BOOTHWYN – I have walked out on the field for quite a few big football games. But the feeling of walking out for the first Spring football game in PA history was something special. The reason it was special was that both schools had already won before the game was even played. The teams and communities have battled for months against COVID and getting these football teams out on the field mean they have now won. Won by persevering through adversity. Won by devising new protocols and making sacrifices to get these athletes out on the field. And when the whistle blew and the pads started popping, we were playing football once again. Chichester and Father Judge put on a great show Friday night for the rest of the state. How fitting that the game came down to a goal-line stop by the Eagles with 6.4 seconds left to preserve a 27-19 over the Father Judge Crusaders.
Chichester QB Zach Taylor had two TD passes to lead a sharp Eagles passing game. Staring Reeves’ long pick six in the fourth quarter was the turning point of the game. Father Judge relied on a pounding running game led by Jake Marquis for most of its offensive success in the game.
@chi_football5 Head Coach Bob Brice postgame thoughts on @Chi_Athletics 27-19 win over @fjfootball27 #u10beat @EPAFootball @CaryMoyer @HSFBamerica @END2008 pic.twitter.com/p7rrle1e66
— Bruce Badgley (@BadgleyBruce) March 13, 2021
After an understandably sluggish start by both teams, Chichester got on the board first. The Eagles held a 7-0 lead after one quarter.
And with that ….Spring football begins in PA @fjfootball27 @FJAthletics @chi_football5 @Chi_Athletics @END2008 @EPAFootball @CaryMoyer @SamuelMarcinek @HSFBamerica @Cawley_TV #u10beat pic.twitter.com/gWoaqghK8Y
— Bruce Badgley (@BadgleyBruce) March 13, 2021
@chi_football5 on the board 40 yards from QB Zach Taylor to Zaquan Bruton 7-0 over @fjfootball27 6:56 quarter one! @Chi_Athletics @FJAthletics @CaryMoyer @EPAFootball @small_play #u10beat pic.twitter.com/1Wj9WhZZc3
— Bruce Badgley (@BadgleyBruce) March 13, 2021
The second quarter was the most entertaining of the game. Father Judge got its ground game going to move in front. Chichester put in a late score before half to regain the lead.
@fjfootball27 80 yard drive mostly with RB Jake Marquis who dives across for @FJAthletics XP no good @chi_football5 up 7-6 4:19 until halftime #u10beat @Chi_Athletics @EPAFootball @CaryMoyer @HSFBamerica pic.twitter.com/4SFGlh1tws
— Bruce Badgley (@BadgleyBruce) March 13, 2021
Following a sparkling interception by Pat McShea @fjfootball27 QB Mike Van Horn 22 yards to Jordan Rhinehart with an even better TD catch. @FJAthletics up now 12-7 over @chi_football5 2:00 until halftime #u10beat @EPAFootball @CaryMoyer @END2008 pic.twitter.com/LrkSIgdKMr
— Bruce Badgley (@BadgleyBruce) March 13, 2021
And @chi_football5 comes right back! :14 until halftime Bryen Hamm 10 yards for the score @Chi_Athletics now up 14-12 over @fjfootball27 @FJAthletics #u10beat @EPAFootball @CaryMoyer @END2008 @HSFBamerica pic.twitter.com/9cyD5cAVHr
— Bruce Badgley (@BadgleyBruce) March 13, 2021
Chichester hit pay dirt with its first drive of the third quarter. Father Judge pulled close as we went to the fourth.
Escaping the rush and throwing a 39 yard TD to Ramir McDowell is @chi_football5 QB Zach Taylor 21-12 now over @fjfootball27 10:43 quarter three #u10beat @EPAFootball @CaryMoyer @HSFBamerica @small_play @FJAthletics @Chi_Athletics pic.twitter.com/j3xv7wYPlb
— Bruce Badgley (@BadgleyBruce) March 13, 2021
Nice drive to answer by @fjfootball27 Eric Smith in from the 3 and things tighten up @chi_football5 holding a 21-19 lead over @FJAthletics 2:04 quarter three #u10beat @EPAFootball @Chi_Athletics @CaryMoyer @HSFBamerica #pahsfb pic.twitter.com/GPrKSutEyC
— Bruce Badgley (@BadgleyBruce) March 13, 2021
The fourth quarter was a defensive battle. The only score of the fourth quarter was a LONG pick-six by Chichester’s Staring Reeves. The game came down to one final goal-line stand for Chichester to preserve a 27-19 win.
:06.4 left @fjfootball27 stopped short of the goal line and @chi_football comes away with the 27-19 win! What a way to start the Spring here in #pahsfb @FJAthletics @Chi_Athletics @CaryMoyer #u10beat @EPAFootball @HSFBamerica pic.twitter.com/O7lz9gNc8E
— Bruce Badgley (@BadgleyBruce) March 13, 2021
