PRETTI’S PLAY IS A TOTAL KNOCKOUT

Pretti makes it look easy as the Tigers defense holds on to upset Ridley in the final seconds, 7-6

NEWTOWN SQUARE, PA – Mystique, as defined by Webster, is “an air or attitude of mystery and reverence developing around something or someone.” That something or someone seemed to rear its ugly head Friday night and preside over the Tigers sidelines as they delivered a thrilling victory to their larger than usual homecoming crowd.

And even though the king and queen were crowned during halftime, there was no doubt in my mind who would receive the accolades during the homecoming dance later in the evening – senior defensive back TJ Pretti. Pretti had a storybook interception with 8 seconds left in regulation that allowed the Tigers to hold their lead and beat Ridley (only the sixth time in team history) for the first time since 1987.

The game went scoreless in the first half despite a failed 30-yard field goal attempt by MN’s Ted Seiler in the 2nd quarter (8:01).

Ridley scored first in the 3rd quarter on their second offensive possession going 52 yards in 7 plays. Ridley RB Casey Grugan contributed with 3 touches for 24 yards and QB Al Humes delivered the ball to 3 different receivers (Dino Vasso, Eric Mease, & Lenny Pinto) including a gain of 15 yards to Lenny Pinto for a touchdown. Ekrem Uysaler’s extra point attempt was no good as the Green Raiders struggled in the kicking game all night. That failed attempt would prove to be fatal for Ridley.

On the very next drive, MN started their only scoring drive from their own 36-yard line. The passing game came alive and the Ridley defense honest as QB Jon Liberty went 4 for 5 to three different receivers. The first memorable play of the game came on 3rd & 7 from the MN 39 - Liberty passed complete to Ted Seiler where he came up with an impossible one-armed grab in the middle of the field to keep the drive alive and a gain of 17 yards. Liberty found Pat Aigeldinger on the very next play for another gain of 17. On another 3 and long situation from the Ridley 24, Liberty found Sean Spratt for a gain of 15 that put the ball on the 9-yard line. Moccia would run for 2 on 1st & goal. On 2nd & goal from the 7, Liberty hit Aigeldinger for a gain of 6 yards that set up a 1-yard rush for Matt Moccia and a touchdown with 10:00 left in the fourth quarter (Seiler extra point is good).

Both offensive units attempted to put the game away with another scoring drive. Just under 2 minutes left to play in the game (1:53), Ridley would take over at their own 3-yard line. Al Humes went under center and began to pick apart the Tigers secondary. On 3rd & 12 from the 3, Humes completed his first pass of the drive complete for a gain of 19 to Dino Vasso. The very next play Humes found Rocco Nicolino for a gain of 28. Ridley went 47 yards and took the ball to midfield in the matter of seconds. Looking very Peyton Manning-like, Humes continued to throw passing complete to Grugan for 9 yards and Vasso for 4 yards on 3rd & 1 taking the ball to the Tiger’s 37-yard line.

The mystique that the Green Raiders seem to pull out at the right moments of a football game was on display at Harry R. Harvey Field. As the seconds ticked away, Humes and his receivers found the sidelines and the first downs to give their offense enough time to regroup and execute the next play as the Tigers defense was trying desperately to make a stop.

Humes hit Grugan twice - on 1st & 10 from the 37 for a gain of 13 and on 1st & 10 from the 24 for a gain 9 with the ball on the 15-yard line. Al Humes, 15 yards from stealing a game on the road, dropped back on 2nd & 1 and passed. Marple Newtown’s TJ Pretti, following Humes’ eyes, stepped up and intercepted the pass at the 8-yard line returning the ball for 2 yards to the 10. Game over. Liberty and the offensive unit would takeover only to take a knee, as Ridley had no timeouts remaining.

The mystique, if it ever existed, was MN’s 12th man as the defense came up with another big play as they have been doing all season long. The homecoming crowd went crazy as Pretti was congratulated by his teammates on the sidelines.

Moccia Update

Against the Green Raiders, Moccia had 25 rushing attempts for 87 yards and 1 TD with an average gain of 3.5 yards per rush. Moccia broke the 1,000-yard mark in the 4th quarter on 3rd & 14 from the Tiger’s 21-yard line for a gain of 20 yards and a 1st down.

For the season, Moccia has rushed the ball 182 times for 1,019 yards, 10 TDs, and an average 5.6 yards per rush.

The Last Word

The defense of Marple Newtown came up with big plays when it counted versus Ridley. Below are the defensive contributions by tackles:

Matt Moccia – 9 (including TFL)
Dave Hansell – 7 (including a sack, 2 TFLs, and a fumble recovery)
Dan Scarboro – 6 (including 2 pass break-ups, and a fumble recovery)
John Rutecki – 6 (including 2 pass break-ups)
Pat Aigeldinger – 5 (including 2 pass break-ups)
Toby MacCart – 3 (including 1 pass break-up)
Pete Massaro – 3
TJ Pretti – 2 (including INT)
Ted Seiler – 2 (including a sack, TFL)
Mike Talley – 1 (including 2 pass-break-ups)
Steve Giordano - 1
Perry Koliatsis – 1
Sean Spratt – 3 pass break-ups, INT, and a caused fumble

Contact Jim Allsman at jma158@comcast.net.