Philadephia, Pa., Quarterback Mike (Neeko) Hnatkowsky’s 4th down 1 yard plunge and Denarii Beard’s interception capped off Penn Charter’s wild 42-35 victory over the Episcopal Academy Churchmen in an Inter-Ac league showdown yesterday.
The Quakers dug themselves an early 14-0 hole with two big plays provided by Churchmen do everything handyman Christian Feliziani’s 90 kick return and 75 yard TD reception off the arm of C.J. NcAnally. Penn Charter to their credit fought back and began to control the line of scrimmage with longer timed drives and eventually scored on three straight possessions before the half ended.
Prior to his game ending interception, Denarii put Penn Charter up again to start the second half with a 28 yard TD but the Churchmen bounced back with a 65 yard drive to tie the score on Dee Barlee’s 3 yard touchdown.
Down 35-34 with 4th and goal at the one Quaker head coach Tom Coyle flirted with attempting a field goal but rolled the dice, relying on his small but athletic offensive line. Hnatkowsky found a crease behind center Hayden Knighton on the next play giving them the lead they would not relinquish.
Penn Charter now sits at 4-4 (2-1 conference) after losing in overtime to the Inter-Ac favorite Haverford School in a game they had in hand in the 4th quarter. They travel to Malvern next week while Episcopal (5-3) falls to 0-3 in the conference and visit Springside Chestnut Hill.
Notes: The Notre Dame Fighting Irish had their walk-thru prior to their game with Temple at Penn Charter. Recently retired legendary Philadelphia high school sports reporter Ted Silary was seen in Penn Charter garb at both the walk-thru and reported on the Quaker game. Here are pictures he took for his website of the walk-thru (including a few of former Roman Catholic’s Will Fuller and Penn Charter’s Mike McGlinchey). https://www.flickr.com/photos/8172647@N06/sets/72157660549364106.
Silary now focuses on Penn Charter sports (where his athletic career spanned). His web site is tedsilary.com and is widely known as one of the best high school sports websites in the state. Feliziani made plays all over the field in all three phases (offense, defense and special teams). His 39 yard TD reception (his third) was high pointed over three defenders. Chris Tucker had three TD receptions for the Quakers and made a sizzling 40 yarder prior to their last TD. Both quarterbacks were southpaws. Hnatkowsky (junior) started since his freshman year and reminds a lot of people of Steve Young from 49’s fame. He threw for over 320 yards and had five TD passes.
Scoring by Quarter
1st Quarter
EA- Feliziani-90 kick return – (PAT-Ringwalt)
EA- Feliziani- 75 pass from McAnally- (PAT-Ringwalt)
2nd Quarter
PC- Ferrell-11 pass from Hnatkowsky – (PAT-Mattice)
PC – Tucker – 70 pass from Hnatkowsky – (PAT- Mattice)
PC – Tucker – 14 pass from Hnatkowsky – (PAT – Mattice)
EA – Feliziani – 39 pass from McAnally – (PAT – Ringwalt)
3rd Quarter
PC- Denarii – 28 pass from Hnatkowsky – (PAT – Mattice)
EA – Barlee -3 run (PAT – Ringwalt)
4th Quarter
PC – Tucker – 4 pass from Hnatkowsky – (Kick Failed)
EA – Barlee – 10 run – (PAT – Ringwalt)
PC – Hnatkowsky – 1 run – (McCain pass from Hnatkowsky)
As always, Ted Silary contributed to this report.
