NEWTOWN TWP. >> In two district playoff games, Marple Newtown’s defensive unit has found something. What that is, isn’t easy to explain. Perhaps it’s as simple as a team hitting its stride at the right time. In wins over Oxford and Upper Moreland, the Tigers (8-4) have allowed 255 yards and 15.5 points per game. The run defense is giving up 3.5 yards per carry, compared to a 4.5 clip in the regular season. Going back further in time, the defense has posted eight takeaways during the team’s four-game winning streak.
While those statistics don’t scream dominance, there were times this year, not long ago, when the Tigers were hemorrhaging points against the top players in the Central League. They dropped a heartbreaking, 34-31 decision to Garnet Valley in a game the Tigers thought they should have won. Against Springfield, the No. 1 seed in the District 1 Class 5A playoffs, the Tigers lost 42-19. And they were shut out by Haverford, 35-0. Now they are facing the possibility of not having All-Delco quarterback Anthony Paoletti, who is trying to fight off the effects of an injury to get back Friday night for a District 1 Class 5A semifinal game against No. 3 seed Unionville. With or without their leader on offense, however, the Tigers are ready. They’ve licked their wounds, regrouped and find themselves a win away from the district final. That’s the only thing that matters.
“We’ve had our ups and downs this year, but especially during the playoffs, everyone has stepped up as a team,” senior lineman Mike Shelly said. “It’s really starting to feel like a family. We’re definitely playing our best football.”
Maybe that “something” can be pinned on defensive coordinator Harry Gicking, otherwise known as “Dirty Harry,” a meticulous game-planner.
“My dad does a great job with the defense. He watches endless amount of film,” head coach Chris Gicking said. “He’s always thinking of something. ‘Well, this team doesn’t run this, but they could do this or this.’ I’m like, ‘Dad, what are you talking about?’ He’s throwing every scenario and everything he can think of at us during practice.”
And it’s players such as Shelly and fellow seniors Luke Cantwell and Kyle Tobin, who have executed Harry Gicking’s strategy to a ‘T.”
“He can come up with any game plan that he wants, but it’s the kids who have obviously responded,” Chris Gicking said.
In the 24-18 victory over No. 2 Upper Moreland in the quarterfinals, Cantwell jarred a ball loose as the Golden Bears were threatening to tie the score in the fourth quarter. Lineman Mike Miller recovered the fumble and the Marple Newtown offense, led by junior running back Marlon Weathers’ 170-yard performance, carried the team across the finish line.
“I know, when I’m out there, I like being more vocal,” Cantwell said. “I’ve got to give a lot of credit to our D-line. The last couple of weeks they gotten big sacks, QB hurries and breaking everything up constantly. They (the defensive line) are playing like animals.”
Tobin, a soft-spoken terror at defensive end, recently became the school’s all-time career sacks leader.
“I don’t worry about (setting records) right now,” Tobin said. ‘We have two more games to win.”
Seventh-seeded Marple Newtown travels to Unionville (11-1), which is coming off a 39-8 rout of Strath Haven. The Indians have a cavalcade of playmakers, including running back Dante Graham, who ran for three touchdowns last week. Quarterback Alex Gorgone completed 10 of 14 passes for 201 yards and a score.
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RICK KAUFFMAN – DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA
Marple Newtown running back Marlon Weathers throws up the battle sign after a touchdown.
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