Springside Chestnut Hill continues its winning ways
Springside Chestnut Hill coach Rick Knox knew his team had improved, but he wasn't sure by how much. Saturday afternoon against Father Judge, the Blue Devils exploded on offense and played stingy defense when necessary en route to a 42-28 victory at Northeast High.
Springside Chestnut Hill coach Rick Knox knew his team had improved, but he wasn't sure by how much.
Saturday afternoon against Father Judge, the Blue Devils exploded on offense and played stingy defense when necessary en route to a 42-28 victory at Northeast High.
"That was one of the best wins we've had around here in a long time," Knox told his team during the postgame celebration.
After knocking off Roman Catholic last week, the Blue Devils, who went winless in the Inter-Ac last season, now boast back-to-back wins against Catholic League teams.
"I knew we were better, but I wasn't sure how much better," Knox said. "To beat teams ranked in the top 15, two weeks in a row just really speaks volumes."
Senior quarterback Matt Rahill led the offense with 175 yards and three touchdowns on 11-of-18 passing. His favorite target was Matt Hoffman, who finished with 117 yards and three scores on seven catches (16.8 yards per reception). Rahill also added 71 rushing yards of his own.
"We came in playing selfless ball," Hoffman said. "We knew what we needed to do and got it done."
Part of that strategy had to be slowing the Crusaders' potent passing game.
Senior quarterback Rob King entered the game having completed 63 percent of his passes this season.
Against the Blue Devils (3-1), however, King completed just 13 of 30 passes (43 percent).
The SCH secondary was led by Justin Telemaque, Jordan Young, Tyson Hugee, Nick Logue, and Jack Cucinotta, who played with what looked like a club on his injured left hand.
King, a Temple recruit, still racked up 233 passing yards and four touchdowns, with senior wide out Justin Gies catching seven passes for 166 yards and two scores.
The SCH secondary, however, came up big when it needed to most.
"We feel really good about the way we cover in the passing game," Knox said.
Judge (3-2, 1-0), which played without two injured lineman, didn't help itself with four turnovers.
Telemaque and Hugee both snagged interceptions in the second half after a 14-14 tie at intermission.
Both turnovers set up SCH touchdowns.
Telemaque also added 77 rushing yards and two scores on eight carries. Sean McCann also forced a fumble.
Judge will face La Salle next week while the Blue Devils will host the Hill School.
Springside Chestnut Hill 7 7 14 14 - 42
Father Judge 0 14 7 7 - 28
FJ: Steve Arrington 16 pass from Rob King (Colton Lieggi kick)
CH: Jordan Young 31 run (Glendinning kick)
FJ: Arrington 33 pass from King (Lieggi kick)
CH: Matt Hoffman 9 pass from Matt Rahill (Glendinning kick)
CH: Hoffman 35 pass from Rahill (Jack Myers kick)
FJ: Justin Gies 44 pass from King (Lieggi kick)
CH: Hoffman 45 pass from Rahill (Myers kick)
CH: Telemaque 44 run (Myers kick)
FJ: Gies 33 pass from King (Lieggi kick)
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