WEST CHESTER, PA – West Chester may be the only team in the country whose 2-minute offense is a rushing attack. But, it seems to be working out that way.
Sr., RB
Phil Poquie (Philadelphia, Pa./The Haverford School) scampered 18 yards with 57 seconds left in the game, sending the Homecoming crowd of 6,876 into a frenzy late, as West Chester (4-1, 2-0 PSAC) defeated visiting Bloomsburg (1-4, 0-2), 21-20, at John A. Farrell Stadium Saturday afternoon.
West Chester took possession of the ball with 4:05 left on the game clock and drove 80 yards on nine plays – all of them running plays – to push ahead of the Huskies. Two weeks ago, in the team's home opener against Edinboro, the Golden Rams went on a 9-play drive in the final three minutes that covered 75 yards and culminated in the game-winning score. Eight of those nine plays were running calls.
Bloomsburg had one more opportunity to score. However,
Kendall Singleton (Philadelphia, Pa./Archbishop Wood) intercepted David LePoidevin's pass at the 1-yard line. West Chester freshman QB
Desman Johnson (Yeadon, Pa./Penn Wood) then had to take two snaps and push his way out of the end zone to avoid a safety to finally hand the victory to the home team.
West Chester put the conference's leading rushing attack on display all afternoon, racking up 314 yards on the ground and scoring three rushing touchdowns. Bruiser-back
Ja'Den McKenzie (Morton, Pa./Springfield) and Poquie each rushed for over 100 yards in the win. It marked the first time since Oct. 20, 2018 that West Chester had a pair of players rush for 100 yards. McKenzie rushed for 121 yards on 22 carries and scored two TDs. Poquie rushed for 107 yards and the game-winning score. He finished the day with 147 all-purpose yards.
West Chester averages 253 rushing yards per game and has scored 15 rushing touchdowns – both lead the league by a significant margin.
Bloomsburg's Kaleb Monaco rushed for 103 yards in the contest.
The Huskies, who trailed for much of the game, took their first lead of the afternoon at the 9:26 mark of the fourth quarter when Jon Mack caught a 26-yard pass from LePoidevin that made it 20-14. LePoidevin finished the day 13-for-20 for 222 yards and three TD passes. He did not start, but entered on the Huskies' second drive of the game and went the rest of the way.
Bloomsburg was done in by its woes in the kicking game. The Huskies missed two field goals – from 21 and 28 yards – and an extra point in the game.
West Chester got after the quarterback again on Saturday, registering three sacks. The league's sack leader,
Michael Gobora (Newtown, Pa./Pennsbury) picked up another sack, pushing his 2021 total to 7.5.
Cole Zapf (Downingtown, Pa./Downingtown West) led West Chester with 12 tackles defensively. Safety
Jordan Burney (Philadelphia, Pa./Bishop Egan) recorded eight stops.
West Chester travels to Shippensburg next Saturday for a PSAC East showdown with the Raiders.
