by Tim McManus

The game was over for about twenty minutes—though the outcome had been decided before the half—when a tearful Sean Plunkett finally found his coach near the sideline and smothered him in his gigantic arms. The chaotic ecstasy of the championship celebration had quieted, and the father and son had a chance to share the field a final time. The embrace lingered. As if the scene needed more symbolism, the sun was setting over the emptying stadium.

 “I’ve always had my Dad as a coach. Going to college, he’ll be there for me, but not the same way. It’s going to be tough,” a still emotional Plunkett said.

Plunkett is being recruited by Division I schools like Iowa, Rutgers, West Virginia, and Temple.

It was fitting that Plunkett, a 6'2", 281-pound senior lineman, left the field last. As teammates are quick to point out, Plunkett is the fiery heart of a core of seniors who led the Blue Devils to an undefeated season in the league. 

“Senior leadership. Every senior has led by example. We are like a family,” said junior quarterback Scott Dziengelski.

The example: Plunkett’s crunching blocks that end with the smaller man across the line ten yards down field, still hounded by the hustling lineman.

As Plunkett said, “The offensive line came on strong all season, we were relentless.”

But Plunkett is quick to give credit to jackhammer fullback Phillip Roberts, a bruiser with speed, averaging nearly ten yards per carry all while playing most downs on defense too.

“Phillip Roberts is unstoppable,” Plunkett said of the soft spoken back.

All of these qualities were on display as the Blue Devils (7-2 overall, 7-0 league) overwhelmed the Academy of the New Church Lions 33-7 in the title clincher. CHA scored touchdowns on its first three possessions to skate to a 20-0 lead 1^st quarter lead. The lead mushroomed to 27-0 by the half, and finally to 33-0 in the third quarter before Coach Plunkett called on the deep reserves, and the sideline became a celebration for the seniors.

Phillip Roberts carried just 12 times for 103 yards, and scored the first, and then fittingly, the last Blue Devil touchdowns. On the first play of the second half, the last play for the starters, Roberts raced through the line untouched and galloped in for a 60-yard touchdown. Roberts added a sack on defense, coming untouched on a blitz to nail Lion quarterback Mark Bratzler, who hung in gamely all afternoon despite no protection from his line.

Blue Devil quarterback Scott Dziengelski, only a junior, connected on eight of 15 passes for 142 yards, and two well-thrown touchdowns. Dziengelski, who is poised for a breakout season next year, hit Anthony Comis in stride for a 50-yard completion for the first Blue Devils touchdown. Dziengelski also found senior Chris McInerney for a 19-yard score in the second quarter.

McInerney reveled in his final game.

“I don’t want to take the pads off. I might steal the helmet,” he said.

McInerney attributed the title to the tough out of league schedule, which saw the Blue Devils drop to 0-2 against tough Inter-Ac league foes.

Junior running back Rob Deery scored the other Blue Devil touchdown on a 1-yard run. Deery was among a gaggle of backup running backs to get carries as sophomore star Mike Flannery sat out with injury, and Coach Plunkett turned to the younger guys when the lead was comfortable. Freshman Joe Aversa, Sean Fitzpatrick, and Tyler Ahrenhold carried the bulk of the load in the second half.

For the Lions, Derek Austin added two 3-yard touchdowns in the fourth quarter against deeps subs to set the final score.

Attesting to the value of senior leadership, the Blue Devils who were playing their final game were honored at a pre-game ceremony. The seniors lined up across the goal line and every underclassman shook their hand. When they left the field, they were treated to a standing ovation and chants of “seniors” from their teammates.

“There was a group of us who started together since sophomore year, we really came on,” said Plunkett.

CHA will try and defend its title next year with a young squad led by Scott Dziengelski, one of the few returning starters. Dziengelski is ready for the responsibility.

“We saw what they did, and if we can do the same we’ll be alright,” he said. “I’m so sad it’s over, but I’m happy to have this to take away to next year.”