Conestoga marches on, downs Lions

Tonight in week four action, the Conestoga High School Pioneers continued their white-hot start to the season, downing the Penncrest Lions at Teamer Field in Berwyn. In past years, Conestoga experienced a letdown following a big win (2010- losing 34-13 to Garnet Valley after a 35-20 win over Upper Darby, 2011- a loss following a 21-20 win vs Ridley, 2013- came out flat after a win over Ridley). This season, the early season letdown did not occur after the Ridley game two weeks ago, as the Pioneers blew out Lower Merion last week.

Tonight, the Pioneers thoroughly dominated the Lions in the first half in all facets of the game. They jumped out to a 12-0 lead- on a three-yard run by Parke Schweiter that capped off a 14 play 88 yard drive. Tim Miller had a 16 yard pass to Martin Dorsey that capped off a 16 play, 83 yard drive (aided by a personal foul). In the first half alone, the Pioneers ran almost three times the number of plays (44-15) as Penncrest and outgained the Lions 225-42.

The lead expanded to 20-0 on Conestoga’s first possession of the second half, as Corey Manning broke loose on a 45-yard touchdown. The Lions kept the game from being a blowout, with two touchdown runs by Joe Quintilliano covering eight and 15 yards. A blocked extra point and a failed two-point conversion run kept the Lions’ deficit at 20-12 and prevented the possibility of taking the lead for the time being.

Unfortunately for Penncrest, Conestoga’s two headed monster of Corey Manning and Parke Schweiter scored on runs covering 21 yards (Manning) and 30 yards (Schweiter), to expand the Pioneer lead to 34-12 early in the fourth frame. Penncrest showed some heart in coming back, cutting the Conestoga lead to six with the score being 34-28- with runs by Dave Fisher and a 30 yard pass from Fisher to Bobby McCaffrey. Parke Schweiter put the game away for Conestoga and solidified a 4-0 start, on another 30 yard run.

On the evening, the Pioneers rolled to over 480 yards of offense, and held Penncrest to 297.

After the game, tailback Parke Schweiter commented that the offensive line, “…worked, worked, and worked hard all year. They’ve improved by leaps and bounds. They get credit for all the tough yards.” Coach John Vogan concurred, “They get better and better each week. Penncrest has a big and physical line. Tim Miller had a big game for us converting many third downs. He was beaten up last year by these guys, so the line vowed to do a better job tonight. Our O did a great job, and D flew around.”

Up next for Penncrest (1-3, 1-2 Central League), is Haverford High School (2-2, 1-1). Conestoga (4-0, 3-0 Central League) travels to Springfield who is also 4-0 (3-0 league)

SUMMARY & STATS
Conestoga- 6-6-15-13-40
Penncrest- 0- 0-12-16-28

CON- Schweiter 3 run (kick failed)
CON- Dorsey 16 pass from Miller (Conv failed)
CON- C. Manning 45 run (Jean pass from Miller)
PEN- Quintilliano 8 run (kick blocked)
PEN- Quintilliano 15 run (conv failed)
CON- Manning 21 run (Rueger kick)
CON- Schweiter 30 run (Rueger kick)
PEN- Fisher 3 run (Horne pass from Fisher)
PEN- McCaffrey 30 pass from Fisher (Fisher run)
CON- Schweiter 30 run (conv failed)

First Downs-
Conestoga- 28
Penncrest- 14

Penalties-
Conestoga 4 (42 yards)
Penncrest 6 (65 yards)

Fumbles-
Penncrest 1
Conestoga 1 (lost)

Rushes (yards)
Conestoga- 44-269 (C Manning 10-89-2td, Schweiter 28-171-3tds, Miller 5-9)
Penncrest- 27-185 (Fisher 10-21-td, Kinnard 9-38, Quintilliano 5-112-2td, Kaut 2-14)

Passing-
Conestoga- 14-29-213 yds-1td (Miller 14-28-213 yds-td, Loncantore 0-1)
Penncrest- 11-15-112 yds-1td-1int (Miller 11-15-112yds 1td 1 int)

Receiving-
Conestoga (McClane- 2-28, Coleman 2-28, Schweiter 1-16, Dorsey 7-99-td, Jean 2-42)
Penncrest (Moppert 2-12, McCafferty 6-64-td, Horne 3-38)