Bishop McDevitt defense stymies Neumann-Goretti in latest shutout win

After spending two seasons playing for Imhotep Charter's junior varsity football program, Richard Cotton transferred to Bishop McDevitt last year and immediately made an impact at the varsity level.

"It was a difficult transition at first, but I had to focus on playing a leading role for this team," the senior linebacker said. "I knew I had to carry a lot of the load on defense."

On Saturday afternoon, with Cotton turning in another rugged and solid performance, the host Lancers silenced defending Catholic League Blue Division titlist Neumann-Goretti, 26-0, at Springfield (Montco).

>> PHOTO GALLERY: Bishop McDevitt 26, Neumann-Goretti 0

The 6-foot-2, 235-pound Cotton was regularly around the ball as McDevitt posted its fourth straight victory and second consecutive shutout.

Cotton, who earned second-team all-Catholic honors last season, makes certain he knows the ins and outs of every opponent's offense.

"I study film for at least 30 minutes every night," he said. "I want to be able to react quickly to what the other team does, and be aware of their tendencies."

The Lancers (5-1, 3-0 Catholic League Blue Division) held the youth-laden Saints to 101 yards rushing and 83 passing.

N-G has a pair of speedy playmakers in swift halfback Malik Griffin and multipurpose standout Tysheem Johnson. Neither could find a crack in McDevitt's ever-improving defense.

"The big thing for us was keeping those guys from getting to the outside," Cotton said. "Overall, I think we did a good job with that."

The first of three turnovers caused by Cotton and Co. came on the game's third play from scrimmage, as end Tyrone Fowler scooped up a fumble and rumbled 42 yards to the end zone.

Two more first-quarter scores, Jon-Luke Peaker's 19-yard burst and Jovon Hinton's 1-yard keeper, put the Saints (1-2, 1-2)  in a 20-0 hole.

Hinton took over at quarterback when junior starter Lonnie Rice went down with an ankle injury early in last week's 17-0 blanking of Bonner-Prendie, and the senior stayed under center vs. the Saints.

"Lonnie was cleared to play, but he's still dinged up a little," McDevitt coach Mike Watkins said. "The game plan remains the same with Jovon in there. He's certainly capable of running things."

Hinton converted 6 of 10 passes for 120 yards. Peaker, an up-and-coming sophomore, rushed 20 times for 114 yards and two scores.

Cotton received strong support on defense from Fowler, linemen Sean Stanton and Nasire Griffin, linebacker Lawrence Richardson, and backs Joachim McElroy (two interceptions), Zay Scott, and Mike Price.

Cotton, who also sees time at tight end, said he has heard from Lincoln University, Kutztown, and Susquehanna. The 17-year-old from West Philly plans to major in business in college.

Neumann-Goretti 0 0 0 0-0

Bishop McDevitt 20 0 6 0-26

BM: Tyrone Fowler 42 fumble return (kick failed)

BM: Jon-Luke Peaker 19 run (Austin Alcorn kick)

BM: Jovon Hinton 1 run (Alcorn kick)

BM: Peaker 3 run (kick blocked)