by Tim McManus

On the coldest day of the season, it took the Blue Devils some extra time to get hot against a game Jenkintown squad, but the result was the same as the last six — a Chestnut Hill Academy win. The Blue Devils (6-2 overall, 6-0 league) only led by seven at the half, but Anthony Comis’ key play in the waning moments set the tone for what was to come.

The Drakes (4-4, 2-4) had tied the score at seven on a Kyle Meier quarterback sneak to cap off a 10-minute, 80-yard drive on their second possession — a series that began midway through the first and didn’t end until almost halfway through the second. After forcing CHA to turn the ball over on downs deep in their own territory with under a minute to play in the half, the heavy underdog Drakes had the ball, the momentum, and should have taken a knee, happy to go to the break with a tie.

Instead, Kyle Meier dropped deep back to pass to allow his receivers to get down the field, and CHA’s defensive back Anthony Comis came from his blind side and stripped the ball. Freshman Wayne Crawford recovered the fumble, giving the Blue Devils the ball on the Drake 7-yard line.

Sophomore star running back Mike Flannery capitalized on the gigantic blunder, scoring to give the Blue Devils a seven point lead at the half. Flannery, who also scored later on a two-yard run, had 12 carries for 107 yards.

The Drakes never recovered from the devastating blow, failing to score again in the game.

For CHA, quarterback Scott Dziengelski and wide receiver Steve Mast provided the rest of the offense. Dziengelski threw a two-yard pass to all-purpose wide out Chris McInerney for the Blue Devils first score. He also connected with Mast for a 37-yard scoring pass to begin the second half. Overall Dziengelski hit nine of 22 passes for 87 yards and two touchdowns.

Mast, who emerged as the latest two-way CHA revelation — two weeks ago it was Nasir Yard stepping up — also picked off a Kyle Meier pass and ran it back 15 yards for a late touchdown to close the scoring in the lopsided second half.

With the win, CHA is guaranteed a share of the Independence League Title, but can win it outright for the second time in three years with a win next Saturday at the Academy of the New Church.