NEWTOWN SQUARE: Recently the Churchmen of Episcopal Academy had the Friars of Monsignor Bonner number going 3-0 in the previous three match ups including a 14-7 last season but on Friday afternoon it was the Friars defense in particular Ryan Sweeny as the Friars came away with a 16-2 victory. “ I thought the defense well and we were to get two breaks and get two turnovers” is what Friar Head Coach Tom Oropeza said about his defenses performance.
After a scoreless opening twelve minutes the Churchmen would get on the board first when a bad snap went over the head of Punter Dan Vanderslice and out of the then end zone giving the Churchmen the 2-0 lead.
From that point the Bonner defense took over and shut down the Churchmen leading rusher Brain Ruditys holding him to 112 yards on 32 carries. With the Churchmen driving late in the third quarter Ruditys got stripped by Brendan Garrison Sweeny would pick up and race 41 yards down to the Churchmen nine-yard line. Two plays later Eric Petransky would power his say in from three yards out. “I was in there for run support and someone pop Ruditys and I just picked up and ran it” is how Sweeny would describe the fumble
The Friars would defense would set up the next drive with the Churchmen down inside the Friars one when Taylor Wright the son of Villanova’s Men’s Basketball Head Jay reach the fumble the ball at and was recover Joshua Campbell. From there the Frairs turn the ball to star running back Petransky who five plays after the fumble rumble 57 yards down the Churchman 9. Seven Plays later Vanderslice would cap the drive with a 21-yard field goal giving the Friars the 10-2 lead. After the game Sweeny and Campbell admitted that they didn’t know how they stopped Wright
The last points of the game would come compliments of the Friars defense when Sweeny intercepted Colin Wright and returned for a touchdown.
Up next for the Friars (2-1) is their Catholic League Opener when they will travel to Widener University for a date with their cross county rivals the Cardinal O’Hara.
