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Oxford's Ryan Hubley basks in 7-touchdown effort

Ryan Hubley spent much of the weekend receiving congratulatory texts, phone calls, and Twitter and Facebook messages. All the attention was deserved, as the senior wide receiver from Oxford set a new single-game state record while making seven touchdown catches in a thrilling, 53-47 triumph over host Kennett in a Ches-Mont League American Conference opener Friday night.

Neshaminy linebacker Matt Magdelinskas registered eight tackles, including seven solo stops, in Friday's 21-18 win over Abington.
Neshaminy linebacker Matt Magdelinskas registered eight tackles, including seven solo stops, in Friday's 21-18 win over Abington.Read moreSTEVEN M. FALK / Staff Photographer

Ryan Hubley spent much of the weekend receiving congratulatory texts, phone calls, and Twitter and Facebook messages.

All the attention was deserved, as the senior wide receiver from Oxford set a new single-game state record while making seven touchdown catches in a thrilling, 53-47 triumph over host Kennett in a Ches-Mont League American Conference opener Friday night.

Five of his seven scores came in the opening 24 minutes. "They started out by putting a linebacker on me and never really changed until they added a safety over the top toward the end of the game," Hubley said. "We took advantage of it."

The 6-foot-3, 190-pounder finished with 12 receptions for 254 yards. His TD connections with senior quarterback Dan Green covered 7, 37, 4, 50, 38, 13, and 25 yards.

"It was a wild game," said Hubley, who doubles as a free safety. "It went back and forth. We would score a touchdown and then they would score a touchdown. It was exciting."

Oxford's victory over Kennett was its first of the season. The Hornets had opened with nonleague losses against District 3's Solanco, Newark (Del.), and William Tennent.

"The game I had was nice, but we were most excited about getting the win," Hubley said. "We had worked extra hard, especially with conditioning, during the week."

Through four games, Hubley, who also serves as a punter and extra-point kicker, has 35 receptions for 544 yards and 10 TDs.

"A big thing is putting myself in the right position to make plays," the 17-year-old said. "I try to get in front of the defender, shield him from the ball, and then look it into my hands."

While playing youth football for the Oxford Golden Bears, Hubley was mostly a running back and quarterback. The switch to receiver came early in high school.

"You don't get the ball as much, but I like the challenge that comes with the position," he said. "You get the chance to make big plays."

Hubley and Green are close friends. "Dan took last season off to focus on baseball, but he hasn't missed a beat," Hubley said. "He came in strong."

In the offseason, Hubley, a third-year starter, attended camps at Colgate, Delaware, Shippensburg, Villanova, and West Chester.

"I'm hoping what I did Friday helps with the recruiting," he said. "I think it should. But you just have to wait and see."

Hubley, who enjoys bass and trout fishing in his spare time, is a small forward in basketball and high-jumper (personal best of 6 feet, 3 inches) in track and field.

Remembering Andy. In honoring longtime football referee Andy Hafele, District 12 officials are wearing down-indicator wrist bands with his initials on them and caps with his first name embroidered on the back.

Hafele, 62, died in February after a battle with cancer. A former NCAA referee, he was also the longtime coordinator for Catholic and Inter-Ac League officials.

Hafele coached softball at Archbishop Ryan for two decades.

Extra points. In La Salle's 27-8 win Saturday over Malvern Prep, outside linebacker Ryan Brady was involved in 15 tackles, including nine solos and a half-sack. Linemen Matt McDermott and Anthony Piscopo (four solos) and backs A.J. Grezeszak and Nick Rinella added five stops apiece. With two TD grabs, Explorers handyman Jimmy Herron upped his career total to 28.

In the loss to La Salle, Friars cornerback Rashon Lusane and linebacker Pat Finley posted seven and five solo tackles, respectively. Lusane also carried eight times for 29 yards and made four catches for 30 yards.

In Neshaminy's 21-18 victory Friday over Abington, outside linebacker Matt Magdelinskas notched eight tackles, including seven solos. With 129 career goals in lacrosse, the fleet senior is considering playing that sport at Centenary or Gwynedd Mercy.