CHA football remains undefeated in Independence League

by TIM MCMANUS

Chestnut Hill Academy’s visit to Lower Moreland had all the classic markings of a trap game — on the road, against weaker competition, the temptation to look ahead to next week’s league-deciding game. But the letdown never came. In a game televised on CN8, the Blue Devils (4-2 overall, 4-0 league) used their superior size and speed to decimate the Lions 35-6.

CHA unleashed their balanced attack on their opening drive. Senior superstar Phillip Roberts, who gashed the Lion defense for 148 yards and two touchdowns on just 19 carries, put the Blue Devils into scoring position with one of his typical runs: a bruising, tackler-punishing carry to the 13 yard line. Quarterback Scott Dziengelski began a career day — 10 of 14 for 123 yards and a touchdown — with a 15-yard scoring toss to season-long favorite target Chris McInerney. The speedy wide receiver caught seven balls for 94 yards.

Lower Moreland (2-4, 2-2) captured some momentum by intercepting a Dziengelski pass deep in their own territory, but it was short lived. The Lion’s wishbone ground attack couldn’t gain any traction all afternoon, as 6’2”, 281-pound senior lineman Sean Plunkett, who’s being recruited by Iowa, hounded star running back Nick Evangelist.

“I was proud of the way the line really stepped up today and knocked people back,” said proud dad and coach Jack Plunkett.
CHA scored again on their second possession. Phillip Roberts pounded into the end zone from 11 yards out. On the ensuing Lion drive, Roberts rattled quarterback Bill Teske with a hit that put him out until the middle of the third quarter. But capable replacement Jason Klein stepped in, and on his first throw completed a 40-yard touchdown to Evangelist to make it 14-6.

Any chance for a Lion rally was doused before the half, as for the second consecutive week the Blue Devils knocked out an opponent by scoring two touchdowns in less than two minutes.

First, Phillip Roberts capped off an 80-yard drive with his second touchdown run of the half.

Lower Moreland’s Joe Rybicki fumbled the kickoff, and versatile Chris McInerney recovered, setting up the Blue Devils on the Lion 26-yard line with 17 seconds to play. Senior running back Nasir Yard, who has emerged in the last two games as a third threat on the ground for CHA, ran it in for the score, the second Blue Devil touchdown in 21 seconds. CHA led by 28-6 at the half.

After another Yard touchdown run in the third quarter, CHA relied mostly on backups, giving freshman like running back Tyler Ahrenhold a chance to play. Neither team scored again in the second half.

The win sets up what amounts to a conference championship game next week at home against Bristol, who has only one league loss. A CHA win, with league games only remaining against weak Jenkintown and Academy of the New Church, would likely give them the Independence League championship. Coach Plunkett is well aware of the importance of the game.

“We haven’t been on a roll like this since 2001 when we last one the Independence League. A win will keep us in the driver’s seat. We want to take our fifth step toward the league title,” Plunkett said.