Football: Marple Newtown goes to ground game to run past Penncrest

MIDDLETOWN >> For all the spread principles of Chris Gicking’s offense, the Marple Newtown coach won’t pretend that the seven carries his team tallied in last week’s loss to Garnet Valley was sufficient. So Friday’s priority was simple: Establish the run, early, often, by any means necessary. The Tigers’ 47 carries and 207 yards on the ground didn’t fracture any records, but it controlled the clock long enough for the defense to backstop a 20-17 Central League victory over Penncrest.

Airing it out is one thing; forcing sophomore quarterback Anthony Paoletti to hoist up 47 passes like last week’s 40-17 loss to the Jags is suboptimal, even in catchup mode after a 26-3 halftime deficit. Friday, the Tigers got proactive. And if they required a proponent of offensive balance, they needn’t look further than Paoletti.

“I love running the ball,” said Paoletti, who relished lowering his shoulder into contact on eight carries for 58 yards. “I know our running backs love running the ball. Our linemen like to run block. We’re a hard, pounding football team, and we like that mentality.”

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Marple Newtown quarterback Anthony Paoletti, flinging the ball in a game earlier this season, did as much damage running the ball as he did throwing it in the Tigers’ 20-17 victory over Central League rival Penncrest Friday night. (Times Staff/Tom Kelly IV)