CHESTER: For the final time in their scholastic careers Senior High School football players put on their pads for a special cause. For the 34th time the best seniors in Delaware County got to display their talents with all the proceeds going toward The Hero Scholarship Fund of Delaware County, which helps put the children of fallen Police, Firefighters, EMT’s with college tuition. Monsignor Bonner’s Eric Petransky knew the deeper meaning of the game saying “Hero Bowl has been a pleasure to been in and it’s an honor to play for all those officers.” It was Petransky and his East teammates that walked away from Widener University’s Lesile C. Quick Stadium with the 20-13 victory over the West All Stars.
After Laquan Robinson (Chester) began the game with a 38 yard kick-off return the East were in business with the ball at their own 46. But the West’s defense would stand tall forcing a fourth-down . On the fourth-down East Head Coach Tony Nabb decided to use some trickery with a fake punt in which Petransky got the handoff from up-man Major Everett(Cardinal O’Hara). It was off to the races for Petransky for 37 yards down to the West’s 14. From there the East would stall resulting in a turnover on downs. “We ran it at O’Hara and ran it successfully against La Salle, I just knew it would work.” That’s how Nabb would describe the decision making progress of the fake punt. He added, “I wanted a good back running it that’s why I gave Petransky it.” On their ensuing drive the West would put together a drive down to the East 40 yard line before being forced to punt.
On the first drive of the second quarter the East would break the scoreless tie when QB Tevin Campbell(Chester) sneaked his way in from a yard out. Mike Granta(O’Hara) would add the extra point giving the East 7-0 lead. Campbell’s sneak capped a nine play 63 yard drive in which Campbell showed his arm strength as he completed passes of 27 to Jack Wickman(Bonner) and 17 yards to Dan Curry (O’Hara). The drive also included a 16 yard run by Taron Mitchell (Academy Park) that put the East at the one yard line.
On the West’s ensuing drive they drove down to the East’s 19 before stalling forcing Adam Fander (Marple Newtown) to attempt a 36 yard field goal that just missed the left upright keeping the East 7-0 halftime lead.
After forcing a West fumble on the opening series of the second half the East was again in business with the ball at the West’s 27. Four plays later the East extended their lead to 14-0 when Bret Creighton(Interboro) connected with Dan O’Hara(O’Hara) for a 19 yard score.
On the next drive West would turn to the big play to get back into game as QB Colin Masterson(Ridley) showed his arm strength that led his Green Raiders to Eastern 4A Final as he connected with teammate Alex Nicolino(Ridley) who also showed his dangerous speed for a 45 yard touchdown. Fander would add the PAT to cut the East’s lead to 14-7. Nicolino would finish the game with four receptions for 60 yards.
On the next West drive they would again find the end-zone as Masterson found the speedster AJ Jones(Haverford School) wide open for 43 yard touchdown. Fander’s PAT would be no good preserving the East’s 14-13 lead. Jones would finish the game with two receptions for 63 yards while Masterson would finish the game 10 for 19 for 143 yards earning him the West Offensive MVP.
Just like he did all through his record breaking season at Bonner, Petransky was there for his team when they needed him. Keeping the 14-13 lead it was Petransky that added a little cushion to East’s lead with his four yard touchdown run. “It was great to scoring that touchdown. I wanted it so much. I knew I had to score. I heard my family in the background. They motivate me to score. My team needed it because we wanted to win.” Petransky also received high praise from the East Head Coach who during the season had to face Petransky as an assistant at Cardinal O’Hara “Petransky is a good back, a very good back second team All Catholic, second team All Delco, Bonner all time leading rushing.” Nabb said about Petransky. Petransky would finish the game with 10 carries for 68 yards earning him the Offensive MVP award for the East.
On the ensuing West drive QB Matt Atkinson (Penncrest) was intercepted by LB Ronnell Williams (Chester). Williams interception sealed the deal for the East All Stars and gave them their second win in the last three Hero Bowls. Williams was named the Defensive MVP for the East. When asked about the interception Williams responded, “I just want to thank my defense for getting that great pressure to rattle the QB a little bit to throw it right to me. I feel like I stepped up but without the D-Line it wouldn’t have mattered so I want to thank the D-Line and God.” Ridley’s Casey Decker was named Defensive MVP for the West.
