Indians overcome 14-0 deficit, but can’t hold on late
By Al Tustin, Staff Writer, The Times
Academy Parks’ furious pass rush — led here by Kasai Crawford — harassed Unionville quarterback Alex Gorgone all night. Jim Gill photo.
SHARON HILL — Like it, or not, speed kills, even on a football field.
Despite forcing six turnovers and mounting an impressive comeback from a 14-0 deficit, the Unionville High School football team couldn’t contain Academy Park’s athleticism and sheer speed, losing a non-league game Friday night, 22-18.
And yet, even with the loss — the Indians’ second in two games — there were some positive takeaways from the contest against the formidable (2-0) Knights, winners of 15 of their last 16 contests, including a deep run into the AAA playoffs last season. Even if the results weren’t ideal, it was a strong effort for a team that still figures to be a conference title contender and in the postseason picture.
But all of the good doesn’t sooth the hurt from a tough loss.
“This one stings,” Unionville head coach Pat Clark said after the game. “Our kids played with such tremendous energy and effort against a really good team. To be down and come back — it stings.”
Unionville’s defense — here led by (42) James Watson and (43) Trevor Gardiner was largely able to contain Academy Park’s running game. Jim Gill photo.
Despite early struggles, a young and somewhat injury battered Unionville seemed to find its footing, especially on offense, and found ways to countermand the speed rush of Academy Park and mount drives. Junior QB Alex Gorgone — while often running for his life from the overwhelming pass rush of the Knights’ — seemed to be more comfortable at the controls, ramping up the pass offense, while tailback Jack Adams (with backfield mates Chris D’Amico and Dante Graham nursing injuries) was able to get the ground game going.
Meanwhile, the defense, which has been solid from the start of the season, found another gear, and managed to limit the Knights’ powerful offense much of the game.
But early on, Unionville appeared to be unable to find a higher gear. On the Knights’ first play from scrimmage, Dazhon Miller raced up the left sideline for a 70-yard score and it appeared that Unionville only had 10 men on the field, a key mental error that set the early tone. Then Teddy Wright picked off Gorgone for a 17-yard interception score, and the Indians found themselves on the road, in a deep hole and a bit shellshocked.
Instead of folding, though, the young Unionville squad found something — and the game changed from a would-be rout into a tense, closely fought battle.
Unionville’s Jack Adams races for the endzone — a play that gave the Indians a second half lead. Jim Gill photo.
A bit of luck helped, of course, when a Gorgone pass to Joe Zubilaga in the end zone deflected off his hands only to end up in the warm embrace of Brady McShane for Unionville’s first score, to make it 14-6. Then Miller fumbled — and an opportunistic Indians team took advantage, with Gorgone hitting Adams for 24-yard scoring pass to make it 14-12 at the half.
In the second half, Adams keyed a long Indians’ drive — arguably the teams’ only sustained offensive march — only to see it stall at the Academy Park 20. But the Unionville defense forced another Miller fumble, getting the ball right back, leading to an Adams’ 3-yard TD run to make it 18-14.
From there, it was a battle of wills — and Unionville fought to run down the clock and keep the Knights off the board. While the Indians’ offense struggled to move the ball, the defense was stellar, forcing punts and turnovers to keep Academy Park away from the endzone.
But in the end, though, speed killed. Miller — stymied since his first run — finally broke off another big run, race 40 yards for a score with less than 4:00 to go in the game, making it 22-18. The Indians were unable to mount another drive — the swarming Academy Park defense was just too much — sending Unionville to its second loss of the season.
Although the coming foes are more familiar, the road may not be any easier for the Indians. Next week, they travel to rival Avon Grove — coached by long-time Unionville assistant Harry O’Neill. The Red Devils are 2-0, with wins over Kennett and Oxford in the young season and clearly are a program on the rise under O’Neill. Avon Grove tailback Nate Jones leads a potent offense.
“Nate Jones is phenomenal,” Clark said. “You have to worry about play action off of it (the run game), and they’re a program that is getting better and better.”
