GA defense, McGettigan strong in win over McDevitt
One benefit of being a coach's son is the keen ability to decipher coach-speak and then translate it for those not in the know.
One benefit of being a coach's son is the keen ability to decipher coach-speak and then translate it for those not in the know.
Saturday afternoon at Germantown Academy, Patriots junior linebacker Patrick McGettigan used that skill to decode and then deliver a message from head coach Matt Dence to a penalized teammate.
There wasn't much to be upset about in the Patriots' 41-6 nonleague dismantling of Bishop McDevitt, but as any coach would be, Dence was unhappy after one of his players was ticketed for a late hit out of bounds.
"Relax, Coach," McGettigan said on the sideline. "Tell me who it was. I'll go talk to him."
McGettigan, the son of Ed McGettigan, who is in his sixth season as head coach at Lincoln, has emerged as a leader on Germantown Academy's opportunistic defense.
"That's what I try to do," McGettigan said, "because if there's a flag, the coaches are going to get on guys. I just try to talk to them about it and calm them down, because they're just trying to get on the field."
The Patriots (5-0), who start Inter-Ac play Oct. 17, forced five turnovers: two interceptions and three fumbles. They also finished with three sacks.
Jimmy McAfee and Griffin Hunn each had an interception. McAfee also blocked a late extra point.
McGettigan added at least three tackles for loss, including one that turned McDevitt over on downs in the third quarter.
Freshman Jon Haynes returned the opening kickoff 85 yards for a score. He added a receiving touchdown.
Sophomore running back K.J. Cartwright supplied 139 yards and two touchdowns on just 10 carries (13.9 per attempt).
For the Lancers (2-3) of the Catholic League, Max Bryson (13 carries for 78 yards and touchdown) and Vince DiLeo (18 carries for 100 yards) provided the offense.
McGettigan's leadership and the Patriots defense, however, changed the game.
"Yeah, that's Pat," Dence said. "He's a coach's son and the oldest of six [siblings], so he's used to being put in front of people [as a leader] . . . he's just everything you want in a football player."
His father, Ed, was a defensive end for Father Judge (1988) and later for a few seasons at Millersville University before finishing school at St. Joseph's.
McGettigan's younger brother, Jimmy, a sophomore defensive end for GA, added a sack Saturday. His younger sister Grace plays eighth-grade soccer, while Matt, "the athlete of the family," is a sixth-grade quarterback. Eddie is in second grade and Michael is not yet 20 months.
Bishop McDevitt 0 0 0 6 - 6
Germantown Acad. 14 20 7 0 - 41
GA: Jon Haynes 85 kickoff (Vince Capone kick)
GA: Kyle McCloskey 32 run (Capone kick)
GA: Mike Gilmore 17 pass from McCloskey (kick failed)
GA: K.J. Cartwright 47 run (Capone kick)
GA: Cartwright 57 run (Capone kick)
GA: Haynes 17 pass from McCloskey (Capone kick)
BM: Max Bryson 15 run (kick blocked)
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