Marc Narducci: Defense comes up big in Moorestown football win

Moorestown's football team has been defined by its high-powered offense, but the defense gave the Quakers one of their biggest wins of the season and likely punched their South Jersey Group 3 playoff ticket.

A unit that allowed an average of 28.2 points per game in its first seven games pitched a second-half shutout in Friday's 20-13, comeback win over Camden Catholic in a West Jersey Football League Constitution Division game.

Moorestown is 6-2 and should be a factor in the Group 3 playoffs. Camden Catholic is 4-3, having suffered the three losses by a total of 11 points, and still is headed to the Non-Public Group 3 playoffs.

"It meant a lot to us to have a defensive effort like this," said Moorestown linebacker Alex Melekos, who was all over the field and recovered a fumble on the Camden Catholic 40-yard line with less than five minutes remaining.

Of course, the Moorestown offense had entered the game averaging 36.2 points, and that unit finally won it.

One play after the fumble, Moorestown dug into its trickery bag with a double-reverse flea-flicker.

Quarterback Andrew Lisa eventually hit a wide-open Dan Servodidio for the 40-yard touchdown, then Zac Frantz caught a tipped two-point conversion pass to make the score 20-13 with 4 minutes, 46 seconds remaining.

It was the first lead of the game for the Quakers, who made sure the Irish didn't threaten in the next drive, which included a key sack by Melekos.

While the defense stood out, Moorestown's offense wasn't bad either. Lisa completed just 2 of 9 passes for 61 yards in the first half, but he ended up throwing two second-half scores, to Frantz for 10 yards and the game-winner to Servodidio.

"The key is staying with it, and I had a tough first half, but we kept at it," said Lisa, who has thrown 20 touchdown passes this season.

Camden Catholic threw the ball all over the field last season with quarterback Joe Brennan, now at Wisconsin, but the Irish have been winning with a running game and defense this year.

Junior Mike Blandon can run between the tackles and beat teams to the outside, which he did on his 77-yard touchdown run on the Irish's first play from scrimmage.

Camden Catholic was controlling play in the first half, but led by just 13-6 after sophomore Jarred Alwan went untouched on a 12-yard, second-quarter touchdown run.

Moorestown's defense was keeping the Quakers in the game.

Camden Catholic fans also got a glimpse at the future when freshman Tom Flacco, brother of former Audubon star and Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco, got in a few series. Flacco did not look out of place.

"He's been playing well on the JV and in practice and will be seeing more time," Camden Catholic coach Rick Brown said.

The Irish were depending on the run because two key receivers, Anthony Sweet and Tom Wescott, are out with knee and hand injuries, respectively. Sweet is among the more talented receivers in South Jersey.

If a team has to rely on the run, it doesn't hurt to have somebody of Blandon's ability, but after rushing for 116 yards on 10 carries in the first half, he was held to zero yards on five second-half carries.

A Moorestown team known for its offense picked an opportune time to step it up on "D."

Moorestown 6 0 6 8 – 20

Camden Catholic 7 6 0 0 – 13

C: Mike Blandon 77 run (Ryan Graves kick)

M: Sidney Ruffin 2 run (kick failed)

C: Jarred Alwan 12 run (kick failed)

M: Zac Frantz 10 pass from Andrew Lisa (kick failed)

M: Dan Servodidio 40 pass from Lisa (Frantz pass from Lisa).