Last night was senior recognition night for the Knights in their game against New Hope, but in a 27-17 victory it was actually a Junior that took the spotlight.
Entering at 3-3 New Hope looked to play spoiler to not only a special night for Delco but to end what has been a historic run for the Knights, and early on that’s exactly what it looked like they were going to do.
Julian Kaminoff was a threat all game on defense and offense for the Lions, shutting down the tricky Knights run game in the first half. Kicker Danny Sutton started the scoring off in the second with a 40 yard kick that barely cleared to put New Hope up 3-0 but that’s when the floodgate opened. With the ball on the three Matt Hirshman found Ron Burrell for a three yard TD pass followed by a Crisanti kick to put Delo-Christian on top 7-3 that would end the half.
After a three and out Andrew Crisanti was on to punt for Delo-Christian, however his attempt was blocked and recovered by Joseph Dwight for the Lions to put NHS on top 10-7. After a drive that had potential for New Hope was thwarted by a holding call and then a delay of game, Delco-Christian looked like they were in a good spot being that the Lions had a 3 & 19 situation. However Connor Hayden found Dwight who scored again when the Lions needed him to put them up 17-7.
Delo-Chrisitan advanced the ball with a string of five yard gains usually resulting in Julian Kaminoff coming up with the tackle. After a long pass intended for Austin Stephens fell incomplete, Delco-Christian had a third & seven to deal with. That’s when Sam Tascone started to steal the show. Rushing for 29 yards and a score, Tascone put Delco-Christian within a field goal 17-14.
Delco-Chrisitian started to clamp down defensively and Garrett VanderWaal made a big stop on third & seven to force the Lions to kick the ball away. Tyler Winkis picked up twelve and after a penalty on the Lions, Moore converted the first and five to give the Knights a fresh set of downs. That’s when Tascone struck again, this time from 31 yards out to put Delco-Christian up 21-17.
Hayden started to become a problem for Delco-Christian just because of his dual threat of mobility and passing, he avoided at least three sacks and on one scramble was able to pick up five with some change for a first down. However the hero up to this point for New Hope, Joseph Dwight, had the ball knocked loose by Ron Burrell and it was recovered by Garrett Vanderwaal in what would prove to be the game changer.
Using the tactic that has won them every game this season, of smash mouth football, Delco-Christian started to get substantial gains on the Lions. Seniors Zac Moore and Tyler Winkis did all the dirty work, including a nice 24 yard gain followed by another three to set Delco-Christian up on the 11. Sam Tascone however would get the points for his third rushing touchdown of the night to put the Knights up 27-17.
Connor Hayden came out firing for the Lions however, finding Patrick Hritz for 19 yards, but in what has happened at least one other time this year, Gator Grim was able to snag one of Hayden’s passes to give Delco the ball and all but wrapped the game up for Delco.
The number one seeded Delco-Christian Knights will travel to Springfield next week in what fittingly will be a game to determine the number one seed in the BAL.
