Malvern Friars 42, Chester 0 September 9, 2006
Quigley Field
By John Ostick, Parents Booster Club
As the Chester High Clippers prepared for their game this Saturday, you had to presume they were concerned about their opponents, the Malvern Prep Friars. The Friars, getting ready for their season opener after the one of a kind 10 and 1 season in 2005, have a heady and experienced seasoned offensive and defensive line. The Clippers game plan had to centered around a strength of using their speed and agility in the open field, particularly on kick returns.
Joe Buckley, a senior, and President of the Malvern Student Council, smashed the probable one glimmer of hope for the out-manned Chester team. Joe, who also had 4 PAT’s in this 42 to 0 opening Friar victory, booted all 6 of his kickoffs into the Chester end zone and beyond. Four of the monster boots left the Chester end zone, in fact, Malvern fans thought a “field-goal” was possible as the Buckley deliveries almost cleared the uprights. The other 2 kicks were fielded by Clipper return specialists by as they received the ball, the referees whistled stopped any chance for a run back; in Pennsylvania high school rules, a kickoff into the opponents end zone is a “dead” ball.
As the Friars gained their first possession of the afternoon, Chris Layne carried the ball for his initial first down of the season with a 12 yard gain. The Friars ended the gain with 15 first downs compared to the Clippers 5 chain movers. Co-Captain #41 Alex Forte, a top national Nike Camp phenom took two carries for a 5 yard run and a pass play for another Malvern 1st down. Junior Quarterback Ryan Nassib in his first starting role replacing 2005 Inter-AC MVP Ian Mitchell now in a freshman starting role for Coach Darwin Breaux at Dickinson College in Carlisle, PA) looked seasoned as the realignment offensive unit gained real estate as they marched toward the goal line.
It was now a young sophomore’s turn as #4, Jimmy Connelly nailed his first and second first downs moving the Friars to striking distance with a first and goal. On a QB sneak, the young field general Ryan Nassib put the 2006 first points on the broken scoreboard with his first varsity touchdown. The veteran Joe Buckley’s PAT boot completed a wonderful 1st offensive series.
Score: Malvern Prep 7 Chester 0
An ensuing kickoff touchback by Joe Buckley put the Clippers at their own 20 yard line. The defense now got their chance to shine. On a big rush by Co-Captain #56 Rob Bates and a pass deflection, his first of two, another Co-Captain #76 Paul Ostick staked their dominance on the Chester backfield. Junior linebacker #52 Phil Congialdi had the seasons first bone crunching tackle and senior D-back Tim Bemer caused an almost certain completed pass to end up on the turf. Chester had to punt the ball over to the Friars.
With the Malvern offense on the Chester 41 yard line, Alex Forte and Jimmy Connelly both racked up another pair of first downs as the first quarter of the 2006 season ended.
1st Quarter Score: Malvern Prep 7 Chester 0
The first play of the second quarter was a spectacular one for the Nassib-led offense as Ryan hooked up for the first of many to senior wide receiver #14 Joe Hoban (the Joey Hoban from West Chester St. Agnes). The other Joey Hoban on the Friars squad is a sophomore offensive line and defensive end wearing #72 hails from Havertown and the Bulldawgs of St. Denis. The 21 yard pass play for a touchdown gave the Friars a 13 point 1st half led. On the PAT snap, the holder and wonderful grade school quarterback Joe Hoban faked the kick and completed a 2 point pass conversion to senior warrior #6 Matt Bernier.
Score: Malvern Prep 15 Chester 0
As Joe Buckley sized up and delivered his third of six touchback, play over, kickoffs, Chester tried to get something going while the game was still a game. Another senior #90 Rick Rueda put a stop to that Clipper ray of optimism was his first of two magnificent quarterback sacks. From their own 20 yard the pressure field Clippers had to punt Malvern into great field position.
Looking like a cross between a ballet-dancer (Coach Jimmy Panetta’s yoga influence during the summer) and a great Wallenda tight rope walker, junior Chris Layne got the pigskin to the Chester 25 yard line. Next Nassib chess move provided a 10 yard gain through the air to another talented senior, #16 Ben Bryer for a Friars 1st down and creeping once again to the Chester end zone. With the ball on the 9 yard line, junior Chris Layne completed his dance into the end zone for his first touchdown of 2006. Consistent Joe Buckley split the cross bar once more and the Friars marched toward halftime with the score:
Score: Malvern Prep 22 Chester 0
After the Buckley kickoff, Chester faltered and the Friars gain the possession on a Chester punt. However, in the one Clipper bright spot of the day, Chester intercepted a deflected Ryan Nassib pass. The extremely bright QB made a terrific sack on the speedy and deceptive defensive back. Chester moved the ball this series to a first and goal within the 1 yard line and the Clippers smelled a score.
Not to be as the coaching brought into the game the 6’4” 350 pound sophomore #79 (remember that number) Sean Ferguson. With Fergie in for the goal line stand, line backer Phil Congialdi clogged the Clipper and had a momentum breaking QB sack.
The one Chester opportunity was thwarted as satisfaction was clearly indicated by the beaming smile displayed by Sean Ferguson as he saluted the Malvern fans in the stands.
Malvern moved the ball toward midfield with only time for one more play. And what a play it was. Ryan Nassib, with great protection provided by the Malvern Great Front Wall, Nassib hit a fleet-footed Joe Hoban on the money for a 55 yard 1st half ending touchdown. (See Image #s 7201 through 7210 at www.malvernprepfootball.com for incredible photos of this gorgeous play) Buck for one (See Image #7211) ended the 1st half of the first tilt of the season.
Halftime Score: Malvern Prep 29 Chester 0
After the intermission, a Joe Buckley ho-hum touckback kickoff, and a failed series by Chester gave possession back to the Friars on the Malvern 38 yard line. With the first snap by senior center and offensive line workhorse, #75 Jim Downey and with hole opening maneuvers by Downey’s colleagues on the line, Rob Bates and Paul Ostick, fleet footed Chris Layne danced his way with a beautiful 62 yard run for a touchdown. It wes Chris’ 2nd touchdown of the game.
On Chester’s next possession, Rick Rueda added a 2nd spectacular QB sack. Great defensive contributions came by two sophomore astute players, #5 Billy Conners and #34 Matt Clary teamed up and smothered a would be Clipper running back. In the same series, junior defensive end #44 Mike McKee recovered a fumble on the 47 yard line. In addition, the Chester optimism to score their first touchdown of the year, was stymied by the presence of junior defensive lineman #77 Nick “Bulldog” Busillo.
Offensively, 5’ 11” 180 pound junior #11 Chris Moore performed effectively at quarterback getting a brief respite from his strong performance as defensive back.
The third quarter came to an end:
Score: Malvern Prep 35 Chester 0
The 4th quarter helped the eager, younger Friars blended with a sprinkling of upperclassman gained some invaluable game time experience. A Chester runner must be still hurting from the terrific tackled by junior d-back #9 Rob Rafferty.
Chris Layne added 20 more rushing yards to his game performance on a pitchout from the 3rd quarterback of the day, soph Billy Conners. Later, as the game final minutes were waning, Billy Conners handed off to senior MECO leader and 800 Math SAT scorer senior #13 Matt Dolente for the final touchdown of the day on a 4 yard touchdown plunge. Joe Buckley converted his 4th PAT of the contest.
Score: Malvern Prep 42 Chester 0
The game ended and Malvern was 1 and 0. The passing of the torch from last season’s incredibly talented 10 and 1 Friar squad was witnessed by 2005 graduating senior, Jimmy Cotton, was in the stands with two of his MVP cheering section who followed Jimmy’s hallowed football and basketball performance here in Chester County.
On a final note, congratulations are given here to three senior football leaders who have made their college commitments based on their state championship performances in the Spring and Summer.
Let’s give a hearty applause to three great kids, students, friends to all, and athletes:
Tim Bemer to the University of Notre Dame
Matt Bernier to Penn State University
Matt Dolente to John Hopkins University
Guys, the entire Malvern Prep community are very proud and happy for your accomplishments.
Next up: at HOME Quigley Field, Saturday, September 16, 2006 1:00 PM
Vs. West Chester Henderson