The Funding Zone
 
SAFR: Safer Through Science
 

Stalwart Defense Carries Lansdale Catholic Past Conwell-Egan

Tagged under: District 12, Gameday Hub, News

| September 15, 2024


Guest Contributor; lsvsports.com

With starting quarterback Yeboa Cobbold nursing a hand injury and unable to play, Lansdale Catholic had its work cut out for itself. That was no problem, because the Crusaders defense was up to the task.

James Webb Jr. helped his team pull away prior to halftime, as he looked like the intended receiver on Aubrey Kimbrough’s throw to his left near midfield. Webb followed his blockers 48 yards to the house to make the score 21-7 with 1:58 to play in the opening half. Constant defensive pressure and stops helped carry an offensive unit that was, at times, shaky.

It was Conwell-Egan that moved the ball first in the contest. After forcing a punt and allowing no yards on Lansdale’s first drive, the Eagles took over on their own 38. Abu Fofana picked up 12 on a run, pushing the ball to midfield. And offensive pass interference was offset by a roughing the passer call on the next play. John Cobbold recorded his first tackle for loss, but the drive culminated on a Monte Zoryea 24 yard run over the left side to put the Eagles up 7-0.

Conwell-Egan would not record another first down for the entire first half. The Crusaders gave the Eagles a golden opportunity on the next drive, coughing the ball up on a fumble at the Crusader 47. Conwell-Egan could only muster four yards on the drive and had to punt. Darren Jackson broke through the line and blocked the punt, putting Lansdale Catholic in plus territory at the 45-yard line. On 3rd & 10, Melcher found Jackson deep over the middle to tie the game up on the final play of the first quarter.

Darren Jackson recorded a tackle for loss on the first play of the ensuing drive, knocking Zoryea for a four yard loss. A False start pushed Conwell-Egan back even further and the team was forced to punt on 4th and long. Jackson shined one more time when he caught a 13 yard pass from Melcher, breaking multiple tackles to forge ahead for a first down. Unfortunately for Lansdale, Melcher fumbled, and Chase Walters got on it at his own 32, stopping the Lansdale Catholic drive cold.

After another punt, though, the Crusaders took the ball again on their own 36. John Cobbold ripped off a 33 yard gain , flipping the field and putting the Crusaders in the red zone. Three plays later, Braden Smith made a basket catch in the end zone for a 13 yard score, putting the Crusaders up 14-7.

That’s when James Webb Jr. made the difference in the game, reading the Aubrey Kimbrough pass and taking it the other way for a 48 yard touchdown. The situation was all more the disappointing for Conwell-Egan after Sincere Fairey returned the kickoff near the 40. Conwell-Egan, despite the 21-7 halftime deficit, would get the ball to open the third quarter.

Fairey got momentum going for his team when he broke a 28 yard run into Lansdale territory at the 45. However, the Eagles again stalled after the first down, gaining just two more yards and punting it away. Lansdale Catholic turned the ball over again with 1:57 to play in the quarter, giving the Eagles excellent field position on the Crusader 40. A false start immediately saw Conwell-Egan get in its own way again and netted negative two yards on the drive.

Following another Lansdale punt, Conwell-Egan took over on the Crusader 49 with 10:12 to play in the game. A methodical drive was aided by a defensive pass interference call, pushing the ball to the Lansdale 26. Kimbrough scrambled for eleven yards. On fourth down, he tried to pass to his right, but the ball went off his intended target. Fortunately for him, though, the ball landed in the wide open hands of Chris Toombs for an 11-yard touchdown. With 5:50 left in regulation, the Eagles had cut the deficit to 21-14.

The final drive for the Crusaders was not without drama of its own. On a 2nd & 4 call, it appeared the Crusaders had drawn the Eagles across, but officials ruled a delay of game came before the jump. It then appeared that they had converted a 4th & 1 to all but salt the game away, but officials ruled a false start that forced Lansdale to punt. On the drive, John Cobbold picked up gains of 17 and 14, allowing his team to cross midfield.

Conwell-Egan got one more chance, taking over from the 35 with 1:36 to go. A 4th & 10 pass fell incomplete and the Crusaders kneeled out the ball for the 21-14 victory. In the victory, Melcher filled in more than adequately when needed, passing for 85 yards and two scores and overcoming two fumbles. John Cobbold finished with 94 rushing yards. Despite the second half possession chart reading punt, fumble, punt, punt for the Crusaders, they held Aubrey Kimbrough to 66 yards through the air and the two-headed running back monster of Zoryea and Fairey to a combined 68 yards on 19 carries.

Lansdale Catholic will look to keep the momentum going when they travel to winless Chichester next Saturday afternoon. Conwell-Egan will host West Catholic on Friday night and try to get back to the .500 mark.

Follow PA Football News on Twitter @PaFootballNews

 
 
QwikCut
 
GoRout
 
Sports Paradise
 
Football Legends board game
 
 
x