Duffy and Gregory Lead Tigers in Win Over Stoga

By Steve Scoleri
Tigers Radio Network

NEWTOWN SQUARE, PA - There were many questions lurking how Marple Newtown would come out against Conestoga after suffering a 35-0 loss the previous week to Penncrest. This question was put to rest immediately by the Marple Newtown Tigers’ dominating performance.

The whole atmosphere at Harry Harvey Stadium was extra pumped up on this special Friday night where the elementary schools were celebrating Youth Night. You could feel it in the air that The Tigers would not perform like they had the prior week. The stadium was packed and extra juiced for this game against a tough Conestoga opponent.

The Tigers started the game off with a beautiful kickoff return which led to an opening touchdown against the Pioneers. Ryan White had a 16-yard touchdown run that would put Marple Newtown up 7-0 with 8:38 remaining in the first quarter. After White’s touchdown, the whole stadium was buzzing and you could feel the 12th man factor put into place. To close out the quarter Ryan White had a 10-yard touchdown run with 1:34 remaining to put Marple up 14-0. White ended the night with 76 yards on 13 carries.

In the second quarter, Marple Newtown held Conestoga from scoring. Their ferocious defense did not allow Conestoga to get anything going. Matt Gregory and Johnny Watkins were huge factors on the defense throughout the game. Watkins had four unassisted tackles against Conestoga and one pass break-up.

Late in the second, Kasarsky had an interception and returned it for 33-yards that was forced by Matt Gregory's pressure on Conestoga's quarterback, Bill Flately. The interception allowed Kevin Johnson to put more points on the board with a 1-yard quarterback sneak to put Marple Newtown up 21-0 at the half.

Gregory's defensive contribution against Conestoga was incredible. Not only did he have a key QB hurry in the second quarter that set up the Tiger's third touchdown of the first half, Gregory registered three sacks for minus 24 yards. He led the defense in unassisted tackles with five, had four tackles for a loss (including sacks) for minus 25 yards and blocked and extra point attempt.

Carl Kasarsky had a nice third quarter for Marple Newtown. He got in the end zone twice, one on a 1-yard rush followed by a 2-yard rush in the quarter. On defense, Kasarky was second in tackles on the night with seven, including one pass break-up. Brian Kelly led the team in tackles with eight.

Although he did not get into the end zone, make no mistake that the Marple Newtown rushing attack was lead by Ryan Duffy. He led the team with a season-high 19 carries for 160 yards. Of the 19 carries, seven were for gains of ten yards or more (29, 23, 14, 12, 12, 12, and 10). Of those seven gains of ten yards or more, four were critical during drives that ended with a touchdown.

The Pioneers were able to find the end zone in the third quarter. Bill Flatley connected with Dexter Bridge on a 21-yard touchdown pass. The score at the end of three quarters put Marple Newtown up 34-7.

Marple Newtown needed to get through one more quarter to solidify their dominating performance. In the fourth quarter, the Pioneers scored twice but it was too little too late. Jonathan Hamer started the scoring by recovering a Dioguardi fumble and taking it 67-yards for a touchdown. Later in the quarter, Bill Flatley hooked up with Dexter Bridge, again this time for an 8-yard touchdown. The final score was in Marple’s favor 34-20 over Conestoga.

This outstanding performance shows a lot of heart and character from this Marple Newtown team. The prior week at Penncrest did not go as planned for the Tigers but they bounced back and gave it to Conestoga. They came together as a team and knew what they displayed the prior week was not Tigers’ football.

What they displayed Friday night against Conestoga was Tigers’ football. The team worked hard and prepared hard for Conestoga and it showed on the field. The team kept firing all night and did not quit. This Marple Newtown team has a lot of talent and after this week it really opened up many eyes beating a good opponent in Conestoga.

Extra notes...

Since 2005, the Marple Newtown Tigers have had seven players (including Gregory) that registered two or more sacks in a single game:

Matt Moccia, 2 sacks vs. Upper Darby on 9-16-05 (L, 17-0)
Pete Massaro, 3.5 sacks vs. Springfield on 9-30-05 (W, 17-0)
Ken Clark, 2 sacks vs. Radnor on 10-21-06 (W48-0)
Pete Massaro, 2 sacks vs. Conestoga on 11-3-06 (W, 33-14)
Dave Hansell, 2 sacks vs. Unionville on 11-10-06 (L, 21-19)
Pete Massaro, 2 sacks vs. Kennett on 8-31-07 (W, 21-3)
Brian Hulsey, 2 sacks vs. Kennett on 8-31-07 (W, 21-3)
Steve Reynolds, 2 sacks vs. Ridley on 10-17-08 (L, 27-7)
Matt Gregory, 3 sacks vs. Conestoga on 9-25-09 (W, 34-20)

And since 2005, the Marple Newtown Tigers are 5-3 when they have a player that has two or more sacks in a single game.


Contact Steve Scoleri at sds5084@psu.edu.
Contact EyeOfTheTigersBlog.com at jma158@comcast.net.