have been the expected growing pains with a young squad, but on Friday night, the Panthers – who trailed 21-0 in the first half – rallied for an inspired 32-21 win over previously undefeated Upper Moreland, showing signs of coming together as a squad.
“It was huge,” Gore said of the win. “It was huge for our kids. We always circled this game as a big game for us, and to be down 21-0 – was a little nervous, but our kids just kept fighting. Even when we were down 21-0, we knew we were going to come out and fight.”
And fight the Panther did, getting on the scoreboard and gaining some momentum with 10 seconds remaining in the first half on a highlight reel 57-yard touchdown pass from TJ Taylor to Kam Wyatt to make it a 21-7 game at the intermission.
Gore’s message to his players at halftime included more than just the usual coach speak.
“You say the normal things but also the life things,” the Cheltenham coach said. “It’s all about life building, it’s all about building character – ‘Don’t ever think that it’s over, you’ve got to keep fighting. It might look grim now, but as the Bible says – joy comes in the morning. It might look like it’s a lost game now, but if you keep fighting, we’ll get over it. This is something you want to learn in life. You’re going to hit hard times, you’re going to hit a brick wall, but if you keep pushing, keep grinding, keep climbing, eventually, you’ll get over the wall, and we’ve got to get over the wall.’ I used it as a life principle, I used it as a life-building lesson.”
The Panthers came out of the halftime locker room and outscored their hosts 25-0 in the second half, and while the offense made some big plays, the Panthers’ defense stole the spotlight.
“We had two interceptions – one of them returned for a touchdown,” Gore said. “Three fumble recoveries – one fumble recovery returned for a touchdown. Multiple sacks. That’s what won the game for us. The defense woke us up. They stepped up and won the game for us.”
Jamarr Hook-Waller and Nazeem Werts both had interceptions. Hook-Waller returned his interception 37 yards for a touchdown. Senior captain Matthew Hoffman returned his fumble recovery 57 yards for a TD. Hoffman also had two sacks and three hurries, and Jamal Banks had two sacks. Mike Slowe contributed a sack and two hurries and Tyzeem Kinney had three hurries.
Zaheim Salahuddin had a rushing touchdown, and Taylor hooked up with sophomore Zaire Williams for a TD to account for the Panthers’ other scores.
Not to be overlooked in the remarkable comeback was the leadership provided by the team’s veterans.
“Kam Wyatt, Tyzeem Kinney, Matt Hoffman and Mike Slowe – they were the ones that took over the team, told everyone to keep pushing, keep going,” Gore said. “Basically, my seniors. Those four guys stepped up verbally, emotionally – because they all had tears in their eyes, and with their play on the field, they took over the game. I have a very, very young team, and the younger kids stepped up.”
As for his team’s first half woes, Gore gave credit to Upper Moreland.
“They’ve got a great coaching staff,” the Panthers’ coach side. “They didn’t show the same stuff they usually show on defense. They changed their whole defense on us, and it took us by surprise. Eventually, we adjusted to it and found some ways we could make some things happen, but they blitzed us a lot and came after us a little bit, and they didn’t show that before on film.”
Taylor completed four passes for 158 yards (39.5 average) and two touchdowns. Wyatt had two receptions for 67 yards and a TD. Banks was the Panthers’ leading ground gainer with 58 yards.
“This is a division win, which is important,” Gore said. “They were 4-0, and it gives our team a little bit of confidence to let us know that we are starting to learn and we are starting to build together.
“I didn’t get the team until June but really couldn’t do anything until August. I really didn’t know the kids – I’m just starting to know the kids’ names. Now they’re starting to pick up what we’re trying to do – pick up the offense, pick up the defense and getting to know me as a leader and trusting in me.
“It’s all about the trust, and now it’s starting to click. You can see it in their eyes now. It’s like when a brand new baby gets something right, and the baby gets happy because the baby got it right. That’s what I’m starting to see in the eyes now. I’m starting to see that look of ‘Okay, we’ve got it now.’ We’re going to build on it. We’re going to thank Upper Moreland for waking us up. They’re a good team, and we’re going to just keep pushing and moving.”
Cheltenham (2-2, 1-0 SOL) will host William Tennent on Friday for its homecoming game, and Upper Moreland (4-1, 1-1) will travel to New Hope-Solebury on Friday.
Cheltenham 0-7-12-13 32
Upper Moreland 14-7-0-0 21
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