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WEST CHESTER, PA – So., place-kicker
Sean Henry (Reading, Pa./Exeter) booted a 34-yard field goal with 4:34 left in the game to push host West Chester past visiting Bentley, 17-16, in a non-league football season opener under the lights at John A. Farrell Stadium Friday night.
West Chester (1-0) lifted the lid on its 100th season of football in grandiose style. Henry, who had missed field goals from 34 and 38 yards earlier in the game, redeemed himself with the game-winner. He turned things over to his defense from there, and the Golden Rams held off Bentley's final two drives.
"I feel like (Sean) is going to be a great kicker," West Chester head coach
Bill Zwaan said as he opened his 20th season on the Golden Rams' sideline with a bang. "I have a ton of confidence in him. I knew that I just gotta keep sending him out there because we are going to need him to do that a couple more times this year."
Senior DB
Zach DeMarchis (Levittown, Pa./Pennsbury) came up with the defensive play of the day when he broke up a deep ball down the middle of the field on 3rd-and-11 with just over two minutes left to play in the game, slapping the ball out of the hands of Bentley wide out Abel Lopes on the Falcons' next-to-last drive of the game. The visitors had one more opportunity with the ball, but R-Fr.,
Kaleb Brown (Reading, Pa./Wilson) broke up Bentley's Hail Mary in the end zone as time expired.
West Chester jumped out to a 14-0 lead on a 2-yard reception by
Ja'Den McKenzie (Morton, Pa./Springfield) on the first play of the second quarter that broke a scoreless tie. So., RB
Maurice Mazzccua (Philadelphia, Pa./Neumann Goretti) hauled in a 53-yard scoring strike from quarterback
Shane Dooley (Philadelphia, Pa./Father Judge) with 3:25 to go in the first half.
However, Bentley fought back in the third quarter with a pair of touchdowns and a field goal that followed two interceptions by Dooley. Freshman LB
Maurice Beverly (Philadelphia, Pa./Imhotep Charter) led the team in tackles with nine while becoming the first true freshman to start on opening night since Matt Colyar in 2008. He also forced a fumble on the day.
"What a player," Zwaan raved. "That's why he is starting. We don't start true freshmen that often. He made some mistakes. But, he made plays and that's why he is out there."
Beverly didn't let the moment get too big and didn't let the game speed up on him.
"I got my music that I listen too. It really smooths me out," Beverly said following his first college football game. "I just came in with the mindset that I'm gonna play my game and do my thing. Jackson (Taylor) and I watch film together a lot. Before every play, he is out there yelling, 'Hey, you got this. You got that.' and we just go from there"
Jackson Taylor (Glenside, Pa./Abington) finished the game with seven tackles and blocked an extra point, which turned out to be the difference in the game.
The resiliency of Dooley to bounce back and lead his squad to victory in the fourth quarter is the sign of a quarterback that is experienced and is part of the reason he holds onto the No. 1 spot on the depth chart.
"(Shane) has had that kind of career so far," Zwaan quipped afterwards. "He has to clean up some of that stuff. But, he played well overall. He's our guy. He's gonna make things happen."
Dooley finished 10-for-16 for 162 yards and two touchdowns.
Phil Poquie (Philadelphia, Pa./Haverford School) finished with 92 yards rushing on 13 carries while McKenzie posted 56 yards on 19 totes.
West Chester's defense harassed Bentley quarterback Mark Waid all night long. The Golden Rams broke up six passes in the game and were credited with six QB hurries. CB
Sterlen Barr (Hatboro, Pa./Upper Moreland) made his triumphant return to the lineup, after missing almost all of last year to injury. He was credited with three pass breakups. DE
Zach Liggitt (Danielsville, Pa./Northampton) was credited with a pair of QB hurries and a tackle for a loss.
West Chester returns to Farrell Stadium next Saturday at noon for a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) crossover tilt against No. 23 Slippery Rock.
