Second-half surge lifts Quakertown past Pennridge
George Banas was not happy. The Quakertown coach had watched his team fall behind Pennridge by three touchdowns at halftime. It was the biggest halftime deficit Quakertown has faced all season.
George Banas was not happy.
The Quakertown coach had watched his team fall behind Pennridge by three touchdowns at halftime. It was the biggest halftime deficit Quakertown has faced all season.
"I threw a little hissy fit, I guess," Banas said of what happened in the locker room during the break. "I think that woke some kids up. . . . I almost killed one of my assistant coaches with a trash can. Water bottles went flying."
After the projectiles fell to the ground, Banas told the players they had two choices. They could pack up and head to the buses early, or they could go out and play what he called "Quakertown football."
They chose the second option.
Quakertown stormed back to defeat the host Rams, 28-21. It was the second straight Quakertown victory in the series on Thanksgiving.
Running back Rob Burns paced Quakertown with 140 yards - 113 of which came in the second half - and three touchdowns.
"Our defense kept us in the game, and we capitalized as an offense," Burns said. "We were able to grind the gears there and get in a groove."
Burns became the all-time leading rusher in Quakertown history during the game, breaking Tony Latronica's record set in 2009. Burns said his career total was 3,766 yards.
Pennridge took the lead into halftime, largely thanks to its power running game. Running back Judens Desrosiers had 47 yards and all three touchdowns for the Rams.
Despite the halftime deficit, Quakertown only attempted a pass six times in the second half. One was a double reverse to wide receiver Aaron Bosch, who threw a touchdown to quarterback Tom Garlick for the Panthers' second score.
"They had a really good defensive scheme going," Banas said. "They weren't giving us a deep ball. They weren't giving us a whole lot in the passing game. So we figured, you know what, we'll stay with our run. 24 minutes, it's only three [touchdowns]. And you can score quickly, with the skill players we have. . . . We weren't going to hit the panic button because if we do, the players do."
Quakertown 0 0 14 14 - 28
Pennridge 7 14 0 0 - 21
P: Judens Desrosiers 4 run (Matt Mauer kick)
P: Desrosiers 6 run (Mauer kick)
P: Desrosiers 1 run (Mauer kick)
Q: Rob Burns 3 run (Anthony Soriano kick)
Q: Tom Garlick 42 pass from Aaron Besch (Soriano kick)
Q: Burns 20 run (Soriano kick)
Q: Burns 3 run (Soriano kick)