Archbishop Carroll High School Football
Home of the Patriots
TED SILARY'S FINAL CITY TOP 10
1. Roman Catholic 11-2
2. St. Joseph's Prep 10-2
3. Malvern Prep 9-1
4. West Catholic 10-1
5. Chestnut Hill Academy 9-1
6. Father Judge 9-3
7. Archbishop Wood 9-2
8. Cardinal O'Hara 6-6
9. Archbishop Carroll 10-3
10. Episcopal Academy 5-4
Honorable Mention: George Washington (11-2), Frankford (4-6), Penn Charter (5-4), Edward Bok Tech (11-1), Overbrook (8-4).
League Standings, TEAM & Individual Stats Leaders
Order Carroll Football Letterman Jackets
Lowney Named All-Delco; Rogers, Wischnowski, Tull MVPs
CRUMLYNNE - At the Delaware County Football Coaches Association banquet tonight, Coach Dan Bielli honored team MVPs: defensive back Ellis Rogers (Defense), quarterback Luke Wischnowski (Offense), and center/long snapper John Tull (Special Teams). At the conclusion of the evening, starting offensive tackle Jack Lowney took center stage as Daily Times staff reporter Anthony Sanfillipo announced the 2007 All-Delco team as selected by veteran high school football beat writer John Lohn. The 6'4" 270 pounder is Carroll's first All-Delco first team selection since James Roderick joined Delco's most elite squad in 2002. Lowney earned 1st-team All-Catholic honors as an offensive tackle and 2nd team All-Catholic as a defensive lineman.
Junior Jack Lowney added 1st-team All-Delco to his impressive list of post-season accolades. A Narberth resident, Lowney played CYO football at St. Margaret.
Honored at the Delaware County Football Coaches Association Banquet are (L to R) Jack Lowney, Ellis Rogers, Luke Wischnowski and John Tull. Coach Bielli echoed the sentiments of many of the coaches in attendance when he said, "how thankful I am that my best players happen to be my best kids."
Carroll's Iron Man Rogers Goes Out On Winning Note
RADNOR — Three years ago, Ellis Rogers arrived at Archbishop Carroll surrounded by high expectations. A standout receiver and defensive back, he was immediately asked to provide a spark for a program that rates among the elite in the Catholic League Blue Division. Link to the full article below
Ellis Rogers started fifty games for the Patriots as a defensive back and a wideout. Rogers snagged 11 interceptions and tallied 46 catches during his career.
Patriots Feast on Friars For 10th Win
RADNOR – There may be folks somewhere in Delaware County crying into their gravy, but Carroll football fans will celebrate the happiest of holidays as they savor the Patriots’ 42-14 Thanksgiving Eve dismantling of the Monsignor Bonner Friars.
It became obvious early on to the large crowd which team was to play the role of the hungry Pilgrim and which team would portray the hapless bird in this first edition of a new Turkey Day rivalry as Carroll carved its way through the Bonner defense for touchdowns on each of its first five possessions, rolling up 330 yards in the first two quarters en route to a 34-0 halftime lead. HB Nick Catagnus (5/58 yds., 1 rec. 35 yds.) tallied twice. FB Kevin Eckel and TE Chris Kennedy each struck paydirt once, and QB Luke Wischnowski, who finished the season with an impressive 1,910 yards of total offense, also scored. Bonner summoned enough pride to put together a long touchdown drive to open the third quarter, but any faint hopes of a Friar comeback were squashed on the Pats’ next possession, which added a little more bounty to the Carroll scoring cornucopia in the form of John Haefner’s 13-yard touchdown run. A two-point conversion set the mercy clock running, and Patriot victory was assured.
Carroll’s seventh consecutive Thanksgiving win caps a successful 10-3 season, enabling the 2007 Patriots to become the ninth Carroll team to finish with double-digit wins.
Junior QB Luke Wischnowski amassed 1,910 yards of total offense and led the team in rushing. Wischnowski's accomplishments earned him 2nd Team All-Catholic honors and TedSilary.com Player of the Week. (Photo courtesy of www.tedsilary.com)
Mistakes Prove Fatal In Playoff Loss
WHITEMARSH – The offense seemed unstoppable at times, the defense turned in a valiant effort, and the Archbishop Carroll Patriots kept within striking distance of an upset bid into the fourth quarter, but turnovers, missed opportunities, and the Archbishop Wood rushing attack proved to be the ultimate difference-makers as the Patriots succumbed to the Vikings in the PCL Blue semifinals, 41-17.
The final score was a bit misleading; indeed, it seemed at first that the Pats, victims of a 30-0 shellacking at the hands of the Vikings in their September match-up, might be ready to deliver a spanking of their own. After a long Jim Cuzzupe kickoff return, a pass from QB Luke Wischnowski to SE Ellis Rogers, and an 11-yard run by Wischnowski, the Pats had a 7-0 lead only 24 seconds into the game. The defense forced a three-and-out on Wood’s first possession, and the Patriots immediately drove deep into Viking territory, this time settling for a 21-yard field goal by Tom Boggia and a 10-0 cushion.
But the Vikings regrouped on their next drive and sledgehammered their way on the ground to a quick touchdown to cut the margin to 10-7. The ensuing kickoff saw perhaps the costliest of Carroll’s miscues, as Wood recovered a perfectly executed onside kick. The momentum of the game switched abruptly, and the Vikings promptly marched for the go-ahead tally and a 14-10 lead. Carroll had its chances to score again before halftime, but a missed field goal ended one drive and an interception halted another.
The backbreaker for the Patriots occurred with seconds left in the third quarter. After a Kevin Eckel TD reception pulled Carroll to within 20-17, Wood ripped off a 65-yard touchdown run on the very next play from scrimmage. The 27-17 score held for most of the final period; Wood added a pair of scores near the end of the game, both attributable to Carroll turnovers during desperation time.
The Pats will now turn their focus toward their Thanksgiving Eve opponent, the Monsignor Bonner Friars. Although there will be no PCL title for Carroll this year, there is still a chance to cap a successful 2007 season with a ten-win campaign, an accomplishment only eight past Carroll teams have achieved.
Carroll Can't Overcome Mistakes
WHITEMARSH — Before the Archbishop Carroll fans had much of a chance to enjoy the Patriots’ lead over Archbishop Wood in a Catholic League Blue Division playoff game Saturday night, it was gone. Link to the full article below
Wood Stomps Carroll
It took a while for Archbishop Wood's football team to get going Saturday night. In the first eight minutes of their Philadelphia Catholic League Blue Division semifinal, the Vikings spotted Archbishop Carroll 10 points, including a touchdown just 24 seconds and two plays into the game. Link to the full article below
http://www.phillyburbs.com/pb-dyn/news/110-11182007-1442981.html
Vikings Pound Patriots
Fullback Bob DeLucas and running back Sean Cunningham carried the load for Archbishop Wood last night. Archbishop Carroll could not handle the tag-team rushing attack. Link to the full article below
http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/high_school/pennsylvania/20071118_Vikings_pound_Patriots.html
2007 ACHS All-Catholic Selections
Congratulations to the following players who earned All-Catholic honors.
Offense - 1st Team
C - #57 John Tull (08)
OL- #75 Jack Lowney (09)
First Team All-Catholics (75) OT Jake Lowney and (57) C John Tull protect the passer. Behind Lowney and Tull the Carroll offense set the school record for most total yards in a season. Photo Judy Murrin
Offense - 2nd Team
QB - #16 Luke Wischnowski (09)
WR - #1 Ellis Rogers (08)
PK - #4 Tom Boggia (08)
Quarterback Luke Wischnowski prepares to rifle another completion. Wischnowski completed 55% of his pass attempts.
Offense - Honorable Mention
WR - #12 Jon Haefner (08)
Defense - 1st Team
DE - #46 Chris Kennedy (09)
DB - #1 Ellis Rogers (08)
Defense - 2nd Team
DL - #75 Jack Lowney (09)
LB - #41 Dillon McClernon (09)
Nice guys (46) Chris Kennedy and (75) Jack Lowney anchor the defensive line. Behind these bookend defensive ends Carroll shutout Kennedy-Kenrick, 35-0.
Defense - Honorable Mention
LB - #11 Geoff Prather (08)
DB - #32 Kevin Eckel (08)
Patriots Vanquish Saints; Earn 30th Playoff Victory
PHILADELPHIA - On a chilly night at Northeast H.S. Field, the Archbishop Carroll Patriots built a 22-point halftime lead, then staved off a furious second-half rally by the Neumann-Goretti Saints to win their PCL playoff opener, 30-22.
Carroll opened the game exactly as it wanted, taking the opening kickoff and marching the length of the field on a drive capped by FB Kevin Eckel’s 1-yard TD run. Holder Luke Wischnowski then flipped a two-point conversion pass to Jon Haefner on a fake PAT, and the Pats quickly had an 8-0 lead. The defense forced a three-and-out on the next series, but a muffed punt gave the Saints a short field, and they punched in a score and added their own two-point conversion to tie the contest. The lead and the momentum quickly shifted back to the Patriots as Eckel took the ensuing kickoff, sped up the middle of the field, broke one tackle, and blew past a horde of Saints along the Carroll sideline for an 85-yard touchdown to make the score 15-8. The Pats added two more touchdowns on a pair of 1-yard sneaks by Wischnowski (21/95, 2 TDs), and the defense, led by LB Geoff Prather’s tackling (11 solo stops) and interceptions by Eckel and Haefner stopped the Neumann-Goretti offense cold for the remainder of the half. Tom Boggia kicked a 22-yard field goal at the gun to send the Pats to the locker room with a 30-8 lead.
Matters in the second half got a little more dicey than the Pats would have liked, as Neumann-Goretti scored two touchdowns in the third quarter to close the gap to 30-22 and mounted a last-ditch drive that advanced to Carroll’s 33-yard line in the game’s waning seconds, but a desperation pass on the Saints’ final play of the game fell harmlessly to the turf, and Carroll earned the victory, its league-leading 30th playoff win overall. The Patriots will face the second-seeded Archbishop Wood Vikings in the PCL Blue Division semifinals. Saturday’s game vs. Wood will mark the Patriots' eighth appearance in the Catholic League semifinals since 1999.
Carroll Advances With Victory Over Neumann-Goretti
"Come Monday, this will be a great teaching tool," he said. "It'll make things easier when I try to convince the kids they need to work their butts off." Link to the full article below
Eckel, Carroll Survive Upset Bid
PHILADELPHIA — Even before Hakeem Johnson started carrying Neumann-Goretti back into the game, Archbishop Carroll was giving the Saints’ ace back all the scary respect he deserved.
But Carroll also had enough fortitude to finish off a 30-22 Catholic League Blue Division playoff victory Friday night at Northeast High. Link to the full article below
Kevin Eckel breaks away. Eckel scored two first quarter TDs including an 85-yard kickoff return.
Patriots Ground Eagles; Earn Eighth Win
LEVITTOWN – The Archbishop Carroll Patriots rolled up 400 rushing yards, earning a resounding 39-13 triumph over the Conwell-Egan Eagles at Harry S Truman HS on the last stop before PCL Blue Division playoffs.
The only time the outcome was even mildly in question was after the Pats fumbled on the way to the end zone to halt their first drive at the four-yard line and the feisty Eagles managed a respectable march into Carroll territory. The Carroll defense stiffened, however, and forced Conwell-Egan to turn the ball over on downs at the 23-yard line. Any clouds of doubt were promptly dissipated on the Pats’ next offensive play, a 77-yard TD bolt by FB Kevin Eckel (11/164 2 TDs). Eckel’s score was followed in quick fashion by touchdowns from HBs Dillon McClernon and Jim Cuzzupe (10/116 2 TDs). Eckel finished the first-half scoring with a 27-yard jaunt that gave the Patriots a 26-7 halftime lead. McClernon notched his second touchdown on a 4-yard blast in the third quarter, and Cuzzupe added Carroll’s final points on a spectacular 43-yard run up the sideline that showcased an impressive blend of speed, power, and balance.
The third-seeded Patriots will face Neumann-Goretti in the first round of the playoffs this weekend (starting time and site TBD). The Pats won the regular season battle a little over a month ago, 28-6. A victory over the Saints would earn Carroll a rematch with the second-seeded Archbishop Wood Vikings in the PCL Blue Division semifinals.
Burrs Nip Pats in OT Thriller
Against the backdrop of Senior Night and Hall of Fame induction ceremonies, the Patriots very nearly provided the perfect ending to a tradition-steeped day for Carroll football. With friends and family of Carroll’s standout senior class cheering themselves hoarse in the bleachers and Patriot greats of yesteryear barking encouragement from the sidelines, the Pats went toe-to-toe for four quarters with the highly touted Burrs, who had not played a game that was even remotely close as they ripped through their previous Blue Division opponents.
A sign that last night’s game would be different came on Carroll’s first offensive play, as HB Jim Cazzupe (7/64 yds.) torched West for a long gain on a beautifully executed misdirection play. The Pats stalled on that possession, but took a 7-0 lead thanks to QB Luke Wischnowski’s (19/110 yds.) 1-yard plunge in the second quarter.
Carroll’s defense kept West’s powerful offense off the scoreboard for most of the first half, but the Burrs scored with just over two minutes left in the second quarter to tie the game. Although an interception by Jon Haefner (the team’s 14th of the season) thwarted one third-quarter drive, the Burrs then added a pair of second-half scores to go ahead 21-7. Conventional wisdom at this point was probably that Carroll had given its best and would succumb quietly, but the Pats would have none of it. A pass from Wischnowski to SE Ellis Rogers set up a 9-yard Haefner scoring run that pulled Carroll to within 21-14, and when Charlie Thorne recovered a muff on the ensuing kickoff it put the Patriots right back in business. They soon electrified the crowd with a 9-yard fourth down TD pass from Wischnowski to Rogers that tied the contest and forced overtime, where the Pats unfortunately could not match West’s score on its first possession.
The Pats will use the myriad positives to be gleaned from this game to propel themselves through their final regular season contest at Conwell-Egan and into the playoffs.
Carroll Fall In Overtime Thriller
RADNOR — While the scoreboard did not read exactly as Archbishop Carroll would have hoped, the Patriots passed a gut check Sunday night and in the process learned a little bit about the character of the team. Link to the full article below
Pats Handle Lancers; Solidify Playoff Position
Radnor, PA - The Archbishop Carroll Patriots delighted a teeming homecoming crowd with a wholly satisfying victory over the Bishop McDevitt Lancers yesterday, 20-7. In doing so, the Pats (7-1, 4-1) guaranteed themselves to be no lower than the number three seed for the upcoming PCL Blue Division playoffs.
The cosmetics were not pretty at times, but the boys in red more than offset their mistakes with big plays. None was bigger than Jim Cuzzupe’s dazzling 92-yard touchdown return on the kickoff following a McDevitt tally on a punt team miscue that narrowed the score to 13-7. Overcoming a blocked field goal that thwarted their first drive, the Pats built a 13-0 lead on the strength of a 45-yard td pass from QB Luke Wischnowski to SE Ellis Rogers and a 16-yard scoring run by HB Dillon McClernon.
The Patriot defense turned in another outstanding performance. The McDevitt offense got no more than a sniff of the end zone, and the Pats snatched four interceptions to raise their impressive season total to thirteen. LB Geoff Prather picked off a slant pass late in the game as McDevitt threatened to make a contest of it; although his 80-yard TD return was negated by a penalty, the turnover virtually sealed Carroll’s win. Ellis Rogers nabbed two interceptions, and Kevin Eckel grabbed one.
The game held special significance for the Carroll football community. Former All-Catholic center, team captain and 2002 graduate Dominic D’Alicandro, whose life was cut tragically short in a motorcycle accident last year, was honored in a pre-game ceremony that included the D’Alicandro family and teammates. Current Carroll center John Tull donned Dom’s jersey number (60) for the game to further recognize Dom’s positive impact both on and off the field.
The Patriots begin preparation for West Catholic this Friday night at home. The game has regular season division title implications.
Center John Tull (60) flanked by the rest of the starting offensive line: tackle Rob Sklaroff (56), tackle Jack Lowney (75), guard Brendan Willcox (55), and guard Joe Gallagher (73). Tull made his varsity debut at center in the quarterfinal playoff game during his junior year. Photo Judith Murrin
Carroll On A Roll
RADNOR — In front of a jam-packed homecoming crowd at Prevost Field, the Archbishop Carroll Patriots extended their winning streak to four games with a decisive 20-7 win over the Bishop McDevitt Lancers in Catholic League Blue Division action Saturday. Link to the full article below
A packed house enjoys the homecoming festivities and Carroll's 20-7 victory over Bishop McDevitt. Carroll students get free admission to home games by using their school ID. Photos Judith Murrin
Homecoming pic-Nick
Norristown Resident Catagnus Stars For Carroll
NORRISTOWN — For Nick Catagnus, it was a lovely homecoming. For Kennedy-Kenrick High, it was an ugly mess. Link to the full article below
Defensive tackle Rob Sklaroff records one of Carroll's five quarterback sacks. Sklaroff doubles as a starting offensive tackle. (Photo courtesy of www.timesherald.com)
Carroll Cruises
NORRISTOWN — Nick Catagnus has been thinking about what homecoming would be like for four seasons now.
The Archbishop Carroll senior is a native of Norristown, where the Patriots took care of business against Kennedy-Kenrick Saturday afternoon. It was hardly a contest for the Patriots, who rolled to a 35-0 victory over their Catholic League Blue Division foe at Roosevelt Stadium. Link to the full article below
Nick Catagnus' 4 TDs ease Carroll past KK. Norristown native Catagnus played CYO football for the Visitation BVM Chargers. Judith Murrin photo
Patriots Hit On All Cylinders Against KK
NORRISTOWN, PA - The Archbishop Carroll Patriots turned in what was easily their best total team performance of the season yesterday in defeating cross-town rival Kennedy-Kenrick, 35-0.
Carroll’s stingy defense first shut down the Wolverines’ rushing attack, and then grounded their passing game as well. KK managed only 99 total yards and never seriously threatened to score. DT Cleveland Smith recovered an early fumble that led to Carroll’s first touchdown. DT Rob Sklaroff personally terrorized the KK offense, recording 6 solo tackles and 3 ½ sacks. Cornerback Jon Haefner picked off a pair of passes, and FS Ellis Rogers also nabbed an interception.
Offensively, the Patriots shrugged off some early penalties and rolled up 322 yards of offense as they kept the Wolverine defenders on their heels all day. Nick Catagnus (11-39, 4 TDs) did most of the scoring, but he had plenty of help. QB Luke Wischnowski (5-7, 1 TD passing, 15-91 rushing) and FB Bryant Moritz (9-67, 1 TD) contributed heavily to the victory. The offensive line of C John Tull, G Brendan Wilcox, G Joe Gallagher, T Jack Lowney, T Rob Sklaroff, and TE Chris Kennedy blocked with power and precision. Kicker Tom Boggia was a perfect 5-5 on PAT’s to stay close to the top of Delaware County scoring leaders. The Pats were not forced to punt all day.
Carroll hopes to extend its winning streak to four on Saturday at home against the Bishop McDevitt Lancers.
Carroll's McClernon Picture-perfect in win
JUST ONE member of the football-crazed McClernon family is allowed to give incomplete effort. That would be the mother, Lisa, and the apparent shirking is not her fault. The batteries in video cameras hold a charge for only so long, true? So, for the McClernons, that means only half the game, give or take, gets recorded for posterity. Hmmmmm. Link to the full article below
Carroll Blisters Neumann
Yeadon, PA -- On a parched Sunday that represented more of August than October, the Archbishop Carroll Patriots used a balanced, scorched-earth rushing attack and four turnovers to down the Neumann-Goretti Pirates, 28-7.
The Pats accumulated 347 total yards in the unseasonably sweltering conditions, spreading the wealth among FB Bryant Moritz (19/106, 2 TDs), HB Nick Catagnus (10/43 yds., 2 rec. 49 yds.), HB Dillon McClernon (13/60), HB Jim Cazzupe (2/44, 1 TD), and QB Luke Wischnowski (9/32, 1 TD). The defense held the Pirates to only one score, using a fumble recovery and interceptions by Cazzupe, McClernon, and Ellis Rogers to stifle the Neumann-Goretti attack.
The Patriots (5-1, 2-1) try for their third straight PCL Blue win next week against Kennedy-Kenrick on Saturday, 1:00 p.m. at Roosevelt Field in Norristown.
Sophomore FB Bryant Moritz scorches the Neumann defense. Moritz led all Patriot rushers with 106 yards.
McClernon, Carroll Race Past Dougherty
Radnor, PA – The Archbishop Carroll Patriots (4-1) returned home to Prevost Field after three weeks and recovered in a big way from their first loss of the season, downing the Cardinals of Cardinal Dougherty High School last night, 51-14.
Carroll’s overflowing home crowd did not have to wait long at all for a touchdown as halfback Nick Catagnus scored from 42 yards out on the third play from scrimmage. The Pats scored fast and often thereafter, building a 37-7 halftime lead. Catagnus was far from alone in the Carroll scoring parade. Hard-running halfback Dillon McClernon (8/124, 2 TD’s) spearheaded the offensive machine. Quarterback Luke Wischnowski, fullback Bryant Moritz, and halfback Jim Cuzzupe also struck paydirt. The defense, in an inspired effort, not only shackled the Dougherty offense (allowing only a second-quarter score and a cosmetic touchdown late in the game) but put up some points of its own when safety Ellis Rogers returned an interception for a score and defensive end Jack Lowney recorded a tackle for a safety.
The Pats, determined to avenge last season’s 1-point playoff loss, set their sights next week upon the Saints of Neumann-Goretti.
Halfback Dillon McClernon is the first Carroll running back to rush for over 100 yards in a game this season. Dillon's father Kevin was a starting linebacker on the 1976 City Title Team. Judith Murrin photo
McClernon Leads Way
RADNOR — The Archbishop Carroll football team concluded the month of September on a positive note as the Patriots cruised to a 51-14 victory over Cardinal Dougherty in a Catholic League Blue Division matchup at Prevost Field Friday night. Link to the full article below
Carroll Comes Up Empty In Loss
AMBLER — Archbishop Wood employed a dominating rushing attack and cruised to a 30-0 win over Catholic League Blue Division rival Archbishop Carroll at Wissahickon High School Saturday. Link to the full article below
Carroll Loses League Opener
Ambler, PA – The Patriots (3-1, 0-1) suffered their first setback of the season as the Archbishop Wood Vikings (3-1, 1-0) used a formidable ground attack and a hard-hitting defense to stun Carroll, 30-0, last night at Wissahickon High School.
Wood took the opening kickoff and promptly marched downfield for a touchdown. A turnover on Carroll’s next possession led to another quick score and a 14-0 hole from which the Pats could not climb.
The Patriots did manage a few sustained drives against Wood, accumulating over 270 yards of offense, but penalties and miscues plagued the offense. Carroll’s best drive of the day came in the first quarter, when they seemed poised to score and reduce the lead to 14-7; unfortunately the drive stalled on Wood’s 12-yard line and ended with a missed field goal.
Defensively, despite some good individual efforts, the Pats were unable to consistently control Wood’s rushing game.
Carroll Survives On The Ground
HAVERFORD — Archbishop Carroll coach Dan Bielli knew this week would be different. He knew deep down that The Haverford School wasn’t going to be as easy to beat as his first two opponents — Overbrook and Upper Merion. Link to the full article below
Archbishop Carroll’s Nick Catagnus, right, is met by The Haverford School’s Andrew Hubley during Saturday’s nonleague game. Catagnus and the Patriots claimed a 20-16 victory. Robert J. Gurecki photo
Patriots Spread The Wealth
Through three victories this season, twelve different Patriots have hit paydirt. Leading all scorers is place kicker Tom Boggia (13/14 PATs). Those in the Carroll TD club: RBs Nick Catagnus (2), Kevin Eckel (2), Sean Crossan, Dillon McClernon, Charlie Thorne, Jim Cuzzupe, and Bryant Moritz; WRs Jon Haefner and Ellis Rogers; TE Chris Kennedy; QB Luke Wischnowski (2). Wischnowski has connected with four different receivers for five TD passes.
Luke Wischnowski delivers the Patriot's first TD pass of the season - a 21-yard strike to TE Chris Kennedy. Kennedy is a two-way starter for the Patriots. Judith Murrin photo
Defense Stands Pat; Carroll Remains Unbeaten
Haverford, PA -- The Archbishop Carroll Patriots made the most of their second-half possessions and thwarted the Haverford School offense four times from inside the ten-yard line with under a minute to play to emerge with a well-earned 20-16 victory on Saturday.
After Nick Catagnus (12/80 yds., 2 TDs) scored on a four-yard run to give Carroll the lead with 1:52 remaining in the game, the Fords, aided by a pair of special teams penalties, started their final drive on the Patriots’ 42-yard line. Haverford moved to first and goal on the Carroll six, but the Pats denied them the winning score. Cornerback Jon Haefner deflected Haverford’s last-ditch pass attempt on fourth down, and the Carroll offense took a knee for the win.
The Pats forged ahead 7-0 in the first quarter on a 3-yard Catagnus TD run, but the Fords deadlocked the score just before the half. Haverford seized a 13-7 lead on the opening drive of the third quarter, but the Patriots, who had only two second-half possessions other than their kneel-down, promptly answered with a drive of their own, tying the contest on a 3-yard plunge by Bryant Moritz. After the kickoff, the Fords quickly marched to Carroll’s two-yard line, but had to settle for a field goal and a 16-13 lead after a key goal-line stand by the Patriot defense.
Wischnowski, Carroll Light Up Upper Merion
UPPER MERION — Upper Merion High head coach Joe Powel thought he saw some light through the clouds on the football field Friday night. Link to the full article below
Carroll on a Roll
UPPER MERION — Upper Merion High head coach Joe Powel thought he saw some light through the clouds on the football field Friday night. Link to the full article below
Carroll Overwhelms Upper Merion
King of Prussia, PA – Six different Patriots scored touchdowns and kicker Tom Boggia was perfect on seven PAT attempts as the Patriots amassed 511 yards and routed the host Upper Merion Vikings, 49-14, on 6abc.com’s version of “Friday Night Lights.” Performing in front of a spirited, overflow crowd at Viking Stadium, quarterback Luke Wischnowski connected with Dillon McClernon, Kevin Eckel and Ellis Rogers on touchdown passes in the first quarter. Wischnowski rushed for two more scores before the break behind a dominating effort by the offensive line. Center John Tull, guards Joe Gallagher and Brendan Willcox, tackles Jack Lowney and Rob Sklaroff, and tight ends Chris Kennedy and Tom Hatzadais also paved the way for additional rushing touchdowns by Jim Cuzzupe and Charlie Thorne. Sophomore Bryant Moritz provided much-needed, hardnosed running in the second half while substituting for Eckel. The stingy Patriot defensive unit, headlined by Temple signee Geoff Prather, limited the Vikings to 19 yards rushing for the game.
Patriots Tame Panthers, 28-6
RADNOR - Archbishop Carroll opened the 2007 season last Saturday at Radnor High School's Provost Field, topping Overbrook, 28-6, in the first-ever meeting on the gridiron between the two schools.Overbrook provided little resistance for the Patriots as Carroll moved the ball at will. Link to the full article below
Carroll Changes Opening Act
RADNOR — For the past three years, Archbishop Carroll walked away from its opener on a sour note. That scenario does not apply to this season. Link to the full article below
Archbishop Carroll’s Jon Haefner, right, races past Overbrook’s Corey Watts for a 10-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter of the Patriots’ 28-6 victory Saturday. Eric Hartline photo
Patriots Win Opener
Radnor, PA – The Patriots stormed across the goal line twice in the first quarter, and closed with a pair of scores in the final stanza to subdue a feisty Overbrook Panthers squad, 28-6. Yesterday’s meeting was the first-ever on the gridiron for the two schools despite being just eight miles apart. The Panthers have been part of the Carroll Classic Basketball Tournament for twenty-two consecutive years.
Quarterback Luke Wischnowski ignited the scoring through the air by firing a 21-yard end zone strike to Chris Kennedy. Wischnowski (6/7, 117 yds., 2 TD) connected again with Kevin Eckel in the 4th quarter for a 49-yard TD pass. Sean Crossan and Jon Haefner added a rushing TD apiece. Most of the 2nd and 3rd quarters were marred by Patriots’ miscues.
Carroll’s last, season-opening victory came over the Lansdale Catholic Crusaders, 20-12, in 2003. The Crusaders defeated the Upper Merion Vikings yesterday, 46-0. The Patriots travel to Upper Merion on Friday. Carroll has won both meetings with the Vikings since the revival of the neighborhood series in 2005.
Thanksgiving Returns Rival
After a year hiatus from the Thanksgiving gridiron, the Patriots return with a new rival – Monsignor Bonner. The Patriots will battle the Friars on Wednesday, November 21st 7:30pm at Radnor High School’s Prevost Field. Under Head Coach Dan Bielli the Patriots have a 6-game winning streak on Thanksgiving over Chester County foes Malvern Prep and Bishop Shanahan.
Monsignor Bonner and Archbishop Carroll are not strangers to each other. The rivalry dates back to 1969 when the teams were members of the Southern Division, and Bonner bested Carroll in the 1994 Philadelphia Catholic League Championship game. Several members of the Bonner staff including Head Coach Tom Oropeza were teammates on that Bonner squad.
Rogers, Eckel, Wischnowski Captains
Seniors Ellis Rogers (1) and Kevin Eckel (32) along with junior Luke Wischnowski (16) were elected captains of the football team by their peers. The traditional election takes place after the final double-practice session of training camp.
Rogers, a three-year letter winner, has started since his freshman year. His rookie season ended with a heartbreaking semifinal loss to West Catholic 13-12. Rogers would like nothing more than to return the championship plaque to the Patriots in his final season on the Main Line.
Eckel has turned heads since he transferred from the Haverford School before his sophomore season. He anchors a strong defensive secondary and is expected to handle the bulk of the Patriot's rushing attack. Eckel seeks an appointment to the Naval Academy where he wishes to continue his football career following the path of his brother Kyle, a Midshipmen standout.
Quarterback Luke Wischnowski is the first underclassman elected captain since Brian Mattaway in 1999. Wischnowski like Rogers earned his first varsity letter during his freshman year when he led the Patriots to a 28-21 victory over a spirited Kennedy-Kenrick team while starting in the place of injured signal-caller Matt Cantafio. Wischnowski performed admirably in multiple relief appearances as a youngster.
Position Group Leaders
Quarterbacks & Splitends: Jon Haefner
Offense Line: John Tull
Running Backs: Dillon McClernon
Defense Backs: Jim Cuzzupe
Defense Line: Jack Lowney
Linebackers: Geoff Prather
