Understudy QB leads Malvern past Episcopal
Kevin Doyle has played understudy throughout the season while Malvern Prep junior quarterback Nick Maras led the Friars to victories.
Kevin Doyle has played understudy throughout the season while Malvern Prep junior quarterback Nick Maras led the Friars to victories.
Doyle, a sophomore transfer from Bishop Shanahan, made his first appearance on center stage Friday night in the Friars' 33-14 victory at Episcopal Academy in the Inter-Ac season opener.
Maras, who transferred from Episcopal, is not eligible for Inter-Ac play this season because of the league's long-standing rule that a player must sit out a league season if he transfers within the league.
So Doyle was thrust into action and didn't succumb to stage fright.
"I was only a little nervous," he said. "A little nervousness is not bad. But I know I have a good offensive line and solid coaching staff, so I knew we'd be fine."
The Friars (5-1, 1-0) also had sophomore running back O'Shaan Allison, who rushed for 194 yards and three touchdowns on 32 carries. He also caught a 13-yard touchdown.
"O'Shaan is great," Doyle said. "When I transferred in, O'Shaan was great to me. He's in my grade, so I really think I connect with him. I always believe we can give him the ball. Whenever the passing isn't working, we go right to O'Shaan."
The aerial attack was just fine for the Friars. Doyle finished with 230 passing yards and two touchdown tosses on 21-of-34 passing.
The Friars defense forced Episcopal (5-1, 0-1) into four turnovers (two fumbles, two interceptions).
Even when Doyle was intercepted, he rebounded quickly. Episcopal's Dan Baker victimized Doyle twice.
The second interception came just before halftime, and led to a Dee Barlee touchdown that cut Malvern's lead to 13-7 with 2 minutes, 20 seconds left.
Doyle, however, led his team on an eight-play, 85- yard drive that ended with a 34-yard touchdown pass to Rashon Lusane with 6 seconds left in the half.
"Coach [Aaron Brady] walked me through the play afterward and I realized I made the wrong read," Doyle said. "Just a mental error. I was fine with it. Luckily, the line picked me up, and we went right down before the half and scored . . . and I believe it picked the whole team up. It was awesome."
Malvern Prep 0 20 7 6 - 33
Episcopal Academy 0 7 0 7 - 14
MP: O'Shaan Allison 1 run (Brandon Chiazza kick)
MP: Allison 3 run (Chiazza kick)
EA: Dee Barlee 21 run (Connor Ringwalt kick)
MP: Rashon Lusane 34 pass from Kevin Doyle (Chiazza kick)
MP: Allison 13 pass from Doyle (Chiazza kick)
MP: Allison 8 run (kick failed)
EA: Barlee 3 run (Ringwalt kick)
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