Big Second Half Lifts Father Judge Past Norristown 23-13

Written by: Bruce Badgley on Saturday, April 10th, 2021. Follow Bruce Badgley on Twitter.

PHILADELPHIA – Honoring commitments is a huge part of life and a huge part of the life lessons that you can take away from the game of football. For the Father Judge Crusaders, honoring those who have made commitments and sacrifices is nothing new and is on display for all to see. It’s why the number “27” appears on every Father Judge team Jersey. “27” pays tribute to the Father Judge Alums who honored a commitment to our country and made the ultimate sacrifice in the Vietnam War.

This COVID spring football season demonstrated once again how Father Judge sets the standard for honoring personal commitments. The Crusaders went on a great run in this U10 spring season. A run that qualified the team for a shot at a U10 title with an emotional come-from-behind win over Norristown 23-13 Friday night.

Rather than get caught up in the excitement and hoopla, Father Judge did what was right. Father Judge honored a commitment. Father Judge will not play for a title. Father Judge is honoring a commitment to West Catholic next week. Father Judge will play a football game rendered meaningless, by many folks. This nontitle game means more than any U10 championship ever could.

The Crusaders relied on Junior Billy Whiteley to carry the offensive load. Billy scored all three second-half touchdowns for Father Judge. Kicker John Westfield finished playing a baseball game, and then came running onto the field for the second half. John made a big field goal and proved invaluable in the kicking game.

Catching up with @FJAthletics Head Football Frank McArdle following another big win by @fjfootball27 over @NorristownAth tonight @EPAFootball @HSFBamerica @pclathletics #u10beat pic.twitter.com/MJOLdlpq01

— Bruce Badgley (@BadgleyBruce) April 10, 2021

Norristown controlled the first half. The Eagles jumped out to a lead in quarter one and led 13-0 as we went to the break.

@NorristownAth strikes first. 57 yards from Nick DiNolfi to Chaz Middleton! 7-0 @NtownFootball over @FJAthletics 5:25 quarter one @fjfootball27 @pclathletics @CaryMoyer @small_play @BadgleyBruce pic.twitter.com/aYTVPXDxRs

— EasternPAFootball (@EPAFootball) April 9, 2021

That does it for quarter one as @NorristownAth holds a 7-0 lead over @FJAthletics #u10beat @EPAFootball @NtownFootball @fjfootball27 @CaryMoyer @small_play @BadgleyBruce @HSFBamerica pic.twitter.com/1REZQ9ypIR

— EasternPAFootball (@EPAFootball) April 9, 2021

@NorristownAth QB Nick DiNolfi scrambles 15 yards for the score! XP is no good so @NtownFootball now up 13-0 over @FJAthletics 1:03 until halftime #u10beat @CaryMoyer @small_play @BadgleyBruce @HSFBamerica @fjfootball27 pic.twitter.com/77LX9swt2I

— EasternPAFootball (@EPAFootball) April 9, 2021

COVID’s no locker room halftimes have proved to be a good platform to display Father Judge’s Head Coach, Frank McArdle’s impassioned halftime motivation. The Crusaders team took the words to heart. Father Judge burst onto the field in the second half and never looked back. The Crusaders went on to win 23-13. So much meaning came out of these 24 minutes of football.

Billy Whiteley carries the load all the way for the TD on the opening drive of the 2nd half for @FJAthletics @NorristownAth still up 13-7 6:36 quarter three @fjfootball27 @pclathletics @BadgleyBruce @CaryMoyer @small_play @HSFBamerica pic.twitter.com/n4WQcCqDCV

— EasternPAFootball (@EPAFootball) April 9, 2021

Big MO heading over to @FJAthletics Huge punt block has @fjfootball27 set up deep in @NorristownAth end 4:39 quarter three @NtownFootball @CaryMoyer @BadgleyBruce @small_play pic.twitter.com/gxH0tqVy1H

— EasternPAFootball (@EPAFootball) April 9, 2021

@NorristownAth D holds after the punt block and forces a 27 yard @FJAthletics John Westfield field goal. @NtownFootball up 13-10 over @fjfootball27 3:39 quarter three @CaryMoyer @BadgleyBruce @END2008 @small_play #u10beat pic.twitter.com/cD68waQhCT

— EasternPAFootball (@EPAFootball) April 9, 2021

@fjfootball27 driving again as the third quarter ends @NorristownAth up 13-10 @FJAthletics @NtownFootball @small_play @CaryMoyer @BadgleyBruce pic.twitter.com/2fFO0SEqIh

— EasternPAFootball (@EPAFootball) April 9, 2021

All @FJAthletics in the 2nd half! Billy Whiteley dives across to make it 17-13 @fjfootball27 on top over @NorristownAth 8:14 remaining. Holy cow! @NtownFootball @CaryMoyer @BadgleyBruce @small_play @HSFBamerica pic.twitter.com/39pkz39bCe

— EasternPAFootball (@EPAFootball) April 10, 2021

@FJAthletics Billy Whiteley coming right at you for a 21 yard score. Incredible 2nd half by @fjfootball27 scoring 23 unanswered to lead 23-13 over @NorristownAth 3:20 left @NtownFootball @pclathletics @CaryMoyer @HSFBamerica @small_play @BadgleyBruce pic.twitter.com/dFhq9uzQA7

— EasternPAFootball (@EPAFootball) April 10, 2021

A big 4th down stop by @FJAthletics seals it. @fjfootball27 comes from behind to defeat @NorristownAth 23-13. #u10beat @pclathletics @HSFBamerica @CaryMoyer @BadgleyBruce @small_play @NtownFootball @SOLsports pic.twitter.com/1iRLfFZKyi

— EasternPAFootball (@EPAFootball) April 10, 2021