by Chris Kucharski
Valley View had heard all about Malvern Prep wide receiver Lonnie White Jr. The Cougars got to see the Penn State recruit up close and in person. The hype wasn’t exaggerated.
White scored two first-half touchdowns without being touched to help the Friars cruise to a 38-6 over Valley View. The game was scheduled last week after both teams had an opening on their schedule.
Malvern Prep (3-0), who plays in the Inter-AC League out of suburban Philadelphia, exhibited too much speed and athleticism for the young District 2 Cougars, who should be a district contender in 2021.
Valley View received the opening kickoff but failed on a fake punt at their own 25-yard line. After a penalty pushed Malvern Prep back, the Friars faced a fourth and six and decided to go for it. Quarterback Jack Capaldi hit wide-open tight end Jake Brownley in the middle of the field for a 21-yard touchdown pass.
On the next drive, the Cougars managed to move the ball into Malvern territory with three first downs before the drive stalled. On the ensuing drive, an errant shotgun snap went over the head of Capaldi. Valley View’s Ian Little recovered the ball at the Friars 11 yard line. On fourth down, Cougars quarterback Adam Howanitz threw an interception to Brownley, a Harvard lacrosse recruit, who returned it 66 yards to the Valley View 25.
Capaldi then connected with White on the next play with a slant pattern and sped by the Cougars secondary into the end zone to give the Friars a 14-0 lead. Capaldi would find White again in the second quarter, another slant pattern that ended up a 52-yard touchdown reception for a 21-0 lead. White, who didn’t play much in the second half, finished the night with four receptions for 115 yards and the two touchdowns.
Malvern Prep got one more score before half when Jake Reid hit a 44-yard field goal for the 24-0 halftime lead.
After a third-quarter fumble by Malvern Prep, Valley View drove deep into Friars territory before Brownley would pick off Howanitz for the second time at the 10 yard line.
Running back Isaiah Wright would add another touchdown with a 25-yard run. On the next drive, Joe Walheim had the Friars’ third interception of the evening and returned it nine yards for the final Malvern touchdown.
Valley View controlled the ball for ten minutes with a running clock in the fourth quarter with Howanitz finishing off the drive with a nine-yard touchdown run.
Capaldi threw for 170 yards and three touchdowns while Wright finished with 132 rushing yards. T.J. Noto led Valley View with 55 yards rushing while Sean Mackinder had eight receptions for 59 yards. Malvern Prep’s season continues next Saturday vs. Archbishop Wood while Valley View finishes their season at 3-3.
