Tigers Open Season with 31-0 Win Over Raiders

By Chris McSweeney
Tigers Radio Network

NEWTOWN SQUARE, PA - The Marple Newtown Tiger’s football team could not have asked for a better start to their season on Friday night. It was total domination from the start for the Tigers. In their season and home opener, the team welcomed in Archbishop Ryan, a team that struggled last year and were looking to make some adjustments and improvements. This however did not occur as Marple Newtown brought a swarming defense, a potent offense and very dominant special teams to play.

The Tiges are known for their Wing-T rushing attack but it was through the air that they struck for the game's opening score. With a very promising drive going, quarterback Kevin Johnson dropped back and threw a strike to RB Mario Dioguardi. The catch and run was good for 29 yards, resulting in the opening score for the Tiger's season. The first quarter would come to an end with the Tiger’s leading the Raiders 7-0. It was a dominating quarter by Marple Newtown and the second quarter was the same way.

In the second quarter, Marple Newtown went with their bread and butter and started running the ball straight at Archbishop Ryan. The Wing-T was in full effect, causing confusion for the Raider's defense and ultimately resulting in two touchdowns for the Tigers. Carl Kasarsky scored the first of the two touchdowns as he bullied his way through the middle of the defense for a 9-yard touchdown run. The second touchdown of the quarter and third of the half came from Ryan White. This was an 8-yard touchdown run, and the best display of the Wing-T’s ability to fake out the opposing defense. Ryan took the hand off and ran on the outside and no one reacted, as the Raider's defense assumed the ball went up the middle. White walked in easily and untouched on the outside to put the score at Tigers 21, Raiders 0.

The home team would continue its domination after half time. It was much of the same in the third quarter as the Tigers continued to run the ball on offense. Once again, the Wing-T was on display as the Tigers controlled the ball with the run for most of the third quarter. Quarterback Kevin Johnson showed off his great arm with a long and deep pass to Vince Christiana. This completion gave the Tigers great field position, which resulted in another touchdown for Kasarsky. It was a 13-yard run out of the Wing-T formation that put the home team up 28-0 at the end of three quarters.

In the fourth quarter, the game was all but over, but there was still time for the special teams to shine. After a long drive, it was fourth down and a chance for special team’s ace kicker Adam Fender to take the field. He set up for a 37-yard field goal. The snap was good, the hold was good, but the kick was even better. Fender put it through from 37 yards and it could have been good from at least 47 yards. It was straight through the uprights and put the score at 31-0.

Not to be overlooked was the great play of the defense on Friday night. The line of scrimmage was controlled beautifully, the linebackers were consistently on top of the runners and the secondary continued to blanket the Raiders receivers all night. Some stand outs from the defense include, Brian Kelly, Christian Whiteside, Kevan Strigle and Billy Weaverling.

The game was a joy to watch and the team performed well. The offense, defense and special team’s all looked sharp and hopefully this is a sign of great things to come throughout the rest of the season.

The Tigers look to continue their great play as they visit Springfield High School on Friday, September 11th, 2009.


Contact Chris McSweeney at cem5053@psu.edu.