Cardinal O’Hara Strikes Quick Then Defense Shuts Out West Catholic

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Willie McGonigle | September 16, 2023

SPRINGFIELD: Entering Friday nights Philadelphia Catholic League Blue Division opener Cardinal O’Hara Head Coach Mike Ewing knew his defense was in for a tough test in having to defend against visiting West Catholic and their Quarterback Kal-El Durham. Luckly for Ewing his Lions defense was up to the test and his offense did enough as the Lions extended their winning streak to three games defeating the Burrs 7-0.

“I’m very proud. That quarterback (the Burrs’ Kal-El Durham) is extremely dangerous and he can hurt you on any one play. Our kids did their jobs,” said Ewing, adding “They rushed him when they had to, they stayed home when they had to, they made open field tackles, and played together as a team on defense. Offensively, we did well, too, we just shot ourselves in the foot at times. But we got the win in the end and that’s all that matters.”

The Lions wasted little time getting on the board on the third play of the game Sophomore QB John Welde threw a dime to Khalil Epps who didn’t even have to break strive and raced 72 yards to the endzone to give the Lions the 7-0 a mere 51 seconds into the game.

From there the Lions turned the game over to their defense and Zion Knox and Sidique Kamara led the defensive effort barely giving Durham any room to breathe. Both Knox and Kamara knew their assignment would be difficult but up for the challenge

“We knew this was going to be a dogfight when we first walked in here. We knew what were walking into.” Knox said.

“West Catholic has a great core, we respect them a lot, but coming into the game we all just had to watch the quarterback.” Said Kamara

The Burrs did manage to put a scare into the Lions’ defense when Durham made a human highlight reel run picking up 70 yards down to the Lions’ 10 before Ethan Schulcz delivered a bone-jarring hit on Jayvon Story for a loss of ten yards and more importantly, caused a fumble which John Brown recovered for the Lions ending that threat.

The Burrs did manage one final scare in the Lions with under a minute driving down to the Lions’ 6-yard line and it appeared that the Burrs finally broke through the Lions’ defense on what turned out to be the final play of the game but the officials ruled the Burrs receiver feet were out of bounds and the Lions celebrated.

Jack McKinney starred as Punter for the Lions with several of his punts pinning the Burrs down inside their own 20-yard line.

The Lions will look to extend their winning streak next week when they travel to Drexel Hill and take on their archrival Bonner-Prendie. The Burrs will look to give coach Don Richardson his first career win when they host Neumann-Goretti

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