TigersCast Game UPDATE

TigersCast Game UPDATE - Game 5 vs the Strath Haven Panthers from Harry Harvey Stadium in Newtown Square, PA

TigersCast Game UPDATE

TigersCast Game UPDATE - Game 5 vs the Strath Haven Panthers from Harry Harvey Stadium in Newtown Square, PA

TigersCast: Strath Haven Game 5 Primer

Contact Jim Allsman at jma158@comcast.net.

Voice-over soundtrack music: "Up She Rises" from The Power And The Glory: The Original Music & Voices Of NFL Films (Released by Tommy Boy, 1998)

TIGERS DEFENSE TURNS OUT THE LIGHTS ON SPRINGFIELD, 36-0

SPRINGFIELD, PA – Over their last eight quarters of football, the Marple Newtown Tigers have not allowed their opponents to score any points. The last two games the Tigers defense has posted two shutouts in a dominating fashion.

Every week this defense comes ready to play, and even score if they must. Despite a defensive secondary that many said would struggle (including me), the Marple Newtown secondary has logged 4 interceptions over the first 4 games of the season. Additionally, the defense has caused 13 fumbles and recovered 5 for 36 yards.

These turnovers can be attributed to the defensive line rotation the Tigers use to pressure opposing offensives. Through the first 4 games the Tigers defense has allowed only 24 completions on 50 pass attempts for 306 yards including 2 touchdowns, and have managed to sack the quarterback 5 times for a loss of 36 yards.

Game summary:

The Tigers offense came out of the gates pounding the rock under the direction of the very versatile junior, John Rutecki. Rutecki rushed for gains of 11 and 7 before a 10-yard holding penalty that put the Tigers in 1st & 15 from the Cougars 47 yard line. Along with a 2 yard rush by junior John Gallagher, Rutecki finished the drive with 45 yards on 5 carries including a 5 yard touchdown run on 1st & goal with 6:30 remaining in the 1st quarter (Seiler extra point is good).

Springfield’s special teams would answer the call with an excellent kick-off return to midfield only to have their offense go negative 4 yards in 3 plays before punting.

Despite a fumble recovery by senior LB Ted Seiler at the Cougars 45 late in the first, Marple Newtown did not score their second touchdown until 8:29 left in the first half. On Marple Newtown’s fourth drive, Jon Liberty dropped back on 1st & 10 from the MN 32, rolled right and hit senior TE Pat Aigeldinger about ten yards out. Aigeldinger did the rest, taking the ball 68 yards for a touchdown without a Cougar defender able to catch him (Seiler extra point is good).

The Tigers next drive started from Springfield’s 32-yard line due to a 48 yard kick-off return by Gallagher. Rutecki got the ball 3 times for gains of 7, 10 and 3. On 2nd & 7 from the 12, Gallagher rushed and found his way to the end zone with 4:27 left in the second quarter (Seiler extra point is good).

Late in the half, Springfield’s Lee Petroski at the Cougar’s 40-yard line intercepted Liberty, returning it 36 yards to the Tiger’s 24-yard line setting up Springfield’s seventh drive of the night. That drive went 1 yard in 4 plays ending on 4th & 9 from the Tiger’s 23 as Springfield’s Sean Saylor was intercepted by Steve Giordano at the 7; returned 23 yards to the 30.

The opening drive of the second half had the Tigers starting from their own 36 after a Dan Giordano 16 yard kick-off return. The 2 biggest plays of that drive came from the arm of Jon Liberty. On 2nd & 8 from their own 38, Liberty fired complete to Aigeldinger for 26 yards. On the very next play on 1st & 10 from the Cougars 36, Liberty passed complete to Gallagher for a 22-yard gain – eventually set up 1st & goal from the 1-yard line. Liberty found the end zone and the Tigers fourth touchdown on a 1-yard keeper (Seiler extra point is no good) with 8:57 left in the third.

Liberty and the passing game eclipsed the century mark as he went 3 for 7 for 116 yards including 1 passing touchdown.

Springfield’s ninth drive of the game started from their own 20 yard line. At this point the Tigers, with a 27-0 lead, really started to pin their ears back on defense. On 1st & 10 Springfield QB Sean Saylor would attempt to rush the ball only to be hit by senior DE Shane Breslin forcing a fumble that went out of bounds and a loss 11 yards. On 2 & 21 at the 9, Mike Archibald ran for a gain of 1 before running into a wall named Perry Koliatsis. On 3rd & Ballymore, Sean Saylor ran for his life as he was pressured from his right by Koliatsis and then dropped in the end zone by Shane Breslin for a loss of ten yards and a safety with 4:46 remaining in the third quarter.

The Tigers next drive after the safety ended on 4th & 4 from their own 45. Ted Seiler punted to the 15 and the ball was downed by MN. On 1st and 2nd downs Springfield would attempt to rush for little to no gain. On 3rd & 10 from the 15, the Cougars rushed for a gain of 1 until Breslin forced another fumble that was recovered by junior DB Brandon Rook.

That final turnover set up MN’s fifth scoring drive. At 12:00 in the fourth, Steve Giordano rushed for a gain of 6 yards and a touchdown (Seiler extra point is good).

THE DEFENSE, by the numbers

The top 5 defensive contributions by tackles and other noteworthy stats:

Dave Hansell – 9 (including 1.5 TFL)
Pete Massaro – 6 (including 2.5 TFLs, QB hurry, caused fumble)
Perry Koliatsis – 5 (including 1 TFL, QB hurry)
Shane Breslin – 4 (including 2 TFLs, sack, safety, pass breakup, caused fumble)
Ted Seiler – 4 (including a fumble recovery)


Vinny Quercetti – 2 (including QB hurry, caused fumble)
Kevin Pearson – 2 (including TFL, sack)

Brandon Rook – pass breakup, fumble recovery
Steve Giordano – INT

Game 5 vs. the Panthers of Strath Haven at Harry Harvey Stadium

The 2006 Tigers football team will play their fifth game on Friday, September 29, 2006 against the Strath Haven Panthers at Marple Newtown High School in Newtown Square, PA. Mark your calendars and be sure to come out and support the Tigers!

The Last Word

After four games, the Tigers defense has played 16 total quarters and has allowed only 4 touchdowns – 2 rushing, 2 passing.

In fact, the Tigers defense has held their opponents scoreless 12 out of the 16 quarters played.

I think this makes Friday night’s game very interesting. Marple Newtown and Strath Haven will play each other after they each posted 2 consecutive shutouts in weeks 3 and 4.

I’m not sure if the Tigers can score enough against a good defense (like Strath Haven) to be really dangerous. However, any team that holds their opponents scoreless 75% of the time is going to be in every game all season.


Contact Jim Allsman at jma158@comcast.net.

TigersCast Game UPDATE

TigersCast Game UPDATE - Game 4 vs the Springfield Cougars from Springfield High School in Springfield, PA

TigersCast Game UPDATE

TigersCast Game UPDATE - Game 4 vs the Springfield Cougars from Springfield High School in Springfield, PA

GALLAGHER & CO. RUN WILD ON THE ACES, 54-0

NEWTOWN SQUARE, PA – Head Football Coach Ray Gionta has felt his share of lob-sided losses over the course of his career but has consistently driven home one main point to his players: “It doesn’t matter what the score is at any point in the game, you play your hardest all the way through until the end.”

The Marple Newtown Tigers did just that and dominated the Lower Merion Aces, 54 to zilch. Lower Merion was beaten in every aspect of the game Friday night at Harry Harvey Stadium.

Seven different Marple Newtown backs rushed for at least 25 yards each and John Gallagher lead the attack with 5 attempts for 114 yards and 2 touchdowns for an average gain of 22.8 yards per rush. By the way, did I mention he did this all in the first half?

Before I start my game summary, it would be completely ignorant of me not to mention the Tigers swarming defense. They held the Aces to just 152 yards total offense on 50 plays for a 3.0-yard average gain per play. The Aces running game was shut down up front by the excellent defensive line play as Lower Merion attempted to rush 31 times for 37 yards and averaged 1.2 yards per rush.

In the first half, the Tigers had 6 possessions, and scored on every drive. The Tigers accounted for 240 total yards in the first 2 quarters on 21 plays and 6 rushing touchdowns.

The Tigers won the coin toss and deferred. Lower Merion elected to receive and that was the only facet of the game to go their way. Starting from their own 32-yard line, the Aces gained 8 yards in their first 2 plays, loss another 2 on third down and punted. A high snap allowed Marple Newtown to start in Aces’ territory from their 2-yard line. Ted Seiler scored his first of 2 on the night on a 2-yard run and had a successful extra point attempt with 9:50 remaining in the first quarter.

Lower Merion’s next drive was interrupted on 3rd and 7 from their own 35-yard line on an interception by the Tiger’s leading tackler, Dave Hansell. Five plays later Ted Seiler would once again rush and score from 9 yards out on 3rd and 1 (Seiler extra point is good) with 6:31 remaining in the first quarter.

The Aces next drive took the ball all the way to midfield before they punted to the Tigers. Marple Newtown’s offense put together a very nice drive and went 70 yards in 8 plays that included big rushing plays by Rutecki, Gallagher and Steve Giordano. On 1st and goal from the 3 yard line, Giordano rushed and found the end zone with 0:32 seconds remaining in the 1st quarter (2pt conversion attempt failed).

The Aces QB Adam Ellison tried again to put together a drive that would at least put his team in Tiger’s territory and made it all the way to the Marple Newtown 44 yard line before throwing his second interception into the hands of John Rutecki. Rutecki caught and returned the ball 21 yards to the Aces’ 45-yard line. Steve Giordano rushed for 17 on first down and John Gallagher rushed for 28 yards and the fourth touchdown of the evening with 7:48 remaining in the second quarter (Seiler extra point is no good).

After that, the Tigers defense held Lower Merion to 54 yards on 10 plays for the rest of the half. Marple Newtown’s fifth touchdown of the half came from their own 43-yard line on 2nd & 8. Gallagher got the hand off from Liberty and went 57 yards for the score with 5:02 to go in the half (Seiler extra point is good).

The last end zone appearance in the first half came from Steve Giordano, his second of 2 on the night. Giordano rushed on 1st and goal from the 9-yard line with 1:43 remaining (Seiler extra point is good).

The second half did not get any easier on the Aces as the mercy rule went into effect – the clock runs continuously and only stops during the change of possession.

The Tigers came right out on their first possession of the second half and started to mix it up a bit. Phil Graziano, Steve Giordano and Sam Hafez all contributed for 50 rushing yards on the drive in 3 plays. On 2nd & 1 from the Aces’ 28-yard line, Hafez scored with 9:45 to go in the third (Seiler extra point is good).

The last touchdown of the game came late in the third on 2nd and 2 from the Aces’ 1-yard line, which set up the Brothers Giordano final touchdown. On 1st & 10 from the Tigers 35, Rob Gow rushed for 56 yards before running out of gas and fumbling the ball out of bounds. Sam Hafez would again run the rock, only this time gaining 8 yards. Those 2 plays set up Dan Giordano (yes, they’re related) for a gain of one and the final touchdown (Seiler extra point is good).

The misery was over for the Lower Merion Aces. The Tigers clearly manhandled the Aces on Alumni Night at Harry Harvey Stadium.

THE DEFENSE, by the numbers

The top 5 defensive contributions by tackles and other noteworthy stats:

Dave Hansell – 11 (including 0.5 TFL, caused fumble, INT)
Pete Massaro – 6 (including 2 TFLs)
Ted Seiler – 5 (including TFL)
Perry Koliatsis – 4 (including 0.5 TFL)
Steve Giordano – 3

Jay Trio – 1 (including TFL)
Mike Browne – 1 (including TFL, sack)
Steve Reynolds – 1 (including 0.5 TFL)
Joe Gordon - (including 0.5 TFL)
John Rutecki – 1 (including INT)

Game 4 vs. the Springfield Cougars at Springfield High School

The 2006 Tigers football team will play their fourth game on Thursday, September 21, 2006 against the Springfield Cougars at Springfield High School in Springfield, PA. Mark your calendars and be sure to come out and support the Tigers.


Contact Jim Allsman at jma158@comcast.net.

TigersCast Game UPDATE

TigersCast Game UPDATE - Game 3 vs Lower Merion from Harry Harvey Stadium in Newtown Square, PA

TigersCast Game UPDATE

TigersCast Game UPDATE - Game 3 vs Lower Merion from Harry Harvey Stadium in Newtown Square, PA

TigersCast: Lower Merion Game 3 Primer

Contact Jim Allsman at jma158@comcast.net.

Voice-over soundtrack music: "The Equalizer" from The Power And The Glory: The Original Music & Voices Of NFL Films (Released by Tommy Boy, 1998)

TIGERS FALL TO ROYALS IN HOME OPENER, 20-12

NEWTOWN SQUARE, PA – Almost one year ago when Upper Darby played Marple Newtown, the Royals junior TE Dave Wilson barely was a blip on the radar screen for the Tigers HFC Ray Gionta. Wilson had 1 catch for 13 yards late in the first quarter of that game and then vanished, only to reappear at Harry Harvey Stadium Friday night in a big way.

Unfortunately for Marple Newtown, Wilson had 5 catches for 100 yards including 2 appearances in the end zone. Not to be outdone was Upper Darby senior QB Blaine Fox who also made his presence known with 12 completions on 23 attempts and 2 touchdowns (1 INT).

Much like last year’s game, the Tigers held the Royals to only 6 points going into the half coming from a 12 play 72 yard drive late in the second quarter. The Tigers defense allowed 2 Upper Darby backs – Gerald Mulbah and Aaron Duncan – rush for 41 yards on 8 of those plays. This rushing attack also allowed Upper Darby to hold onto the ball for the longest drive of the game, which lasted 5 minutes 39 seconds. It all ended on a rush by Mulbah from the Tigers 7 yard line on 2nd & 5 at 4:02 remaining in the first half.

Amazingly, the Tigers had possession of the ball 4 times in the first half and got into Royals territory on 2 drives. On the other 2 drives, the Tigers started in Upper Darby’s territory from both the 41 and 31-yard line. Junior DB John Rutecki on his first game back from injury intercepted a Fox pass intended for Brandon Robinson during the Royals second drive at the 33-yard line, returned it 36 yards to the 31 only to have the excellent scoring opportunity wasted by the Tigers inept offense.

In the first half, the Tigers offense was held to 8 total yards on 13 total plays. Needless to say, Coach Gionta and his staff had their work cut out for them.

Marple Newtown started off the second half with a big bang and brought the home crowd to their feet. Upper Darby’s Terrance Brown kicked off and John Gallagher caught the ball at the 10-yard line. The Tiger’s special teams set up a wedge that would have allowed Dom DeLuise to score. Gallagher was off to the races by midfield and not one Royal was even close to catching him as he took the ball 90 yards for a touchdown on the return (Seiler’s extra point attempt no good). Only 14 seconds into the second half and the Tigers were all tied up with their Central League opponent.

Upper Darby would answer the call on their next possession going 64 yards in 9 plays. Fox completed 4 passes to Robinson for 37 yards, Duncan rushed for 17 yards on 3 plays and Wilson caught a 14-yard touchdown pass on 4th and 4 to end the drive with 6:41 left in the third quarter (2 point conversion is good).

The Tigers offense seemed to be getting comfortable as they started from their own 34 on the next drive. Liberty and Gallagher both rushed for 18 yards and a first down before Trevor Viviani contributed with another 6 yards. On 2nd & 4 from Upper Darby’s 42-yard line, Gallagher got the hand off and hit the corner only to stop in the end zone for another 6 points with 5:33 left in the third (failed two point conversion). The Tigers went 66 yards in 4 plays on their 5th drive of the game.

After that, Upper Darby and Marple Newtown would each get the ball 2 times before the Royals would score the last touchdown of the game. The Tigers defense did a good job holding the Royals to 30 yards in 12 plays during those drives at a very critical point in the game, as the score was Royals 14, Tigers 12.

That was all the Tigers would score though, as the offense was only able to get into Upper Darby’s territory one more time early in the fourth quarter.

For the second time, Fox found Wilson for a touchdown pass from the Tigers 17 yard line on 3rd and 14 with 7:46 left in regulation (failed two point conversion).

THE DEFENSE, by the numbers

The top 5 defensive contributions by tackles and other noteworthy stats:

Dave Hansell – 12
Shane Breslin – 9 (including 2 TFLs, sack, QB hurry)
Perry Koliatsis – 7 (including 2 TFLs, sack)
Steve Giordano – 7 (including 2 pass breakups)
John Rutecki – 7 (including pass breakup, INT)

Game 3 vs. the Lower Merion Aces at Harry Harvey Stadium

The 2006 Tigers football team will play their third game on Friday, September 15, 2006 against Lower Merion at Marple Newtown High School in Newtown Square, PA. Mark your calendars and be sure to come out and support the Tigers.


Contact Jim Allsman at jma158@comcast.net.

TigersCast Game UPDATE

TigersCast Game UPDATE - Game 2 vs Upper Darby from Harry Harvey Stadium in Newtown Square, PA

TigersCast Game UPDATE

TigersCast Game UPDATE - Game 2 vs Upper Darby from Harry Harvey Stadium in Newtown Square, PA

TigersCast: Upper Darby Game 2 Primer

Contact Jim Allsman at jma158@comcast.net.

Voice-over soundtrack music: "Magnificent Eleven" from The Power And The Glory: The Original Music & Voices Of NFL Films (Released by Tommy Boy, 1998)

TIGERS BEAT RED DEVILS IN SLOPPY OPENING NIGHT MATCHUP

WEST GROVE, PA – As Hurricane Ernesto found its way to Pennsylvania Friday afternoon, the Marple Newtown Tigers football team made their way to Red Devil Stadium at Avon Grove High School.

Sheets of rain accompanied the gusts of wind that cut through you like brisk air on a cold January morning. This weather, usually reserved for late fall, dominated opening night of the Tigers 2006 campaign and contributed to the most alarming statistic of the evening: 2 teams, 11 total fumbles – 6 for the Tigers and 5 for the Red Devils.

On the opening kick-off, senior DE Vinny Quercetti hit Avon Grove’s KR Kyle Johnson causing a fumble that was recovered by junior DB Steve DeCecco at the Red Devils 20 yard line. Senior HB Ted Seiler rushed the ball twice for no gain and senior QB Jon Liberty passed incomplete on 3rd and 4th downs, both times intended for junior HB John Gallagher. The Tigers first offensive drive went for zero yards on 4 plays.

Avon Grove took over on downs and their first drive ironically proved to be the difference maker for the Tigers. On the third play of the drive (8th of the game), Red Devils RB Andrew Jones attempted to rush the ball only to have it knocked out of his arms by senior DT Dave Hansell. Junior DB Steve Giordano scooped the ball up as it bounced toward the 36 yard line and took it all the way in for a touchdown (Seiler extra point). His teammates on defense congratulated him in the end zone and this would be the only touchdown the Tigers would score during the game.

The remainder of the first half was uneventful as both offenses were only able to muster 47 yards each. Avon Grove had 47 yards on 23 plays (2.0 yards per play) with 4 first downs and the Tigers had 47 yards on 17 plays (2.8 yards per play not including the fumble recovery) with 2 first downs.

The longest play of the night happened in the beginning of the third quarter when Liberty passed complete to Seiler on 3rd and 7 from the Tigers 29 yard line. Seiler took the ball into Avon Grove territory only to have it knocked away and recovered by Kyle Johnson at the 34-yard line and returned it to the 40.

On Avon Grove’s sixth possession of the game they went 37 yards in 8 plays to the Tigers 23 yard line. The Tigers took over on downs and were only able to gain 3 yards in the first 3 plays. On 4th and 7 from their own 26, Ted Seiler while in punt formation, bobbled the snap and accidentally kneeled down at the 13 yard line.

The Red Devils took over at the Tiger’s 13-yard line and went 13 yards in 3 plays. Joe Barretta rushed for 2 yards and a touchdown with 2:59 left in the 3rd quarter. The extra point attempt by Kyle Johnson was no good.

It got more interesting as the second half moved along. On the Tigers next drive they could only move the ball 10 yards in 5 plays to their own 29. On 2nd and 16, Liberty fumbled the ball and it was recovered by Avon Grove’s Jake Eder at the Tiger’s 30-yard line.

Thankfully, 2 plays later Avon Grove returned the favor as Pat Aigeldinger and Perry Koliatsis hit Andrew Jones, the ball popped out and was picked up by Dave Hansell at the Tigers 30 yard line.

Each offense would get a shot to score with 11:54 left in the 4th quarter. The Tigers went 7 yards in 3 plays and Avon Grove went 3 yards in 3 plays. At 7:36 left in the 4th, the Tigers starting from their own 35 yard line went 59 yards to the Red Devils 8 yard line in 15 plays and produced their best drive since last November.

Jon Liberty took a knee as time expired in regulation. Game 1 was over – Tigers 7, Red Devils, 6.

THE DEFENSE, by the numbers

This season I will feature the top 5 defensive contributions by tackles for each game and other noteworthy stats:

Dave Hansell – 12 (including 2.5 TFLs, 1 caused fumble, 1 fumble recovery)
Perry Koliatsis – 9 (including 0.5 TFL, 1 caused fumble)
Shane Breslin – 7 (including 1 TFL)
Ted Seiler – 5 (including 0.5 TFL)
Steve Giordano – 3 (including 1 fumble recovery for a TD)

Game 2 vs. the Upper Darby Royals at Harry Harvey Stadium

The 2006 Tigers football team will play their second game on Friday, September 8, 2006 against Upper Darby at Marple Newtown High School in Newtown Square, PA. Mark your calendars and be sure to come out and support the Tigers.


Contact Jim Allsman at jma158@comcast.net.

TigersCast Game UPDATE

TigersCast Game UPDATE - Game 1 @ Avon Grove from West Grove, PA

TigersCast Game UPDATE

TigersCast Game UPDATE - Game 1 @ Avon Grove from West Grove, PA

TigersCast: Avon Grove Game 1 Primer

TigersCast provides complete coverage of the Tigers final scrimmage vs. Academy Park and their preparation for their regular season opener against Avon Grove.



Contact Jim Allsman at jma158@comcast.net.

Voice-over soundtrack music: "Classic Battle" from The Power And The Glory: The Original Music & Voices Of NFL Films (Released by Tommy Boy, 1998)