Marple Newtown opened the 2012 season at Knight Park in Sharon Hill, falling 29-20 to Del-Val favorite Academy Park. The Tigers jumped to a 14-0 lead, but Academy Park battled back to take a 16-14 lead in the second quarter.
The Tigers offense managed to score with 54 seconds left in the half to take a 20-16 lead into the locker room. Academy Park scored twice in the third quarter to take a nine-point lead.
Anthony Rosiano got the Tigers on the board with a 12-yard touchdown run in the first quarter. Nick Pezotti, the most recent two-sport kicker, added the extra point. Pezotti follows kickers Adam Fender and Anthony Nicolardi, as Tiger soccer players performing double-duty in the fall. Josh Gottlib also stars as the goalie for the Tigers soccer team, in addition to serving as the punter for the Football Tigers.
Early in the second quarter, the Tigers defense forced a fumble and Senior Joe Vegso returned in for a 52-yard touchdown to put MN up 14-0.
The final score for the Tigers came on the first career touchdown pass by Quarterback Tommy Davis. Davis hit Mike White on a 14-yard strike to give the Tigers a 20-16 lead.
Tommy Davis completed 8 of 18 passes for 89 yards and a touchdown. Mike White (19 carries, 95 yards) and Anthony Rosanio (10 carries, 54 yards, TD) carried the bulk of the load for the Tigers ground attack, while Joe Vegso led the Tigers receiving corps with 4 catches for 44 yards. Craig Hamilton (9 yards), Anthony Rosanio (4 yards), Ross Binder (15 yards) and Mike White (14 yards, TD) all had one reception apiece for Marple Newtown.
Parker Maas led the defense with 7 tackles. Joe Vegso (6 tackles, fumble recovery, TD), Corey Power (5 tackles), Ross Binder (4 tackles), Anthony Rosanio (4 tackles, INT) and Craig Hamilton (4 tackles) also pitched in on the defensive end.
Next up for the Tigers is a home date with Lower Merion (0-1, 0-0) at Harry Harvey Field. Kickoff is scheduled for 7P on Friday, September 7.
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