Colonials Top Vikings in Suburban One Showdown.

Colonials Top Vikings in Suburban One Showdown

By Jack Coll

     The heavy rains ceased just as the refs were tossing the coin, but the rain drenched field would still have an effect on the game between Upper Merion and Plymouth Whitemarsh High Schools.  The Vikings won the coin toss and deferred giving the Colonials the ball, Brian Afflick returned the opening kickoff to the 45 yard line.  The Colonials chewed up 4:45 off the clock thanks to their running game with an eleven play drive that resulted in an 8-0 Colonial lead with 7:15 remaining in the opening quarter.   Colonial Fullback Jose Mora-Vega plowed into the end zone from four yards out and quarterback Connor Hanlon ran the conversion for the two points and the Colonials were on their way to a soggy 32-23 victory over the host Vikings.

With that the two teams were off to the races, Upper Merion responded with a nice drive resulting in a field goal cutting the Colonial lead to 8-3 with 1:56 remaining in the first quarter.  Both teams added a touchdown in the second quarter giving the Colonials a 16-10 halftime lead.

The second half opened much the way the first half opened only the Vikings had the ball, seven plays and four minutes later the Vikings had their first lead of the game 17-16, and every fan in the stands felt the two teams were off to the races, and they were right.  On the Colonials next possession quarterback Connor Hanlon capped a four yard drive with a short touchdown run putting the Colonials back on top with a two point conversion making it a 24-17 Colonial lead.  The Vikings made it close with a touchdown, but thanks to the speed of defensive back Nafeese Nasir who blocked the extra point, the Colonials maintained a one point lead 24-23.

With less than four minutes remaining in the game the Colonials scored again to go up 32-23, there would be no late come from behind miracles from the Vikings like they did in the Norristown game.  The Colonials improved their overall season record to 5-2, 4-0 in league play, The Vikings dropped to 3-4 on the season.  For the Colonials they won their fifth straight game after starting the season 0-2.  The Colonial backfield has been a big part of their winning ways, quarterback Connor Hanlon, and running backs Brian Afflick, Jose Mora-Vega, and Manny Jones have accounted for nearly 1400 rushing yards in seven games.

Not to be overlooked was the excellent play of Jack Mailey, Ricky Connelly, Ryan Bischoff, Anthony Casselli, James Rogers, Steve Kovacic, Emmanuel Jones, and Marquis Dodd.   Hats off to the Colonial offensive line for opening holes up for the running backs on a night when the field was wet and slippery, and the conditions proved to be challenging to plant your feet and hold their blocks.