West Catholic crushes Springfield in playoff win
Once he enters college next September, Marquise Gordon still plans to major in business. One of his West Catholic teachers has other ideas, however.
Once he enters college next September, Marquise Gordon still plans to major in business.
One of his West Catholic teachers has other ideas, however.
"She thinks I should go into graphic design," Gordon said. "Or even try to be an architect. She says I'm really good at drawing buildings. And I do like that stuff.
"She gave us an assignment to sketch a grid. She said she didn't even know how to do it. I had to teach her. She said it looked great."
Wearing pads in chilly mid-November temps, the last thing on Gordon's mind Friday night was drawing or sketching. Yet, he did turn out to be somewhat of an architect . . . of a playoff victory.
In a PIAA Class AA District 1-12 subregional final, Gordon forced two key fumbles as the visiting Burrs, the defending state champion, posted a 28-7 win over 11-0 Springfield Montco.
Oddly, West scored all of its points in the second quarter — within 5 minutes, 42 seconds, in fact — and the 5-11, 185-pound Gordon, a senior and outside linebacker, got the ball rolling on the very first play of that session.
Got it bouncing around on the ground, actually.
Tristin Freeman recovered at Springfield's 34, and star rusher David Williams scored the game's first points eight plays later on an 11-yard run.
Just four plays hence, Kevin Malone picked off a pass and uncorked an 18-yard return to the Spartans' 44. On second down, ziiiiiiip, Williams raced 44 yards for a score.
Next TD? How about 12 seconds later. Gordon forced the return man to part company with the pigskin, and, see ya! . . . Rae'Quan Williams picked it up and dashed 41 yards to the end zone.
"We work on that in practice, trying to force fumbles," said Gordon, who wound up leading his squad in tackles with six; four were solos. "How often do I force 'em? I'd say it's about a 50-50.
"I don't hit guys that hard in practice. Hey, they're my teammates. Don't want to show so much intensity that I hurt somebody. But it's a different story in a game. You're out there poppin' away. Coach 'Den' (defensive coordinator Dennis Fluck, brother of coach Brian Fluck) was showing us on film how they carried the ball kind of funny, like this" -- Gordon placed a game ball he'd been awarded across his belly, parallel to the ground -- "and that we could force some fumbles. It also looked like they didn't want to get to hit too much."
On his first forced fumble, Gordon said he intentionally tried to strip the ball. As for the second . . .
"That just came from the tackle itself," he said. "I didn't know exactly what had happened until I looked toward our sideline and saw everybody getting amped up. Then I turned back and saw Rae'Quan running with the ball, and I knew it was going to be a touchdown. I didn't even have to go down there. A touchdown was a sure thing. Just walked to the sideline."
Gordon's heroics highlighted a strong defensive effort. The Burrs forced six turnovers. Malone (strip to Devante "Butterball" Ford) also recovered a fumble, while Shaquille James and Freeman joined Malone in the interception category.
Malone's recovery followed Rae'Quan Williams' TD by just two plays, and James turned a shovel pass from Jaleel Reed into a 30-yard score six plays later.
Last year, Gordon, mostly raised in North Philly but based for the last five years in South Philly (Fitzwater near 22nd), served as a caddy for star linebacker Anthony McDonnaugh.
"Coach Den told me I'd be a starter this year," he said. "But that I'd also have to do my work to maintain my spot. I've been motivated all season. Win back-to-back states, that's all I want to do."
David Williams finished with 179 yards and the two TDs on 36 carries.
Springfield avoided a shutout on the final play of the third quarter as Billy Dahm returned an interception 32 yards. Soon, Dahm was blocking a punt and the Spartans were in business at West's 17. James' pick occurred four plays later and the Burrs were able to think ahead to the first weekend in December, when they'll tackle a quarterfinal (details to be announced).
Much preferred over heading back to the drawing board.
