Philadelphia, Pa.-Council Rock South senior quarterback Brian Donnelly made the difference in a game that featured two very explosive offenses and one that went to the last play as the Golden Hawks prevailed 35-34 over the Father Judge Crusaders in a non league affair at Lincoln High’s barefoot bowl.
Judge is not used to seeing a team that primarily uses the triple option offense. Not only did they see it all day, but it was run by a guy that does it about better than anyone in the state of Pennsylvania. Donnelly caught the Judge defense out of position on a couple plays that turned into long touchdowns by the quarterback. Donnelly used his magnificent play faking as well throughout.
Rock fell behind 14-0 before the first quarter ended when Crusader senior quarterback Rob Daniels hit Raul Quinones with a perfectly executed screen play and a 41 yard touchdown followed by Matt Smalley’s 87 TD run down the left sideline. The Hawks Ryan Hickey took the ensuing kickoff 90 yards to pay dirt and suddenly this game had the makings of a see saw affair. Judge then executed a seven play, 62 yard drive that ended with Daniels hitting Timmy Mills with a 24 yard touchdown pass.
Down 21-7 Donnelly decided to get in on the act with runs of 55 and 4 yards (for the touchdown) then after a Judge fumble, he directed a five play drive ending with Ian McDermott’s 19 yard run and the halftime score was knotted at 21 apiece. The Hawk quarterback began to take control of the game in the second half with touchdown runs of 79 and 45 yards.
Entering the fourth quarter, Judge now found themselves behind 35-28 and Daniels provided more heroics by hitting on completions of 23 yards and a 32 yard touchdown pass to John Landis with six minutes left. At that point, Crusader coach Tom Coyle decided to roll the dice with a kick fake by holder Mills on the extra point and a pass for the two point conversion and the lead. The play worked almost perfectly, but this is where Maryland commit P.J. Gallo made the first of two great game changing plays. The Hawk defensive end recognized the fake and put himself in position to shield receiver Anthony Walker on the play causing Walker to lose the ball. Gallo then sacked Daniels on a fourth down on Judge’s last drive to end the game.
Donnelly had 213 yards on 15 carries; three touchdowns and mastered the triple option to perfection. Daniels finished unofficially with 14 of 24 completions for 237 yards, three touchdowns, four dropped passes and completions to five different receivers. Smalley had 145 yards on 19 carries and one touchdown.
The Hawks (D1 , AAAA, Suburban One National) travel to Pennridge next week at 2-0 while Judge (D12, AAAA, PCL) drops to 1-1 and a date looming with State College and a game with the Lions.
Scoring by Quarter
1st Quarter
Judge- Quinones 41 pass from Daniels- Kick Good- 4:30
Judge- Smalley 87 run- Kick Good- 2:02
CRS- Hickey 90 KO return- Kick Good- 1:40
2nd Quarter
Judge- Mills 24 pass from Daniels- Kick Good- 10:43
CRS- Donnelly- 4 run- Kick Good- 9:19
CRS- McDermott- 19 run- Kick Good- 6:11
3rd Quarter
Donnelly- 79 run- Kick Good- 6:15
Judge- Quinones- 2 run- Kick Good- 4:45
Donnelly- 45 run- Kick Good- 2:15
4th Quarter
Judge- Landis 32 pass from Daniels- Two Pt no good-3:20
Notes
- Donnelly only attempted one pass (incomplete)
- The Hawks used six different backs in the triple option offense
- Top Judge Lineman Vince Lostracco (broken wrist) saw one series of action
- Gallo (CRS, TE) provided key blocks that turned into long gains
- Judge’s OLine provided great protection for Daniels
