Easton Outplays Pennsbury With Second Half Defensive Gem

Written by: Armand Vanore on Saturday, August 31st, 2013. Follow Armand Vanore on Twitter.

August 29, 2013

Fairless Hills, Pa., The Easton Red Rovers played a flawless second half of defensive football after allowing four Pennsbury touchdowns in the first half and Jr. running back Shane Simpson totted for 196 yards and three TD’s himself in their 38-28 opening game win at Pennsbury field. The win gives Easton a four game sweep between the two teams since 2010.

Easton took an immediate advantage on the first two plays from scrimmage when Sr. defensive end Nick Raso deflected and intercepted Falcons quarterback Breon Clark’s pass returning it to the Pennsbury 2 yard line. Kyle Bambary took the next play in for the touchdown with only 24 seconds elapsing on the clock.

The Rovers started to take control of the first half when they scored on their next two possessions in quick four and three play drives. Holding a 21-7 advantage they were about to blow the game wide open when RB Joey Ford fumbled a hand off on a reverse from Pennsbury’s seven yard line which the Falcons converted to a TD two plays later on Raheem Thompson’s 93 yard run down the right sideline.

The Rovers let Pennsbury back into the game with two more turnovers which led to Falcons TD’s. It appeared that the momentum the Falcons were starting to generate would now break the game wide open for them.

Easton coach Steve Shiffert has always parlayed his teams to play a tough hard nosed brand of defense. Down 28-21 at half the Rovers began to control Pennsbury’s bevy of running backs by not allowing a first down the entire second half. On their second, second half possession they generated a nine play, six minute drive culminating with Simpson’s 3rd TD from 28 yards. Another TD from QB, Bradley Wilkins and Matt Semanick’s 24 yard field goal capped a fine second half of football for Shiffert and his crew.

Easton begins conference play next week vs Parkland as Pennsbury travels to Frankford.

Notes: Simpson has been a starter for Easton since his freshman year and plays the position smarter than most RB’s in the high school game. He avoids the big hits which will lead to a longer shelf life. He suffered a broken leg last year. Bambary for his part played an outstanding game on both sides of the ball. He was in on numerous tackles and blocked well for Simpson as well as gaining 90 yards on the ground. Pennsbury’s four main offensive threats (Thompson, Ronquay Smith, Charles Snorweah and Clark) will no doubt be a lot to handle down the road. All but Smith are underclassmen. Pennsbury’s offensive stats in the second half: 3 and out, 3 and out, 4 and out, 4 and out.

Easton 21 0 7 10 – 38

Pennsbury 7 21 0 0 – 28

Scoring by Quarter

1st Quarter

E – Kyle Bambary – 2 yard run – (PAT – Matt Semanick) – 11:36

E – Shane Simpson – 10 yard run – (PAT – Semanick) – 6:36

PSB – Ronquay Smith – 7 yard run – (PAT – Michael Geary) – 3:34

E – Simpson – 21 yard run – (PAT – Semanick) – 2:20

2nd Quarter

PSB – Raheem Thompson – 93 yard run – (2 Pt Con Brendan Campbell pass from Breon Clark) – 8:38

PSB – Thompson – 14 yard run – (PAT – Geary) – 5:59

PSB – Smith – 22 yard run – (PAT – Geary) – 1:06