West Catholic handles Archbishop Ryan

After struggling in the first four weeks of the season, with its lone win gained in come-from-behind fashion, West Catholic has finally started to show the form that paved the way to last year's PIAA Class AA state championship.

Against fellow Catholic League member Archbishop Ryan, the much-sharper Burrs scored three times in the first seven minutes and rolled to a 38-13 nonleague victory Friday night at Northeast's Charlie Martin Memorial Stadium.

West started the season with three straight losses, but was toughened by playing the high-powered likes of Roman Catholic, La Salle, and Archbishop Wood. The Burrs needed a late surge to overcome Haverford School, of the Inter-Ac League, in Week 4.

Jaleel Reed, a 6-foot-1, 185-pound senior and lefthanded quarterback, produced four of West's six scores, including a 59-yard punt return, to snap Ryan's three-game win streak.

Reed netted 152 yards on four carries. The first-year starter escaped for scores of 19, 73, and 53 yards.

David Williams, a 6-foot, 205-pound junior tailback and Division I-A recruit, chipped in 143 yards on 16 attempts. He ran for 117 yards in the first half, including a 46-yard, second-quarter burst that gave the Burrs (2-3) a 26-0 advantage.

After Ryan had opened the game with a three-and-out series, Reed returned Mike Anusky's punt 59 yards for score.

Shortly after that, Reed, this time as the signal-caller, went around left end for a 19-yard TD. With West ahead by 26-7, he closed the first-half by scoring on a Michael Vick-like, 73-yard jaunt.

West coach Brian Fluck inserted the second-teamers in the game after Reed darted for a 53-yard score early in the third quarter to make it 38-7. The Burrs totaled 381 rushing yards (Reed was 0-for-4 passing) on 41 attempts.

West's offensive line was made up of center Tim Burns, guards T.J. Waters and Mike Makor, tackles Jarryd Jones-Smith and Eric Wyant, and tight end Brandon Calhoun.

Tristin Freeman, who logged most of his time on offense at fullback, posted a first-quarter defensive score. Coming up from linebacker, he stripped the ballcarrier and raced 63 yards to the end zone.

Ryan's first score, with a minute left in the second quarter, came on a 10-yard, left-side screen pass from Anusky to tailback Dylan Rowan.

The Raiders' other score, midway through the third quarter, was Anusky's 34-yard pass to diving wideout Mike Palmer.

Rowan carried the ball 21 times for 71 yards. Anusky, under heavy pressure all night, hit on 10 of 24 throws for 109 yards.

West Catholic   20 12 6 0 – 38

Archbishop Ryan   0 7 6 0 – 13

WC: Reed 59 punt return (Williams run)

WC: Reed 19 run (kick blocked)

WC: Freeman 63 with fumble (kick blocked)

WC: Williams 46 run (pass failed)

AR: Rowan 10 pass from Anusky (Martinez kick)

WC: Reed 73 run (pass failed)

WC: Reed 53 run (kick failed)

AR: Palmer 34 pass from Anusky (run failed)