By Adam Balk, Delaware County Daily Times
October 31, 2009
Duffy, a junior, rushed for 132 yards and scored a touchdown in the opening 24 minutes of play.
“It was great blocking from the entire offensive line,” said Duffy, who had just one carry in the second half before the Marple Newtown coaches pulled their starters with a 35-0 lead. “We had a great week of practice and it carried over to the game.”
Quarterback Kevin Johnson was a big part of the first three touchdowns of the game for the Tigers. The senior captain scored two rushing touchdowns following big runs by Duffy.
Following a Harriton punt, Johnson hit senior wide receiver Carl Kasarsky for a 50-yard scoring strike that gave the Tigers a 21-0 lead before Harriton could manage a first down.
The Tigers defense was ferocious all evening against the overmatched Rams. Coach Ray Gionta’s defense allowed 40 total yards and just one first down in the first half when the game was still in question.
“Our defense has been playing well over the last couple of weeks,” Gionta said. “They’ve played with a lot of pride and emotion and it continued tonight.”
The first turnover of the game occurred when junior linebacker Brian Kellystripped the ball away from Harriton quarterback Daniel Cooper. Defensive back Johnnie Watkins came up with the recovery.
On the ensuing drive Johnson sneaked into the end zone from 2 yards out giving the visitors a 14-0 lead.
The Tigers defense forced a second turnover when senior cornerback Vincent Christiana picked off Cooper at midfield. Five plays later Duffy scored his lone touchdown of the game from 12 yards out expanding the Tigers lead to 28-0 with just over five minutes remaining in the first half.
Marple also received quarterback sacks from Stephen Demaria, Christian Whiteside, and Anthony Diluzio.
With Marple holding a commanding 35-0 lead at intermission, the second half belonged to sophomore running back Cimirrow Moat. The speedster raced 65 yards to paydirt to give the Tigers a 42-0 advantage.
However it was a special-teams play by Moat that turned out to be the play of the game for the Orange and Black.
Late in the third period, Harriton punted deep in its own territory. Moat rushed straight through the line and blocked punter Max Fagan’s kick. Not only did Moat get the block, he was able to stay on his feet, scoop up the ball at the 15-yard line and waltz into the end zone for his second touchdown of the night.
“I gave the defender a little juke move and ran full speed towards the punter,” Moat said. “After the block I focused squarely on the ball and was able to pick it up and score the touchdown.”