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Adam Klein shines as Episcopal wins Inter-Ac League opener

Episcopal Academy's DeeWill Barlee rushed for 189 yards and three scores in a 21-7 win over Inter-Ac League rival Springside Chestnut Hill Academy.

Episcopal’s Adam Klein (74) tackles Springside Chestnut Hill Academy’s Rob Gentile on Saturday.
Episcopal’s Adam Klein (74) tackles Springside Chestnut Hill Academy’s Rob Gentile on Saturday.Read moreWILLIAM THOMAS CAIN

Episcopal Academy's Adam Klein took a week off from football training over the summer to be part of a volunteer service cooperative in Jamaica.

"We helped with building a bookshelf at an infirmary and spent time getting to know the patients there," the senior two-way tackle said. "We also painted walls at a children's school."

Klein showed the leadership and teamwork skills he has gained from such projects in Saturday afternoon's Inter-Ac League opener at Springside Chestnut Hill Academy.

With the 6-foot-5, 265-pounder shining on both sides of the ball, the visiting Churchmen capitalized on two fourth-quarter miscues and topped the Blue Devils, 21-7, at Maguire Stadium.

"He's one of our captains, a real rock for us," Episcopal coach Todd Fairlie said. "We tried to run the ball his way near the end, and that's just the way he wants it."

Positioned at left tackle on offense, Klein helped rugged junior halfback DeeWil Barlee carry 25 times for 189 yards and three touchdowns. "Everybody rallied behind the play of our seniors," Barlee said.

Klein, who has committed to Temple, was one of the stalwarts for a defense that registered eight sacks for a combined loss of 50 yards and held the hosts to 43 yards rushing on 33 attempts.

Rebounding from back-to-back losses against Blair Academy (N.J.) and Salesianum (Del.), the Churchmen improved to 4-2.

Episcopal and Springside Chestnut Hill (4-3) were deadlocked, 7-7, at the end of the third quarter. On the first play of the fourth, Episcopal's Adam Robinson intercepted a pass and returned it 11 yards to the Blue Devils' 29-yard line. Barlee then ripped off runs of 5, 10, and 14 yards to produce the go-ahead tally.

On Springside Chestnut Hill's ensuing possession, after three incomplete passes, a hurried end-zone punt after a high snap gave the Churchmen the ball 15 yards from pay dirt. Five plays later, Barlee scored on a 2-yard, left-side plunge.

Episcopal netted 212 yards on the ground on 36 attempts. Klein was joined up front by center Dom Minicozzi, left guard Harry Riley, right guard Mike McFillin, right tackle Ryan Rockenbach, and end Jack Purcell.

Rockenbach was playing with a heavy heart as his grandfather died earlier in the week. "We wanted to rally around him, try to take his mind off what happened," Klein said.

Klein was involved in four tackles. Ends Milton Mamula, the son of former Eagles player Mike Mamula, and Purcell registered four and two sacks, respectively. Linebackers Sam Stickley (first-quarter sack) and Matt Bush combined to make nine tackles.

Klein chose Temple over Buffalo, Holy Cross, Villanova, and Virginia, among others. The 18-year-old from Springfield, Delaware County, plans to major in kinesiology in college.

Episcopal Academy               7    0    0    14 –  21

Springside Chestnut Hill      7   0     0     0  –   7

EA: DeeWil Barlee 45 run (James Silvi kick)

SCH: Myles Hugee 37 pass from Aaron Angelos (Jack Myers kick)

EA: Barlee 14 run (Silvi kick)

EA: Barlee 2 run (Silvi kick)