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Forte Keeper Keeps Kennett’s Historic Storybook Season Alive @KCSDKHS_Sports

Tagged under: District 1, Gameday Hub, News

| November 9, 2019

 

KENNETT SQUARE: In May 2018 former Dallas Cowboy Lance Frazier was hired as head coach of the Kennett High Blue Demons and was task with turning around a program that prior to this season only had two winning seasons since 2005 when the school reinstituted football.

Last season in his first at the helm Frazier led the Blue Demons to 4-7 and the first district playoff appearance in school history. This season they continued adding to their history, in consecutive weeks in September they knocked off league rival West Chester Rustin and then snapped a 14-game losing streak to cross-town rival Unionville. Last week when they hosted Chichester it was the first home playoff game in school’s history.

Friday night the latest chapter in this historic turn around was written thanks to Sam Forte’s 10-yard keeper in overtime the Blue Demons knocked the visiting Strath Haven Panthers 20-14. The Panthers themselves are a program that is a rich in history has they come.

While it would be easy for him to take all the credit for the turn around Frazier refused to do so instead giving credit to his staff. “This is not just personal; the staff deserves credit.” Frazier would go add that it’s also the support of the student-body, administration, and the community.

On the opening possession of Overtime the Blue Demon’s safety Luke Good and the rest of the defense managed to stop Panthers workhorse Fullback John Prochniak on fourth-and goal from the one. On the next play, Forte kept the ball on a read option rolled to his right towards the Panthers bench, cut field managing to through a tackle before falling into the endzone to set off the celebration.

The host wasted little time getting on the board has the took the opening drive and marched 70-yards on five plays when Forte connected with Tommy Patrissi for 7-yard touchdown. Garrett Cox would pace the Demons on the drive with two carries for 37yards. Cox would finish the game with 100 yards on 19 carries. The Panthers evened things up on their first possession following a 36-yard kickoff return by Matt Shuler that set them up at their 44, nine plays later Prochniak bullied his way in 10 yards out to tie the game at 7. That touchdown marked the first one Kennett had given up in 15 quarters.

The tie didn’t last long, on their next drive the Blue Demons would march at 62-yards on ten plays with Forte connecting with Kalen Frazier (Lance’s son) for 24-yard strike. Forte would finish the game completing 8 of his 15 passes for 65 yards and 67 yards on 13 carries.

The Panthers answered right back with an 11 play 51-yard drive that was capped off by a 3-yard plunge by Prochniak. Prochniak would finish the game with 31 carries for 140 yards.

 

After their defense forced a Blue Demon punt the Panthers appeared poised to take a lead heading into the half however a controversial fumble by Prochniak derailed that hope.

In their third quarter the turnover bug bit both teams. Ryan Barker and Vincent Cresci would recover Panther’s fumbles for the Blue Demons. Evan Blake would come up with an interception for the Panthers.

In the fourth quarter both teams would trade punts setting up some late game drama. With 58 seconds left the Panthers took over with the ball at their own 24 yard-line. The Panthers would drive down to the Blue Demons 24-yard line on seven plays. Before calling on Emmet Young to attempt a 41-yard field goal, Young who has scored two game winning goals for the Panthers soccer team in their playoff run attempt fell just short with .5 seconds left.

The Blue Demons will look to add to their historic season Friday night when they travel up to the top seeded Cheltenham who advanced with a 35-21 victory over Unionville.

And one thing is certain Forte is not ready for the season to end “This crazy. This is awesome but we’re not satisfied, We want more.” He said

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