MOMENT # 1 OF THE 2005 MARPLE NEWTOWN TIGER FOOTBALL SEASON

LITITZ, PA - Just got done with Thanksgiving dinner and I'm trying to fill this space as my 4 year old niece insists that I play hide-and-go-seek with her. This is going to be tough. Before I forget, I would like to wish my readers a very happy and safe Thanksgiving holiday.

I just got done eating and I'm ready to fall asleep. I haven't eaten that much food since last Thanksgiving. The Dallas-Denver game is on my brother-in-law's 50 inch HDTV in front of me in his newly finished basement. Seems like a good game so far but for that matter, anything would look good on this TV. This is the second or maybe third time I've watched an NFL game in high-def and I can't seem to avert my eyes. Wow.

Before I get to the # 1 moment of the 2005 Tigers season, I'd like to mention a few things I'm thankful for:

• My family
• 7 wins
• Beating Ridley
• Coach Gionta calling me in June to ask me to do this
• The entire MN Football team coaching staff (that ALL plan to return for the 2006 season, by the way)
• My brother-in-law's 50 inch HDTV
• My wife, for occupying my 4 year old niece as I write this
• My friends
• The entire MN Football team, especially the seniors
• Lou D'Alonzo's stellar defense
• A brand spanking new football stadium (and press box)

I'm sure there are others that I forgot to mention, so with that said...

From high atop the 50-yard line, here we go...

MOMENT # 1, October 21st, 2005 - Remember a guy named James Willis? Probably not. He wore number 51 and played for the Philadelphia Eagles during the mid-90s. In a very memorable Cowboys-Eagles classic in Texas Stadium during the 1996 season, Willis intercepted a Troy Aikman pass intended for Emmit Smith in the end zone. He would eventually flip the ball to Troy Vincent who went almost 85 yards for the game winning touchdown. I'll never forget that James Willis game ending interception. Absolutely incredible.

After the Ridley game this season, T.J. Pretti is a name that will stick with me for a LONG time.

...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.

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.

Final score: Tigers 7, Green Raiders 6

Have a happy and safe holiday weekend...

Contact Jim Allsman at jma158@comcast.net.

Moment # 2, Top Ten Moments continued...

From high atop the 50-yard line, here we go...

Moment # 2, October 14th, 2005 - I know what you're going to say. "But Jim, you already included this game in your top ten moments." Yes, you're right however, how can I not include Matt Moccia's best game as a senior as one of the top moments of the 2005 season? You see, this Herculean performance by Moccia catapulted the Tigers into a 3-game winning streak including that very memorable victory at home against Ridley.

In the second quarter:

With 8:35 left in the 2nd quarter, the Tigers regained possession on their own 39-yard line. On 1st & 10 Tiger’s RB Matt Moccia took the ball 61 yards for a touchdown as the MN sidelines erupted with cheering and clapping. Ted Seiler’s extra point attempt was successful and the game was tied.

In the third quarter:

On 1st and 10 Liberty passed incomplete intended for Ted Seiler. The play calling from that point focused solely on running ball which proved to be a wise decision considering the condition of the field and the poor weather. Moccia rushed the ball 8 straight times and ending the drive with 3 yard gain on 2nd & goal and a touchdown (Seiler extra point was good).

In the fourth quarter:

With 1:16 left to play in regulation, MN put the ball into Moccia’s hands to get a first down and end the game. Moccia rushed twice, gaining 3 yards on each play. On the third play with 4 to go, Moccia hit the outside and found daylight on an otherwise dreary night and ran 83 yards for a touchdown and his longest run of the season (Seiler extra point was good).

That play would essentially end the game but not the story of Matt Moccia and his incredible season. Game 8 versus the Green Raiders of Ridley will be the next chapter of this season.

Final score: Tigers 28, Lions 13

Against the Lions, Moccia had 27 rushing attempts for 230 yards and 3 TDs with an average gain of 8.5 yards per rush.

More to come...

Contact Jim Allsman at jma158@comcast.net.

Moment # 3, Top Ten Moments continued...

From high atop the 50-yard line, here we go...

Moment # 3, September 30th, 2005 - Forget the fact that this was the Tigers true first home game of the season. Never mind that the entire community, student body, school administrators and every Marple Newtown fall sports team was represented along with the band and the choir. This night was dedicated to the legacy of Harry Harvey, the school's first Athletic Director and football coach. On this night, renovated Harry Harvey Field was being rededicated and Superintendent of Schools, Merle Horowitz spoke about Marple Newtown's very own "Friday Night Lights."

Following the special ceremony, the Tigers defense would prove to all that were present why they deserved the best facility in Delaware County with these incredible and unforgettable moments leading to Marple Newtown's first shut out of the year.

In the first quarter:

On the Cougars second possession of the game, they made an attempt at striking first with a field goal attempt at 2:55 in the first quarter however, Sean Spratt blocked Tom Vontanhausen's 25-yard field goal attempt. This Tiger defense was ready to make a statement on their new SprintTurf field, in their new stadium.

In the second quarter:

Springfield reached the Tigers 27 yard line on the ensuing drive but turned the ball over on downs on a critical 4th and 3 incomplete pass from QB Mike Keenen to Joe Kelly that was defended beautifully by Toby MacCart who finished the night with two tackles including one for a loss.

The Cougars would not shy away that easily when on the next drive Tom Vontanhausen intercepted Liberty's pass intended for Sean Spratt at the 40 returning 7 yards to the 47. Springfield's offense took the field but was unable to make anything happen with 2:33 left in the first half due to a Dan Scarboro interception at the Tigers 7 yard line.

In the fourth quarter:

On Springfield's only meaningful drive of the second half, they were gaining momentum in the 4th quarter and looked poised to score. A pass from Mike Keenen to Andre Nelson for 21 yards put Cougars into Tigers territory on the 38-yard line. Keenen passed incomplete to Tom Doherty on 1st and 10. On 2nd and 10 Keenen dropped back only to find Pete Massaro chasing him down for his first sack of the game and a loss of 8 yards. On 3rd down and 18 Keenen was reacquainted with Massaro recording his second sack for the night. The Cougars punted on 4th and 27.

The Cougars would get the ball back with 2:03 remaining in the game and make their last significant attempt to put points on the board. Mike Talley and Pete Massaro would join forces to shut down the offense combining for a sack and a loss of 12 on 4th & 9 from the Springfield 36 yard line.

Springfield was only able to make it into Tigers territory twice in the second half and five times total for the game out of 10 offensive drives. The stellar Tigers defense led by Pat Aigeldinger (8 tackles) and Pete Massaro (7 tackles, 3.5 sacks) held the Cougars to 154 net yards in 48 total offensive plays (3.2 average gain per play) for the game.

Final score: Tiger 17, Cougars 0

More to come...

Contact Jim Allsman at jma158@comcast.net.

Moment # 4, Top Ten Moments continued...

From high atop the 50-yard line, here we go...

Moment # 4, October 14th, 2005 - The Penncrest Lions took the lead in the 2nd quarter of this game on the legs of Patrick O'Donnell by rushing the ball on 1st & 10 for 26 yards and a touchdown - Lions 13, Tigers 7 with 6:23 left in the 1st half. Then this play happened and it changed the momentum for not only this game but the next 2 games as well:

On the ensuing drive, the Lions Elijah Trusty kicked off to Sean Spratt. Catching the ball on the 10-yard line Spratt started his return. The kickoff special teams for MN blocked superbly allowing Spratt to elude would-be tacklers and take the ball 90 yards all the way to the end zone for 6 points. It was the Tigers first kickoff return for a touchdown of the season and a brilliant run by the senior, Sean Spratt (Seiler extra point was good).

The Lions never found the end zone for the rest of the night. This excellent run by Spratt proved to be the first nail in the Lion's coffin.

Final score: Tigers 28, Lions 13

This was the only kick-off return for a touchdown on the season for the Tigers. Sean Spratt ended his senior year with 8 kick returns for 223 total yards and one for a TD.

More to come...

Contact Jim Allsman at jma158@comcast.net.

Moment # 5, Top 10 Moments continued...

From high atop the 50-yard line, here we go...

Moment # 5, September 24th, 2005 - When you look back at this game, it's easy to say that this was Matt Moccia's coming out party. The only one-hundred yard game he had under his belt was against Avon Grove in week one of the season. He rushed for 111 yards against Red Devils and then had somewhat of a slump. Against the Fords Moccia rushed for 33 yards, and only 41 against the Upper Darby Royals a week later. He more than made up for those two weeks in this game.

In the first quarter:

The Tigers second drive started from their own 35-yard line due to Kadesch’s kick-off going out of bounds. Liberty handed off to Moccia, while the offensive line exploded and took the ball 65 yards in ten seconds all the way to the end zone for their first touchdown of the afternoon.

In the second quarter:

On 3rd and 3 from the 17-yard line, Matt Moccia scored his second touchdown of the afternoon, hardly even getting touched by defenders.

For the second straight week it might as well have been “The Matt Moccia Show.” The kid put on a clinic for up-and-coming high school running backs rushing the ball 27 times for 216 yards and 2 touchdowns. This performance was highlighted by Central League MVP honors for week 4 of the current season.

Final score: Tigers 14, Aces 7

More to come...

Contact Jim Allsman at jma158@comcast.net.

Moment # 6, Top 10 Moments continued...

From high atop the 50 yard line, here we go...

Moment Number 6, October 28th, 2005 - On a two-game winning streak after defeating Penncrest and Ridley, the Tigers went on the road and visited the Red Raiders of Radnor. On the first cold night of autumn, the Tigers defense played red hot. The Tigers defensive unit is responsible for this moment, or should I say MOMENTS.....

In the first quarter:

Radnor came out firing, moving the ball into Tigers territory on their first drive. They started on their own 28-yard line, taking the ball 32 yards in 6 plays before senior HB T.J. Faust fumbled the ball. The Tigers John Rutecki recovered the fumble at the 40-yard line and gave his offensive teammates excellent field position starting their first drive at their own 42.

In the second quarter:

The Red Raiders offense showed some life in the first half by running the option but it was only a matter of time before the Tigers defense would clamp down and force a turnover. On their 1st drive in the second quarter senior FB Mubarak Lawrence fumbled the rock on 2nd & 10 from their own 11-yard line. Pat Aigeldinger recovered the fumble at the 20-yard line and the Tigers offensive unit took over in the red zone.

The Red Raiders managed to get the ball back into Tiger’s territory only once in the second quarter taking the ball 53 yards in 10 plays right before half-time. On 1st and 2nd down from the Tigers 20, QB Jimmy Mahady’s passes fell incomplete to Glenn Washington and Jesse Ordonio due to the outstanding red zone defense provided by T.J. Pretti and Matt Moccia.

In the third quarter, QB Jimmy Mahady was intercepted by T.J. Pretti at the Radnor 35-yard line and in the fourth he was intercepted again by Toby MacCart at the goal line on 1st & 10 from the Tiger's 15-yard line.

The Tigers defense held the Radnor offensive unit to 50 passing yards on the night as Mahady had 6 completions on 16 attempts.

Including the previous game versus Ridley, the Tigers defense held their opponents to 12 points (2 touchdowns) in eight quarters.

Final score: Tigers 26, Red Raiders 6

More to come...

Contact Jim Allsman at jma158@comcast.net.

Top 10 Moments of 2005 continued...

Moving right along with Number 8 and Number 7

Before we get to the juicy highlights, I just wanted to follow-up with a quick note about a prior posting. In my 11/17/05 post, I mentioned that I would be doing a piece on the senior players. Don't worry I didn't forget about them. That story will appear in this space in early December.

From high atop the 50 yard line, here we go...

Moment Number 8, October 21st, 2005 - This was a huge game and just the second football game played in the newly renovated Harry Harry Field. The Green Raider of Ridley were visiting the Tigers for a Central League showdown that was chock-full-of storylines.

Now don't worry, this game had some other moments that will be discussed further down the list but I don't want to give you any clues or hints. This moment came at the end of the game with six minutes and change left in the fourth quarter.

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 (through the first 8 games).

Matt Moccia ended the 2005 season with 256 rushing attempts for 1,386 yards with an average gain of 5.4 yards per rush. Moccia also had 11 catches for the season for 91 yards and 13 kick-off returns for 214 yards ending the season with 1,691 all-purpose yards.

One word. Amazing.

Moment Number 7, September 30th, 2005 - Defensive Line Coach Nick Reynolds is always ready to praise the efforts of his "Wolfpack." He proudly pumped his chest after this defensive line performance lead bysophomoree defensive end Pete Massaro who recorded 3.5 sacks for a total loss of 32 yards.

On Springfield's only meaningful drive of the second half, they were gaining momentum in the 4th quarter and looked poised to score. A pass from Mike Keenen to Andre Nelson for 21 yards put Cougars into Tigers territory on the 38-yard line. Keenen passed incomplete to Tom Doherty on 1st and 10. On 2nd and 10 Keenen dropped back only to find Pete Massaro chasing him down for his first sack of the game and a loss of 8 yards. On 3rd down and 18 Keenen was reacquainted with Massaro recording his second sack for the night. The Cougars punted on 4th and 27.

The Cougars would get the ball back with 2:03 remaining in the game and make their last significant attempt to put points on the board. Mike Talley and Pete Massaro would join forces to shut down the offense combining for a sack and a loss of 12 on 4th & 9 from the Springfield 36 yard line.

...The Tiger's defense played incredible. Pete Massaro, a sophomore, looked like Howie Long by sacking Mike Keenen 3.5 times for 32 total yards lost.

On the evening, the Tigers defense recorded 5 sacks for a loss of 44 yards. The total tackles for loss were 7 for -52 yards.

More to come.....

Contact Jim Allsman at jma158@comcast.net.

D’ALONZO’S DEFENSE DISPATCH THE PATRIOTS

The Tigers defensive unit set the tone early by registering 2 safeties in the Patriots first 3 offensive plays and shut out Penn Wood, 27-0.

YEADON, PA – Defensive Coordinator Lou D’Alonzo writes up his defensive game plan every week on a manila file folder. It looks very unsophisticated and primitive as it is written literally on the folder. The way the Tigers defense played on Saturday morning is far from what that crumpled up folder looked like at the end of the game. Unlike his defensive script, the MN defense looked and played highly complex, enlightened, and superior.

Penn Wood QB Dominic Herr knew it was going to be a long morning when he dropped back for his first offensive play on the 5-yard line and got sacked in the end zone for a safety by junior Trevor Viviani.

Adding to Herr’s misery, on Penn Wood’s second possession that started on their 1-yard line due to an excellent punt by Travis Wrambel, Herr handed the ball off on 2nd & 9 to RB Rasheed Harper for a 2-yard loss and another safety. This time, Perry Koliatsis came up with the tackle for loss and 2 points.

With 6:36 left in the first quarter, the Tigers put 4 on the scoreboard and the defensive line (AKA the “Wolf Pack” nicknamed by defensive line coach Nick Reynolds) was off to an amazing start.

The Tigers would eventually score in a more traditional fashion off of the foot of Ted Seiler. Set up by the legs of Matt Moccia who rushed the ball 42 yards in 7 plays, Seiler nailed a 25 yard field goal attempt on MN’s third possession with 2:15 left in the first quarter.

More despair would follow for the Penn Wood offense. On their third offensive possession, Herr was intercepted by Toby MacCart at the MN 28 yard-line returning the ball 9 yards to the 37.

Penn Wood’s fourth possession went 6 yards in 3 plays and on their fifth possession in the 1st half, Herr fumbled on 3rd & 3 from the Tiger 35-yard line. Sean Spratt recovered the fumble at the 31-yard line.

To open the second half, Penn Wood started on their 33-yard line and drove all the way down the field going 59 yards in 12 plays highlighted by a 35-yard pass completion from Herr to Kamar Jordan. Going for it on 4th & 8, Jordan attempted to haul in Herr’s pass in the end zone for 6 points only to have the pass broken up by the senior defensive back Sean Spratt.

The Tigers demonstrated their offensive prowess and reached the endzone on their second possession in the 2nd half. Tiger’s QB Jon Liberty started with a 10-yard pass completion to Dan Scarboro from the MN 47-yard line. Matt Moccia ran the ball four consecutive times for 15 yards; Liberty hit Scarboro again for 6 and set up Moccia on 3rd & goal from the 2-yard line. Moccia rushed the ball and scored his last touchdown in a Marple Newtown Tigers uniform with 9:42 remaining in the fourth quarter (Seiler extra point attempt was no good).

Herr was eventually intercepted again, this time by John Gallagher late in the fourth on the Penn Wood 35-yard line, returned 26 yards to the 9-yard line. That interception allowed senior Dan Scarboro to rush for a gain of 3 on 2nd & 4 and a touchdown with 4:43 remaining in the game.

On the ensuing drive, Penn Wood RB Rasheed Harper fumbled the ball at his 39-yard line, recovered by sophomore Pete Massaro at the 38. Matt Moccia touched the ball for the last time of his high school career and gained 22 yards taking the ball to the Penn Wood 16-yard line. On 1st down from the 16, senior HB Byong Lee was inserted “Rudy Ruettiger-like” into the game by Coach Gionta. Like Rudy, Lee made the most of his late season opportunity and scored his first touchdown of the season (Seiler extra point was good).

With that score, the Tiger’s sideline exploded with exhilaration and cheers for a hard-worker who epitomized the psyche of this Tigers team.

This was definitely an inspiring end to an memorable season.

Moccia rushed the ball for 33 times for 162 yards and a TD. John Rutecki had 4 touches for 30 yards, while Byong Lee rushed twice for 50 yards and a TD. Other notables on offense included Dan Scarboro with 2 rushes for 3 yards and a TD and QB Jon Liberty had 7 completions on 13 attempts for 64 yards.

THE DEFENSE, by the numbers

Below are the defensive contributions by tackles and other noteworthy stats:

Dave Hansell – 10 (including a TFL, and a pass break-up)
Dan Scarboro – 5 (including a pass break-up)
Mike Talley – 4 (including a pass-break-up)
Ted Seiler – 4 (including a TFL, and a pass break-up)
Matt Moccia – 4 (including a pass-break-up)
John Rutecki – 4 (including 1.5 TFLs, and a caused fumble)
Perry Koliatsis – 4 (including a sack and a safety)
TJ Pretti – 3 (including a pass break-up)
Sean Spratt – 2 (including 3 pass break-ups, and a fumble recovery)
Toby MacCart – 2 (including an INT)
Trevor Viviani – 2 (including a sack and a safety)
Pete Massaro – fumble recovery

The Last Word

In the spirit of our love for lists, this week’s “Last Word” will cover the Marple Newtown Tigers Football Top 10 Moments of the 2005 Season. Ending their 2005 crusade with a 7-4 record overall (5-4 Central League), there were many moments to choose from.

When I started to reminisce about the season during the final coaches meeting on Wednesday, I determined that it would be nearly impossible to put these moments into one column. So, I will spread it out over the next 7 days leading up to the number one moment of the 2005 season that will be posted on Thanksgiving Day, November 24th, 2005. I will post two tonight, two on Friday and one each day leading up to Tryptophan Day.

From high atop the 50 yard line, here’s the way I ranked them starting with number 10:

NUMBER 10, November 12th, 2005 – Well, you just read about #10 above because it started at 9:36 in the first quarter of the 11th game of the season and ended 3 minutes later.

Penn Wood QB Dominic Herr knew it was going to be a long morning when he dropped back for his first offensive play on the 5-yard line and got sacked in the end zone by junior Trevor Viviani.

Adding to Herr’s misery, on Penn Wood’s second possession that started on their 1-yard line due to an excellent punt by Travis Wrambel, Herr handed the ball off on 2nd & 9 to RB Rasheed Harper for a 2-yard loss and another safety. This time, Perry Koliatsis came up with the tackle for loss and 2 points.

The MN defense recorded 2 safeties during their 2005 season, all coming in the first 3 defensive plays of their last game on the road versus Penn Wood.

NUMBER 9, September 2nd, 2005 – On the first game of the season, the Tigers had to open up their 2005 campaign versus Avon Grove at home. However, due to stadium renovations the Tigers were forced to play their first 2 “home” games at Haverford High School.

Leading Avon Grove 21-7 late in the 4th quarter, the Red Devils went 71 yards in 12 plays on a drive that started from their own 25-yard line. They reached the Tiger’s 4-yard line and then senior Sean Spratt put this last nail in the coffin:

The Red Devils started their 9th drive of the game from their own 25-yard line and went 71 total yards in 12 plays. In their most impressive drive of the game, Avon Grove had four 1st downs including 2 pass completions for 16 and 18 yards to Josh Gimble. Charlton lifted the team with his legs rushing for a gain of 14 and put the Red Devils in Tigers territory for only the second time in the entire game. On 4th and 2 Charlton dropped back and threw a pass to Bill Lotter in the corner of the end zone only to have it intercepted by Sean Spratt.

Spratt and the Tigers defense cooled off any heat that the Red Devils generated on that drive in the fourth quarter. The Red Devils barely got within the 35-yard line on their last drive and only went 16 yards in 8 plays – Charlton could only complete 2 out of 8 attempts.

That red zone defense late in the game forshadowed what was yet to come for this dominant Marple Newtown Tigers defense.

Contact Jim Allsman at jma158@comcast.net.

PIONEERS DEFEAT TIGERS 26-0, CLINCH CENTRAL LEAGUE TITLE

NEWTOWN SQUARE, PA – Friday night was Senior night and for the Marple Newtwon Tigers, their last chance to win one more at home for the season. As for the seniors, this would be their last opportunity to shine bright under the new lights of the renovated Harry R. Harvey Field.

The Pioneers proved to be a team that was too hard to handle for the Tigers, shutting them out 26-0. This win gave Conestoga their second Central League Championship in 2 seasons.

Here’s the scoring summary:

First Quarter
Conestoga-(5:36)-Rush by Reggie Pierce for a gain 5 and TD
Conestoga-(5:36)-Extra point attempt by Brian Fadem is no good

Second Quarter
Conestoga-(6:51)-Rush by Leroi Leviston for a gain of 22 and TD
Conestoga-(6:51)-Two-point conversion failed

Conestoga-(0:14)-Pass from Leroi Leviston to Brandon Winters complete for a gain of 11 and TD
Conestoga-(0:14)-Extra point attempt by Brian Fadem is good

Third Quarter
Conestoga-(9:39)- Pass from Liam McMackin to Matt DeStefano complete for a gain of 67 and TD
Conestoga-(9:39)-Extra point attempt by Brian Fadem is no good

Thank you, Seniors

These young men played hard all year and helped shape the future of this football team:

Matt Moccia (62 yards rushing, 9 tackles)
Dan Scarboro (7 tackles)
Mike Talley (1 sack, 3 tackles)
Byong Lee (4.0 yards per carry)
Sean Spratt (2 receptions)

Also, T.J. Pretti, Toby MacCart, Travis Wramble, Ed Hall, Ben Larivee, Vladimir Ginzburg, Nick Raffaele, and Tom Powell.

Their performance on the field and their leadership contributions will be missed.

Defensive Contributions by Tackles

Matt Moccia – 9
Perry Koliatsis – 8
Dave Hansell – 8 (including 1.5 TFLs)
Dan Scarboro – 7
Ted Seiler – 7 (including 2 TFLs)
Trevor Viviani – 5
TJ Pretti – 3
John Rutecki – 4
Mike Talley – 3 (including TFL, and a sack)
Pat Aigeldinger – 3 (including 0.5 TFL)
Pete Massaro – 4 (including TFL, and a sack)
Toby MacCart – 2 (including 2 pass break-ups)

Final Game of the Season vs. Penn Wood at Penn Wood High School

The Tigers will play their final game of the season against Penn Wood at Penn Wood High School in Lansdowne, PA on Saturday November 12th, starting at 10:30 AM. This is the Tigers final game of the 2005 season. Come out and support the Tigers!

The Last Word

As I sit here in my office and this write this, my television is chirping in the background. ESPN is on. It’s usually that or the Food Network if my wife has been in here working on something. There’s some random college football game on but I’m not really paying that much attention to it.

What does get my attention is a breaking news alert – you know, the kind that puts butterflies in your stomach as if something REALLY TERRIBLE has happened. The ESPN robotic-like anchor pops up onto the screen to announce that the Philadelphia Eagles have indefinitely suspended their mercurial wide receiver, Terrell Owens.

As my mom used to say to me “Now what?”

Well, by the time I finished writing this on Monday evening (I usually don’t write this in one sitting by the way) arguably the best Eagles wide receiver since Tommy McDonald will never don an Eagles uniform again. Well, not unless he befriends Howard Carmichael and decides to purchase his throwback jersey.

Sad. Not for the Eagles though. I mean sure, they are better with him but how much can one team stand? I feel bad for Andy Reid. Why? Because he really cares about his players.

I have read in many sports periodicals over time that Andy Reid wants to make a difference in the lives of all his players. Sure, I know what you’re thinking. Is this Allsman-guy nuts? How in the world would I know Any Reid’s motives? I don’t, but I have a hunch that he knows that football is the quintessential team sport. Everybody, and I mean everybody MUST work hard and together as a team. Certain guys like T.O. need extra care and someone that is willing to take the chance and make a difference.

I bring this up because I’m not sure a lot of coaches really care for their players, but like Andy Reid, I know Coach Gionta and his entire staff DO CARE. Winning football games is a priority as well as shaping the character of every young man on that team. Gionta and Co. preaches the importance of teamwork and good sportsmanship constantly.

Despite an agonizing loss on Friday night where nothing really went right the Tigers showed they were the team with class and character at the end of the game. After the Pioneers won and wrapped up the Central League title they decided to celebrate in a way that would get any home team and crowd fired up. The Tigers refrained from reacting and looked on, eventually the Pioneers would leave the field.

At that moment, the Tigers proved to me that something greater took place during the course of the season – tremendous growth and maturity. It was the most proud I have been all season to be affiliated with this team.

With all of this said, here’s my open letter to Terrell Owens:

Dear T.O.,

It has come to my attention that you now have some free time. Well, you’re in luck because on Saturday morning the Marple Newtown Tigers will be putting on a clinic and will demonstrate the IMPORTANT concepts of team, sportsmanship and humility in the game of football.

Starts at 10:30 AM, see ya Saturday morning!

With warmest regards, I am
J.A.

Contact Jim Allsman at jma158@comcast.net.