To run in the October 8th Bucks County Herald
CB South senior running back Gavin Graham wears number 7.
That’s appropriate.
The Army-commit was responsible for three 7s Friday night at CB East (3-3, 1-2 National) in South’s 35-6 win.
Graham led off the game with a big play, returning the opening kickoff to midfield. Trent Haviland connected with Graham seven plays later for a 25-yard touchdown.
“We had to juice the stats of this young guy over here,” senior Graham smiled pointing to Haviland post-game. “This was my first career receiving touchdown, and it was definitely cool.”
East responded, converting three first downs and a fourth down on their opening drive. The Patriots scored on Cole Wojnicki’s 37-yard field goal in the second play in the second quarter.
South (3-3, 3-0 National) drove 69 yards on eight plays during their next drive, with Graham scoring on a 3-yard touchdown. After forcing a punt, Haviland connected with Santino Wade on a 22-yard offering. After Wade was tackled at the foot line, Graham barreled in for his third score of the night.
East’s Mike Price hit Tommy Seiler on a 46-yard halfback option pass to the South-7, which led to a 25-yard Wojnicki field goal. South entered halftime up 21-6.
Sean Bulicki jetted 40 yards for a Titan touchdown midway through the third quarter. Haviland only attempted four passes, but he completed all four and his nine-yard strike to Andrew Rizzo went for a touchdown in the opening play of the fourth quarter.
“It starts with our ground game setting it up and our offensive line doing their job,” said sophomore Haviland, who threw for 62 yards. “That allows me to make splash plays on the throws. But we build up from the ground game.”
The Titans outrushed the Patriots 315 to 138 as South won the trench battle on both sides of the football. South’s Colin White (8 carries for 81 yards) and Dylon Varanavage (80 yards on 6 carries) both ran for season highs as the Titans displays several skilled running backs.
“I think it was the preparation we had all week,” said Frank Johnston, South’s 270-pound tackle. “Every (back) has their own specialty and ability to play different.”
“Having a big group of guys is huge,” added Graham, who ran for 72 yards on nine carries. “I can do what I can do and know that if I get tired, those guys will finish off the drive.”
“It sets a standard,” Bulicki noted. “It holds a high standard for the running backs and the whole team. If we don’t reach that standard, we have plenty of teammates who will hold us up to it.”
Price, East’s standout running back, was held to his season yardage low.
The key to containing Price “was really the preparation,” said Bulicki, who had two tackles for loss. “Coach (John) Cataldo is the best at giving us confidence in the preparation. At the end of the day, it is: who executes their stunts better and who prepares better. We were the team on top.”
After dropping their first three games, CB South has now won three straight, outscoring those opponents 108-12. The Titans are tied with Pennridge for first place in the SOL National.
South surrendered over 300 rushing yards per game in each of their losses but have averaged yielding just 112 yards on the ground in their wins.
The Patriots are now 3-0 when they rush for 300 yards and 0-3 if they rush for under 200 yards. Price and Liam Hoey each have multiple 100-yard games on the season.
CB East heads to Pennsbury on Saturday afternoon. The Titans have little time before their next big rivalry game- they host CB West on Friday.
But there is newfound momentum brewing in Warrington.
“Our energy has definitely risen,” Haviland noted. “Every practice has been a great practice. The first three weeks, we were slacking and down on ourselves. But we came together as a team after week three, had a great conversation and haven’t looked back. We’re ready to continue to roll.”