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Cheltenham Makes Playoff Push In Demanding 39-12 Win

Tagged under: District 1, Gameday Hub, News

| October 27, 2023

And we’re here, already the last week of the regular season. Coming into the game, both Wissahickon and Cheltenham had to win this game. With a win, both teams would most likely secure their chances in the playoffs. Cheltenham sitting just outside at the Eighteenth seed and Wissahickon on the edge at the Fourteenth seed. Cheltenham’s post-season drought has been going on since 2018. The last time they made the playoff they fell out in the second round losing 27-0 to Upper Dublin, but they look to rewrite that.

“We came in, definitly had to win. We didn’t want to put too much pressure on us, so we just took it play by play and we saw it getting out of hand so we knew we was doing good” Jonathan Ingram said.

“Feel great, we aint give up on each other, so that’s all” Tre McLeod said.

“We gone stick to what we doing, what we been doing, play as a team” Said McLeod.

Cheltenham’s rushing game was the focus point of the offense against Wiss. Charlotte Commit Tre McLeod went down early in pain but still came out and totaled 130 rushing yards on only 6 rushes and two touchdowns in only the first half. While he got no other carries in the second half, he made his impact early. A thirty-five and a sixty-seven-yard rushing touchdowns on his first three carries early in the game set the tone. While McLeod led the way with yards, Pharoah Brooks was the main runner. On fifteen carries for fifty-six yards Brooks broke down the Wiss defense. A combined 242 rushing yards between McLeod, Brooks, and QB Jonathan Ingram kept Wiss on their toes the entire game.

“Yea had to come out and snap, my team needed me, we respond, that’s why I love em'” Said Mcleod

“They linebackers, they wasnt filling the holes, they wasnt filling the holes and covering well” Said McLeod on Wissahickons biggest weakness.

“Definitly the linebackers, they like to bite and get greedy” Ingram said agreeing with Tre McLeod.

The rushing attack opened up the passing lanes for Cheltenham. Ingram completed 7/16 passes for 118 yards. While he didn’t throw any touchdowns he ran for two. His main target of the game was Jared Higginbotham for four catches and 61 yards. While James Smith only caught two catches, he racked up 56 yards on those two combined catches. The passing game seemed to work when needed but pressure from Wiss was constant. Ingram’s ability to move around in the pocket and scramble for yardage helped move around the defense and create open receivers.

“Me being a runner keeps the defense still so if you wanna pass the ball they’ll stay if you wanna run the ball they’ll come up and always keep em’ off guard” Said Ingram.

Wissahickon hasn’t made the Playoffs since 2020 in the half-season due to Covid, so this would be their best chance to make it. With the loss, Wiss falls to 6-4 to finish the regular season. At the 14 spot coming in, the loss drops them a few. Unfortunately, they can’t fall past 16. If this is the end of Wissahickon’s season, it was a very good one. One that they would’ve been looked down upon. Getting their first season over .500 since 2013 under Jeff Cappa, coach Rory Graver has turned this program around in one season. Last year in a difficult rebuilding year going 1-9, Wissahickon rebuilt fast. Future Wiss stars Aiden Westcott, Rahmel Brooks, Kareem Lee, Quasir Sampson, Nolan Pounds, and many more look to make this program one to watch in upcoming years. By Sunday, Wissahickon will find out if they make the playoffs or if they need to start working for next year. Whichever one it is, Coach Graver will be going at 110% in every practice.

“They got really good size, they’re discipline very disciplined. They stick to their assignment’s” Ingram on what he liked about Wissahickon.


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