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By Scott Huff
Norristown head coach EJ Smith may not be renowned poet Elizabeth Barrett Browning, but the Eagle mentor can count the ways that he loves senior running back Sheldon Mayer.
#1
“Sheldon has great vision to set up blocks,” said Smith of his diminutive running back who raced for an astonishing 264 yards and five touchdowns to lead Norristown to a 41-14 nonleague victory over Central Bucks South. “He can see the entire field and can make a big play almost every time.”
#2
“Sheldon has the ability to make cuts without slowing down,” said Smith. “Most players lose momentum when they cut, but Sheldon is always going toward the goal line.”
#3
“Sheldon works very well with his lineman and is humble enough to give them the credit they deserve,” said Smith. “They have been together for a while, and our linemen stay on their blocks.”
#4
“Sheldon is a team leader,” said Smith of his senior captain. “He helps the team stay focused and works hard so that we can be a good football team.”
Smith is not alone in his affection for the talents of Mayer. CB South coach Bart Szarko is also on that bandwagon.
“Mayer is a special football player,” said Szarko who should know after coaching standout Eric Reynolds during his spectacular scholastic career for the Titans. “He can bounce off players, break tackles, and has incredible vision. He is a top caliber running back.”
Norristown scored on its first possession. Mayer raced 23 yards on his first carry from scrimmage and scored moments later on a dazzling 33-yard run Gerard Fox added the point after touchdown, and N-town held a quick 7-0 lead.
South came back with a drive that stalled at the Eagle nine-yard line. Featured in that drive was a 49-yard pass play from quarterback Bobby DiPasquale to Chris Eberz.
The Titan drive – which accounted for 61-yards – did not result in points. It would be a common theme all night, as South had 18 first downs and 362 total yards of offense - but only 14 points.
The catalyst to the Norristown defense was junior safety Anthony DiNolfi. DiNolfi has the unusual task of calling the Eagle defenses as a member of the defensive secondary.
“I think Coach Smith sees me as a leader,” said DiNolfi of his head coach who also doubles as the Eagles’ defensive coordinator. “I know what defense he is going to call before he calls it.”
“Anthony is a true student of the game,” agreed Smith. “He started as a sophomore, and during summer camp we decided that he was going to call the defenses.
“He talks football, eats football, and drinks football,” added Smith. “He’s the type of player you want on your football team.”
Norristown scored on its second possession of the game to take a 14-0 lead. Sophomore quarterback Shannon Mayer threw a gorgeous 30-yard pass to Anthony Robey to set up older brother Sheldon with his second TD dash – this one from 32 yards.
The Eagles would hold a 20-0 halftime lead as Sheldon Mayer capped a 60-yard touchdown drive with a five-yard TD burst. Again, the highlight of the drive was a 38-yard pass connection between Shannon Mayer and Robey.
CB South closed to within a pair of scores in the third period. The Titans marched 69 yard on nine plays for the score as Eberz threw a 16-yard halfback pass to Josh Williams. Williams added the extra point, and South trailed 20-7.
The Titans trailed 20-7 for exactly 26 seconds.
Mayer ripped off a 65-yard gain to give the Eagles a first-and-goal from the five-yard line. Mayer scored moments later from there to make the score 27-7.
“That is a sign of a good football team,” said Smith. “They got the ball into the end zone, but we faced adversity and got that score right back.”
“We thought we might have a chance to get back into the game,” said Szarko. “But that didn’t last too long.”
The Titans went on a 13-play, 67-yard drive that ended on the Eagle 14-yard line – again with no points.
It took Norristown all of two plays to reach paydirt.
The scoring play was an 84-yard scoring pass from Shannon Mayer to Robey. Robey caught just three passes but accounted for 155 yards and the TD.
The next Eagle scoring ‘drive’ took one play – a fantastic 53-yard scoring dash by Mayer.
“Sheldon had a little wiggle in that one,” smiled Smith. “He can get it done in a lot of different ways.”
And you can count the ways.
EXTRA POINTS – CB South scored the final points of the game when offensive lineman Brian McDermott recovered a Titan fumble in the end zone for a touchdown … South was led in rushing by Jon Eiseman with 81 yards … Bobby DiPasquale quarterbacked the Titans in the first half while Matt Johns was at the controls in the second half… Next week Norristown will play Cheltenham while CB South will play North Penn./span>
Norristown 7 13 7 14 - 41
CB South 0 0 7 7 - 14
N: Sheldon Mayer 33 run (Gerard Fox kick)
N: Sheldon Mayer 32 run (Fox kick)
N: Sheldon Mayer 4 run (Fox kick)
CBS: Josh Williams 16 pass from Chris Eberz (Williams kick)
N: Sheldon Mayer 5 run (Fox kick)
N: Anthony Robey 84 pass from Shannon Mayer (Fox kick)
N: Sheldon Mayer 53 run (Fox kick)
CBS: Brian McDermott fumble recovery in end zone (Williams kick)
Norristown CB South
15 First Downs 18
332 Rush Yards 273
155 Pass Yards 89
487 Total Offense 362
2-20 Pen./Yards 2-30
0-0 Punts/Avg 1-3
Norristown:
Rushing: Sheldon Mayer 19-264- 5 TD; Shannon Mayer 3-27; Tracey Pressley 5-16; Derrick Williams 3-10; Brandon Shippen 2-7; DeVante Fung 1-6; Charles Tibbs 3-6; Mike Proietto 2-3; CJ Douglass 1-0; Taylor Hildenbrand 1 (minus 7). Totals 40-332-5 TD.
Passing: Shannon Mayer 4-6-0, 155 yards, TD. Proietto 0-1-0. Totals 4-7-0, 155 yards, TD.
Receiving: Anthony Robey 3-152, TD; Mylo Hill 1-3. Totals 4-155-TD.
Interceptions: Mylo Hill – 2.
Central Bucks South:
Rushing: Jon Eiseman 16-81; Chris Eberz 6-66; Joey Kenderline 4-39; Matt Johns 8-35; Bobby DiPasquale 4-23; Dan Brown 3-18; Jim Gannon 1-11. Totals 42-273.
Passing: Bobby DiPasquale 3-7-2, 59 yards; Matt Johns 3-7-0, 14 yards; Chris Eberz 1-1-0, 16 yards, TD. Totals 7-15-2, 89 yards. TD.
Receiving: Chris Eberz 1-49; Josh Williams 3-29, TD; Steve Jenet 1-5; Brian Taing 1-5; Jon Eiseman 1-1. Totals 7-89- TD.
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