This game seemed to follow the pattern of Neshaminy's season. West's defense bent at times but didn't break and came up with big plays when they needed it. First one was DT Newman for West coming free and tackling the mesh point, causing a fumble and recovering it himself near mid-field. Next play McFadden runs by the corner on a fade inside the 10 and two plays later West took a 7-0 lead. After holding Neshaminy to a field goal on another drive, West put together their best drive of the night, with Boehm carrying the load until Cooper hit McFadden again on a post from the 20 yard line to go ahead 14-3.
With time in the first half running out, Neshaminy's next drive quickly stalled out and they sent out the punt team. I'm pretty sure the entire stadium expected fake punt, as Neshaminy are the kings of converting no matter the field position or yards to go... West kept their defense on the field with no one back deep (they did this all night) - Neshaminy punter actually looked to be punting the ball, but again Newman came up the middle and either blocked it or the ball was punted off of the Neshaminy player he drove back towards the punter. Then it was chaos... Nesh player picks up the ball well behind the line of scrimmage and tries to run, but is swarmed by 5-6 West players. Smith strips him of the ball and it bounces right into Mancini's hands in stride... he's tackled around the 4 yard line. West punches it in and leads 21-3 at the half. Neshaminy had to switch QBs back to Zyzdik, who didn't start in favor of the sophomore Baker, who left the game after taking a big hit from DT Wierzbowski.
The second half was more of the same, fairly uneventful. West blocked another punt but Cooper threw a pick on an underthrown ball to McFadden on another fade. Neshaminy had one big play on a QB keeper but the West defense again stiffened and then put together a drive highlighted by a long run on trap by Mancini. Missed XP made it 27-3 West. After another stop Neshaminy finally got off a punt which they had the opportunity to down on the West 5. Instead it was kicked into the end zone for a touchback. West then put together another good drive, kept alive by a nice throw from Cooper to the TE Goldrick on a 3rd and 8 for 20 plus yards. West put in the JV for the tail end of it and they were able to get a final first down and run out the clock.
Takeaways:
1. West continues to work on the passing game... it's not much, but Cooper connected with McFadden three times and with his TE Goldrick for a big play. (for the second game in a row) McFadden is easily one of the fastest players in the SOL and is going to cause problems for the rest of the year and for two more. (he's a sophomore)
2. This was a classic trap game for West, good to get out with a convincing win sandwiched between North Penn and East. Now 7-2, a win over East (which won't be an easy game) and they finish 8-2, second in the SOL, and host a playoff game.
3. Neshaminy plays well defensively, especially against the run. West was in I-formation much of the game, which is a bit unusual for them, but they must have seen something they liked out of it, or just didn't want Neshaminy to be able to align to their standard wing-t formations.
4. The Neshaminy punting situation was a shock... it was something they've been so good at all year, extending drives with fake punts - for West to flip it around on them and block two was the biggest factor in the final score.
With time in the first half running out, Neshaminy's next drive quickly stalled out and they sent out the punt team. I'm pretty sure the entire stadium expected fake punt, as Neshaminy are the kings of converting no matter the field position or yards to go... West kept their defense on the field with no one back deep (they did this all night) - Neshaminy punter actually looked to be punting the ball, but again Newman came up the middle and either blocked it or the ball was punted off of the Neshaminy player he drove back towards the punter. Then it was chaos... Nesh player picks up the ball well behind the line of scrimmage and tries to run, but is swarmed by 5-6 West players. Smith strips him of the ball and it bounces right into Mancini's hands in stride... he's tackled around the 4 yard line. West punches it in and leads 21-3 at the half. Neshaminy had to switch QBs back to Zyzdik, who didn't start in favor of the sophomore Baker, who left the game after taking a big hit from DT Wierzbowski.
The second half was more of the same, fairly uneventful. West blocked another punt but Cooper threw a pick on an underthrown ball to McFadden on another fade. Neshaminy had one big play on a QB keeper but the West defense again stiffened and then put together a drive highlighted by a long run on trap by Mancini. Missed XP made it 27-3 West. After another stop Neshaminy finally got off a punt which they had the opportunity to down on the West 5. Instead it was kicked into the end zone for a touchback. West then put together another good drive, kept alive by a nice throw from Cooper to the TE Goldrick on a 3rd and 8 for 20 plus yards. West put in the JV for the tail end of it and they were able to get a final first down and run out the clock.
Takeaways:
1. West continues to work on the passing game... it's not much, but Cooper connected with McFadden three times and with his TE Goldrick for a big play. (for the second game in a row) McFadden is easily one of the fastest players in the SOL and is going to cause problems for the rest of the year and for two more. (he's a sophomore)
2. This was a classic trap game for West, good to get out with a convincing win sandwiched between North Penn and East. Now 7-2, a win over East (which won't be an easy game) and they finish 8-2, second in the SOL, and host a playoff game.
3. Neshaminy plays well defensively, especially against the run. West was in I-formation much of the game, which is a bit unusual for them, but they must have seen something they liked out of it, or just didn't want Neshaminy to be able to align to their standard wing-t formations.
4. The Neshaminy punting situation was a shock... it was something they've been so good at all year, extending drives with fake punts - for West to flip it around on them and block two was the biggest factor in the final score.
