MOMENT # 1 OF THE 2006 MARPLE NEWTOWN TIGER FOOTBALL SEASON

A 21-yard field goal by Pat Aigeldinger lifted Marple Newtown past Haverford in double overtime.

Even though the Fords were down heading into week 9 of the football season, they certainly did not count themselves out of any game. With Marple Newtown in control of their own post season fate after losing only two games to Central League foes Upper Darby and Ridley, Haverford was poised to knock the Tigers out of the playoff race.

This field goal by Aigeldinger, who was filling in for an injured Ted Seiler, catapulted the Tigers into their first playoff appearance and home playoff game in school history. After this victory, the Tigers would have to face the Pioneers of Conestoga to secure the # 3 seed. The next week Marple Newtown traveled to Conestoga, won 33-14 and held the lead the entire football game.

That kick by Aigeldinger was a shot of confidence in the arm of a football team that was not going to let anyone, or team for that matter, stand in the way of what they were trying to accomplish this season.

Without Pat Aigeldinger's successful field goal in double overtime on that cold and rainy evening in Havertown, the Tigers appearance in the playoffs never happens. Simple as that.

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

MOMENT # 1, October 27th, 2006

Marple Newtown's Defensive Coordinator Lou D'Alonzo spoke to the Tigers before Friday night's double overtime victory. "Do no let anything get in the way of what you're trying to accomplish," he told the team. The Tigers would soon be covered in mud and fully engaged in a gridiron contest that both teams will remember long after the season is over. Under a strong and steady rain at A.G. Cornog Field, both teams not only battled each, they also had their own mental mistakes to overcome fumbling the ball a combined 19 times.

...In the cold and endless October rain, both football teams endured an offensive drought that did not end in regulation play.

In the first OT session, Haverford started on offense from their own 10 yard line. On 1st down, Haverford's QB Jacob Sheez-Willard passed complete for a gain of 5 yards to Jim Fiacrra who was stopped by John Rutecki. On 2nd down, Willard was sacked by the "Wolfpack" for a loss of 1 yard and on 3rd & 6 Willard's pass intended for Fiacrra was batted down by Ructecki. Haverford's attempt at a 23 yard field goal attempt was no good.

The Tiger's then got their first shot in overtime. On 1st down Liberty fumbled and recovered the ball for no gain. Liberty managed to hand off on 2nd down to Rutecki for a gain of 5 yards. Liberty then fumbled again on 3rd fown for a loss of 4 yards setting up a failed 28 yard field goal attempt by Pat Aigeldinger.

In the second overtime, the Tigers had the ball first and Liberty rushed for a gain of 6 yards on 1st down. Liberty fumbled and recovered for no gain on 2nd down and on 3rd down Rutecki ran the ball for little to no gain. A mud-covered Aigeldinger ran out to the 5 yard line to set up for a 21 yard field goal attempt - he has been filling in for the banged-up Ted Seiler. Senior TE/LB and part-time kicker Pat Aigeldinger split the uprights giving the Tigers a 3-point lead, 10-7.

Haverford had their opportunity to score after the successful MN field goal but went zero yards in 4 plays. Haverford's QB Willard fumbled and recovered on 1st down only to be tackled by senior DT Perry Koliatsis. On 2nd down, Willard passed incomplete intended for Jeffrey Matteis which was broken up by junior LB Ken Clark. Willard tried another pass play on 3rd down intended for Fiacrra but that also fell incomplete. A 27 yard field goal attempt on 4th down was wide left and the game was over.

Final score: Tigers 10, Fords 7

Have a safe and happy holiday...


Special thanks to Matt Gionta for providing additional coverage for this series.

Contact Jim Allsman at jma158@comcast.net.